Page 40 of Replay
“So, you’ve decided to accept?” I ask, unable to hide my pleased reaction over a more permanent placement of Tilly in London. “That’s brilliant, Tilly.”
“Thanks,” she says, tucking her hair behind her ear. “It’s a great opportunity. I’d be a fool to say no.” Our eyes lock for a moment, and this new reality settles in over us.
My mother’s voice interrupts. “Do you not enjoy wine, Tilly?”
“Mamma,” I state through clenched teeth.
“It’s okay,” Tilly cuts me off and straightens her posture towards my mother. “It’s a part of my journey, and you shared a great deal about yours to me.” She touches the drink in front of her. “I don’t drink alcohol because I make poor choices when I do.”
My mother tilts her head, and it’s impossible to miss her eyebrows rise in judgment. “I see.”
Tilly offers a polite smile my mother doesn’t deserve. “Thankfully, I’ve got a better handle on that now. So, I’ve learned it’s better to indulge in something that won’t get me in trouble.” She turns her eyes to Nonna and adds, “Like this incredible food. Truly, I’ve never tasted anything this delicious. You’ve all outdone yourselves, and I appreciate you letting me be a wee part of creating it.”
The entire table is stunned into a rare silence, and it’s Nonno that breaks the awkwardness. “Too much pasta can give you this.” He pats his belly proudly, and the table instantly relaxes at his successful attempt to lighten the mood.
After coffee and cake, my mother finally says, “My goodness, look at the time. We best be going. We have a long drive home.”
Everyone stands up from the table and begins packing up the supplies they brought with them.
“You’re not staying in the city?” Tilly asks, glancing over at me curiously.
“Nonno only sleeps in Nonno’s bed,” Angela drawls, and we all smile at that very evident truth.
I wink and nudge Tilly. “Nonno has a bad back.”
“Sorry to leave you with the mess,” my mother says, coming over and giving me two kisses on the cheek. She steps to the side and offers the same to Tilly. “Stay strong, bella ragazza. Though something tells me that won’t be a problem for you.” She bops her on the nose, and in a frenzy, everyone else says goodbye, my grandmother telling me to mop the floor as she leaves.
By the time I close my flat door, I feel like I could collapse from exhaustion. I stride back into the kitchen where Tilly is rinsing plates and loading them into the dishwasher. “You don’t have to do that,” I offer, moving to stand next to her.
“You need the help,” she huffs with a laugh. “This place is a disaster.”
I run my hand through my hair. “Yeah, it usually takes me a couple of hours to get it back to its original state after they invade.”
“Many hands make light work.” She winks at me, and just that tiny gesture causes my body to awaken all over again.
We make quick work of the mess, and as I finish wiping down the table, Tilly stands awkwardly beside it. “How often does your family all come to visit like this?”
I pause my action. “They come here a few times a year to stock my pantry. Nonna says we always make sauce on Sundays after a hard week because making sauce is how you clear your mind for the next week. She also says that no one can tell you how to make your sauce even while she’s telling you how to make your sauce.”
“I noticed that,” Tilly replies with a laugh.
“She’s a walking contradiction,” I say with a huff. “She tells everyone everything on her mind. Thankfully, she’s quite sharp, so she’s usually right.”
Tilly nods thoughtfully, chewing on her lip. “Did I upset your mother by prying about her being so young when she had you?”
I lift my brows. “Surprisingly, I think she was okay with it.”
She cringes and tugs on her shirt that’s still covered in tomato sauce. “I have that foot-in-mouth syndrome.”
“I hadn’t noticed.” I wink at her.
She wrinkles her nose. “So you don’t think she hates me?”
“No,” I reply, feeling smug over the fact that she seems highly concerned with what my mother thinks of her. I toss the rag into the sink and lean against the kitchen table. “I think she was just thrilled to see me with a woman.”
Tilly’s eyes lift curiously. “Does she think you like men?”
I laugh and shake my head. “No.”
