Baby V (Chianti Kisses #1) (3 page)

 
CHAPTER THREE

I check the mirror once more while smoothing my hair. I
t’
s amazing how good a shower can make you feel after a long day of sweating under the sun. If I had time to take a quick nap it woul
d’
ve been perfect, but the shower is good enough. There was barely enough time for even that, after making the rounds through all of the goodby
e’
s and thank-yo
u’
s with all of the other graduates and faculty.

I had a small plate of fruit at the honor societ
y’
s reception, but am absolutely famished these five hours later. According to my watch, I have six or so minutes to get down to the lobby to meet up with everybody, before heading out to the restaurant.

I
t’
s no small feat trying to pick an outfit from the small amount of luggage left behind while most of my things had been sent back to New York yesterday, after clearing out my dorm. I had to be smart and pick something that would work at both the restaurant and then later at Flyn
n’
s, where
I’
ll meet up with all the girls for one last night before we all go home tomorrow.

I finally decide to go with my stretchy black leggings and lace camisole with embroidery and a ruffled trim.
I’
ve been torn between ballerina flats and sky high heels for a few minutes now, but give in and decide on the heels.
I’
m sure Momma would rather see me choose the flats, but, looking in the mirror
I’
m pleasantly pleased with the ensemble. I
t’
s a far cry from the knee-length summer dress
I’
d worn all day under my graduation gown.

I grab my re
d
“
clubbin
g
” handbag, and head toward the door with just enough time to collect my red cropped blazer and throw it on before my mom has a coronary from seeing me without it.

The loud laughter and voices trail halfway up the stairs, and I know
I’
m the last to join the party. What else is new? No matter how hard I try to be on time, it never pans out. I check my wrist to make sure
I’
m no more than a minute or two late as my right ankle twirls slightly and gives out, slipping from the five-inch platform heel. I hold onto the railing tightly but ca
n’
t stop the forward momentum of my knee as I crash into the side of the staircase.

Sheepishly, I look up after what
I’
m sure is the worst of it, to see who witnessed my latest embarrassment. Dom and John stand at the bar, drinking a small amount of dark liquor in large rounded glasses. Probably bourbon, if John did the ordering. The
y’
re in the middle of something serious, by the looks of it, but Dom quickly up-rights himself and bolts to the foot of the staircase. John looks slightly annoyed at the abandonment, but soon follows to make sure
I’
ve survived my latest bout of clumsiness.

Momma gets to me first, as she is sitting nearby in one of the large leather wingback chairs by the foyer. She searches my eyes for any trace of bodily injury or suffering before scanning down to my feet.

“
Vincenza! How can you walk in those!
,
”
 
she eyes the heels.
 “
I
t’
s a miracle you did not break your neck. Go change out of those silly things
,
” she points to my favorite pair of Jimmy Cho
o’
s.

A small crowd of Lombard
i’
s and DiBenedett
o’
s have formed around the staircase by now. This is
n’
t the first time I have unwillingly become the center of attention within this group, and will probably not be last... even tonight. I salvage my remaining dignity and stand upright, flushed with embarrassment, while stepping my foot back into the guilty shoe and wiggle my heel into place.

Mary holds onto my elbow to help steady me as I finish the task, obviously sympathetic to my cause while staring at my shoes.

“
Those are
hot
, V! What size are they?
,
” she coyly asks, while drooling over the heels.

Cecily inches closer to get a better view of said shoes. Her eyes widen and take on a distant look of longing.
 “
I remember high heels. I probably could
n’
t even fit my toes in them at this point
.
”

Tony holds her from behind and whispers in her ear. She quickly perks up and blushes while making sure no one else hears whatever he says to make her flush.
I’
m the only one who notices them, and give her a quick smile as if to keep their little secret.

Dom breaks through the front lines and shakes his head at me.
 “
All right ladies... the
y’
re just shoes. Pretty and dangerous, and the cars are here to take us to dinner, so le
t’
s move along. Aunt Marie,
I’
ll make sure V does
n’
t break her neck or anything else
,
” he speaks over to Momma as he scoops me up to stand next to him, taking my bag so I can grab onto his arm for support while we walk toward the main entrance.

Mom follows suit behind us, as John holds the door open for us all to walk through.

“
You know, regardless of what you just saw... I can manage to walk on my own
,
”
 
I manage to let out near Do
m’
s ear as we exit the Carlton Manor hotel.

He laughs to himself,
 “
I know. I remember when you learned. Just appease them
,
” he answers just as privately, lest my mom should hear. Then he turns to the rest of the group behind us,
 “
Momma, Aunt Marie, Nonna, John and Mary should go in the first car.  Tony, Cecily, Mike, Theresa, V and I will take the second
.
”

Just then, two dark, stretched SU
V’
s make their way around the drive and park under the front overhang of the hotel. The parking attendants open the back passenger doors as we all split into our respective groups. Tony helps Cecily into the car and slides down to make room for us all. Theresa and I follow, and then scoot down for the boys.

Dom is the last to take a seat before the door closes and the car engine begins its gentle roaring. We start slowly out of the lot, turning onto the main road before I hear a hollow popping sound from the other end of the car. Theresa passes a champagne flute to me before turning and taking her own. The gentle fizz, and sparkling bubbles hug the tiny raspberries settled at the bottom of each glass.

“
To Vincenza, and all of her accomplishments. May they serve her well, whatever her future has in store for her. We all love you and are very proud of our Baby V
,
” Dom toasts as he locks eyes with mine, raising his glass before sipping from the top of it.

Everyone else follows suit after offering similar wishes. Cecily raises her ginger ale, and I clank it with my glass before taking a small sip. I
t’
s delicious.
I’
m not much of a champagne drinker but even I have to appreciate the fruitiness of the liquid. I finish my glass and look up to see that everyone els
e’
s glass is still nearly full.

Dom laughs at my empty glass, causing Theresa to take notice.

“
V
!
” she gasps.
 “
Slow down! Keep this up and yo
u’
ll be two sheets to the wind by appetizers
.
”

Theresa is much more of an accomplished drinker than I am, so I should probably listen. The others continue to take small sips between small talk. I have nothing left in my glass to occupy myself, so I tip it high, the raspberries sliding down the crystal wall landing on my tongue. They are bitter cold, as if frozen and thawed. I bite into them, causing the small berries to explode slightly against the inside of my cheeks. I hiccup loudly after swallowing the champagne-raspberry mixture.

Cecily and Theresa hear me, laughing together while I try to hold in an encore hiccup with the back of my hand. Dom and my two brothers halt their conversation to glance at us, trying to figure out the joke. The girls pretend to act serious as if they have no idea what the guys are curious about, before Theresa looses it and declares,
 “
Oh this should be a fun night
!
”

The feminine laughter starts again.

~*~

Due to traffic, we arrive at the restaurant a few minutes after our first half. The
y’
ve already been seated in a private dining room at the exclusive Elks Room steak house. The seating choices are limited to the remaining chairs, so I sit next to Mary, and Theresa takes the chair next to mine. John sits at the head of the table with Dom facing him from the other end. After we are all settled with our dinner choices given to the waiter, John stands with his glass raised and clears his throat before speaking.

“
W
e’
re here tonight to celebrate
V’
s graduation and to welcome her back home. Sh
e’
s brought a lot of pride and happiness to us all these past few years while studying at school, but sh
e’
ll bring even more happiness to us home, where her family has missed her. Our dad would be so proud of his little girl today, and I know we all felt his presence as we watched his pride and joy, his Baby V, receive her degree
.
”

He lifts his glass further,
 “
To Vincenza, to my dad, and to the future of our family... where wonderful things are upon us. Salute
.
”

Everyone raises their glass in unison, while chantin
g
“
salut
e
” toward me. My eyes swell thinking of my dad and his absence from such an important day. I blink back my tears as I have done all day when thinking of him. This is not the time or the place to let them out. I quickly down my glass of champagne to distract myself. I
t’
s not as delicious as the champagne in the limo, but i
t’
s sweet and pungent.

The servers arrive with large silver trays filled with salad plates and bread baskets. I seize the interruption to slip out of the room quietly, without anyone making a fuss. I head straight for the ladie
s’
room to take a breather and check my mascara.

The bathroom attendant is tidying up the counter area as I walk in. I sit in one of the oversized plush armchairs and lean back, relaxing for the first time today. She must think sh
e’
s holding me up from using the counter, because she steps aside and apologizes.

“
Please, help yourself. I can finish this later
,
” she offers, gesturing to the marbled vanity area.

I shake my head,
 “
No... no.
I’
m just hiding out in here for a bit
,
”
 
I explain to her as I close my eyes.

She smiles warmly.
 “
Well, in that case, do you want me to keep an eye out for anyone looking for you
?
”

She must have seen this type of situation a time or two before. I hope no one will search me out, seeing
I’
m a hot mess from those comments about my dad. Enough time has passed where I do
n’
t think they will automatically assume
I’
m upset at the mere mention of his absence. Just to be sure, I need to head back before they become suspicious.

I’
ve gotten all of my crying out last night, while making my final preparations before graduation. Today would have been much happier if he could be here to share it with me, but he sacrificed so much to be able to provide for us the way he did. I was given a top-notch education and I promised myself I would try and make today as positive as I could. Tha
t’
s what he woul
d’
ve wanted. Tha
t’
s how
I’
ll honor him.

I smile graciously at the middle-aged attendant as I collect myself and stand, checking my makeup in the mirror, take a deep breath and head back out to the dining area. As I head down the private corridor back to our dining room, I pass the me
n’
s cigar lounge with its door slightly ajar.