by Lily Zante
Carlos was going into work later than normal today and she’d started early knowing that he had Tori until she returned. She had some chance of getting caught up as much as possible. Though it didn’t matter if she couldn’t—Kim worked the latter part of the week and could finish off.
Kim didn’t have a baby to look after, Rona reasoned.
Another shipment was due to arrive any day now and Rona hoped it would arrive during Kim’s working days. It was going to be a big one but where they were supposed to put everything she didn’t know. Apparently Ava had ordered more cribs because they were such a hot item and ordered double of everything else.
Ava, sitting all the way in her mansion, or hotel, in Verona, had simply forgotten how tiny her apartment was. Even with Connor’s garage, there was not enough space. She surveyed the scene around her, the apartment was rammed full of boxes packed from the floor to almost three-quarters of the height of the room.
She’d have to tell her now.
“Hi,” said Rona, and launched straight in, not even stopping for small talk. “Something has happened,” she declared. “Your apartment looks like an Amazon warehouse and Connor’s garage is packed fit to bursting point.”
“Isn’t it early for you?” Ava asked, ignoring her diatribe.
“I’ve done these hours before,” Rona reminded her. “To keep up with your orders.”
“Good morning to you, too,” replied Ava. “The stock, the storage problems…I know. I’m trying to work out a solution.”
“You’re going to need to work it out faster. You thought it was bad when you were here? You need to take a look at it now.” Rona told her.
She heard her sister’s loud sigh. “I know.” She paused. “I’ve been looking at the numbers.”
“They’re exploding. In a good way, of course.”
“Yes,” agreed Ava.
“But it’s taking longer than usual to get the orders out.”
“How much longer?” Ava asked quickly.
“Well,” said Rona slowly. She didn’t really keep a detailed timesheet. It was all based on rough glances at her watch. She’d been here since six this morning. Or was it six thirty? And she’d been doing a few extra hours every day.
“But you’re getting the orders out on time?” Ava asked anxiously.
It was typical that her sister’s concern was centred on the turnaround time for getting the orders out.
“Between the two of us, yes. We’re trying. But I don’t know how fast Kim’s working. Every Monday it seems there’s a lot more to do. Are you keeping an eye on her?”
“Who, Kim? Don’t you worry about her.” Ava assured her.
“I’m staring at the boxes she left behind. I don’t know why she couldn’t take them herself on Friday instead of leaving them for me to deal with today. It’s going to take two car trips to the post office to get these sent out.”
“She came in yesterday because the new shipment came in on Friday and it took her all day to unload it all.”
So that was why the place looked so full. Rona examined one of the boxes. It was one of the cribs.
“I thought you said you’d ordered forty cribs? Where are the others? They can’t have all fit here and in Connor’s garage.”
“They didn’t. Kim is storing some in her apartment.”
Miss Goody Two Shoes. “Is she?” Now Rona understood. Naturally, the woman had plenty of time on her hands and no wonder she worked more hours.
“I wasn’t prepared for the Italian products to be so successful so quickly.”
“How come you asked Kim to come in on the weekend?” Instead of me?
“I didn’t ask her. She volunteered. She’s been doing full days during the week.”
“Oh.” Deflated, Rona reconsidered her options. “I could work an extra hour or so if you need me to.”
“I think we’re okay,” said Ava slowly. “How’s mom doing? Is she still feeling tired?”
“Yes,” replied Rona. “I don’t want to pressure her into having Tori if she’s not up to it yet.” Though she’d need her mom in a few nights time.
“I still think there’s a lot of emotional stuff going on with her. Especially with regards to Edmondo. She was becoming quite fond of him. I think his death has hit her as hard as dad’s did.”
“No way,” said Rona hotly.
“Rona, think about it. What would you do if you lost Carlos? Mom lost dad when we weren’t even ten years old. Your world would break apart. Mom’s already been through that once.”
“She was not becoming fond of him, not in that way,” insisted Rona.
“What makes you think so?”
“She’s past it.”
“Past what?”
“Feeling that way about someone.”
“Says who?” asked Ava.
Rona stifled a laugh. “Are you serious?”
“I don’t think love has an age limit.”
“That’s because you’ve just fallen in love all over again. Everything looks fresh and lovely to you.”
“Fresh and lovely?”
“You think anyone can fall in love at any time and it will last forever,” Rona explained.
“I do and I sincerely hope so.”
“I can’t see it. Not for mom.”
“She still has a heart, and emotions, feelings, and desires.”
“Ewwww. Don’t.”
“Your way of thinking is so stunted.”
“I’m sorry if I can’t see or feel their lurve.”
“You weren’t here to see it,” said Ava. “I did, she looked happier than I’ve seen in a long time. They had a connection, and it was beautiful. It was beautiful that she had another chance to find happiness after all these years.”
Rona huffed. “But they’re both so old!”
She heard Ava groan. “Age has nothing to do with it,”
“How would they even—?” Rona began to think, but couldn’t take the thought any further.
“They connected and you had to be blind, or insensitive not to see it. I feel terrible that it was taken away from her. Don’t you see?”
“Don’t I see what?”
“That Mom had a second chance. They say lightning doesn’t strike in the same place twice but it did for mom.”
Rona refused to see it. Edmondo had been a friend, nothing more. “It’s hit her hard because she’s older now.”
“It’s hit her hard because she had genuine feelings for Edmondo and he did too.”
Rona said nothing.
“Whatever you want to believe, I think she’s in deep grief and we need to keep an eye on her.”
“How are you doing anyway?” she asked Ava, wanting to change the subject.
“I’m okay.”
“And the wedding?”
“I think it’s coming along. Nico’s in charge of the legalities. He says there’s a lot of paperwork because I’m American and I’m going to be so obviously pregnant. He’s adamant he wants to get married in the church his parents got married in.”
“That’ll teach you for marrying such a romantic.”
“It’s the least of my worries,” said Ava. “Do you think mom will be okay to have Tori next week? I’d really like you to get all caught up. Maybe if you could do extra hours? I’m only asking because of the new shipment that’s just come in.”
“I could do a few extra hours…next week.” Only for next week. She actually liked getting away to Ava’s apartment just so that she could have her own space, even if it meant she was working for Ava. She got paid, too, which was another bonus. A few hours were enough for her and she didn’t really want to work more than that. She left that to Carlos.
“Thanks.” She heard her sister sigh. “It’s all happening too quickly. I thought it was a sales spike, but it seems like I reached a tipping point, and the sales are just pouring in.”
“Shouldn’t you be happy?”
“I am,” said Ava, sounding as glum as ever. “Maybe you could put
Tori into childcare or something for a few hours—if Mom can’t look after her yet? I mean until she’s well enough herself?”
“I rang you to talk about your orders going through the roof and you’re trying to tell me how to arrange my childcare?”
Rona didn’t like it when Ava tried to tell her how to run her own life. Tori still wasn’t sleeping through the night and Ava had no idea what that was like or how hard things were for her. Tori was a lively little baby and Rona was just about coping.
“I’m sorry,” said Ava. “I’m trying to plan ahead and figure out what I need to do. Kim’s made some suggestions and I’m thinking things over.”
“What’s Kim got to do with anything? I can make suggestions. I have ideas too. How come you never ask me?”
“I didn’t ask her. She suggested them because the customer queries were going through the roof.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“I’m not sure yet but I might need more of your help.”
“There’s only so much I can do but if you’re willing to pay me—”
“I always pay you. I’m not running a sweatshop here. I think I pay you quite well.”
“Yeah,” said Rona begrudgingly, “You do.”
“I have a few ideas, but I need to discuss them with Nico first.”
Rona envied them their close bond. It was early days for them yet; she wondered how much it would change when they’d been married as long as she and Carlos had been.
Chapter 3
“Mommy’s going out tonight,” Rona sang, smoothing down her bright pink dress that almost fit her like a second skin. She admired her reflection in the mirror and smiled. She looked hot and she knew it.
“Tha-tha-tha-tha!” Tori shrieked and slammed the drum set with her doll.
“Tha-tha!” said Rona in return. She adored her little girl even though Tori wore her out most days. But she wouldn’t change anything for the world.
Rona stared at her cherub with her heart aglow. Tori sat happily caged within the playpen. Rona had no option but to put her there while she took a shower and got ready.
She didn’t go out much in the evenings, even though this was her second time out in nearly two weeks. She was looking forward to it. Any excuse to get dressed up and forget her daily grind. With Carlos working too hard to notice that things were slipping in their relationship she had taken matters into her own hands. A midweek date night for no apparent reason was her answer. Especially since Grandma was now feeling better again.
She turned to the side and checked out her profile; first from the right and then the left. “Still fits,” she murmured smugly as she smoothed her hand over her belly. Turning her back to the mirror, she checked her rear view.
Her bottom didn’t look bad either—her hips were almost back into shape.
She was as thin as she’d been before she’d given birth.
“Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma,” gurgled Tori. She stamped excitedly on the padded mat of the playpen and eagerly held her hands out to Rona.
“No-no-no, baby. Grandma will be here.”
Come on, mom. She glanced at her watch. It was almost six-thirty. Time for Carlos to be home too.
Angry, Tori bent down and threw her Baby Stella doll at Rona.
“No,” Rona said firmly. She picked it up and returned it to her daughter who immediately thought they were playing a game. She flung the doll back out again.
“No, baby. Mama going out with dada. Gandma coming. Gandma and Tori play.”
Her little girl understood enough to not cry. The kind, gentle fairy godmother, was coming her way. This was as close as Rona’s life would ever get to a fairy tale.
She walked away and fluffed out her hair again over her shoulders. Dinner had been booked for seven thirty at the new Greek Restaurant in town. Carlos liked trying out new places and though she wasn’t so fond of the bread and meat dishes, she wanted to do something nice for him. He worked hard, he deserved a night out. And so did she.
If they ate earlier, they could maybe go to the new cocktail bar and hang out there for a couple of drinks. Or maybe not.
Remembering the tall stranger she’d seen last time she decided it wouldn’t be wise to go there. Maybe the Lizard Lounge? Or they could go to the movies but she was too dressed up to sit in the dark looking this good.
She preferred that they do cocktails. And it was time they sat and talked and ate without interruption. She’d seen the way Nico was with Ava, and she wanted that with Carlos again. She missed the days when they could barely keep their hands off one another. Six years of marriage had been great. But Tori’s arrival had put a bit of a dampener when it came to sex though Rona didn’t really feel too sexy or in the mood for much these days. Sleep was the only thing she craved.
She ran a brush through her hair.
“Ma-ma-ma-ma,” cried Tori again, and clutched the edges of the playpen, until she tumbled down again. She was still getting used to the feeling of standing up and anytime soon she’d be taking her first steps.
Then it would be even harder, running around trying to keep her out of mischief.
“Ma-ma-ma-ma!” the little girl yelped.
Rona sighed. The poor little angel had been in there for long enough, but Rona dared not get her out just yet. She didn’t want to get her dress or her hair or makeup messed up again.
Where are you, Mom?
“Grandma coming,” cooed Rona, and slicked on another layer of lipstick. It was just dinner. But it was something; anything to make life back at home more appealing. She’d had a hard time settling back into things after Verona.
It hadn’t really been a flirtation.
It had just been—well, it had just been a bit of fun. And now, unless she worked at it, she and Carlos would be too late to save.
It was even worse now that her mother was back because all Elsa talked about was Ava and how happy the girl was.
Her cell phone rang and she grabbed it, half-hoping it wasn’t Elsa calling to cancel.
“Hey, baby.”
“Are you still at work?” Rona looked at her watch in alarm. Where was Elsa? “We’re going to be late. I made the booking for seven thirty.”
“Uh…”
She froze, not liking the ‘Uh.’
“Uh - what?”
“I—there’s a —I—”
“What, Carlos?” He had some bullshit reason. She gritted her teeth in readiness.
“I forgot, but I’d already agreed to do the overtime—”
Screw the overtime. “Do you need to do it? Tonight?”
“Uh—it’s a sixtieth birthday party for my dad’s oldest friend. We’ve got a booking for forty extra people—”
“Carlos,” she hissed through gritted teeth. “We don’t get out often. I told you this morning before you left.”
“Sorry, baby. But it isn’t our anniversary or anything. Is it?” He sounded unsure.
“Does it have to be?” She’d thought going out for no reason might make for a good change.
“It’s midweek,” he moaned. “I thought I had the dates wrong.”
“No, you didn’t.” She thought she’d go for spontaneity.
“I can’t get out of it. I’m sorry, but maybe we could do it another ti—”
You never put me first.
She wished, for once. that he would put her first, that he would take a little time out for her, for them, so that she knew she mattered. So that she knew he cared enough about their relationship.
“You can’t get the others to help?”
His brothers worked alongside him—where were they? When he struggled to respond she knew she already had her answer. It was easier to turn her down than them.
“If I put my hours in now I can take a longer vacation for the wedding.” He was always putting his hours in and he’d already cut short a previous trip to Verona.
She’d had her own flirt going on back then. Those evenings had been sublime—it was the kind of adulation and atte
ntion she sought but didn’t get from Carlos anymore.
She clenched her jaw. A night out with his wife. Was that too much to ask? “You do what you think is best.” She slammed the phone down just as a Baby Stella doll smacked her on her waist.
“Tori!” she snapped. “Stop it!” The sharp tone of her voice startled the child whose bottom lip trembled, and then the top lip too, and in the next second a full-blown wail started up.
Rona closed her eyes and winced. “Aaaa, sweetie,” she said, feeling guilty as she moved towards the playpen. She scooped Tori out.
“I’m sorry. Mama isn’t angry with you.” Tori grabbed a fistful of her mom’s big hair and tugged it.
“No, Tori. No!” But her little girl found it funny and thought it was a game. The crying stopped just as suddenly. She gurgled and flailed her arms even more, pulling at the long strands.
“Oh what now?” Rona tried to free her hair with one hand and at the same time felt dampness on her bare forearm. She held Tori away and turned her to the side mid-air while she examined her bodysuit.
She groaned.
Drippy poop had leaked out of her diapers. As healthy as they were, mashed up sprouts would have to be permanently removed from Tori’s food plan. Rona winced at the small patch of dark that had stained her pink dress.
The doorbell rang. Great, she thought and hugged Tori to her chest once more as she went to answer the door.
Chapter 4
Elsa’s head pounded as if the weight of a lead brick rested directly at the top of it.
But she drove to Rona’s anyway.
She had no choice—her daughter needed her. She parked and remained in the car for a few moments while she closed her eyes and mentally prepared herself for what she knew wouldn’t be the quiet kind of evening she’d had in mind. Lately, she liked nothing more than to sit at home and reflect on things. But this evening wasn’t going to be one of those evenings. Still, she got to see her granddaughter, and even in her melancholy, Elsa’s spirits lifted.
Mornings were the hardest, and getting out of the bed was almost impossible—it was something she hadn’t experienced before in her life and she concluded that age had crept up on her in the two months since Edmondo had passed away.