Page 17 of Amadeo
“Diamine no, it isn’t,” Zia replied with a grin then glanced over to Gia. “I am glad to have you sitting here at this end.” She paused to look around at everyone. “Most of the family are here now and I couldn’t be happier. Dante and Della are due back from their honeymoon soon as well.”
I stood from my seat and stepped out to pull her chair out.
Zia beamed at me. “You always use old school manners, Deo.”
“I’d better.” I leaned in to give hermy kiss on her cheekgreeting as was our usual. “Or Papa would have my butt in a sling.”
Laughing, she sat. “I sure do not know why he would put your behind into a sling, but you are a polite gentleman for sure.” She reached for her napkin.
I scooted her chair in just a bit, then paused to look around.
My father and Luca sat together at the other end of the long table, talking up a storm. When they noticed me looking, they shook their heads.
I showed no outward signs but in my head I had a few choice words for the both of them, likeI don’t fucking care, andmind your own damn business. Still, I wondered why both of them had said virtually the same thing. My father said to tellhim first if I got involved with her, then Luca flat out told me I shouldn't get involved with her…period. So did their reasons have something to do with why she seemed so bitter and angry? With the way my brother and father acted, her secrets maybe weren’t as hidden as she believed. Well, of course they weren’t. My father vetted anyone and everyone who even shook hands with one of us. Let alone a person who would live in the house with us.
Ok, so now I knew it to be true. She did have things to hide. I just hoped my father and brother stayed out of it. I wanted her to reveal some of this herself. But she was a closed book for the most part. Like closed with three locks and a chain wrapped around her. I wonder how long it would take for her to confide in me. Then again, maybe she wouldn't ever trust me like that.
“Deo?” Gia’s voice cut in.
I jolted and looked up at her.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
No, I wasn’t but I decided we should have dinner then I could perhaps talk her into a walk. Then we could maybe exchange some truths. Get past whatever these secrets were. “Yes, I am. Dang, I’m sorry for just ignoring you. Please allow me to make your plate.” I grabbed it to do that.
She snickered and grabbed it back. “I can do that for myself. Thank you.”
I let go of her plate and picked mine up to look at what was on the platter in front of us. “Yes! it is Zia’s cannelloni.”
“It looks so good,” Gia said.
“You will never eat this well again,” I told her with a chuckle. “Homemade recipes from the old country.” I squeezed my fingers together and kissed them with flair. “Eccellente!”
Chewing a bite of her cannelloni, Gia swallowed then said, “Così, così buono!”So, so good.
We laughed.
Zia shook her head. “Stop it you two, I am blushing now.”
“You need to start up a factory,” I told Zia. “Forget Descalia Corp being the moneymaker. Call it Mama Zia’s.”
Zia chuckled and shook her head. “Mama Aunt’s?”
“Sure,” I replied. “It sounds awesome for a food company name.”
“Well, there’s already a clothing company with that name, I think,” Gia told us. “But I agree about going worldwide with this food. It is so good, I almost didn’t recover last Sunday.”
“Right?” I exclaimed. “I wait all week for that dessert. The same thing every Sunday ever since I could remember and I never tire of it.” I looked back over at Zia. “Your Budino al Cioccolato is like crack! Pudding crack.” I laughed.
Gia agreed with me. “It is. Really it is. I could have eaten two more dishes of it.”
“Oh, I always eat more than just one.” I nodded my head firmly.
“Diabetes, anyone?” Gia quipped as she paused to take another bite of cannelloni.
“Ok, so it isn’t smart, Miss Doctor but you only live once and damn, do I miss that dish when I’m not at home.”
“You couldn’t come home for dinner?” Gia asked me. “Isn’t your business close by? I mean your family’s corporation?”
