Dare (6 page)

“Joey.” Mom handed him his ornament to place on the tree. She did the same with Janetta. They chose spots while Mom, with Dad behind her, hung the two ornaments for the babies they’d lost when he was little. Those losses had hit Mom especially hard, and her voice still went thick with un-cried tears when she talked about them, which she rarely did. No one said anything now. They stood silently in front of the tree, Mom pulling them in for a group hug.

“Janetta,” Dad said, breaking their hug. He knew when it was starting to get too long for Joe and Janetta. “You want to be the elf this year?”

“Sure, Dad.” Janetta crammed the old red and green striped elf hat on her head and shooed everyone to the couch. “Baby Joey first.” She winked at him.

“I’ll be the baby ringing in the new year in style,” he teased back. He didn’t know how, but it sounded good. He took the gift from Janetta.

“Good thing Joey hasn’t been home, or he would’ve peeked at all his gifts.” Janetta grinned at him.

“I was just a kid.” He used to try and find his gifts before Mom wrapped them. But one year she’d found out. That had caused another fight between her and Dad, so Joey had stopped looking.

He ripped the paper. Most everyone seemed to think this second chance with Ariella was a gift. But it was one he wasn’t ready to unwrap. He wanted to know what was inside first.

Chapter Six

Ariella kissed the top of Layla’s head. She slept on the sofa. Grandpop sat in his chair.

“Thank you again,” Ariella said while she picked up the last of the stray ribbons.

Grandpop glanced at Layla.

“She sleeps through almost anything.” Ariella rubbed her arms and walked to the part of the bay window not blocked by the tree. Layla’s deep slumber had been a blessing those nights Luis had come home angry and took it out on Ariella. At first, it had just been yelling, slamming things, followed by heated, rushed, often rough, sex. She touched her throat. “You’re not really taking her ice skating, are you?” She couldn’t imagine him on skates. She approached Grandpop’s chair. His cologne and the spicy, woodsy scent of the fire dispelled some memories.

“I said so, didn’t I? You need a break. I expect you’ve not had more than fifteen minutes all to yourself in years.”

She paced in front of the coffee table. “I…” She wanted to argue—she’d never left Layla with anyone but Madge, and that was only so Ariella could go to work. She and Madge had even been homeschooling Layla for kindergarten. But Layla wanted to go to school. And Layla already loved Grandpop. He’d protect her little girl with his life, just like he’d said. She clasped her hands. She couldn’t argue his point, not with any honesty.

“She’ll be safe. I’ll watch and Becca and Pete will skate with her. She’ll have fun.”

“I know.” Layla had begged Ariella to let her go, but she hadn’t really agreed. She’d maybe been overprotective, not ever letting Layla do anything without her, except stay home with Madge, her sitter, when Ariella had to go to classes and, later, work. “It’s just…” Her breath caught. She stood still, took a deep breath, and faced Grandpop. She needed to do this, for Layla. Her parents had never let her have any freedom, and so she’d rebelled, in her way. She wanted a different way for Layla. And she needed to show Layla how to care for herself by being a Mom who took time for self-care. “You’re right. I just worry sometimes.”

Grandpop rose and touched her shoulder. “You’ve had to. You’re home now. You’re safe. I’m glad you trust me enough to be here for you and Layla. Your friend Jorge told me the convincing it took to get you to decide to come home.”

So they had been in cahoots. “He’s your friend too, so it seems.” Tears blurred her vision. She touched his hand. “Don’t make me cry.”

He squeezed her hand. “You’re family, you and Layla. You’ll stay here and rest. We just added a spa room—go in the hot tub, sauna, or pool, if you like.”

“I will.” They stepped apart.

“If you see Joe when he returns, you’ll tell him where we are?” Grandpop’s questions came out as benevolent commands.

“I will. Can I do anything?” Running into Joe in a hot tub… She twisted a ribbon around her fingers.

“Yes. Relax. Treat this as a vacation. Marcella and Rudy have everything in hand. You’ll be working hard soon enough. You and Layla enjoy the holidays.”

He was right, she’d have to study for the California bar exam, and had to get established in the new office…and Layla would be starting school. She couldn’t quite relax. “But—“

He put up his hand. “It’s your gift to me, eh? You wouldn’t stay and let me help before, don’t deny me now. Teresa would never forgive me if I didn’t. She never quite understood why you left.”

“You didn’t tell her?” Her choices had made his life more difficult, had hurt him and Teresa. She clasped her hands. She didn’t deserve to relax. She had to work to make things right with those who had been affected by her bad choices—Layla, Joe, Grandpop. It was too late to fix anything with her family, to apologize. But it wasn’t too late for those who were still here.

“I promised you I wouldn’t tell anyone. I don’t break my promises.”

“Which is why you’re careful about making them. I wish…I should have made different choices. I’m sorry for hurting people.”

“We all make mistakes. You were young and hurt. No one blames you. Teresa and I, all the family, were concerned, that’s all.”

She wanted to believe that, but it was just out of reach. “You must miss her.”

He nodded, his expression clouded. “She was my partner, the best wife… Now, is there anything you need? How are your rooms?”

“Great. Marcella is still wonderful. She thinks of everything. Maybe I should look at the paper. So far finding an affordable place has been difficult.”

“Nonsense. Time enough for that later.”

She let his words sink into her tense throat. The tightness eased. There was time. She and Layla were welcome here. No need to rush, run, or fear, not anymore. She sat on the edge of the coffee table.

“How is Jorge?” Grandpop said.

“Do you need to ask? Seems you two have been in touch.” She wasn’t the only one with a few secrets. Grandpop, and Jorge, probably had more than a few.

Grandpop raised his palms up, as if to show he had nothing to hide. “He and I look out for our loved ones.”

“I count myself lucky to be one for you both.” She wouldn’t pull out any cross-examination tricks on Grandpop. There would be time for work triumphs. She had other, more personal, victories in mind. “Does Bob still handle security for you?” Grandpop’s construction business and other holdings weren’t always legitimate, so the neighborhood rumors had gone.

“No. Bob retired to Florida. Nico’s been working for me a while now. You’ll meet him later this week. And my grandson Vincente and his wife Gina should be home tomorrow.”

“I remember Gina.” They hadn’t been close in high school, but they’d gotten along fine. “You must be happy, all the weddings in the family, and Gina expecting a baby soon.”

“
La grazie dell’amore
, as Lita says. The grace of love, that’s what it all is.” His expression eased. He seemed to take as much pleasure in his family’s happiness as in his own.

She shifted her feet. Grace—she’d forgotten about that possibility. “I look forward to meeting Vincente, and seeing everyone again.” She’d missed being social. She used to feed off it, but since Luis, she’d turned inward, focused on hers and Layla’s safety and rebuilding stability.

Becca and Pete stepped back into the room. They glanced at Layla on the sofa and Becca tilted her head, holding Pete’s hand. If Ariella read Becca’s tender, wistful look right, she was ready to have a child of her own. Grandpop and Enzo would be overjoyed. Becca and Pete stood still. Pete made a motion asking if they should leave.

“It’s okay,” Ariella said. “She’s a sound sleeper. Are you sure you want to take her skating?”

“As long as you don’t mind, we’d love to,” Becca said.

“Layla will love it. She’s really taken to all of you.”

“Becca’s great with kids,” Pete said, smiling at his fiancée.

“Layla’s a sweet girl.” Becca squeezed Pete’s hand.

Like Joey had hers last night. She crossed her arms, then uncrossed them, realizing she’d look defensive. “She’ll talk your ear off.”

“I like listening,” Becca said. “You must be tired. That drive from Tucson is long.”

“It is.” They’d talked about Tucson earlier. Becca and her sister had visited there a few years ago.

“Why don’t you two visit?” Grandpop said. “I have some details to go over with Pete.”

“The summons,” Pete said. He kissed Becca’s cheek. He and Grandpop walked out.

“I remember your grandparents,” Ariella said. She motioned to the smaller sofa. She and Becca sat. “You said they’re out of town?”

“Yes, in Italy. They hadn’t been in years. They’ll be home in a couple of weeks.”

“Have you and Pete made plans yet?”

“We’ll be talking to Father Grihalva soon. Big church wedding.”

“Your family know?”

“Yes, I spoke to my dad yesterday. He was visiting my sister. They’ll be up soon. And I spoke to my grandparents this morning. They’re as happy as Grandpop. They’ve always liked Pete.”

“It’s important for family to accept, I think.”

Becca nodded. She wasn’t chatty, but she had an attentive look.

“You’ll have a lot of help with the wedding.”

“For sure. Do you remember Paolo Francis?”

Ariella nodded. “He and Janetta still best friends?”

“Uh-huh. He loves planning weddings as much as Janetta hates them. You better watch out. He’s one of the family matchmakers.”

“Nah, not me. I’m a mom.”

“So? You’re also a lawyer, and a strong, beautiful woman.” She laughed. “If you don’t mind my saying”

Ariella smiled. “No. Not from you. Compliments can be creepy, when they’re…” She was more familiar with the smooth-talking, covert creep.

“Said by someone creepy,” Becca finished with a grimace. “My favorite is the backhanded compliment. ‘Your face is pretty for someone of your size.’”

“Ugh. What idiot said that?”

“My ex-boyfriend.” Becca shook her head.

“Oh, honey.” Areilla touched Becca’s arm. “How about ‘You’re too pretty to be a lawyer’? How about appreciating something other than looks? I’m guilty of it too, but I try to be aware, especially with Layla. I want her to feel accepted for everything she is.”

“You’re a good mom.”

Ariella tucked her legs under her, trying to let Becca’s words in as true. “Thanks.” It’d been way too long since she’d really visited with a female friend—
la amistad de las mujeres
, as Mamá used to say. Mamá had it with Sophia D’Angelo and their friends from church. They’d used to sit around Sophia’s kitchen table with their knitting and chat away for hours. The backs of her eyes stung. So why had Sophia practically ignored her after Mamá died? She’d thought it was because Sophia didn’t want to be reminded, like Ariella didn’t, but now she wondered.

She and Becca continued chatting until Layla woke up. Then Layla insisted on getting ready for skating. She, Becca, and Ariella went upstairs.

***

An hour later, she strolled, a big robe wrapped around her, to the spa room. She fingered the robe’s soft cotton, her senses awakening to the small pleasures of her comfortable, even opulent, surroundings. Quite a change from the tiny Tucson apartment she and Layla had called home. Clean and pretty as she could make it, it hadn’t felt like a home, like she’d grown up in.

The halls hummed with quiet, her footsteps padding in the plush carpet. She opened the door to the spa room on the ground floor and glanced around. Becca had shown it to her earlier, so she knew where everything was.

To one side was a sauna-shower room with stone and wood, partial glass doors, and shades on the outside for privacy. A small pool was nearby, and a round hot tub closer to the side windows, with a view of the lush side yard landscaping. A central window overlooked the spectacular view toward the bay, the sloping lawn giving way to hills dotted with houses and the bay in the distance. Becca had said the window was specially tinted so people couldn’t see in. On the other side of the space was a dressing room. Some sofas, chairs, and tables sat before the window. The whole room was amazing, a real private spa—there was even a massage table in an alcove on the other side of the dressing room.

She eased off her robe and hung it on one of the hooks outside the dressing room. Her skin prickled pleasantly in the soft heat of the room, the hot tub wafting with steam. She stepped down into the sunken tub, every pore on her skin alive. She shimmied as she submerged herself. This alive feeling took her by surprise with its intensity. She hadn’t realized just how numb, shut down, she’d been.

Sitting on the bench in the tub, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. The fabric of her bikini grew heavy. The water chafed it against her skin. She sighed, the release of more of her tension almost palpable.

The door slid open. Her head shot up, eyes wide, tension snapping back into her limbs.

“Don’t mean to disturb you,” Joey said, standing in the doorway, a tray in hand. “Marcella asked me to bring you this.”

“Oh.” Marcella could be as commanding as Grandpop, especially when she was following his directions. It seemed clear by his hesitation that Joey would have preferred not to be on this errand. “Thanks.”