Fairytales

by Cynthia Freeman

  “Didn’t Gina Maria tell you?”

  “I didn’t have a chance, Sergio …” she said, avoiding Dominic’s eyes.

  “Well, sir, my intentions are to marry … with your blessings.”

  Pretty smart cookie … Sure, I’ll give my blessings along with my daughter and all the money that goes with it … in a pig’s ass I will. “And now, your Highness … how do you propose to support my daughter?”

  “Before I answer that, Mr. Rossi…”

  Here it comes, boys!

  “I am not an avvocato … I mean a lawyer, but neither am I stupid enough not to know when I’m being patronized. I do not wish to be rude, sir, but my name is Sergio DiGrazia.”

  Well, at least this one’s not afraid of me … “If I gave that impression, I beg your pardon,” Dominic answered, like the calm before the storm.

  I accept it, sir, in that spirit.”

  Very generous of you … “Now, Mr. DiGrazia, we’ve lost the question.”

  “No, not at all. You asked how I would support your daughter.” Without flinching, he continued, “I regret to say not in the style to which she is accustomed because I am a poor man. But if Gina Maria loves me as much as I love her, then I think we can be happy…”

  Dominic interrupted this time with obvious antagonism in his voice, “And how long do you think you’ll be happy without money … it’s fairly essential to love and happiness.”

  “No one need remind me of that, Mr. Rossi … I’ve known the best and the worst of both worlds … however, I was about to say that I am a young man with a great many visions. I will not remain in my present status all my life. That I can assure you, sir.”

  “Really, that’s very commendable … and how do you expect to accomplish these … visions?”

  “In America.”

  And my daughter’s your passport, Dominic thought, but aloud, he said, “I see. And you, like so many, think the streets are paved with gold and all you have to do is dig it out… Am I right?”

  “You are right, sir … only in so far as many people who believe the myth about America … I, however, am not among them.”

  “Oh? Then how do you propose to become rich?”

  “Let me explain, Mr. Rossi… for a very long time now, I have realized that we Europeans possess a great culture, ancient and magnificent … and while Queen Isabella was counting out the money to give Columbus for the ships, your nation was inhabited by savages and in two hundred years … look what you, as a nation, have accomplished, in spite of all the dissenting voices and noises being made. Your greatness lies in the very fact that those voices can shout their dissent … but there is one word that holds the key that opens the door to that greatness … that word is called hope. If one has the will and the inspiration,” he said, looking at Gina Maria, “then it is quite possible for me to, say, start as a busboy and wind up owning my own restaurant … It is the last frontier … it is the last place on earth where a man can still make his dreams come true.”

  Dominic appraised Sergio carefully. He was beginning to find his resentments … his defenses slowly crumbling. By God, this one had a hell of a lot on the ball. Charm … breeding … brains … but the testing had to go on and he wouldn’t stop until he was convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that Mr. DiGrazia loved his daughter whom he was not going to relinquish without a battle. “That’s well-said, but let me ask you … Mr. DiGrazia, what made you fall in love with my daughter?”

  Looking at Gina Maria first, then at Dominic, Sergio answered, “If you, Mr. Rossi, can answer why a king gave up a throne for a twice-divorced woman … or why the son of a tycoon such as Mr. Rockefeller fell in love with and married a Norwegian maid, then, Mr. Rossi, I will be able to answer. It is impossible to explain the chemistry that happens when two people meet and fall in love … but I must say, Mr. Rossi, it surprises me just a little that you should put the question to me in such a way … since you surely must be aware of your daughter’s beauty … but above all, her tenderness … an understanding that goes beyond her years … her unworldliness in an age of such great permissive upheaval when all the respect for parents … for convention is a thing considered to be passé.” He paused, looking lovingly at Gina Maria, and Dominic thought, he should have been an attorney … he pleads his case damn well. He was beginning to like the challenge and the fact that Sergio DiGrazia challenged him without backing off.

  Standing up, Sergio walked to where Gina Maria sat and held her hand. “But you, Mr. Rossi, were not asking what made me fall in love … you were really asking me why. I know that both you and Mrs. Rossi have questioned my reasons and motives, which I surely can understand.”

  “That’s very good of you, but yes, as long as you’re being so open about it … yes, be perfectly honest … didn’t the thought cross your mind?”

  Gina Maria bit her lip and Catherine put her hand up to her head and shut her eyes … she could have killed him. “Of course, Mr. Rossi, it crossed my mind and I thought very carefully about it. But, Mr. Rossi, had I been tempted by money alone, I would not be so impoverished today … it may be difficult for you to believe, but a number of very rich American ladies have shown more than a passing interest in me.”

  “No, I can believe that… but how long have you and Gina Maria known each other?”

  “For three days.”

  “You proposed to me the first day I met you, Dominic …” Catherine said, no longer able to merely sit by and say nothing, but Dominic answered quickly.

  “No, as I recall, it was you who proposed to me.” She was seething.

  “It was Sergio who asked me, Papa … one can fall in love in a moment, time has nothing to do with it,” Gina Maria said, angrily.

  “I’ll concede that … sit down, Mr. DiGrazia.” Now, Dominic pulled up a chair and sat down. “Tell me about your background.”

  Gina Maria relaxed … if Papa wasn’t interested in Sergio, he wouldn’t have asked. Sergio told them about his mother, his family, repeating the story he had told Gina Maria, but hearing it retold a second time affected her in the same way. She started to cry. He took out his handkerchief with the crest embroidered in the corner with red, green and a gold wreath (which Catherine carefully noted) and wiped Gina Maria’s eyes.

  “Don’t cry, Gina Maria mia, I promise never to tell the story again.”

  Dominic was touched too. By God, he was in love with her. But once more he would test him. “If I were to consent to this marriage … you know Gina Maria is only seventeen.”

  “Yes, sir, I know that.”

  “Alright … I will never allow her to marry until she comes of age, which is eighteen. That is one year and it will mean a separation. If after that time Gina Maria still wants to marry you, I give my blessings.”

  The two men stood up. Sergio walked to Dominic and extended his hand, which this time Dominic took as he would a son’s.

  “I thank you, sir, for the great honor and blessing … I will live only to make Gina Maria happy and to make you proud.”

  Dominic smiled. “No father could ask for more.”

  “Grazie …”

  Catherine got up with tears in her eyes and said, embracing him, “Sergio, this is a very joyous day for us.

  “And for me.”

  Gina Maria went to her father. “Papa, please forgive me for the things I said to you earlier … I love you, Papa.”

  Putting his arms around her. “We have to fight for those we love. Someday, you’ll understand … you and Sergio. Now, I think we should celebrate … I’ll order champagne.”

  “While you are doing that, I would like to go down and call my mother and with your permission, may Gina Maria come with me? I want to introduce them … since we are now betrothed.”

  “Use the phone here, Sergio.”

  “In that case, you, too, can speak to my mother.”

  Catherine couldn’t believe it … her Gina Maria marrying into royalty. Wait till New Orleans heard about this … Wait until
the invitations were sent. What a sensation that was going to make. Nearly smacking her lips, she could see the look of shock on everyone’s face when they opened the envelope and read:

  Mr. and Mrs. Dominic Rossi

  request the honor of your

  presence at the wedding

  of their daughter

  Gina Maria

  to

  Count Sergio DiGrazia

  Let’s see … the invitation would be white and gold … elaborate as possible. Damn … if only she could use the DiGrazia crest. Oh, well, on Gina Maria’s stationery, Catherine would have the crest embossed in color on white. That would be her little surprise.

  The rest of the week was one that found Catherine in a total state of thrilled intoxication. The anticipation of Gina Maria’s impending nuptials was all she could think about. In spite of the fact that the culmination of that glorious event still lay a year off, she began planning it step by step. But the first step was to call Mama. To hell with how much it cost to call New Orleans. “… that’s right, Mama, he’s a count, but as plain and down-to-earth as an old shoe.”

  “But what was that you said earlier in the conversation about Dominic not likin’ him?”

  “You havin’ a hard time hearin’, Mama …?”

  “It’s just a little fuzzy, Catherine.”

  “I’ll speak louder … How’s this … can you hear me better?”

  “Yes, just fine … now about Dominic?”

  “I said he didn’t like him in the very, very beginnin’. It was like you told me once about Dom … remember?”

  “Remember what?”

  “It’s like when he was gettin’ married … well, Dominic was havin’ jealous pappy pangs, but now, you’d think he picked Sergio out for Gina Maria.”

  “Well, I just can’t get over the whole thing, Catherine, I swear.”

  “You can’t! Why, Mama, it’s just like we’re all floatin’ in midair … and you should see the two of them together … the most handsome couple in the world … Gina Maria’s in a complete cloud of dreams and Sergio can’t take his eyes off her.”

  “I can understand that … we all knew she was gonna be a ravishin’ beauty … I told you that a long time ago … now, tell me about the contessa. Is she uppity … do you like her … when did she arrive?”

  “Hold on, Mama, you’re about as excited as I am … no, she’s not uppity … I’m simply wild about her, and she arrived here yesterday.”

  “What’s she like … tell me, quick!”

  “She’s absolutely regal … like a countess should be. When she stepped off that plane, lookin’ like nothin’ you ever saw dressed in the most fabulous light gray silk suit and a white straw hat with a red chiffon scarf, gray and white shoes that I just know must have cost a fortune, and wearin’ a heavy string of pearls with a diamond and ruby clasp, I swear I wanted to curtsy and you know I’m not about to bow to anyone … but she’s somethin’ else.”

  “What’s she look like … tell me?”

  “Oh, my goodness, Mama, you sound like you’re bustin’ out at the seams … I swear.”

  “And that’s no lie … now, tell me.”

  “Well, she’s got a skin … not a blemish, just as clear as crystal … gorgeous black hair with a silver streak like someone painted it… she’s thin … about 110 … and wouldn’t you know it … can eat like food’s going out of style and never puts an ounce of weight on and …”

  “Tell me who does she remind you of …”

  “Who? Well, I’d say an Italian Merle Oberon.”

  “Oh, I just can’t stand it. Tell me more …”

  “Well, Mama, you should have seen when we took her and the children out to dinner last night. I really would have liked to take pictures. She’s simply regal, wore a black lace dress … must of cost a fortune … with those pearls! She talks and walks like a queen.”

  “Oh, I’m gettin’ goose bumps, Catherine, I swear.”

  “Me, too, Mama … but when she gave Gina Maria that emerald and diamond ring, I thought I’d die … it’s an heirloom … been in the family for generations … I can hardly put it all together … them supposin’ to be so poor and all … somehow I got a very strong feelin’ they got a lot more than they’re lettin’ on to. She lives in a villa like a palace … she just let a word drop … Gina Maria and Sergio are gonna spend part of their honeymoon there … can’t be all that poor … don’t you agree, Mama?”

  “I don’t know and I don’t care. We got ourselves a girl in love and I, for one, am the proudest, most excited grandmother this side of the Mason-Dixon Line. Now, what’s gonna happen day after tomorrow when you leave? Tearin’ apart a couple of lovebirds is gonna be a very sad thing to see.”

  “I hate to think about it, Mama.”

  “Well, darlin’, Gina Maria will survive … now, Catherine baby, we better hang up … this is long distance … now call and let me know how things are progressin’… hear?”

  “You know I always do, Mama … I’ll call you the minute we get to Rome … now take good care of yourself and spread the good word around … be sure now. I want the whole of New Orleans to know that we Posatas can handle royalty.”

  “Leave it to me, Catherine baby … now, arrivederci.”

  “Arrivederci, Mama.”

  It was a tearful Gina Maria who disengaged herself from Sergio’s arms as Dominic repeated, “Come on, Gina Maria, or that plane’s going to go off without us … You’ll call Sergio tonight.”

  “I will, Sergio … I love you … I love …”

  “And I love you, dearest Gina Maria … I will live only to hear your voice.”

  “I’ll call every day …” she was still saying as Dominic finally took her arm and led her up the landing step, then into the cabin where she took a seat by the window and looked out to an already lonely Sergio. When the plane was finally airborne, Sergio and his mother walked back to the airport restaurant and sat down. They ordered cappuccinos.

  “Well, Sergio … ?” the countess said looking at her son.

  “Well, what, Mama?”

  “You’ve realized your dream … Huh, Sergio?”

  “Yes … yes, Mama … it is no longer a dream, but a reality.”

  “You truly love this girl … truly? With me, Sergio, you do not have to pretend.”

  “With all my heart, Mama … yes.”

  “I am happy … I hoped … prayed that you would find something rewarding in life … my prayers have been answered … in fact, Sergio, we are the victors after all … they have not conquered us, have they? Now, Sergio, redeem your gold cigarette case. Here is the money.”

  Sergio looked stunned, “How did you know about the gold case … ?”

  “Because I am your mother … how else would you have gotten the money to send me the plane ticket …?”

  “And how do you have the money to pay it back?”

  “Never mind how.”

  “You sold something. Yes? Now I know why you disappeared for a few hours after you arrived. Why did you do it, Mama?”

  “Why did you pawn your gold case?”

  “Because you mean more to me than a cigarette case … you are my mother of whom I am very proud … and I wanted them to see you and for you to know my future bride … she is so beautiful in my eyes.”

  “And in mine … you are indeed fortunate to have someone as exceptional as Gina Maria to love you, Sergio … be faithful, be constant… cherish her … what sustained me through my darkest hours was the gift of love your father left me … the greatest legacy a woman can have. So my clothes are old and shabby … so I was not as elegantly dressed in the newest Parisian styles as the dear Mrs. Rossi, but she accepted me as I was … a very lovely and charming lady … now, my dearest son, I must leave you.”

  “Stay for a few days … please, Mama. I have a friend who has a hotel … not the best, but it is not really too bad … you will stay … Yes?”

  She smiled, looked at his face, then said, “Ye
s.”

  14

  TWO WEEKS IN FLORENCE would normally have been considered too short a time for Catherine to spend in the city she most loved, but Rome at the moment was her most pressing priority, since it was there she would select most of Gina Maria’s custom-designed china, crystal, hand-forged silver as well as the table and bed linen, monogrammed with the DiGrazia crest (all of which would require the better part of a year, from the placement order to delivery). Also there was a Roman couturier, renowned for specializing in period wedding gowns. Although Catherine fully intended to take the expert advice of that master designer … still she had a few ideas of her own which she would expect the maestro of the fashion world to interpret. She could see it all now … Gina Maria walking slowly down the aisle, dressed in a heavy pure silk satin gown, the color of soft white candlelight. The deep V-shaped bodice would be heavily encrusted with tiny hand-sewn pearls, and the Juliet sleeves trimmed in ermine would be traditionally Venetian … long, gradually ending in slender points. From the bridal coronet (which was befitting a countess) would flow six yards of tulle, edged in the most delicate heirloom lace. At this moment, she could not concern herself with what the bridesmaids’ gowns would be … let the maestro worry about that, but one thing she knew for certain was they should be dressed in exquisite simplicity, but carefully designed so as not to detract from the awesomeness of the bride. Catherine would insist upon their dresses being white and whatever color the maestro decided upon for sashes, she would acquiesce to. Oh, what a day that was going to be. Since this would be her only chance up at bat, having only one daughter, she was going to show the mothers of her daughters-in-law.

  First, they would be married in the flower-filled Cathedral, then the reception would be held in the Venetian ballroom at the Fairmont Hotel. Five hundred guests, give or take. Of course, she fully intended to discuss all of this with Gina Maria … naturally … a little later. But now, the excitement of planning this extravaganza fired her imagination so that the momentum within her became so heightened she was becoming more than anxious to press on to Rome. However, she was reluctant to make the suggestion about leaving, thinking that Gina Maria would feel deprived, this having been her first experience abroad and the trip was, after all, planned entirely for her. But… so far as Gina Maria was concerned, there was only one place on earth she wanted to be and that was in Venice. She spoke to Sergio every day… wrote him letters, pouring out her unfulfilled love … her painful discontent over their being separated for a year … if only Papa would compromise, after all, what did it matter if she was a year older … her love could never be greater than it was now, and he responded with such speed that their letters must have passed each other in transit. And by now, Dominic was impatiently beginning to call the overseas operator more frequently as to what was going on at the office. So all in all, each for his own separate reasons was quite content to board the plane for Florence.