“I was thinking the same thing.” Tony removed his cell phone from his pocket and tapped the screen.
The two had a brief conversation, and it was apparent to Carlita that Shelby’s uncle was aware she had left.
“I see. She’s in school right now. We’ll be ready for you at five.” Tony ended the call and waved the phone in the air. “Shelby asked Jerry and Ginny to come get Violet.”
Carlita touched his arm, wishing more than anything she could somehow fix things. Tony’s entire life, his wife and stepdaughter, were slipping away from him. “This might work out for the best. Violet misses her mother.”
“She does. Maybe if they’re reunited, Shelby will be more receptive to sitting down and talking.” Tony thanked his mother again and then trudged out of the apartment.
Mercedes waited until the door closed behind him. “Poor Tony.”
“Poor Violet. The child is going to be so confused.”
Carlita thought about canceling her dinner plans with Pete. Knowing Violet was leaving, she didn’t want Tony to be home alone. She ran downstairs to talk to him and found her tenant, Cool Bones, inside.
“Hello, Cool Bones. I haven’t seen you around lately.”
“Me and my band have been busy with our gigs, not to mention a lot of practice sessions. I’m looking to get rid of some equipment. Tony offered to let me sell it here in the shop.” Cool Bones said. “He mentioned Shelby and Violet weren’t around, so I invited him to join me and the guys down at the Thirsty Crow for dinner and drinks tonight before our first set.”
“That was very nice of you.” Carlita pressed her palms together. “I think you should take Cool Bones up on his offer. It will be good for you to get out of the house for a couple hours.”
Maybe you can shake the tambourine and join in.”
Tony cracked a smile. It was one of the few Carlita had seen since Shelby’s departure. “I’ll take you up on the invite, minus the tambourine.”
The men agreed to meet in the alley as soon as Tony closed the pawn shop for the day, and Carlita followed her tenant out.
She stopped him in the stairwell. “Thank you for inviting Tony to hang out with you and your band.”
“Tony’s a good guy. He reminds me of my nephew.” Cool Bones glanced around and lowered his voice. “I ran into Elvira on my way in. She didn’t go into detail but said something about Shelby taking off.”
“She did.”
“I was kinda wondering.” Cool Bones abruptly stopped.
“Wondering?” Carlita asked.
“I ran into Shelby last week. She was with some people.”
“What kind of people?”
“A sketchy bunch. Late nights bring out a whole different crowd.”
“She left Violet here with Tony.”
Cool Bones let out a low whistle.
Carlita told him Shelby’s aunt and uncle were picking Violet up later that afternoon. “He’s taking it hard.”
“That’s rough. I’m glad I extended the invitation.”
“Me too.” Carlita patted his arm. “Thanks again. I don’t know what I did to deserve such an awesome tenant, but I’m glad to have you here and part of the family.”
Carlita watched as Cool Bones headed upstairs to his apartment. She thought about what he had said about bumping into Shelby. Was she running with a rough crowd? Would she be exposing Violet to a potentially unsafe environment?
Her only consolation was Shelby’s aunt and uncle were down-to-earth, kind people who loved their niece and Violet. Perhaps if they met with Shelby, they could form their own opinion on what was happening.
It was the only thing Carlita could hope for, and that Tony wasn’t turning Violet over to someone who might, inadvertently, be placing the little girl in harm’s way.
*****
Mercedes had already left to meet up with Sam by the time Carlita began primping for her dinner date with Pete.
Halfway through, Tony called to let her know Shelby’s aunt and uncle had arrived. She left the apartment and caught up with them in the alley.
Violet’s eyes were filled with tears as she clung to Tony’s leg. “I want Daddy to go with us,” she said.
“I’m sorry, Violet. He can’t right now,” Jerry Crowley said in a soft voice. “Your mother is waiting to see you. Don’t you want to see her?”
Carlita noted the anxious look in the man’s eyes as he turned his attention to Tony. “Ginny and I are here for you. Please don’t view us as the bad guys.”
“I don’t.” Tony placed a light hand on his daughter’s head. “It will be good for Violet to be with her mother. She’s been askin’ for her. It’s just…”
“We plan to have a heart-to-heart talk with Shelby, to see if there’s anything we can do to help.” Crowley extended his hand, and Tony shook it. There were tears in Tony’s eyes as he gave Violet a hug goodbye.
Violet started to cry, and Aunt Ginny quickly whisked her into the car.
“I’m sorry.” Jerry quickly slid behind the wheel, and they sped off down the alley.
Carlita’s throat clogged when she saw Violet’s head pop up. She stared at them through the rear window until the car turned onto the street.
She swiped at a tear as she sucked in a breath. “That was awful.”
“The other half of me just got ripped out of my arms.” Tony’s voice was raw. “I’m still tryin’ to figure out how things got to this point, why Shelby thought it was so bad she had to leave, to run away.”
“The Garluccis are a tough bunch. We’re gonna get through this.” Carlita gave her son a hug and then slipped her arm through his, gently guiding him toward the apartment. “I trust Ginny and Jerry to talk to Shelby, to see what is really goin’ on.”
Carlita promised to check in with him later and then asked if he still planned to head down to the Thirsty Crow with Cool Bones.
“Yeah.” Tony offered his mother a sad smile. “Why not? I ain’t got nothin’ else to do except go home and stare at the four walls.”
“It’s gonna be okay, Son.” Even to her own ears, the words rang hollow. There was no guarantee it would be all right. More than anything, she wished she could talk to Shelby, to get a feel for what she was thinking.
Tony was still weighing heavily on her mind as Carlita finished getting ready for her dinner date. With time to spare, she headed to the pawn shop. It was empty, and her son was alone.
“Why don’t you change out of your work clothes while I close up for the day?”
“You sure?” Tony asked.
“Absolutely.” After he left, Carlita ran the numbers. Spring sales had broken records, and summer sales were shaping up to do the same. Even Ravello’s was holding its own.
Last, but not least, Carlita had wonderful tenants in place. If not for Tony and Shelby’s current situation, life was everything she could have ever hoped for.
Carlita thought about her husband, Vinnie. He’d been gone for three years now. There were times it felt like just yesterday she’d been sitting by his bedside as he took his last breath.
So much of life had changed for Carlita Garlucci. Her oldest, Vinnie, was married and had a son. Tony had married. Mercedes and Sam were dating. She was dating. Paulie and Gina’s kids were growing like weeds. Looking back, there were moments she had wondered how she would survive.
Vincent Garlucci would be proud of his wife. Proud she had taken what he’d left for her and carved out a new life for their children and families. If someone had told Carlita even five years ago, she would be living in Savannah, Georgia, running multiple businesses – successfully at that – she would’ve laughed in their face.
But not now. Carlita was in charge of her destiny, making decisions about her future. For so many years, she’d let her husband handle the finances.
It was almost unbelievable to think that when Vinnie was alive; she hadn’t even driven a car, hadn’t needed to.
She quickly reminded herself it wasn’t all sunshine and ro
ses. She still had regrets, still had promises not kept, namely her vow on Vinnie’s deathbed to get their sons out of the “family.”
Now, it seemed an impossible task, a promise she could never keep. Vinnie, her eldest, was deeply entrenched in the family.
She thought about the upcoming cruise. At first, she’d been hesitant about taking the cruise with not only her family, but the Castellini family.
She’d since changed her mind and was looking forward to seeing with her own eyes how deeply her son was entangled in the “family” business.
Something told her Vinnie would be a part of the “family” until the day he died. Her only prayer was that he lived to a ripe, old age.
Tony returned and did a quick check, making sure everything was taken care of. They chatted in the downstairs hall until Cool Bones arrived.
Carlita teased her tenant about his snappy suit and alluring cologne. “You better not let Elvira catch sight of you. She’ll follow you down to the club.”
“She already does. Elvira is a regular.” Cool Bones ran a light finger along the rim of his fedora. “You ready to hit the town, my friend?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
After they left, Carlita ran upstairs to change. She’d decided on a floral print dress. Mercedes had talked her into the purchase, insisting the cinched waist and flared skirt flattered Carlita’s curvy figure.
It sported a pale purple quarter sleeve and included a lightweight jacket, perfect for Savannah’s warm, summer nights.
Pete arrived promptly at seven, dressed for their casual date night in a pair of fitted slacks and a silk shirt that accentuated his tanned and toned arms. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.” Pete leaned in and kissed Carlita before handing her a bouquet of roses. “These are for you.”
“They’re beautiful.”
“They’re from Gunner and me. It’s our way of thanking you for taking such good care of him.”
“He was no trouble at all,” Carlita said. “Although as I mentioned, he almost got me in trouble with the cop.”
“Gunner has a way with words.”
Carlita admired them, savoring their fragrant scent before returning upstairs to place them in water. When she returned, Dernice was in the alley chatting with Pete.
“How’s the rash? Elvira said you looked like you had a bad case of chicken pox.”
“I had a reaction to the makeup.” Carlita ran a light hand across her cheek. “Thankfully, the bag balm she let me borrow worked wonders.”
“And your little fact-finding mission was successful?”
“Mercedes and I found out some things worth checking into.”
Dernice gave her a thumbs up. “I better get going. Enjoy the beautiful evening.”
Carlita thanked her, and the couple began their leisurely stroll to Pete’s apartment. While they walked, they discussed their restaurants. She briefly mentioned Tony and Shelby’s sad situation.
“Sometimes marriages hit rocky spots,” Pete said. “I’m sure Tony and Shelby will get it all worked out.”
“I hope so.”
Since Pete had installed a separate entrance for his apartment, they bypassed the restaurant and headed up the stairs.
He gave her a tour of his most recent renovations and then poured Carlita a frozen mint lemonade. “I wondered if you could give me your honest opinion of my latest concoction. I’m adding it to my non-alcoholic drink selection.”
Carlita took a tentative sip. It was refreshing and minty. “It’s delicious.”
Pete poured a glass for himself and they wandered out onto the terrace.
A secluded alcove and a hammock were in the far corner. A gas fire pit with seating for six was off to one side.
Although the furnishings were inviting, her favorite feature was the spectacular view. From their vantage point, Carlita could see not only the Savannah River but also the downtown skyline. “You have a million-dollar view.”
“It gets better.” Pete led her to a high-powered telescope. “This cost me a pretty penny but is worth every cent.” He held her drink while she stepped onto the small platform.
Carlita peered through the telescope, seeking out the city’s familiar landmarks, from The Cotton Exchange to the ferryboat. There was even an unobstructed view of Hutchinson Island and the convention center.
“I gotta admit, I’m a little jealous.” Carlita hopped off the platform. “I wonder if I could add a rooftop terrace to my place.”
“You can come over here anytime you want.” Pete placed a light arm around her waist and pulled her close. He lowered his head, claiming her lips when the doorbell rang.
“Impeccable timing.” Pete reluctantly released his grip. “I’ll be right back.”
He returned moments later, steering a cart laden with covered dishes onto the rooftop.
Carlita helped him set a table for two, strategically choosing a spot with a view of the city’s skyline. “This is absolutely beautiful. I would be tempted to sleep out under the stars.”
“Great minds think alike.” Pete tapped the side of his forehead. “That is what my hammock is for. I think I’m going to give it a go one of these days. I don’t know about you, but all of this fresh air is making me hungry.”
Pete placed their appetizer, a crab dip with pita slices, on the table. “This is a customer favorite.”
“It looks delicious.” They devoured the dip and then started on their salads.
While they ate, they chatted about Sandy Sue’s Bar-B-Que and then Elvira’s surprise of her booking their cruise.
“She’s going overboard on this cruise planning, wanting us to link our reservations so we can eat together.”
“And make it one big, happy family event,” Pete teased. “I’m sure the ship has rescue boats in case she goes over the side.”
“Knowing Elvira, there’s a good chance she’ll get tangled up in some sort of predicament.”
Carlita placed their empty salad plates on the cart while Pete served the main course. “I hope you like what I picked out.” He lifted the lids, revealing beds of white rice. Skewered jumbo shrimp were on top of the rice. “It’s Cajun smoked shrimp.”
“I love shrimp.” Using her fork, Carlita gingerly slid one off and nibbled the end, savoring the smoky, spicy morsel. She quickly gobbled it up before sampling a spoonful of rice and steamed broccoli.
After dinner, Pete called down to the restaurant. A server arrived to drop off a carafe of coffee and collect the cart and dirty dishes. He tipped the employee while Carlita filled their cups.
Darkness had settled in, setting the stage for the mesmerizing city lights, twinkling in every direction for as far as the eye could see. A cool breeze blew across the water.
Pete wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and nuzzling her neck. “I missed you.”
Carlita chuckled. “You were only gone for a coupla days.”
“It seemed longer,” he insisted. “I can’t say as I cared much for Atlanta. I’m not a big-city person.”
“Me either. At least not anymore.” Once again, life in Queens, New York, seemed a lifetime ago. “I love it here.”
“And I love how you love it here.” Pete’s eyes met Carlita’s right before he claimed her lips in a soft kiss. She could feel his warmth and the ripple of his muscles through his silk shirt. Her heart skipped a beat, and a tingle started in her toes.
Finally, Pete pulled away, his eyes smoldering. He pushed a stray strand of hair from her eyes. “Thank you for giving an old pirate a chance.”
“I could say the same, except you’ve taken on an entire family,” Carlita said.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Date night ended, and Pete drove her home. He steered his pickup into the back alley. “Don’t move. I’ll get the door.” He sprang from the truck and strode to the other side.
“You’re spoiling me.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He offered Carlita his arm and e
scorted her to the stoop.
“Thank you for a lovely evening, a delicious dinner, a spectacular view.”
“It was long overdue.” Pete pulled her close for one more kiss. His lips lingered on hers, causing her pulse to race.
By the time he lifted his head, she was breathless. “Kissing me like that will get you in trouble.”
“A salty old pirate loves trouble.” Pete sneaked in one more quick kiss before returning to his truck. He waited until she was safely inside before pulling away.
Carlita leaned against the door and closed her eyes. If there was anything perfect in her life, anything worth waiting for, it was Pete Taylor.
Back upstairs, she called Tony. The call went to voice mail. Carlita left a message, telling him she was checking in and that she would catch up with him the next morning.
She headed to bed, but sleep was elusive. She wondered how Shelby and Tony’s relationship went from wonderful to horrible in what seemed to be a matter of weeks.
She thought about what Cool Bones had said, how Shelby was running with a rough crowd. Which made her even more concerned for Violet and Shelby’s safety.
As she finally drifted off to sleep, her last thought was about what tomorrow would bring and if the trip to South Carolina was going to help – or hurt – the situation.
Chapter 16
Tony was already waiting on the stoop when Carlita joined him early the next morning. She didn’t bother asking how he’d slept. All she had to do was look at the dark circles beneath his eyes.
“Do you want me to drive?”
“I appreciate the offer, Ma, but you don’t even like driving around town.”
“True. We would both be a nervous wreck by the time we got there,” she said. “I’ll try to be an excellent navigator instead.”
“Tony!” Elvira hustled toward them, carrying a large box. “Are you on your way to track Shelby down?”
“How did you know?” Carlita asked.
“Elvira and I ran into each other at the Thirsty Crow last night,” Tony said.
“Tony and I had a long talk. After I got home, I did a little intel on Shelby’s location.” Elvira patted the box. “This might come in handy.”
Family Feud in Savannah: A Garlucci Family Saga (Made in Savannah Mystery Series Book 16) Page 10