"It's fine," I said, scooting over to make room for him. "Like you said, there's a park down the street."
"Do you think you'll keep working here?"
"It's hard to tell. I'm thankful for the job, but I had more responsibility at my old one. I'm not saying I don't like this one, but I'm gonna be doing my best to move up or move on pretty quickly."
"What do you think about the boss?"
"His name's Dominic."
"You haven't met him?"
"No. But I've heard he's a good guy. Everyone in there seems to really like him."
Just then, the door opened and a guy I worked with named Matt peered out. "There you are Mr. Russo," he said. "Your assistant said she needs you to call her back as soon as you can."
I looked at Mr. Russo who gave Matt an easy smile.
"I'll text her Matt, thanks for letting me know. And call me Dominic."
Matt smiled and gave a little bow as he closed the door.
I looked over at the guy sitting next to me. "Isn't Dominic Russo the guy who owns this place?"
"Yes."
"And did you just ask me what I thought about him when I didn't know he was you?"
He scrunched up his face as if he was deciphering the question but then smiled and nodded. "Yes."
"You gave me this job."
"That's what I hear," he said. "I was talking to Matt and Debbie earlier. They told me you were the one who came to town with Lulu."
I cringed inwardly at the name Lulu, not wanting her to have to correct him if he called her that. I was so taken aback by this stranger turning out to be Dominic, that I didn’t' say anything about.
"Debbie and Matt both said what a great job you're doing."
"They're both really nice," I said. "Everyone is. It's a great place to work. I hope I didn't come across as ungrateful when I said I'd be moving on."
"Not at all," he said. "Receiving's not for everyone."
I smiled at him. "It's great, and I don't take it for granted that the job fell into my lap."
"From what Debbie and Matt tell me we are the lucky ones."
"I don't know if I'd go that far, but I am pretty handy with a box cutter." I drew it out of my back pocket and flashed it. "Fastest hands in the west."
He laughed a deep, rumbling laugh that had me smiling. "I'm pretty sure you should stay at my store," he said. "We can move you up, down, or sideways until you find the position you want, but I'd like to hang onto you."
"I'm enjoying my spot in receiving right now. The timing was right for me to do this type of job. I need the quiet since I'm still processing everything."
"Yeah, I'm sorry about the accident. Tony and Tommy were my second cousins. We used to play together all the time before they moved. I hated to hear about what happened."
"I hated it too," I said. We were both quiet for a few seconds. "You don't think this kind of thing will happen to you. Something just seems wrong about being a widow at twenty-three."
"Which one were you married to?"
"Tony. I called him Anthony."
"How long were you married?"
"A year. But we'd been together for four."
"Was he good to you?"
I sighed. "The best."
"Lulu's precious too. They're a good family."
"It's tough for her right now, but she'll get through it."
"I'm sure it's tough for both of you. I'm glad you have each other."
I smiled at him and stood up. "My break is almost over." I dusted my backside as he stood. He was standing close to me, towering over me like he must have been a foot taller. Maybe it wasn't that much, but he was a big guy and I stared up at him with a smile.
"I really appreciate the opportunity."
"No moving on, all right? Come to me if you want a new situation, don't go somewhere else."
I smiled and bowed a little. "I'm thankful to be here."
He used a finger to tilt my chin, forcing me to make eye contact. "Thank you for helping Lu," he said. "She's family and it means a lot that you're helping her."
"We're helping each other," I said.
Chapter 4
"Why don't you let people call you Lulu?" was the first thing I asked when I walked into the apartment after work that day.
The conversation I had with Dominic earlier was still fresh in my mind, and I could still hear him calling her that. He sounded so natural saying it and it was a good name for her.
"Gianni never called me that," she said, drawing me out of my thoughts. "He was pretty much the only one around here who didn't. Anyway, when we went out to Arizona, Vinny was the only one who ever called me that anymore, and little by little he just sort of switched over to calling me Laura. I don't know why I didn't want them saying Lulu. It just struck me wrong when I heard it. It's just because it's a happy name, I think."
"I thought it sounded good when people said it. It fits you."
"It used to."
"It will again one day."
She put her hand on mine. "I don't think I would have made it without you."
"It should be me who's saying that," I said. "You have all these people over here who love you. I talked to Dominic today, and he seemed willing to bend over backwards to make me comfortable at Nic's."
"You talked to Dominic? I was wondering when you'd meet him. He was such a precious little boy."
Laura knew he was wealthy, and I'd told her about his business, but she still had no concept of just how successful he was. She hadn't been to the store, and I could tell she wasn't processing the magnitude of his empire.
"I told him I wanted to learn how to take pictures and he said his love for photography was what got him started."
"Yeah he's been doing that since he was a little boy. His mom used to mail me some of the pictures he took. I think he won some kind of art show or a scholarship, or maybe both. He's always been special."
"It's nice to have people like him on your side, you know. He told me he'd do anything to make me comfortable there. You're lucky to have people like that looking out for you." I said.
"What did he tell you?"
"He just said for me to stay working for Nic's no matter what—said if I got tired of working in receiving he'd give me another job. He seemed like he wanted to do whatever to make me comfortable."
She smiled at me and squeezed my hand. "It makes my heart happy that you've found favor with him. This makes me feel so much better about dragging you all the way out here."
"I came because I wanted to."
"I know, sweetheart, but you knew deep down I needed you, and it makes me feel good that my people are looking after you."
"I needed you just as much," I said.
She smiled at me but I could tell she thought I was just being nice.
"I'm glad they're looking after me too," I said. "It's a good feeling, having someone like him on your side. He just seems so powerful, like he could help you out of any bind you got yourself in."
"He is powerful," she said. "He was powerful before the business, so you can just imagine."
"How so?" I asked.
"What do you mean?"
"You said he was powerful before he started his business. How so?"
"Oh, because he comes from a powerful family," she said. "The Russos are well-known around here. His dad is Big Willy Russo, and his uncles and granddad go way back on these streets."
I wanted to come out and ask if these guys were part of the mafia, but everything she'd said was vague enough that I'd feel bad if I assumed that and was wrong. I was in the middle of having that thought when someone pounded on the door with a heavy fist. I gasped and jumped and Laura looked at me with a curious expression as to who it could be. I shrugged.
"It must have been someone with the code because we didn't buzz anyone up," she said.
The mafia thoughts were fresh in my mind and I tried to think if I'd done anything wrong.
"I got a delivery for you Ms. Laura," we heard a man's voice
say as we approached the door.
I reached up and peered through the peephole. "It's Mike," I said, reaching for the doorknob.
"Hi ya Ms. Rae," he said coming to stand in the apartment. "Ms. Laura," he added, nodding at her. "Sorry your box got a little wet," he said, handing me the package he was holding. The box was barely wet, like it had just started to sprinkle outside.
He took off his fedora and checked the top of it, smiling when he saw that it was barely wet too. He extended the hat in the direction of the box I was holding. "I knew the delivery guy down stairs. He was about to ring you, but I told him I had the code. I was coming up to tell you Frankie and Viv want to have you over for dinner tomorrow night."
I glanced at Laura and we both nodded. "Tell them we'll be there," she said.
"All right, that's good." He pointed at the package I was holding. "Enjoy."
I absentmindedly wondered if he somehow knew what was in it, but didn't think that was the case. Mike tipped his hat to us both before he left.
"What is it?" She asked as the door closed behind him.
"I was gonna ask you the same thing," I said.
"Well, what's it say?" she asked.
I turned the box around, inspecting it. I was perplexed to find that there were absolutely no markings on the thing—not a name, or address, or any clue of what was inside or who it was from.
I took it to the table where I set it down before using a key to cut the tape that was holding it closed. I started to open it, but then stopped and looked at her. "You don't think it's sketchy that it's not marked, do you?"
"No, Mike said he knew the guy carrying it."
I smiled as I continued opening the box. It was packaged with the same brown paper I often saw when I opened a box at work. My first thought when I saw it was that it might have come from Nic's, but I quickly passed that off. We both looked in curiously as I pulled out the top layer of brown paper.
There were a bunch of boxes that I instantly recognized from work. I wasn't a mathematician, but one glance into the box and I knew there was a lot of money involved. There was an envelope on top that was marked with my name.
Rae Milano
I stared down at it before glancing at Laura with a bewildered expression.
"Did someone send you a camera? Is that what this is?"
There were three boxes that were visible, and based on the size of the container, they were stacked two deep. I'd done enough research recently to know the level of equipment I was staring at.
"It seems that's the case, but I'm almost scared to investigate, because I'm already looking at a ton of money right here."
Her eyes got big. "Well, what are you waiting for? Open the letter and see what it's all about."
I was extremely skeptical that this was all for me. It was just too much. There had to be another explanation.
"It's got your name on it," she said, handing me the envelope. I opened the letter cautiously and read it out loud.
Rae, I'm glad we had the chance to meet today. Here are a few things to get you started taking pictures. I've included an assortment of my favorite lenses and look forward to finding out which one you like best. I think you'll really enjoy this set-up.
The letter wasn't over, but I paused and looked up at Laura. "Why would he do this?" I asked.
She shrugged. "Did you mention wanting it?"
"I mean, I might have casually said I'd like to get into it, but my goodness, I certainly didn't say I wanted him to do this." I sighed and focused my attention on the letter.
I've also included phones for yourself and Lulu.
I glanced up at her with wide eyes and put the letter down so I could dig in the box. I carefully took one of the lenses out and set it on the table. I peered into the box as I took a second lens off the top layer. I set it on the table as I looked into the box again. Sure enough, there were two small boxes that contained the latest, greatest smartphone. I took one out and turned it over. "What's going on?" I asked.
"Just read the letter," she said.
I focused on the piece of paper, which was now shaking slightly.
I added the two of you to the same plan I provide for my managers at work. Calls, texting, and data are unlimited so don't worry about overages.
I glanced up at her in disbelief, but then focused on the letter again.
The phones have been activated, but you need to use them to call the service provider and confirm a few things. I get a good price on the service with my group plan. It's my pleasure to take care of this, so please let me. I'm sure you'll be a manager soon enough, anyway. I am going to London for a couple of weeks, but my mom says she wants to do dinner with you and Lulu soon. Get ready for my mom. She's a hugger.
I laughed and glanced at Laura. She smiled. "Maria Russo will squeeze the living daylights out of you," she said.
Oh, and by the way, tell Lu she doesn't have to worry about you while you're at work. I already warned every man in the building that you're off limits. I told the guys at the deli too, just for good measure. Tell her everyone loves you and is keeping their eye out for you over here. Enjoy your new toys. My number has already been programed into your phones if you need anything.
Take care,
Dominic
"This is an unbelievably generous gift," I said. Taking the boxes out one by one. There were two photography books on the bottom, and I thumbed through them distractedly.
"You must have really made an impression on him today."
"I don't know how," I said. "I was just sitting on a curb in my work uniform."
"Well you must have made an impression somehow. What'd you guys talk about?"
"I'm trying to remember our conversation. I told him I wanted to get into taking pictures but I just barely mentioned it. I also barely mentioned the fact that I didn't have a phone. I can't believe he sent these. You see the red ring around these lenses?" I asked, pointing at the picture of the lens that was printed on the box.
She nodded.
"This basically means that this baby takes amazing pictures. This camera will take pictures by itself. All I have to do is strap it on my shoulder and walk by something and I've got quality photos."
She watched me excitedly inspect everything with great pride that part of her family had done something so thoughtful for me.
"I wonder why he's going to London," she said.
"He's looking at opening a store there," I said. "A guy I work with named Matt told me that earlier today after he saw me talking to Dominic. He didn't tell me Dominic was planning a trip, but he must have known it because he told me about the new store. He talked my ear off about Dominic for about an hour while we broke down boxes this afternoon."
"I'll have to call Maria and tell her what a doll her son is."
"You can call her from your new phone."
"I need to get her number programmed into it," she said.
Both of us shut off our cellphone service before we left Arizona. She bought a prepaid phone for our trip, but we only used it to talk to her family on the way up here and had it for emergencies, of course.
She and I spent the remainder of the evening programming our new phones and checking them out. We took about a hundred selfies together before she settled on one that she'd send to Dominic as a thank you.
I still hadn't decided what I'd do to thank him. I wasn't used to this type of no-strings-attached generosity, and I kept feeling like I should get on some kind of payment plan to reimburse him. Laura assured me a hundred times that I should just accept the gift for what it was, and I did my best to take her advice.
She had a conversation with Dominic's mom later that evening, but I could only hear half of it, so I went to my nook to crack into the camera and lenses now that I had time to really inspect everything and read the instructions. Laura went into her room at 10PM, and I stayed up till 2AM playing with my camera. I skimmed through the books he included and used my new phone to watch YouTube videos about the camera and ho
w to use it.
I went to bed still feeling amazed at the generosity of her family.
Chapter 5
Laura and I went to Frankie and Vivian's for dinner the following evening. Their apartment was only three blocks from ours, but was on a whole other level. I'd been there one time with Laura when she went to clean while Frankie and Vivian weren't home.
Tonight would be the first time I'd meet Vivian, and I felt somewhat nervous. Laura said we'd get along fine, and I knew that was true, but it seemed like I was meeting new people every time I turned around, and I still got a little anxious.
The doorman recognized us and sent us upstairs with a warm greeting. Our building didn't have a doorman, and I smiled at the fanciness of being welcomed by a uniformed representative.
A woman I assumed was Vivian smiled broadly when she opened the door and instantly reached out to bring Laura into her arms. "I can't believe I'm just now getting to see you and you're right down the street!" she said. "We should have already had a party."
"Oh, definitely no parties," Laura said, hugging her back as we came to stand in the entryway.
"You must be Rae. I'm Aunt Viv, you precious love. I've heard so many great things about you!" She pulled me into her arms and gave me a tight hug, and then she pulled back and regarded me sweetly before pinching my cheek. "What an absolute stunner!" she said, looking at Laura with wide eyes. "Frankie told me she was a little blonde angel, but she is just a sight! Who'd she belong to?" she asked, taking me into her arms for another squeeze.
"Tony," Laura said. I looked at Laura to see if the candid question would affect her, but she seemed unruffled. "She's as good to me as she was to my boy," she said, stoically.
"You're lucky for that," Vivian said. She was extremely touchy feely. She had her hands all over us, giving us both pats and rubs, but somehow it wasn't intrusive. "I know it's been hard, honey, I can't imagine what you've been through, but you have a little angel with you, don't you?"
"I sure do," Laura said. "I don't know what I'd do if—"
"What's taking you broads so long?" we heard a man's voice yell.
"We're coming!" Viv shouted. "Give me a second! I haven't seen Lu in a million years!" Viv focused her attention on Laura again and rubbed her shoulder. "You look absolutely beautiful by the way. You haven’t changed a bit, honey. I should have told you that when you first came in." Viv was on the verge of tears as she stared at Laura, and it was obvious that she loved and missed her very much. I couldn't help but take note that it was the first time Laura let someone call her Lu.
Another Shot: A Modern-Day Ruth and Boaz Story Page 3