Page 6 of Grounded
After they watched the tour march by like penguins, Annie looked at Janice, trying to contain a grin.
“And maybe not!” Annie said, both women bursting into laughter.
In the silence that followed, Annie was drawn in to watching the fountain’s spray. The water droplets looked like many pieces of crystal shattered and falling to the sea below. At the base, a young couple leaned on the fence protecting the fountain and stared into each other’s eyes. The boy traced the girl’s cheek with his thumb, gently lifting her chin and kissing her.
“Isn’t it strange how falling in love is so easy for some people?” Annie said. “They meet, they fall in love, they get married and have babies and live until ripe old ages. Others struggle all their lives and never find that right person. Or maybe there’s too much baggage they can’t let go. Or maybe they love someone they can’t have.”
“I think it has to do with the person and whether or not they are ready for it. Some people are ready at eighteen. Some people are never ready.”
The waiter appeared smiling.“Un altro cappuccino?”
“Sì, grazie,”Janice said.“Due per favore.”To Annie, she said, “Speaking of love, when do you change addresses?”
“Tomorrow.” Annie reached for her ear and felt the stone between her fingers.
“Are you crazy? You don’t get home from work until late afternoon.”
“There’s not much to do. I’m leaving my furniture with the girls until I need it. I’m just taking my clothes, toiletries and a few books. Prema will be in my bedroom by the time I get home. Kate is taking Prema’s room, and Evie has invited one of her friends to move in. We’re trying to get it done by the end of the month, which is tomorrow, so there’s a clean break.”
“Don’t you want that antique corner cupboard? I love that piece,” Janice said.
“Stuart’s not really into antiques. Besides, I don’t think we’ll be there long. We’ve talked about getting out of the city soon, and there’s no sense in moving furniture twice.”
“You mean you suggested it last week, and he didn’t shut you down right away?”
“Janice, sometimes I regret telling youeverything.”
The waiter brought the cappuccinos. Annie picked up the cup with both hands and breathed in the aroma.
“I’m your best friend. You’re still a fresh-faced farm girl who happens to be ten years wiser for living in New York. I don’t want you to get hurt. What if he never marries you? Isn’t marriage what you really want? I want you to be as dysfunctional as me and Jimmy,” she joked, “and happy at it.”
“I do want marriage but Stuart was badly hurt when his mother abandoned him as a little boy. He needs to take things a step at a time and I understand that. He’s committed to me.”
“Let me tell you a family story.”
“This is not another of your grandmother’s Sicilian curse stories, is it?”
“No, no. This is what happened to Maria. My little sister dated this guy seriously all through college. He told her from the beginning he didn’t think he would marry until he was older, but she thought he would change his mind. At graduation, she expected a ring. Graduation came and went. No ring. At Christmas that year, he gave her a beautiful set of diamond earrings. They were smaller than yours, but expensive for a kid fresh out of school. That night, my sisters and I knew he would never marry her.”
“Why? Men don’t go spending that kind of money on someone they don’t care about.”
“Exactly. He cared for her, but he didn’t want to marry her. It was a way to give her something of value without committing. Five months later, they broke up.”
Janice’s voice softened. “I’m sorry, Annie. I can be too hard. Jimmy says I think I know what’s best for everybody. But you’re my best friend, and I don’t want to see you hurt.”
Annie drained the last of her second cappuccino and pushed it away with a sigh. “I understand. But trust me, I trust Stuart. I think we’re going in the right direction. It may take a little time, but we’ll get there.”
Janice was quiet. Annie heard the wistfulness of her own voice hang heavily in the air. Needing to break the spell, she said, “Are you ready to go?”
“Mi può portare il conto?”Janice called to the waiter. She dug through her purse and left euros on the table.
“My treat today.” She stood up and stretched her back. “I’ve been cleaning the house, getting ready for Mama DeVechio’s visit, and I’m beat. I think I’ll head back and relax a bit before dinner.”
“When is she coming?” Annie stood and gathered her purse.
“This weekend. She’s staying for a month. The visits get longer and longer. I think she might be sizing up the place to see if she could live with us eventually. She keeps saying it’s to spend time with the grandkids, but I’m not sure.”
“You’ll do fine. And you’ll be gone half the time.”
