"Her fiance took off with another woman."
"What a creep. I hope she's not alone."
"No, she's here with me. He changed the locks on the door, so she had nowhere to go"
"Are you kidding me? Tell her to count her blessings. The jerk did her a big favor by running off." She clucked her tongue loudly against the roof of her mouth, and I visualized her shaking her head back and forth. "Are you thinking about making this a permanent thing?"
"I don't know. It did cross my mind. I'll discuss it with her when she's feeling better."
"Are you coming over to the shop?"
"Later, after she calms down. I'll bring her with me. It would be good for her to have a change of scenery. How long are you staying?"
"Oh, I'll be leaving for home soon to cook dinner. Why don't the two of you come over for dinner?"
"If Jamie is feeling up to it, I'll bring her. Otherwise, if she's going to sleep, I'll come by myself ... yeah, I'll come by myself. What'd you make?"
"It's a surprise. How did the contest go?"
"Charlie picked my dish for the menu! I can't believe it. Some of the guys were pretty ticked off. I made a butternut squash and cheese ravioli with a sauce."
"That's my girl." She paused, and I could hear her shouting to Dad. "Michael, Cassie won the contest." Dad mumbled something in the background, but I couldn't hear what he said with the loud banging. "He said he's proud of you," Mom repeated. "You'll have to make this dish for us sometime. Okay, I'm off. See you later."
Just as I ended my call, Jamie came down the hallway. She looked terrible, her eyes puffy and swollen from crying, her hair shooting out from every angle. I walked over and hugged her, and soon she started crying again. I understood every painful tear she shed because I'd been on both sides of that fence. Breaking up with Joe two weeks before our wedding, Barry's engagement to his former girlfriend, and me sending Sammy straight into Rosalie's arms-yeah, I knew what heartbreak was all about. Not that I was sad about Sammy. I felt bad, but I hadn't been fully invested in the relationship. No big surprise there. But a girl can change, can't she?
I motioned for Jamie to sit down on the sofa. "Want something cold to drink?"
She nodded. I filled a glass with water and handed it to her. "Do you want to talk, or should I just leave you alone for a while?"
"I need to apologize for calling you. You're my boss, and I was out of line."
"Jamie, this is the first time I'm a boss, so don't even give it a second thought. It doesn't change who you are. We women have to stick together"
"Thank you" She sniffed. "I would like to talk about it."
"Go right ahead."
Jamie talked for two hours, frequently stopping to dry her tears or blow her nose.
"So what are you going to do?"
"I'm finished with him and wouldn't go back to him even if he came on bended knee. Once a cheater, always a cheater" Her voice caught. "I don't want to go home to Detroit either. Now that I've had a taste of New York, there's nowhere else I want to live, but I don't make enough money to pay rent"
"You can stay here. I've had an empty bedroom since Megan got married. I've been hoping to fill it with another roommate. So what do you think-are you interested?"
"It depends on how much money you want for rent"
"We'll figure it out. Let's not worry about it now. Listen, my Mom invited us over for dinner tonight. Are you feeling up to it?" She stared into space. "Don't feel pressured, but it might be good for you right now ... you know, take your mind off things."
"Okay. You're probably right."
"I want to stop at the shop too, but that won't be until after dinner. Mom said the appliances came today, and I'm dying to see what Josh accomplished. What do you think?"
"All right. Can I shower first?"
"Do you have any clothes with you?"
"Yeah. He left those on the front porch." A tear rolled down her cheek. She swiped at it with her forearm.
I hugged her again. "Listen, from the things you've told me about this guy, I don't think you should shed another tear. He's not worth it."
"I know. I guess I'm crying more from anger than anything else."
"Well, that certainly makes sense. Okay, go take your shower." I watched Jamie head down the hall, while I sent Mom a text to let her know we'd both be at dinner.
"The hungry hooligans have arrived," I said, walking into my parents' foyer. "It smells pretty awesome in here"
Mom peeked her head out from the kitchen. "Go say hi to Dad in the living room" She caught a glimpse of Jamie and walked out to give her a hug. "Are you okay?"
I could hear Jamie mumbling but was anxious to see Dad and let the two of them converse. As I walked into the room, I stopped dead in my tracks. Josh was sitting on the sofa opposite Dad, drinking a glass of wine. His stare drilled into me like an arrow as I watched his mouth curve into a smile. I was speechless. I should have known Mom would do something like this, but I couldn't deny the excitement I felt when I saw the expression of satisfaction on his face. It sent my pulse spinning.
He placed his drink on the coffee table and stood to greet me. "Nice to see you, Cassie." He hugged me, and my knees felt like putty. "Have you been over to the job site?"
"Not today, but I'll stop by after dinner," I managed to say. "What I saw yesterday looked good."
"You know, I thought I'd see a lot more of you once I started working, but I guess you've been busy." He chuckled. "I should be flattered. It must mean you trust me" Considering how he'd acted the last time I saw him, his current demeanor had me slightly confused.
Mom and Jamie walked into the living room, arm in arm. "Josh," Mom said, "this is Jamie. She'll be working in the shop too, only she'll be conducting classes with Cassie."
Jamie's eyes were still puffy. Josh gave her a curious look and shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, Jamie"
Up until this point, Mom had ignored me, but when she glanced my way, I shot her a look. Hey, I had to keep up appearances, didn't I? And then I got her infamous broad grin, the one I called the "gotcha" grin, and I couldn't help but feel ticked. Over the years, I'd come to know it extremely well. She looked away and pretended I wasn't in the room. "It's so nice to have you all here for dinner. It isn't often we get to have people other than family, so this is a real treat for me" She turned to Jamie. "Have a seat, honey." Then Mom did an about-face and left the room, only to return with a tray of bruschetta, which she placed in my lap-forcing me to walk it around. I avoided eye contact. I knew what she was up to.
Josh spoke up. "Your mother took pity on me tonight," he said as he reached for a bruschetta, "and invited me for dinner." He bit into the crostini and moaned with delight.
"I can see that" rolled off my tongue.
"Lucy loves to feed people, and she sure loves it when someone praises her cooking," Dad chimed in. "You're welcome to come here every night if you want" I released a low gasp, inadvertently inhaling the crumbs from the crostini, and launched into a fit of coughing. I rushed into the kitchen and took a drink to wash it down.
"Are you okay?" Mom came up behind me.
"Mother," I said in a firm whisper, "what are you trying to do by inviting Josh here?"
"Nothing. He was at the store, he needed to eat, and I invited him." Her hand went to her hip. "Why, I'm not allowed to invite him to my house just because you're in a snit, or whatever it is?"
"That's not it, and you know it. You're trying to set something up here. He's not interested in me. He's interested in Allie."
"And that's why I waited for her to leave before asking him."
"Mother," I chastised, "did it ever occur to you that maybe I'm just not interested in him?"
She pretended to play a fiddle. "Yeah, sing me another tune." She laughed. "Tell that to someone who doesn't know you." She leaned down to check the food in the oven. "A little nudging never hurt anyone"
Now my hands flew to my hips. "I don't need help from anyone. I'm a woman now, Mo
ther, not a child."
Mom skipped right over my comment and offered her opinion in a low whisper. "I don't think he likes Allie as much as you think he does" She pulled the tray of lasagna out of the oven as she continued to talk. "She's a kid, for cripes' sake, and, as you say, you're a woman now." She grinned mischievously as she placed the tray on the counter to cool before cutting.
"You think so?" popped out of my mouth without thinking.
"See?" She grinned. "I knew it. Now, go out to the gang and tell them to sit at the table. We'll talk later."
Maybe she was right. Maybe I needed to stop interfering with my parents' interference.
"I'll bring the lasagna out in a minute," she said in a singsong rhythm. I could hear her humming "I'm Getting Married in the Morning" as the door closed behind me.
Nerves danced throughout my body when I noticed Josh watching me walk toward the dining room to announce dinner was served. I could hear Dad conversing with Jamie about what he hoped to see happen in the shop as they stood and headed for seats at the table.
"So, Cass," Josh said, sitting down next to me, "how have you been doing?"
"Terrific" shot out of my mouth so quickly, it surprised me. "Why your sudden interest in being nice?"
He seemed surprised. "When haven't I been nice?"
"Pass the bread to your father, Cass," Mom barked when she laid the tray down on the table. I passed the basket.
"Is something wrong?" he leaned over and whispered to me.
"You barely said a word to me the other night when I stopped in, but you didn't have any trouble focusing on Allie." I heard the words indignantly shoot out of my mouth, and although I couldn't believe I was letting him know how I felt, I couldn't stop the flow.
He snickered. "I swear, if I didn't know any better, I'd bet money on you being jealous."
"Uh, no," I lied, knowing Mom was close by, "I just think she's a distraction, and I don't want my job being held up because of it." Mom was now straining to hear our whispering. And me, I was trying to find out if Mom was right about him not being interested in Allie.
"Oh, she's a distraction all right, but I won't let it interfere with my work, if that's what you're worried about." A distraction? Looks like I had my answer.
"I wasn't worried," I said to save face, but the heat of Mom's glare could have burned a hole in my cheek.
He gave me the side-glance. "You weren't worried?"
"Uh, no," I said in a normal voice. "So I guess you're dating." Why in God's name did I ask? Mom was wondering the same thing; she kicked me under the table. What was I trying to do, play the guilt card?
"I've taken her to dinner a few times." He gave a nonchalant shrug. "She doesn't know a soul here except us"
Dad interrupted. "But you know she's all wrong for you, right, Josh? You need someone who's more mature, more settled." Mom chimed in by agreeing.
"You mean, like your daughter?" Jamie looked as astonished as I felt.
"Well, yeah, someone like my daughter. I mean, I'm not saying my daughter ... well, not exactly, but someone like her. You know what I mean? Mature"
"Dad," I said firmly. I gave them both a dirty look. The heat of a blush colored my cheeks. "Josh, I'm very sorry. My parents are getting on in years, and they don't know what they're saying. Please forgive them" I could see Mom's shock in my peripheral vision, but she needed to understand this was not the way to do things.
"I beg your pardon," she said with sarcasm. "We're not senile."
I huffed out hot air and shook my head.
Josh laughed. "It's okay." He turned to Dad. "Listen, if your daughter wanted to date me, Mike, we'd be dating. She's not interested, and so I've moved on"
Mom's eyes spun toward me and sent me daggers. Dad continued his conversation.
"But if she did want to date you, you wouldn't have any objections. Isn't that right?"
"Well, I don't know. I'm sort of wrapped up in someone else now."
"Good grief, stop already." My hand went up. "I like being a confirmed bachelorette. Leave me alone." I rose from the chair and walked my dish into the kitchen, unable to believe the conversation.
I was so embarrassed, I laughed out of sheer frustration. Regardless, knowing that Josh had moved on with someone, whom I presumed to be Allie, did give me pause. I had suspected it all along but was hoping he'd deny it.
My embarrassment careened into anger, and I gave Mom the silent treatment as we did the dishes. She didn't try to push the issue; she knew I was ticked. Jamie and I said our farewells and rushed out of the apartment. I heard Josh call after me, but I shut the door and exited the building.
Jamie started laughing when we hit the pavement. "What the heck was that all about?"
"Oh, my parents have been doing this to me for years. They make me so darn mad, I'm just beside myself right now." She patted my shoulder. I was supposed to be making her feel better, but it was Jamie who was consoling me. I suppose it helped her in some small way-at least temporarily.
When I unlocked the door to the shop and flipped on the light, Jamie and I stared in awe at how much had been accomplished.
"Oh wow. Reality is beginning to hit me. I'm excited, but now I'm getting nervous"
"Why?" Jamie asked.
"Because I'm going to own my own business. Failure is not an option"
"You're awfully hard on yourself, Cassie. You're not going to fail. You won a contest today, remember?"
"Right. I did, didn't I?" I stepped in farther and checked out the huge boxes of appliances. The name of the item clearly identified each on the outside of each box, and at the end of the shop was a stack of ten boxes containing kitchen gadgets from the Kitchen Hardware Factory. I opened each box, and Jamie and I played with the contents. It felt like Christmas morning.
"I have one week left on my externship, and I'm ready to get this show on the road"
I glanced over at Jamie and noticed she was showing signs of weariness. "Okay, what do you say we head on back to the apartment?"
"I'd really like to do that, Cass. I was doing fine while we were at your parents' place, but now the gremlins are starting to attack"
"Gotcha" I locked the door, and we headed for home.
PAPA-DON'T-DANCE-AND-MAMA-DON'TROCK-'N'-ROLL LASAGNA
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Boil the lasagna noodles according to the package directions in salted water with one tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking. If you want Josh to stick like glue, keep inviting him for dinner. Treat him the way you would a son-in-law, and you might just win him over for your daughter. Bring him into the big Italian family fold-he'll love that.
But first, you've got to get rid of that giddy Southern girl and get his attention back on your daughter. Remember, going through the back door works really well. You just have to be creative. As for the dancing? The mama and the papa will be doing the tarantella if they keep this up.
When the noodles reach the al dente stage, drain and run cold water over them. Return the noodles to the pot and fill with cool water until ready to assemble.
It's time to cool your heels and give your daughter time to blow off steam before you go for the second touchdown. So set the pushing and the noodles aside for now. Make the daughter think she's gotten to you and you're done interfering-but we know you're not. Keep taking baby steps-get it?
In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, eggs, 1/2 cup of the parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella, salt and pepper to taste, and the parsley. Stir until completely blended. You haven't seen the daughter this angry before, but you don't like the look of "old maid" on her at this age either. Caution: Slow and steady gets the job done.
Using a rectangular baking dish, coat the bottom with tomato sauce, and cover with a layer of noodles. Don't worry, she still loves you both. Spread 1/ cup of ricotta mixture evenly over top of the noodles, ladle with sauce, and sprinkle parmesan and mozzarella cheeses over the top. Continue layering until done. Cover last layer of noodles wit
h sauce, sprinkle the two cheeses over the top, and bake, covered, for 20-25 minutes. Remove the cover and bake another 20 minutes until cheese has melted. Remove the dish from the oven and allow the lasagna to rest 15-20 minutes before serving.
In the meantime, say the Rosary, for God's sake, because you drove too hard trying to get the bachelor and the bachelorette to see things your way. So far, it has backfired on you, but think positively. It's only a matter of time before someone takes the bait-at least, one can hope. And if things do work out to your advantage, one day your daughterwell, we're not really sure what she'll do. Just sat'in'.
When the clock radio blasted on my nightstand, I jumped out of bed. It was playing "Pushing Me Away" by the Jonas Brothers. I padded down the hall to the bathroom. Jamie was already sitting at the breakfast bar, drinking coffee and staring into space, her face sullen and pale. She turned when she heard me walking by, and I waved and continued on my way.
She had resumed staring into space when I returned. "How are you this morning?" I asked, trying to break her trance.
"Okay, I guess."
"You're not going into work, are you?" I asked, surprised.
She nodded. "I have to if I'm going to be able to pay my rent. I think it's probably the best thing I can do for myself. It'll be so busy, I won't have time to sulk."
"That's good. Let me give you your own apartment key before you leave." I looked around the kitchen, noticing she hadn't eaten. "There's plenty of food in the cupboards"
"Thanks. I'm not hungry, especially after eating so much last night." She tilted her head to the side. "Thank you for rescuing me, Cass, but I want you to know that if you feel having me around is too much, you can tell me"
"I think we'll be fine. Stop worrying so much, okay?"
Dishing Up Romance Page 13