Page 26 of Storm in a D Cup

Being in Tuscany, even for a short trip, was always a treat for anyone. Who could resist the sense of infinity and serenity while soaking in a land so ancient that it was already well known longer ago than 1000BC.? Who could come to this place and not be fascinated by every single aspect of life here, from the large brick and stone farmhouses to the history and artifacts? From the ancientcucina povera, that is, simple, vernacular food, to its refined wines? And the tiny medieval villages that were perched up on the most precipitous of hills and mountains, like precious crows’ nests? The intrinsic value of Tuscany was based on the toil of its poorest people. Lorenzo il Magnifico, ruler of the Florentine republic, may have kept Italy safe from the greed of foreign powers, but it was the people who had built the city.

As the sun slipped over the horizon, we continued to chat about Tuscan art and the Italian Renaissance. And then we chatted about our families and I told her about my insecurities where Julian was concerned as she sipped her Pratile, her eyes never leaving my face. I could see the wheels turning and knew she’d deliver me the rock-solid, elementary facts.

‘But, sweetie, Julian is still living here with you.’

‘Well, yes, of course, but—’

‘Then that says it all. He’s never been the type of guy to stay in a relationship that didn’t fit him.’

I thought about it and realized she was right. If he lived here with me it was because he wanted to. Why couldn’t I reach the same conclusions on my own?

‘The two of you need to get away from your getaway. Come to Matera for a while. Visit the Sassi. Stay at the spa.’

If anyone knew Julian or any other alpha male, it was Elizabeth Jennings. She had written the book – well, actually,the bookson men like him. Outrageously masculine, protective, dedicated to the well-being of his woman no matter what it cost, her alpha male principle pretty much applied to Julian – in his earlier days. Years ago Julian would have fought for me like Elizabeth’s men fight for their women, like when he’d knocked down my front door to save the kids and me from Ira’s baseball bat.

But nowadays I wasn’t so sure.

‘Men like him don’t come along so often in life – you know that,’ she said, giving me a little nudge. ‘Think of all you’ve been through and how he was always there for you. What else do you want from the poor guy?’

I looked up at her. Elizabeth was confident, successful, talented. And above all she always had it together. I could learn so much from her – and not just about relationships. ‘You’re so right!’

She grinned. ‘I know!’

*

‘Mom, do I look OK? Can I wear make-up just this once? Please?’

Just this once? Who did she think she was fooling? I saw the traces of foundation on her clothes and saw the make-up remover in her bathroom. But today I was picking my battles very carefully in view of the biblical one I had coming against Genie Stacie.

‘Yeah, uh-huh, that’s enough now, Madeleine. Hurry up and get your ballet stuff. When you get back you’ll meet her.’

Maddy considered it. ‘Can’t I skip ballet lessons this afternoon, Mom, please? Just this once? So I can look good when Genie Stacie gets here?’

‘Skip ballet? You’re always telling me how you get massacred when you miss a single lesson or if you’re even two minutes late.’

‘Yeah, I know, but I’ll make it up to Mila.’

‘No, you won’t.’

‘Let her, Mom,’ Warren said as he came in, kicking off his dusty shoes at the door. ‘Otherwise it’ll be hell around here.’

I turned to him. ‘The only hell that we’re going to have here is if you people start losing your heads because a peroxide paper doll walks into our home.’ Didn’t I sound just a teensy bit jealous? Tough shit – I was the mother and had to set the example of moral discipline.

‘Mom, you have to adapt to the times,’ Warren insisted.

The hell I do.‘No, I don’t, especially if it means allowing my daughter to act like I’ve taught her absolutely nothing,’ I replied, opening the fridge and taking a swig of milk directly from the bottle, just like I always forbade them to.

‘Hey, what are my two favorite girls in the world doing?’ Julian called as he appeared in the doorway behind Warren, toeing his own sneakers off. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw me drinking and wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. Never a good sign. ‘Bad morning?’ he asked.

‘Dad! Mom won’t let me see Genie Stacie today!’

I sighed. ‘That’s not true. I just don’t want her to skip her ballet class.’

‘That sounds like good advice to me,’ Julian agreed as Warren plunked himself down onto a chair, all sweaty and grinning, and chugged down a bottle of apple juice. I glared at him to remind him of his manners and he nodded at the bottle of milk in my hands.

‘Just think when Stefania finds out!’ Warren whistled.

‘And that makes you happy?’ I asked.

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