I didn’t know Mom drank tea.
“Luca, why didn’t you tell me she was so pretty?” Mom sighed and looked at Mim with appreciation.
“I did, Mom. I said she was stunning right between your questions of whether she was Catholic and if she was Italian.” I’d made Mom blush.
“I’m Catholic, Mrs. Gregorio, but sadly, I’m not Italian, and I hope you won’t hold that against me.”
“Call me Stella, and that grump out there,” she nodded toward the living room, “is Frank. I’ll forgive you for not being Italian. We can’t all be perfect.” She patted Mim’s hand like she was serious, and then she began to laugh. “You look just about perfect to me.”
I stood against the counter and watched the two women talk. I had so much respect for Mim. She went from a dead sleep to meeting my mother in a second, and she was handling it like a champ.
“I have to go because I have to work, but I’d love to visit while you’re here.” Mim stood up and put her teacup in the sink. “Luca has to work tonight. Maybe I can come by and take you both out for a tour of the city.”
Shit, I did have to work.
“If you’d given me some notice, I could have arranged to have the day off. It’s too late now.”
“Oh, that’s okay. We knew we would only catch glimpses of you, but since we haven’t seen you all year,” she looked at me with sadness, “we felt it was worth it. I’d love it if you came by, Mim.” Mom rose from her chair and put her teacup in the sink. “You two say goodbye. Luca and I will shop for dinner. Come by around five, Mim, and enjoy a real Italian meal.”
Mim smiled at my mom and waved to my dad as she walked by. “Walk me out?” She pulled on my hand, and I followed her out the door.
“I’m so sorry, Mim. I would have said something had I known.” I ran my hands down her arms.
“Luca, your parents are nice. I’m so glad I got to meet them. Do you mind if I take them out tonight? I thought maybe I could take them to the theater. My dad always has unused tickets.”
“They would love that, but I can get the tickets. I do work for a concierge service.” Free tickets were one of the perks I never used. My clients were interested in one thing only, and that never happened at the theater.
We held hands and walked down the stairs. She only had a few minutes to pull herself together, but she looked like she’d worked on herself for hours. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.”
“Well, this woman just had to call in late because her boyfriend let her fall asleep in his arms, which was amazing, by the way.” At the bottom of the steps, she pulled me into her embrace. Her purse dropped to the floor, and her copy of The Scarlet Letter spilled out.
“Luca, I wanted more last night. I wanted to give you something, too. I owe you.” She reached up and kissed me.
“You don’t owe me anything. Every minute with you is a gift. I’m so glad you were so rude to me our first day.” I pushed the hair that had fallen over her face and nipped at her lip.
“I’ll have to keep that in mind. Maybe being rude is foreplay for you.”
“Baby, anything you do is like foreplay to me. You breathe in my direction, and I’m stiff.”
“Yeah, yeah, all talk and no action.” She reached down and picked up her book.
“How are things going for Hester? Will she find her happily ever after?” I took the book from her hands and scrolled through the pages until I came across a quote that caught my attention. "No man for any considerable period can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true." I shut the book and pressed it back into her hand.
“Hester learns to find happiness where she is. It’s not perfect, but she has to find a way to live with herself, and she does. Happiness comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s as simple as waking up in your arms.”
Our goodbye kiss was soft and full of love. “Luca, I meant every word I said last night.” She paused and reached up to brush her fingers across my cheek. “I love you.”
My chest swelled with happiness. I knew when I got upstairs there would be a lot of questions to answer, and my mother didn’t disappoint. Mom lobbed questions at me like a tennis pro. I volleyed every one. When she asked if Mim was the one, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. She was the one, and I knew it in the deepest part of my dark soul. Without her, I’d be less.
My parents needed a place to sleep, so I pulled the sheets from my bed and brought them to my nose. They smelled of her, and I was reluctant to wash away her scent. How was I going to get through the next month without exploding?
Once the room was ready, we spent the remainder of the morning visiting Italian markets around town. Mom had her favorite brands, and it took three stores to locate what she wanted. Dad followed like any respectable Italian man. Men ruled the roost until it came to cooking; that particular task was left to the professionals—the women.
By one o’clock, we were back home and Mom was busy in the kitchen. Dad had returned to the couch to watch an old John Wayne movie.
My graduate project was looming over me and couldn’t be put off any longer. It felt like I was home in Chicago doing homework while Mom cooked dinner. I hadn’t realized how much I missed my family until now.
Dad was easy to overlook since he was mostly silent. It was in his non-silent moments that I didn’t care much for him. He wasn’t big on praise, but he was huge on expectation and letting me know how much I had disappointed him. I glanced toward the couch and caught a rare glimpse of him smiling. Something funny must have happened on the show. What I would do to see him smile at me with pride in his eyes just once.
“I like her, Luca. She’s smart and kind, and she has good hips for babies.” Mom rattled around my kitchen, complaining about my lack of quality pans. “She says her father is a reproductive specialist.”
I looked at her, and in the reflection of her eyes I saw the grandchildren she hoped I’d give her.
“Mom, don’t rush us. There can’t be any grandbabies until there’s sex, and there hasn’t been any of that.”
She ignored my comment and started chopping green peppers. When they left on Sunday, I’d have enough leftovers to last me for weeks. Thank God for plastic storage containers and freezer bags.
“I want to meet this priest you’ve been telling me about—this Father Tobin. You’ll take us there for Mass, right?”
The chop chop of vegetables drowned out my groan. The last thing I wanted was to go to Mass and have Mary looking down at me like a disillusioned mother while the other saints mocked me with their silent stares.
I brought Dad a cold beer and went back to my project. I’d logged five years of stock history for the most successful and least successful companies trading on the exchange. I’d analyzed the data and ran the numbers. It wasn’t rocket science, but I’d compiled substantial information on successes and failures. The only thing left to do was write the report, and I had three weeks to get that done.
* * *
Tickets for The Lion King were delivered to will call. I was grateful to Mim for babysitting my parents tonight. I wouldn’t have to worry about Mom reorganizing my apartment while I was at work. There were too many things that would raise her blood pressure. The case of condoms, for one, would give her a coronary. Imagine if she found my testing results for STDs.
By five, I had showered and trimmed up my facial hair. My mother hated it, but Mim loved it, and she won. Scruff, she called it, every time she rubbed her cheek against it.
What I wanted to do was call off tonight and join my family, but the end was in sight, and Jessica was easy. Feeling a bit glum, I dressed in gray to match my mood and went to the kitchen.
“Look at my fancy boy. So handsome in his suit.” Mom ran her fingers down the lapel and smiled. “Nice. How do you afford such nice things?”
“In New York, you can find anything you want if you look hard enough. Even a cheap suit looks good when tailored.”
I took off my jacket and laid it over a chair, hiding the label. It was an Armani suit, and although Mom knew quality when she saw it, she didn’t know brands. Dad didn’t make enough to afford brands like Armani or Hugo Boss. They stuck to stores like Kohl’s and Target.
Mim called to say she was downstairs, and I flew out the door to let her in. My door buzzer wasn’t working, so any guests had to be let in personally. I didn’t mind. It would give me a few minutes to spend alone with her.
She looked a bit frazzled when I opened the door. Her brow was glistening with sweat, and tendrils of damp hair stuck to her forehead. “I ran from the station because I didn’t want your mother to think me inconsiderate by being late.”
“My mom has already fallen in love with you. She’s been dreaming of her future grandchildren all day.” I pushed her damp hair from her face and nibbled on her lower lip in the way she loved. She pulled me close and deepened the kiss. Our tongues danced together until we were breathless. “I missed you today. How was work?”
“It was good. Professor Saunders invited me to sit in on the graduate projects. Did you know you get fifty points for just showing up?” She bounced up and down like she’d won the lottery. “I get to see yours in person. I’m so excited.”
“Nothing like putting the pressure on a poor grad student. At least if I show, I’m guaranteed an F.”
"Yes, but it’s fifty percent of your grade."
"You're full of news today.” I laced my fingers through hers. “We should get upstairs. My mother has been cooking for hours. I hope you’re hungry.”
“I’m starving. I worked through lunch to make up for being late and leaving early.” She rubbed her flat stomach. “I’m happy to eat until I get fat tonight.”
I rubbed my hand across her bottom and grabbed her hips. “My mom thinks you have perfect hips for having babies. I think you have perfect hips for everything.” At the front door, I kissed her passionately. The kiss would have to last until I got back from work.
I didn’t pray much, but I prayed Jessica wanted a quick night. That would get me back before Mim and my parents returned from the theater.
“Tickets to The Lion King are waiting at will call for you.” I rubbed her bottom. “Thanks for taking my parents.”
When the door opened, Mim no longer belonged to me. She was whisked into the kitchen where my mom told her all about the dishes she made. Cooking was woman’s work according to Mom, and I was smart enough to join Dad in the living room until we were summoned to the kitchen.
“Mangiare,” Mom called out after she insisted we say grace.
Even though it was my house, dad was served first, and then the rest of us dug in. Mim ate like she’d been starved for days. I filled my plate with spaghetti and sausage and Mom’s famous roasted peppers.
The conversation centered on the show they’d see tonight. I’d chosen well; Mim had never seen The Lion King. By six, I had to run. I needed to get to Fifth Avenue by seven. I kissed Mom, said goodbye to Dad, and tried to devour Mim in the hallway before I left.
I was ten steps outside the door when I texted her.
You drive me crazy with love . . . and lust.
Love you,
Luca
She responded a long five minutes later.
You make me crazy in general, but I love you. We're in the taxi and on our way. By the way, does your father ever smile?
I laughed out loud. My parents were a particular flavor she’d either love or hate. Thank God Mom’s personality would outshine Dad’s lack of one.
No, but he’ll grow on you like mold. I’ll make it up to you.
Hugs
I was just catching my train when her reply came through.
Hugs won’t cut it this time. I’m expecting so much more. Don’t work too hard.
Hugs for now.
Chapter 14
At seven o’clock, I walked into Jessica’s apartment. She seemed frazzled and slightly disorganized. Her hair was pinned up, and she was still dressed in a suit. Immediately, I poured her a glass of wine and grabbed a soda for myself.
“Late day?” Without a thought, I took a seat on the couch and pulled her down next to me. She didn’t lean into me like Mim did; she leaned away, kicked off her heels and plopped her feet in my lap.
Once I set my soda on the black lacquered table, I went right to work massaging the kinks out of her toes. Why did women insist on wearing such high heels to work? A lower heel would be more comfortable and still look good.
“I told you about the Singapore deal. I’ve been talking to my dad about it, and I think I’m going to do it.” She pulled the pins out of her hair and let it fall across the soft velvet arm of the couch. The white of the material made an excellent backdrop for her dark hair.
“What made you decide to take the job?”
“You did.” She rolled her neck and groaned as the vertebrae popped into place.
“Me?” I set her feet down and picked up my soda. “How?” We both pulled our legs in and turned toward each other.
“I started thinking about my life. It’s unique, to say the least, and maybe it’s time to make it more mainstream.” She looked at the ceiling as if the answers to life’s questions were there. “I want to make my mark in the world, and going out on my own is the only way. Until I get out from under my dad, no one will see what I bring to the table.”
“You’re incredibly smart and capable. I think it’s a good choice for you.” It seemed like everyone faced dilemmas and demons. Having money and options didn’t diminish anything.
“What about you, Luca? What’s in your future? We have a few weeks left, and then you’re out of my life for good.” She said the words in a good riddance way, but she was teasing. She valued the time we spent together.
“I’m still looking for a job. Things are going well with my girlfriend. She’s amazing.” I closed my eyes and pictured Mim standing naked in front of my bed. She’d exposed herself completely to me, and I’d hid everything from her.
“God, look at you. You get this wistful look on your face when you talk about her. Lord, you got it bad.” She drank down the wine and handed the empty glass to me.
Like the paid servant I was, I got up and went to the bar to get her a refill. “I can’t argue with that,” I said as I filled her glass with merlot. “I’m in love with her.” I’d miss Jessica; she was real and someone I’d considered a friend in spite of the dynamics of our relationship. I felt protective of her, but then I felt protective of all women. I was raised in the same way most Italian boys were raised. There was a certain machismo that came with the last name Gregorio, but despite my cockiness, I was brought up to revere women.
“How do you show up for your appointments and perform knowing there’s a woman pining for you at home while you swing your dick around? It doesn’t matter how you justify what you do, it’s still cheating.” Typical Jessica, just laid it all out there.
“Honestly, I’ve compartmentalized my work so much that it feels like another person goes to work and Luca stays home. It’s a job. I don’t pretend to be anything but a dick for hire.”
“Oh please, you are so much more than what hangs between your legs. I bet every woman who hires you talks your ear off. You’re a woman’s man. They like you because you listen.”
“No, some women just want to get nailed, and I’m good at that, too. Although you would never know.” I mentally ran through my regulars in my head, and Jessica was right. Most of the women wanted some kind of validation. Hell, I’d seen Diane for over a month, and we’d never had sex. She wanted to feel like a woman, and I gave her that. “Why haven’t we ever had sex?” Did she have similar hang-ups to Meredith?
“It’s not that I have an aversion to penis. The problem is, they can’t vibrate like a jackhammer or twirl like a top. Then there’s the size, although yours is impressive, even you can’t beat the length and girth of my favorite toy.”
There was no denying it. One of he
r favorites would make porn legend Ron Jeremy feel inadequate.
“Speaking of toys, are you ready?” It wasn’t my intent to rush her, but I wanted to be home when Mim and my parents got back from the theater.
“Girlfriend waiting at home?” She lifted her eyes before she rose from the couch and walked to her room.
“No, my parents showed up unexpectedly, and she took them to a show, but I’d like to be home when they get home.”
She stripped out of her suit and pulled a toy from her nightstand. I took my position standing between her legs, and we both did what we do. I closed my eyes and thought of Mim while Jessica found her pleasure. We snuggled for a few minutes before I buttoned up my pants and raced back home.
The shower felt good against my skin, but no matter how much soap I used or how hard I scrubbed, I felt dirty. Jessica was right, once you removed any one of the reasons I gave myself for doing what I was doing, in the end, it was cheating, and Mim deserved more.
I closed my eyes and pictured her doing what River and Jade had done, and a fiery rage surged through me. I didn’t want anyone touching her. She belonged to me, and only me. I’d never felt like a hypocrite until that moment. I was living the biggest lie of my life. How was I supposed to get through the next several weeks and be able to look Mim in the eye?
Dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved Henley, I sat in silence, thinking about my situation. I opened my wallet and pulled out the MBA coin. Professor Thieland’s words ran through my head. Keep your eye on the prize. The problem was, I no longer knew what the prize was. Was it what I had originally thought important—debt free—employed—respectable? Or was the prize Mim? In my heart, I knew the answer, but my head wasn’t in sync.
Close to eleven, Mim opened the door with the key I’d given her that afternoon. My parents looked exhausted, but Mom bubbled with excitement at seeing the show. Dad gave a curt ‘goodnight’ and walked toward my room, where he and Mom would sleep. Just the thought of what happened in that bed last night between me and Mim made me twitch with need.
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