by Annette Mori
Sophia couldn’t look at her just yet. She turned away before speaking, “Of course, I will always love you, Lara, but please don’t misinterpret anything today. I just cannot promise you that I can forgive and forget enough to give our marriage another try.”
“I’m not asking for a promise. I’ll settle for you thinking about it a little longer before coming to a final decision,” Lara said.
Too exhausted to argue, Sophia answered, “Okay.”
“That’s more than I could hope for. I’ll leave you to your bath. The food will be here shortly.”
Sophia felt bad for forgetting Lara’s birthday, but things were different now. She had to keep reminding herself that Lara was the one who cheated. She didn’t expect perfection. After all everyone has cracks—it’s how the light gets inside. However in this instance, there was a big flippin’ hole and that light had blinded her. It was time to move on and in the process, begin to sort out her feelings for Rachel.
Sophia closed her eyes for what she thought was only a moment, but when she felt the uncomfortable coolness of the water, she suspected that she’d fallen asleep in the tub. She stood up and grabbed the plush blue towel hanging on the brass hook next to the soaking tub. After toweling her body dry, she wrapped the towel around her hair and covered her body with the soft cotton robe dangling on the other hook. She needed to quickly eat and then try to limit her nap to no more than two hours. She knew Rachel and Joy would be on their way soon and she didn’t want Rachel to endure any sort of awkwardness with her father and sister.
†
Marie had offered to get everyone some coffee and left Joy and Rachel alone with Dominick for a few minutes.
“Psst. Come here, beautiful.” Dominick crooked his finger at Rachel. “I’d kill for a good cannoli right about now. You wouldn’t deny an old man his last wish before dying would you?”
“Why do I get the impression you timed this request right when your daughter left?” Rachel smiled.
“Aw, Marie’s like a little Hitler. She won’t let me have anything but rabbit food,” Dominick griped.
“I’m probably going to get a lecture, but you’ve charmed me into going on this suicide mission. Where would you like me to procure this contraband?” Rachel asked.
“Carrot Top Pastries on Broadway,” he enthused.
“Come on, Joy. You know your way around New York City. You can help me on this important mission.”
“Un, uh. Not me. Why do you think he asked you? I know better than to cross Marie and Sophia.” Joy smirked. “You’re on your own, greenie.”
Rachel looked from Joy to the smiling Dominick. “Nicely played, Dominick.” She shrugged. “Trouble seems to follow me. Oh well, I like a little excitement now and again. How much grief can they give me if I plead ignorance?”
Joy chuckled. “Have you ever experienced a full-blown Italian lecture?” Joy glanced at Rachel who threw her hands up in defeat. “I didn’t think so. I need to get me some popcorn, because the show tonight will be doubly entertaining.”
“Quit scaring the poor girl. My girls aren’t that bad. Now hurry up, Rachel, before Marie gets back.”
Rachel could hear Joy laughing as she exited the room on her quest for the perfect cannoli. At least she would be in the father’s good graces. She wondered who she had to impress more, Dominick or Marie? Rachel chuckled to herself as she realized that Joy had no idea that Rachel was Italian herself and was well aware of the passion and emotion of an Italian temper.
As she was walking out the door of the hospital, she saw Sophia and Lara walking from the parking lot. Lara had her arm draped possessively around Sophia’s shoulder. Rachel thought they looked a bit too cozy for her comfort.
Rachel surveyed the situation as Lara turned and kissed Sophia on the temple. The gesture was both intimate and supportive. She didn’t want to make a scene, so she continued to watch them enter the hospital unobserved. She feared that Lara was putting on the charm to try to salvage her failed marriage to Sophia. She wasn’t sure which made her more depressed, the fact that Sophia was clearly Lara’s choice or the possibility that she might lose Sophia before she even had a chance to declare her feelings. Rachel knew they could be amazing together, but she might never get the chance to explore that with Sophia if Lara managed to sink her claws back into Sophia.
Rachel had an errand to run and then she would decide what to do next. It might get a little uncomfortable for all involved if she stayed while Lara was present and that was not what she intended. She wanted her presence to help Sophia, not hurt her.
Her eyes followed Lara and Sophia until they entered the hospital and were no longer visible.
†
Sophia was uncomfortable with Lara’s close proximity to her and what she really wanted to do was wriggle out of her embrace. The kiss on the temple was very close to crossing the line, but she didn’t want to cause a scene in the hospital by confronting Lara.
When they reached the room her heart started to beat rapidly when she saw Joy and expected Rachel was close by. She looked around the room and noticed that Joy was the only one visiting her father.
“Hey, Joy, where’s Marie?” Sophia asked. What she really wanted to know was where Rachel was.
“She stepped out to get us some coffee and Rachel went on a secret mission that I can’t divulge. Don’t be mad, but your dad conned her into getting something for him,” Joy offered.
Sophia raised her eyebrow.
“What the hell is Rachel doing here?” Lara snapped.
“She offered to come and support me and I accepted,” Sophia stated. She wasn’t about to apologize for accepting Rachel’s generous offer. Besides, she was delighted that Rachel was here.
“Don’t tell me you two are friends now.” Lara’s expression was particularly dour.
“We are and please don’t start an argument because you won’t win. I’ll just ask you to leave and visit Pops when I’m not here. I won’t keep you from him, but that doesn’t mean you can start a bunch of shit while Rachel is here,” Sophia stated.
“This is a whole new kind of fucked up,” Lara grumbled.
“And whose fault is that?” Joy interjected.
“What are you girls bickering about? Is my cannoli here yet? Is that why I’m hearing terse conversation? Don’t blame Rachel, she couldn’t resist my charm.” Dominick grinned and he looked ten years younger.
“No, Dad, your contraband has not arrived yet. You should be ashamed of yourself—conning poor Rachel into getting you a cannoli. I’m not happy, but Marie is going to have a shit fit.” Sophia grinned. “I think I’ll just let her handle the situation. She’s so much better at it than I am.” Sophia couldn’t really get too irritated at her father since he seemed to get so much joy from his favorite dessert.
“Did I hear my name? What situation?” Marie asked.
“Marie, why don’t you go home and get some rest now that the other half of the armed guard has arrived?” Dominick suggested.
“Okay, what have you done? You’re trying to get rid of me and that must mean you did something you weren’t supposed to.” Marie narrowed her eyes and looked around the room. “Okay where did your friend Rachel go and is she somehow involved in this subterfuge?”
Joy laughed. “I told you that you’d never get away with it. Poor Rachel, don’t blame her. Dominick is as wily as a coyote.”
“What exactly am I going to blame her for?” Marie asked.
“One little cannoli is not going to kill me, but I swear all your fussing just might,” Dominick grumbled.
Sophia noted that Lara was wisely staying out of the controversy as she pouted in the corner.
“For fuck’s sake, Dad, you just had a heart attack and I’m pretty sure that your daily intake of cannolis is one of the leading culprits,” Marie chastised.
Dominick waved his hand in the air. “Bullshit. I had a heart attack because I’m old, fat, and out of shape. One little cannoli didn’t cause this conditi
on. A whole lifetime of rich foods may have been a factor, but it’s far too late to change my ways now. They can just blow out the old pipes and I’ll be good as new.”
Marie rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything more.
“So…shall we finish our game of poker? Dominick was losing so he conveniently used the excuse that he was tired and needed a nap. You big faker,” Joy diverted.
“I suppose Rachel was winning,” Lara complained quietly from her corner.
“Yep, she sure was. You should join us, Lara, when she returns. I’d love to see her clean your clock and liberate the remaining funds she generously left you,” Joy countered.
Sophia glared at Joy as Dominick’s questioning gaze penetrated Sophia. She knew he wouldn’t ask anything while everyone was in his room, but realized he would definitely broach the subject when they were alone. She wasn’t sure exactly what she would tell him because her father adored Lara. She was not looking forward to this conversation. It might break his heart to learn the depths of Lara’s deception.
†
Rachel called a cabbie who was eager to take her to the bakery and wait while she procured the tasty treat. She decided to pick up a few more desserts while she was there. She reasoned that it might help if she came bearing gifts for everyone else. She was practically drooling on the chocolate torte prominently displayed in the glass case. Remembering that Sophia was partial to New York style cheesecake, she decided to buy the whole dessert rather than one piece. She also purchased several sauces to place on top. Armed with her bounty, she carried the two large shopping sacks out to the waiting cab and returned to the hospital. She was eager to see Sophia, but wasn’t looking forward to the inevitable confrontation with Lara.
Rachel set one of the bags down and pressed the elevator button that would take her to the second floor. She took several deep breaths to calm herself before facing Lara.
There was a fine line between love and hate. As she analyzed the emotions surrounding Lara, she wondered if hate was what she was feeling or if she somehow still loved her. Thinking back on her time with Sophia during the past two weeks, there was no comparison. As she dug deeper into her feelings, she wondered if she had ever really loved Lara, or was she merely in deep lust the past two years. Her emotions ran deeper with Sophia than they ever had with Lara and they’d not even made love with one another.
The elevator doors opened and she picked up her bags, ready to face the situation and lend Sophia whatever support she needed.
Before she entered the room, a nurse came barreling down the hallway. “There should really only be two visitors at a time. I’ve made an exception up until this point, but now there will be five of you.”
Rachel weighed her options and decided it was best not to anger the nurse. “All right. I understand, but can you please let them know I’m here and I brought the item that Dominick requested.”
The nurse narrowed her eyes. “What exactly did you bring Mr. Torre?”
There was no sense in lying to the nurse so Rachel came clean. “He asked for a cannoli. I didn’t think one cannoli would make a huge difference. You should have seen his face light up when I agreed.”
“Let me just check with the doctor. It’s probably okay, but I’m sure the dietitian will have some recommendations regarding Mr. Torre’s future diet choices.”
Rachel chuckled. “I imagine she will, so he might as well get a few final pleasures in before having to adhere to a strict diet. I brought back a variety of treats, can I interest you in something decadent. There’s a chocolate torte in here that looks positively immoral.”
“Are you attempting to butter me up, because if you are, it’s working? Gimme the damn treat and I’ll let you go in, but can you send one or two people out?” the nurse said.
“Thanks.” Rachel reached in the bag and pulled out the torte, handing it to the smiling nurse.
†
As Rachel entered the room, she noticed how small it was with five visitors. Lara was sitting in the corner while the rest hovered around Dominick’s bed.
“Ah, my savior has arrived,” Dominick declared. “My mouth is literally watering in anticipation.”
Rachel ignored Lara sitting in the corner, pulled out the cannoli, and handed it to Dominick. After giving him his dessert, she set down the bags.
“What’d you do? Buy the whole bakery?” Marie asked.
“As a matter of fact, yes, I practically did. There’s a New York cheesecake for Sophia, Dutch apple pie for Joy, various chocolate treats—although I did have to bribe the nurse with a torte, so there is one less chocolate torte—and finally, various berry cobblers. By the way, I promised the nurse I would send a few people out because there’s only supposed to be two visitors in the room at one time.”
“That was very sweet of you, Rachel,” Sophia said as she stroked her arm.
Rachel pulled Sophia into a hug and absently stroked her back. After several seconds, she pulled back. “How are you holding up?” she whispered.
“A little tired, but good,” Sophia responded.
Rachel noticed Marie scrutinizing her interaction with Sophia.
“It sounds like a few of us need to rotate out for a little while. Dad already suggested I go home and get some rest so that he can eat his little dessert without me hovering and frankly I’m too tired to argue—so you win, Dad. Go for it.” Marie peered into the bag. “I’ll just take one of these little chocolate treats with me. Lara and Joy why don’t you two hang out in the family waiting room for a bit and let Sophia and Rachel visit for a while.”
Rachel thought Lara was going to protest, when she saw Sophia send her a pleading look.
Dominick was watching the interactions and Rachel thought he was trying to figure out all the subtle cues around him.
Rachel had yet to acknowledge Lara.
“I’ll be right down the hallway, Sophia. Hello, Rachel. It was nice of you to come,” Lara stated through gritted teeth.
“I’ll catch up with you later, Lara,” Rachel warned.
“I’ll just help myself to one of these berry cobblers,” Joy announced. “Lara, anything you want from Rachel’s little bag of decadence?”
“No thanks, I’ll pass.” Lara stood up and exited the room.
Marie and Joy followed Lara after pulling their chosen treats from the bag.
†
Sophia looked back at her dad, who was licking his fingers. “Looks like you didn’t waste any time gobbling up your cannoli.”
“You didn’t happen to get any more did you?” Dominick asked.
Rachel laughed. “I did, but I think we better save them for later. I’m sure you’ve already pushed your luck with Marie and Sophia.”
Dominick smiled. “Okay, Sophia, out with it. Something is going on and I want to know what it is. The tension between you, Rachel, and Lara is so thick I could cut it with a knife.”
“Dad, I don’t even know where to begin. Can we talk about this later when you’ve had a chance to recover?”
“What’s Lara done and how does Rachel fit into all of this?” Dominick asked.
“Why do you ask that?” Her father’s question surprised Sophia.
“Give your old man some credit. I can spot a philanderer like myself a mile away. I just thought she truly does love you as much as I loved your mother and that eventually she would see the light like I did. I love Lara, but we’re cut from the same stone,” Dominick explained.
“Well, your prodigy may have taken it a bit further,” Sophia bitterly replied.
“Oh, honey. I didn’t mean to upset you by my observations. I also don’t mean to excuse my behavior or Lara’s. Rachel, how do you fit into this whole mess?”
“I’m the other woman, or more accurately, I was the other woman. I had no idea that Sophia existed before a couple of weeks ago or I never would have married Lara.”
Dominick started coughing and the equipment starting beeping loudly.
“Shit, sorry. I didn�
�t mean to upset you. The nurse is going to tan my hide,” Rachel declared.
“See, this is why I didn’t want to talk about this,” Sophia added.
The nurse came bustling into the room. “What in tarnation is going on in here?”
Dominick waved his hand in the air. “Water down the wrong pipe. It’s nothing to be concerned about. See? The crazy monitors are already starting to subside.”
The nurse checked all the monitors and the leads attached to Dominick’s body. She nodded. “Let me know if you need anything, I’ll be right outside. Take your time when you take a sip of water.”
The nurse left the room and Dominick looked from Rachel to Sophia. “Are you telling me that Lara is married to both of you?”
“Was married,” Rachel corrected.
“Rachel helped me draw up legal papers. I served Lara with divorce papers two weeks ago. I remained in Victoria and spent the past two weeks vacationing and trying to take my mind off my disastrous marriage.”
Dominick narrowed his eyes at Rachel. “Are you two friends now?”
Sophia watched the flicker of emotions pass across Rachel’s face as she smiled.
“Yes, we’ve gotten close during the past two weeks,” Rachel answered.
“Are you in love with my daughter?”
Sophia choked out her reply. “Dad, we’re just friends. She has come to mean a lot to me. Rachel is as much a victim of Lara’s infidelity as I am, so please don’t judge her too harshly.”
“Oh, I’m not judging anyone. I certainly don’t have the right to do that, besides I like your Rachel. She brought me my cannoli so she just climbed up one more rung in the ladder. I was just asking the question. If it’s any consolation, I do believe that Lara loves you. Probably both of you, but Sophia, you are her one and only, like your mother was for me. I’m sorry if that is painful for you, Rachel.”