They walked across Pondfield Road, which dissected the park, then stopped. Tony was sitting on a bench with his head in his hands. Mike pulled back.
“Do you know why they are fighting?” he asked.
“No. Lilly doesn’t say two words at home. Why?”
“I don’t know.”
He suspected Lilly had found out about Tony’s other girls. Colleen thought Lilly had become too cool since she was in a rock ’n roll band. Neither voiced an opinion. They walked back towards Lilly.
“Hi, Lil. What are you doing here? Did you visit Sandy? Did you fix her hair?”
“Yeah.”
Lilly stood and stared ahead.
“Are you going home? We’ll walk you” Colleen continued.
“That’s OK.” Lilly looked at her suspiciously.
“Really. I left my proof home.”
“OK.”
Colleen and Mike chatted about their upcoming graduations. Lilly kept her eyes down.
When they got home, Lilly muttered, “Thanks,” and went up to her room.
Mike and Colleen went back to the park. They had missed their ride.
“Let’s walk to Bronxville. Maybe something’s happening there,” Mike suggested.
They had walked about a block when Tony’s car drove up and honked. Frank and his girl Jane were in the front with two guys in the back. They played Chinese fire drill, then all got back in the car.
“Tony loaned me the car. He’s out with that chick from last week.” Frank kept talking away, the big man with the car. He didn’t see Mike and Colleen exchange glances. They drove and smoked joints and told stories.
They stopped for pizza. Mike and Colleen played stretch the mozzarella. They didn’t see the girl come to the table.
“Hello, Lana, how’s it going?” Frank said, looking up.
Lana spit out, “Where’s your brother, Frank? He was supposed to pick me up at 8:30.”
Frank threw up his hands, “Search me. Must’ve got sidetracked.”
“Jesus Christ! He’s supposed to be so cool. Last week we were at a party and he called me Lilly.”
“Hey don’t hassle me. I don’t know where he is.”
“You tell him to eat shit.”
“Sure, sure and you give my best to Hollywood.”
**************
Tony stayed in the park for a long time trying to sort out his priorities. He had been offered a scholarship to Brighton University in the Bronx. He decided to accept it. He felt as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, as soon as he made the decision. He hadn’t been offered the big name basketball scholarships he had seen so sure of receiving. His father had urged him to apply for scholarships in math and science, and he had done so to appease Tito. He had received a partial science scholarship to Duke and had decided to go there and hope, by some miracle, to get on the basketball team. He laid aside that dream and its futility. He wanted to tell Lilly.
He walked to her house but then realized it was too late. He walked around the corner and looked up at her window. He could hear the piano playing a sad, quiet song. He stood and listened for a while. He went home and sat on the fire escape and played the guitar Lilly had given him for his eighteenth birthday.
Tony began calling Lilly’s house at nine a. m. from the gas station. When he received no answer all day long, he decided their phone was broken. He stopped by the house after work and found it empty.
The della Robbia men were starting their weekly poker game. Tito, Nicky, Joe, and Nunzio played and drank beer while Isabel and Tanta drank wine and argued with them. Tanta started in on Tony as soon as he came through the door.
“Anthony, where’s your pretty little girlfriend? Did you say something to hurt her feelings?”
“Hi, Tanta.” He kissed her cheek. “How’s your shoulder? Your bursitis acting up?”
“Don’t change the subject. Where’s your girl?”
Tony turned both palms up and shrugged.
Nunzio got up and said, “Tony, I got a car. C’mon. You look at it, maybe take it for a little ride. Tell me if I should buy it. The guy’s gonna be here as soon as his wife lets him out.”
The brothers laughed. Tito gave Tony five dollars. “Stop and pick up some beer, OK?”
Tony and Nunzio walked to the door and met Mike.
“Hey, Tony. Where are you going tonight?”
“Don’t know. Aren’t you going out with Colleen?” Tony asked.
“No, her family went out to East Hampton this morning,” Mike answered.
“I’m going to check out a car for Nunzio. I’ll be right back. If you play cards with them while I’m gone, don’t drink Tanta’s wine. I’ll have to carry you home.”
***********
Ann and Colleen were sitting in the living room. Ann had arrived from college the night before, and she and Colleen were exchanging stories.
Ann asked, “Why did Lillian and Tony breakup? She hasn’t said boo to me.”
Colleen told Ann what she had seen the night before in the park.
“God, that’s awful. How did he seem? Does he even care? Men can be such bastards.”
Colleen told her about seeing Tony in the park with his head in his hands. “Mike and Tony are best friends, and even Mike said they’re tearing each other apart.”
The doorbell rang. Colleen whispered to Ann, “That’s probably the Tunneys. They come out every weekend, but it’s not summer, so they won’t turn on the phone.”
The O’Dwyers had a rule that after dark only Mrs. O’Dwyer or the boys could answer the door.
“Five to one it’s the Tunneys wanting to use our phone,” Mrs. O’Dwyer said, coming from the hall.
“Mrs. O’Dwyer, may I come in?’
Mrs. O’Dwyer stepped back, allowing Tony to enter.
“May I speak with Lilly?”
Mrs. O’Dwyer turned to the hall of the ranch-style home. “Lillian, come here please.” A minute passed, and Mrs. O’Dwyer called again.
Lilly walked down the hall wearing an old pair of baby doll pajamas and a towel around her head.
“Yes, Mom.”
Lilly looked up, saw Tony, gasped, and jumped back a little.
“Lilly,” Tony spoke softly. “Lilly, I’m sorry I hurt you. Lil you were right … about leaving I mean …”
“North Carolina?” Lilly moved closer.
“No, Lil. I’m going to take the scholarship to Brighton.”
Lilly rushed to him. He lifted her, and they kissed and hugged.
“Lilly, I love you. I really love you.” They stood for a moment.
Mrs. O’Dwyer found her voice first. “Lillian, put on some clothing.”
“Oh!” She turned, took a few steps down the hall, and then turned back for the towel on the floor. “Wait here, OK? I’ll be right back.” She rushed down the hall.
Mrs. O’Dwyer was still standing there. An awkward silence held for the full time Lilly was gone. When she returned, wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, her hair was under a bandanna.
“Lillian, you can’t go out with wet hair. You just got out of the hospital,” Mrs. O’Dwyer protested.
“Mom, we’ll go to town for an ice cream. That’ll be good for my throat,” Lilly said, backing out the front door.
“Whose car is that?” Lilly asked Tony when they were outside.
“Nunzio wanted me to test drive it.”
“To East Hampton?” Lilly giggled.
“I didn’t know I was coming here ’til I was on the Throg’s Neck Bridge.”
They drove to the beach.
“Tanta’s been asking about you. She said, ‘What did you say to her?’”
Tony laughed, then got serious. “Lilly, I never knew I loved you. I always pictured myself as a lone wolf, with a ton of women around, maybe settling down at thirty or thirty-five. I knew you were special, but it wasn’t until I was looking for you in every girl that I knew.”
Lilly laughed. “Tony, I fell in love with you when
I met you. I was only nine years old.”
“Why were you in the hospital?”
“Had my tonsils out.”
“Should I be kissing you?”
“Yes, it’s a recommended exercise for the throat.”
Lilly touched his lower lip with her tongue.
“You’re a great liar.”
He kissed her more softly.
Later, Ann and Colleen were in the kitchen drinking tea.
“I can’t believe he said he loved her right in front of Mom and us. Geez!” Ann said.
“I can’t believe he drove a hundred and twenty-three miles to make up with her,” Colleen replied.
“Shh, they’re at the back door,” Ann whispered.
Lilly came inside, glowing.
“Lillian you’ve got to watch that sort of kissing,” Ann said. “He’ll swallow you.”
Lilly made a face, then twirled around the kitchen. She stopped. “Colleen, listen, don’t tell Mike. A man has his pride. It wouldn’t be good if the guys ribbed him.”
Mrs. O’Dwyer came in. “Where’s Tony?”
“He had to go home,” Lilly answered.
“He drove all this way to make up?”
Mrs. O’Dwyer hoped the summer separation would be soon enough.
*******
Nunzio said, “Where the hell you been? Did the car break down?”
Tony answered guiltily, “No, it’s a good car. You should buy it.”
Nunzio got up to go down to the car with a man who looked loaded. Tony watched him stumble to the door.
“Tanta’s wine?” he asked.
Joe laughed and nodded.
“He’s not used to Italian wine either,” Tito said, pointing to Mike unconscious on the sofa. They all laughed.
“Where’s the beer, Anthony?” Tito asked.
“I forgot. I’ll go get it now.” Looking at the clock he said. “It’s midnight. Andy’s deli is open.”
“Forget it,” Tito said holding his hand out for the five dollars.
Nick said, “If you go over the hill to Andy’s, you’ll be gone ’til Christmas.”
Nunzio came back. “How the hell you put two hundred fifty miles on it?’
Tony said, “Hey, you wanted me to check out the car. I did. G’night. Let Mike sleep it off.”
Nick followed him down the hall to go to the bathroom. Out of earshot of his brothers he said, “How far is your girlfriend’s summer house? A hundred twenty-five miles?”
Tony looked at him but didn’t answer.
“Bingo,” said Nick going into the bathroom.
The Greeley senior prom was the following Friday night. Mrs. O’Dwyer was in her heyday. Patrick and Daniel were going with Paula and Kathy Reardon. Colleen was going with Mike, and now Lilly was going with Tony. Lilly had her dress and shoes from Jay and Hillary’s wedding.
Monday, Kathy and Paula came over, which was strange since the brothers were at work. They were particularly friendly to Ann, whom they had met only once before, during spring vacation.
Finally, Paula blurted out, “My cousin, Lewis … you know him, Lilly. He’s a senior.”
“Lewis Reardon? Don’t know him.”
“No, not Reardon. He’s Lewis Shaw. He’s on the football team.”
“Oh, yeah, he’s … sweet.”
“Well, he’s been going out with Ellie, and she dumped him. He’s already bought prom tickets and rented a tux. Ann, he’s really a nice guy.”
Ann caught on, “I don’t know. I think I’m busy Saturday.”
“Well, that’s great, ’cause it’s Friday. He doesn’t expect anything romantic. I was going to ask Lilly, but I saw her with Tony D. at lunch. He’s really a nice guy.”
Colleen said, “Ann, it will be fun. We’ll all be there.”
Ann, who felt too sophisticated to be involved in a high school prom, resisted.
“C’mon Annie, we’ll have a blast,” Lilly said. “I’ll let you dance with Tony.”
“You could wear your dress from last year,” Colleen coaxed.
Ann relented, “OK, OK, already!”
*************
Hillary and Jay arrived home Wednesday. Hillary was anxious to speak with Lilly and was waiting for her after school. They took a walk around the park and then went back to the O’Dwyers. Hillary talked about the camping trip they had taken as their honeymoon. Jay had taken her to Kentucky to meet his family, and she was appalled by the poverty.
“At first, his family seemed so cold, but Jay explained it to me. It’s like the despair of endless poverty has taken the life out of them. His mother never spoke to me. She was like a robot. I swear, it took her forty minutes to peel potatoes.” Hillary used uncharacteristically large motions to illustrate.
Lilly said, “It’s amazing Jay could bring himself up.”
Hillary agreed. “It’s like that’s still part of him, though. Remember when he had to work all that overtime, and he got so quiet? That’s still in his heart. Oh well, how are things here?”
“I haven’t seen any of the guys in the band,” Lilly said
“Jay was wondering if you thought Tony would still work on lyrics?” Hillary asked.
Lilly suppressed a smile. “I think so.”
“You wouldn’t mind if the band still worked with Tony?” Hillary looked surprised.
“Hillary, come with me. I have an errand.” She called over her shoulder, “Mom, I’m going to Hillary’s for dinner, I’ll be back early.”
They headed for Hillary’s car.
“Are we bringing Tony dinner?” Hillary asked.
“Hillary, he loves me! And it was so romantic.” Lilly smiled.
Hillary said, “I’ve been sticking up for you, saying they can’t make you see Tony all the time. All the while, you two were back together.”
Lilly nodded. “I promised Tony Chinese, and he’ll be all oily from the cars. But I know he’ll want to kiss the bride.”
Friday all the seniors cut classes with unofficial permission. Lilly went through the school day actually concentrating on her classes. She had decided that with four people already preparing for prom at her house she’d do better at Hillary’s. Jay and Hillary were living at her parents’ until they went to East Hampton.
Lilly bathed in a bubble bath, and then Hillary did her hair in a side bun and cut wispy bangs. She loaned Lilly a purse sized Shalimar perfume and showed her where to apply it.
Hillary said, “I didn’t go to boarding school for nothing. I didn’t care about the classes, but I got an A in beauty enhancement.”
“Did you really have a course in beauty?” Lilly asked.
“Lil, you are gullible.”
Hillary told her stories while they fixed Lilly’s makeup. There was another reason Lilly didn’t want to be home. Lilly had a mental image of the young man all decked out, coming to pick up Bridget on the night of the tragedy. Whenever Lilly thought of proms, she thought of the deaths.
Mrs. O’Dwyer wanted to get a picture of all the prom-goers. Everyone was there except Tony and Lillian. By seven-fifteen, Mrs. O’Dwyer was getting annoyed at Lilly. She paced in front of the uncomfortable prom-goers. “Where is that girl?”
Lilly came racing in and ran up the stairs.
“Lillian, you’re wearing jeans.”
“I’ll be right down,” Lilly said, reaching Francine and Kelly, who were sitting on the stairs watching.
“C’mon, Munchkins. You can help me.”
It took only minutes to change. She came down the stairs more gracefully.
“Lillian, where have you been?” Mrs. O’Dwyer asked.
“I’ve been at Hillary’s. I figured there’d be enough confusion here, so I’d create some over there.” Lilly smiled. “You all look so spiffy.”
Mrs. O’Dwyer’s annoyance turned to anger. She slapped Lilly’s face. Lilly didn’t flinch.
“Whatever that was for, are you finished?”
The doorbell rang.
“Excus
e me, Mother.” Lilly walked out.
Mrs. O’Dwyer could tell they all sympathized with Lilly. She told herself it was the generation gap.
The prom was at a large hotel in White Plains. The O’Dwyers and their dates sat at the same table. Patrick made a point of dancing with Lilly. The subject of the slapping incident was taboo.
Tony and Lilly and Mike and Colleen went out to one of the terraces that skirted the ballroom, and then Lilly and Colleen went to the bathroom. When they returned, Tony, sitting on a stone wall, pulled Lilly onto his lap. He asked why her mother had hit her.
Lilly shook her head but said nothing.
Colleen said, “She never forgave you for being expelled from St. Clare’s.”
Mike asked what she did to get expelled.
“I cut school one day and was a general pain in the neck the rest of the time.”
Tony kept his eyes down.
After the prom, Tony and Lilly drove over to a beach at Rye that bordered the Long Island Sound. They sat on the sand, watched the waves, and smoked a joint. This was the first time they’d been alone since their reconciliation. She had his jacket around her shoulders, and they laughed at how large it was on her.
She was a little drunk, and his scent was intoxicating her further. She hoped Hillary’s Shalimar was doing the same to him. Lilly was hoping to lose her innocence. She thought that if they were lovers, he wouldn’t mess around with others. But she was painfully aware of her inexperience.
They came within a hair’s breadth of reaching her goal. She was completely naked, and he was, almost, when a spotlight illuminated them. Lilly screamed. Tony covered her with his body.
“The beach is closed,” came a cop’s voice over a microphone.
Lilly dressed quickly, leaving her bra and pantyhose in the sand. The police car was still parked next to Tony’s.
Tony and Lilly went to an all-night diner for coffee. They sat and listened to the men in the next booth argue. Tony mouthed answers to her, making her giggle.
She had to know, so she asked, “Tony, don’t laugh at me, but am I still a virgin?”
He stifled a laugh, surprised that she couldn’t tell the difference between a finger and a penis. “Fear not, little one. You’re as pure as the day you were born. A little wiser, but just as pure.”
She hurried into the house. Ann and Colleen were in her room on the extra beds. She knew they wanted to talk about tonight, but they had fallen asleep waiting for her. Lilly didn’t want to talk about tonight with anyone. There was a note on her pillow. She read it by the streetlight outside her window.
A Yonkers Kinda Girl Page 9