by Sherie Keys
“If you’re really willing to put it all in for me, prove it. Come to dinner tonight. I’m making lasagna,” she told him.
“You, the non-Italian from Jersey, making lasagna? I’m definitely there,” he told her, laughing. She squeezed his hand and started laughing with him.
“You planning on coming back to work anytime soon?” her boss, Pablo, shouted to Charlotte. She hadn’t realized that he managed to come out of his office. She knew she had to get back.
“Tonight? I can count on you?” she asked. Angelo shook his head and kissed her hand. She ran back to behind the counter.
Once she was gone, Angelo looked down at his phone. He had a few missed calls from his brothers. He was late to a meeting they had set up. Once Charlotte was gone, he headed back through the door and away from the diner. He had meant everything he said to Charlotte, but it was also true that he couldn’t just cut ties with the mob overnight.
They were his family. The business was in his blood. He might not have asked for it, but he also didn’t really have any other options. He knew things that would make Charlotte never want to talk to him again, but he was going to keep that inside as best as he could as long as it meant having her around. He knew he was going to spend the rest of his time proving to her how much he cared. He wasn’t going to let her go easy.
He pulled up to a dive bar he would have normally gone to otherwise. This time, he wasn’t there to party. He had agreed to meet his brothers in order to pick up the cash they split from a project they just finished. Not all of the income was necessarily recorded, so it was best for the brothers to divide everything by cash and pass it around discretely. He walked into the almost empty bar, not even looking at anyone sitting there. He just wanted to go back to Charlotte.
He dodged straight for the back and saw his two brothers, Francesco and Sebastian, sitting at a table in an empty room. Francesco was tall and skinny with a lot of facial hair. Sebastian was a bit pudgier but still handsome. All three boys were incredibly wealthy, so it wasn’t hard for any of them to find willing companions. Still, Angelo was easily the most handsome of the three. Right away, he was ready to get out of there,
“I don’t think I want to be in this anymore,” he told them, not wasting any time. “I just, I want to be done with this all. I want to be out.”
“Very funny. Why don’t we try that entrance again? Hello, my beloved brothers. How are you this evening?” Sebastian joked.
“I’m serious. I don’t want to be a part of this anymore. You guys can just start splitting my part,” Angelo told them.
“You can’t just leave, little brother. You think you’re better than us now? You think you don’t need this money anymore?” Francesco asked, clearly already upset.
“It’s not that. I just am done. I have everything I need, and I want to find something more. I don’t just want to sit in New Jersey watching my bank account go up,” Angelo told them.
“Now he’s got a problem being rich. Do you believe this?” Francesco asked Sebastian.
“So, you just want to walk away from it all?” Sebastian asked.
“Yeah. I want to move out of the city,” Angelo asked, thinking of Charlotte. He had wanted to move away before he ever knew she existed, but still, meeting her was the encouragement he needed to actually do something with his life.
“Do we gotta remind you that you took an oath?” Francesco asked.
“I was young. I was forced. What other option did I have?” Angelo asked.
“We don’t want to have to start worrying about you, little brother,” Sebastian explained. “What are people going to think of the family if you go running around living in other places? How’s that going to look?”
“Could this girl be an issue?” Francesco asked. “That broad across the street you’ve been hanging around. Is she telling you to start over? What is she, religious? Trying to turn you around?”
“You shouldn’t be dating outside the family anyway,” Sebastian told him. “What would mom think of you with a non-Italian girl?”
“Don’t be racist. I shouldn’t have to spend my life here forever because of dad’s choices. I don’t need to make any more money. I’m not going to do anything stupid; I just don’t want to be in business with you guys anymore,” Angelo said firmly. They knew that might happen at some point, but they didn’t know when.
“It’s easier to forgive family, but that can only take you so far,” Francesco threatened.
“Just keep your head on straight. We’re not asking too much of you,” Sebastian explained.
Angelo was torn. He had only known this life of crime. He wasn’t even a teenager when his father first handed him a gun. He didn’t even know how much younger he was then, when he saw his first dead body. There wasn’t another life that he was aware of, but Charlotte inspired him to find it.
He wanted to know what else the world had to offer besides vanity, wealth, crime, and punishment. He left the bar without saying anything else. He didn’t take his share of the money either. Angelo didn’t need it. His brothers were interested in buying vacation houses all over the world, expensive jewelry, and pricey women. Angelo loved living glamorously, but he still wanted more.
Angelo had to get ready to go to dinner already. Charlotte was the only one who ever showed any real interest in listening to him talk or what he had to say. Most girls he met only wanted to take their clothes off for him and pretend to listen. It was hard to know who he should trust and who was just interested in his money. Even as a kid, he had trouble telling apart a genuine person from a fake one. This was a blessing and a curse, as it allowed him to really know when someone authentic came along. There was no doubt in his mind that Charlotte was a unique girl that had more to her than he could probably ever discover.
****
Charlotte started to get worried about Angelo coming over. Seeing him with family could really expose someone’s true colors. If he was rude or impolite, that would be a complete turn off. She wasn’t interested in anyone who couldn’t have a conversation with her grandmother. Manners weren’t everything, but showing respect to family was still important. They might not agree on everything but being able to disagree and get along showed someone was a good match for the family. There was something else that was making Charlotte all the more nervous about everything, however.
She also had yet to reveal to her grandmother that Angelo was the one that was coming. She told her grandmother that she had met a boy and that she really wanted her to meet him. Her grandmother agreed and was actually excited for the dinner, thinking about how she was going to be meeting her granddaughter’s boyfriend before anyone else. She was also relieved to know where she was when she wasn’t home. It made her feel more comfortable knowing that she was going to get to know the person that was taking her granddaughter on boat rides around the city.
Charlotte had told her grandmother about the boy, leaving out his name, most importantly. She was doing her best to really sell him to her grandma, and her grandmother seemed like she was interested in meeting this boy. There was a knock on the front door, and Charlotte ran to get it. When she opened the door, Angelo stood there, looking better than ever. He trimmed his facial hair and combed his thick black locks back. Charlotte was wearing a long-sleeved floral dress, much more conservative than the one she had worn on their first date.
“Hello, gorgeous,” Angelo said, handing her a bouquet of flowers. He had on a black suit and white button-up shirt, no tie.
“Hi! I’m so glad you’re here; come sit in the dining room,” Charlotte said, leading him to the table that her grandmother was already sitting at.
“Grandma, this is Angelo, as I’m sure you already know,” Charlotte said, referring to the fact that they were neighbors, of course.
“Charlotte, can you help me with something in the kitchen?” April asked. She didn’t say a word to Angelo and instead walked into the kitchen with Charlotte.
“What is he doing in our house?”
April asked angrily.
“Grandma, I know you told me to date him, but I need you to trust me. He’s a great guy, and I’m really falling for him, grandma. I know we’re young and I know we just met, but I trust him. I know what you might think, but you have to just give him a chance. For me,” Charlotte told him.
“You couldn’t warn me that he was the guy you kept going on about?” April asked.
“I didn’t think you would ever agree to sit down with him. I thought this might be the best way,” Charlotte admitted.
“I can’t lie, that was brave of you, girl. I guess if you’re really that interested in him, I can give him a chance,” April told her. That was much easier than Charlotte thought. They walked back into the dining room. Angelo was sitting there uncomfortably, probably feeling strange that April hadn’t said hello.
“Charlotte, can you show me where the bathroom is?” Angelo asked. Charlotte realized he might be mad that she hadn’t warned him her grandmother didn’t know that he was coming.
Charlotte led him down the hall and to the bathroom behind the kitchen. “So, I’m assuming you didn’t tell her I was coming?” Angelo asked. Charlotte didn’t know if he was really smart or if they were both just bad at hiding their emotional reactions.
“I might have forgot to mention that. But it’s no big deal. Let’s just have a good dinner! Make her fall in love with you like I did. Or I mean. You know. Turn on the charm,” Charlotte backtracked, not realizing what she had said. Luckily, Angelo ignored it and walked out to the dining room. Charlotte didn’t know if it was because he hadn’t heard or if he was just going to let this one slide. Maybe he was feeling the same way and just not ready to talk about it yet.
Charlotte knew that both of these people cared about her, so they would just have to accept that they didn’t like each other. Why should that be Charlotte’s problem? She was tired of hiding the truth from her grandmother and didn’t want to force her boyfriend to sneak around her back anymore. She wanted to lay everything out there and just deal with whatever consequences might come along right away.
She served everyone a plate of lasagna, trying to think of something to talk about. Luckily, Angelo stepped in first.
“So, you always lived here?” Angelo asked April.
“Born and raised,” she said, cutting into her lasagna. She was a sweet old lady but could be pretty nasty if she wanted to. Charlotte was like that too, however.
“I bet you have some pretty different perspectives on the city as a kid, huh?” he asked. Charlotte was charmed that he was trying to have a decent conversation with her grandmother.
“Mmm,” April said, chewing her food but not responding. Angelo was starting to sweat. Charlotte felt bad but knew that Angelo was doing his best.
“Charlotte, did you come here a lot as a kid?” Angelo asked.
“A few times, yeah. We always used to come up for Easter, remember, Grandma?” she asked April.
“Yeah, I remember. You was always asking your mom to take you to the city. Jersey City was never good enough. It was always about Times Square or Central park. Girl, you was from the suburbs! You never acted like it though!” April said, laughing.
“How’d this New York City girl come out of this family?” he asked. “Always talking about Broadway or the clubs. Don’t you know this is the real city, girl?” Angelo teased, April still laughing.
“She gets that spoiled side from her daddy. I didn’t raise my kid to act like that,” April said laughing.
“I’m not spoiled!” Charlotte whined. She was happy that they were bonding but not that it was at her expense. She didn’t realize how much she acted like a New York girl until now, however. She wondered if this had actually let her grandmother down or if she was just trying to fill conversation with Angelo. She also hoped Angelo didn’t view her that way. She wasn’t that bad, was she?
She wasn’t expecting that Angelo and her grandmother would have a better time at that dinner than her. They continued for a few minutes mocking Charlotte and teasing her about the way she acted like a stuck-up city girl every once in a while. Charlotte was happy at least that they weren’t fighting, but she wasn’t interested in being the butt of the joke anymore. At least it was all distracting her from the audition tomorrow.
She was ready to get the dinner over with. They had spent enough time teasing her throughout the dinner. Maybe she was just an easy target because she wasn’t as good at laughing at herself as other people. She cleared the plates and loaded the dishwasher while Angelo and April still talked. Once she was out of the room, they teased her less and talked more about what it was like growing up in Jersey City.
They both had accents, though Angelo was more obviously from Jersey. She wondered if he played it up because he was more interested in that look, or if April had played it down more. She grabbed a few wine glasses and an unopened bottle. Her grandmother didn’t mind her drinking if it was at home and nothing too strong.
“Do you guys want to have a dessert glass and listen to a record?” Charlotte asked.
“I think I need to head to bed, dear. I had a lovely time. Angelo, thank you for coming over. I hope to see you around here again,” April told him, shaking his hand as she got up from the table. He stood up and gave her a hug, April returning it. Charlotte’s heart melted. He was so sweet with her all night that she forgave all his jokes about her attitude during dinner. Angelo and Charlotte walked into the living room and April walked upstairs. She decided to put a record on while Angelo poured them each a glass of wine.
“So, you could probably stay the night tonight. It’s not like grandma will see your car. You’ve gotten pretty good at sneaking out the back,” she told him. Her grandma might not say otherwise if he spent the night, but it would still be best if he sneaked out so that she didn’t know they were going to bed together. She had played a Ronettes record. She loved listening to love songs. Charlotte had to admit she was a hopeless romantic.
“My mom always used to play this record,” Angelo told her. “I haven’t heard it in so long.”
“It’s one of my favorites,” she told him. “I think it’s so romantic.” She draped her legs across his lap and he leaned in to kiss her. They kissed there for a few songs and nothing more. The just kissed and held each other to the music, letting their stomachs settle and the wine relax them. When the record had ended, Charlotte figured it would be a good time to head to bed. She just wanted to lay in Angelo’s arms and not worry about the busy day she was going to son be having.
They walked up the stairs and quietly into Charlotte’s room. He stripped down to his underwear, and so did she.
“I’m so full. Dinner was amazing, babe,” Angelo told her. He looked like he was already about to fall asleep. Charlotte stripped down to her underwear and slipped on a t-shirt while Angelo got snuggled under the covers. She hopped into the bed next to him, sliding one arm under his back and one over his chest. She loved the way he smelled and couldn’t get enough of his soft skin against her cheek.
“Come here, cute girl, let me hold you,” he said sleepily, squeezing her tight. It wasn’t that late, but they had a pretty heavy meal, making them extra tired.
The lamp glowed across his chest, making him look all the warmer. She ran her fingers across his chest, lightly tickling his skin. He squirmed a bit, but his breathing got heavier, and Charlotte could tell he was falling asleep. Every night they spent together they had made love, so it was nice to have a chance to just cuddle without the pressure of sex. Charlotte certainly enjoyed that part, but holding him while he fell asleep, stroking his chest and hearing his heartbeat was more intimate than some sex could be. His arms were the only place where she felt that comfortable.
“I’m the luckiest guy on the planet,” he whispered softly. Charlotte squeezed him and kissed his side. He reached down and kissed the top of his head. Charlotte felt like the luckiest girl in the world. She could easily think of all the things about Angelo that made her swoon, but it
was harder for her to think about the things that attracted him to her. They were both so different. He seemed like he would be the bad boy, the troublemaker always in the principal’s office.
Charlotte was a picture-perfect student, bring apples to the teachers and all that cheesy stuff. Despite their differences, they had blended so nicely together. They were both honest and blunt and not afraid to say what was on their minds. It made it easier to feel closer and connected to one another.
Every time Charlotte thought about how lucky she was, the stress of everything weighed her down once again. The audition was less than 24-hours away, and Charlotte was a nervous wreck. She didn’t know how she would be able to handle the potential failure of not getting a role if she messed up the audition.
Would she be able to recover if she didn’t get a part she wanted? Her job wasn’t ideal either. She was sick of having to serve rude customers for minimum wage. It got harder to sleep the more she thought about these problems. She adjusted her body a few times, unable to get comfortable.
“You comfy, girl? Want me to move? Should we switch? You OK?” Angelo asked sleepily. Charlotte could tell he had started to doze off and felt bad for waking him, but she wasn’t really ready to stop talking just yet.
“I just can’t wait to get this audition over with,” she told him. If she landed it, she could prove to her mother that she was doing something with her life. All her friends were in parts in plays in New York or at least helping build the set. If Charlotte didn’t get a good role, she would just be a server at a Jersey City Diner.
The thought killed her. She squeezed Angelo tight, wishing they could just float away together in that perfect position. Their bodies were intertwined so perfectly Charlotte didn’t want to have to think about what it would be like if they stopped touching. She didn’t think her body would be able to survive without his warmth right next to her.
“No matter what you do, I’ll be right behind you,” Angelo explained. He gave her another squeeze and planted a wet kiss on the top of her head.