Down to Business (Business Series) (9 page)

It only took a few minutes to get to Dino’s Pizzeria. Vinny left me in the car while he went inside to get the food. He returned a couple minutes later and handed me a white transparent bag that held a metal container full of spaghetti and meatballs, a sub rolled in white paper, and garlic bread wrapped in tinfoil. Just smelling the food made my mouth water.

“This smells so good,” I mentioned as he got back into the car.

“Yeah it’s good, but it’s not as good as ours.”

“Ours?”

“Yeah, my family owns an Italian restaurant in Manhattan called Mazzolas.”

‘Oh yeah, Lindy told me that,” I said, placing the food on the floorboard between my feet.

“We serve only the best Italian food,” he bragged.

“My family owns a bar and grill called Malones.”

“Oh yeah? Where at?”

“Upstate…in Hamilton, where I am from.”

“Nice. I was wondering where you were from. I could tell you weren’t from around here.”

What the hell did that mean? Maybe I really did look like an upstate farmer
.

“I’m majoring in Business Management, so I can take it over someday.”

“I’m doing the same thing with Mazzolas. I’m overwhelmed just thinking about it.”

“Me too,” I laughed, feeling relieved I wasn’t the only one. We smiled at one another and my heart fluttered. We had something in common. It was nice to finally have someone understand my point of view.

We passed the hospital he told me about and pulled into the parking lot of the assisted living home. I was impressed by how nice and new the four-story building looked with its fresh yellow siding, large bay windows, and covered valet in front.

Vinny pulled up to the curbside valet and passed the attendant his keys. I climbed out with the food bag, being extra careful not to tip it.

Vinny met me at the curb and relieved me of the bag, then motioned for me to head through the automatic sliding glass doors that read Morning Glory Assisted Living in white script.

An open lobby awaited us with a hint of fresh paint smell. It had a lot of plush sofas and sitting areas with paintings on all four walls depicting ocean vistas. A curved desk sat front and center with a plump woman operating it. She looked bored as she filed her nails and snapped her gum. She had so much hair she couldn’t quite get it all pulled back into a clip. Instead, it rested in a rumpled black heap on her head.

“Hey Dina,” Vinny said when we stepped up to the desk.

“Hey Vinny,” Dina replied in a nasally voice that reminded me of Fran from the TV sitcom,
The Nanny
. “How’s your Mom?”

The way she pronounced Mom sounded like
Maaaahmm
.

“She’s doing well, thanks.”

“That’s good.” She swiped the file along her pinky nail before she looked up at me, snapping her gum. “Who’s this, your girlfriend?”

Vinny glanced at me, looking shocked by her accusation. “Oh, uh no.”

I pressed my lips together and looked down to hide my embarrassment.

“This is Autumn, she’s just a friend,” he explained, rubbing the back of his neck. “We have a class together at Adelphi.”

“Oooh, that’s a pretty naaame,” she said with a wink to Vinny, and then she smiled at me. “Well, it’s nice to meet you. If you get a chance, you should snag this one. He’s a cutie.” She winked at Vinny.

It was Vinny’s turn to blush. “Thanks, Dina. We need to get going.”

“Oh sure, I know Tommy’s been waiting to see you. Go right on up…”

“Thanks. See you later,” Vinny said, eagerly leading me away from the desk to an elevator on our left.

The enticing smells of garlic and tomato sauce taunted me the whole ride up the elevator. The fear of eating spaghetti in front of Vinny was feeling less threatening as I followed him down the hall, which resembled a hotel.

“I gotta warn you,” he said, looking over at me as we walked, “my uncle is a
little
crazy so don’t take what he says personally.”

“I won’t. I know all about crazy old people. I have a crazy grandmother.”

“Half of my family could be considered nuts. It comes with being Italian.” He flashed me a smile.

We passed a few little nooks with sofas and a nurse’s station before we came to Uncle Tommy’s door.

Vinny looked a little hesitant to knock. “Here we go.”

He gave the door three firm raps.

“I’m coming! Hold your pants on!” a man called out.

There was movement behind the door, something banging around, and then finally the sound of a deadbolt turning. 

A hunched over balding elderly man, dressed in a dark blue silk robe stood before us. His dark sunken eyes peered up at Vinny with a scrupulous glare, the hard wrinkles in his brow creasing.

“Oh look who it is, my worthless nephew. It’s about time your ass showed up,” he said in a thick New York accent.

That brought a smile to Vinny’s face. “Hey Uncle Tommy. I brought you dinner.”

“I ate already! Three hours ago. I thought you said you were comin’ here around four.”

“I was but I got held up—”

“Who’s the bird?” he adjusted the glasses that were sliding down his prominent nose, as he looked me over.

“This is my friend, Autumn. Autumn, this is my Uncle Tommy.”

“You shoulda told me you were bringing company, Vincenzo. Ida’ kept my trousers on. Sorry Sweetheart.”

His name was Vincenzo? How funny. I thought it would be Vincent.

“That’s okay…” I said with a smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Yeah yeah, a pleasure,” he said waving my comment away. “Get your asses in here. You’re letting all the warm air out!  Plus, there’s a bunch of nosy ass old bastards on this floor and I don’t want them knowing my business.”

I tried not to laugh and peered over at Vinny, who looked strained, as he closed the door. Uncle Tommy’s apartment was decorated with hotel-like furnishings. There was a matching blue sofa and recliner, a light oak TV armoire, and two end tables. A small eat-in kitchen and bathroom were to the left and a bedroom on the right. As we passed the kitchen counter, I noticed a slew of pill bottles, a can of prunes, powdered Ensure, and denture cream.

Tommy turned to us and pointed to the sofa. “Sit down would ya? Lemme me get you kids something to drink. Do ya like V8 juice?”

“Uh, no thanks Uncle Tommy. Why don’t you and Autumn sit down, and I’ll plate up our food.” Vinny suggested, setting the bag down on the kitchen counter.

“Grab those TV trays in the kitchen, would ya? I wanna finish watching Jeopardy,” Uncle Tommy said, settling down into the reclining chair with a groan.

I sat down on the sofa across from him and clamped my hands between my thighs, unsure of what to do. I looked over and watched Vinny open and close the cupboards in search of something.

“Don’t you have real plates around here?” he asked.

“No, only the styrofoam ones. I broke a dish and they took away all my dinnerware. Your Aunt Mare is rollin’ in her grave. Those were our good wedding china! The filthy sons of bitches. Your mother never shoulda put me in this prison. They treat me like a god damn infant. Excuse my language, Sweetheart.” He added, looking at me.

“It’s okay.” I smiled and glanced over my shoulder at Vinny again. “Did you need help with anything?”

“You want to set up those tray tables?” he said, pointing to the stack of TV trays in the corner. I was already up and moving before he finished his sentence. I set up Uncle Tommy’s tray first, then our two in front of the sofa.

Vinny brought his uncle’s meatball sub to him, then he carried over two heaping plates of spaghetti with two meatballs and garlic bread for us.

We settled into our spots before I picked up my plastic fork and rolled one of the meatballs to the side. Vinny looked over at me with lofted brows, as if to silently ask if I was doing okay. I smiled back at him and began turning some spaghetti on my fork.

He grinned knowingly. “I knew you’d give in.”

I laughed in response and bumped him with my elbow. “I couldn’t resist, it smells too good.”

“The answer is Grand Teton Mountains!” Uncle Tommy shouted at the TV. “This guy is an idiot! Why do they always have morons on this show?”

I bit down on my inner cheeks to keep myself from laughing. I could imagine Uncle Tommy and my grandmother watching Jeopardy together. It would feel like Monday night football, but with Alex Trebek.

I carefully turned my first bite of spaghetti on my fork and lifted it, making sure it wasn’t going to catch my chin. It was a perfect spool. Carefully, I inserted it into my mouth and the flavors I had been craving made my taste buds explode in garlic and tomato happiness.

“So, you two kids in love or what?”

I half gasped and laughed at the question. In the process, I sucked a spaghetti noodle down my throat and started to choke.

I blushed and coughed, covering my mouth with my hands, trying to get the noodle free.

“No, we’re just friends Uncle Tommy.”

I coughed a little harder, but it didn’t help.

“Autumn, you okay?” Vinny asked with concern.

My eyes watered and I nodded, coughing out an apology. Vinny’s palm met my back with a few firm pats and finally the evil spaghetti slid down my throat.

“Thanks…” I rasped, overcome with humiliation.

“Let me get you some water,” Vinny said, hopping up and hurrying to the kitchen.

I heard a soft squeaking noise and looked over at Uncle Tommy to find him in complete hysterics. “Ah, Jesus Christ, I’m so sorry. Please excuse me, I find choking hysterical. It’s the look, yanno? Your face gets all red…” he reached to his neck and choked himself until his face turned crimson, sticking his tongue out for effect.

I just stared at him, unsure if I should laugh or be offended.

Vinny returned with my cup of water and glared. “Uncle Tommy, Jesus. Just eat your food and shut up.”He looked at me and frowned. “Sorry Autumn. I told you he’s a little nuts.”

I looked back at Uncle Tommy who was still chortling in amusement and dabbing his eyes with his napkin. I couldn’t help but laugh a little. I’m sure I did look pretty funny.

The rest of the meal went by without much incident, with me trying not to spill sauce on myself or choke to death, and Uncle Tommy criticizing the Jeopardy contestants along with almost every commercial that came on.

After we finished eating, I cleaned up the plates while Vinny served his uncle some Fig Newton’s for dessert.

“How’s your bozo brother doing?” Uncle Tommy asked, eating his cookies. “Did he finally finish his community service?”

I pretended to mind my business, rinsing out the sink.

“Yeah, he finished earlier this week. Mom is talking to Mancetti about getting his name cleared,” Vinny answered while putting the TV trays away.

“That kid’s a real dumb ass. He’s about as smart as a box of rocks. Your father always thought he was such a diamond in the rough. My Jimmy, he’s gonna be the next in line. He’s an idiot. He couldn’t fight his fatass out of a wet paper bag.”

Vinny glanced up at me and our gazes met. I offered him a shy smile and looked back down, making sure the kitchen counter was in order.

“Yeah, well, you live and you learn, Uncle Tommy,” Vinny said.

“When are you gonna start contributing more to the family?”

I stole another glance at Vinny, catching his glare at the back of Uncle Tommy’s head. “I’m not. That’s never been my thing.”

“Yeah, eh, wasn’t mine either but I didn’t have a choice. If your brother don’t get wise, he’s gonna learn the hard way if yanno know what I mean. You really should step up, you’re a smart kid. Smarter than him. Ya got your mother’s business sense.”

“You’re right, I do, that’s why I’m staying out of that bullshit,” Vinny replied, his voice laced with annoyance. “I’m finishing school and taking over Mazzolas when mom retires, you know that.”

“Eh, we’ll see. That food at Mazzolas was never was that good. Your father’s mother’s recipes weren’t the best. She was part Sicilian ya know. Not even a real Italian. You’re Grandma Tita was a real Italian, now that woman could cook, but no, your
father
had to have his way. Stubborn bastard, he was never any good to you boys, and he sure as hell was a piece of shit to your mother.”

Vinny jaw ticked with annoyance and he just shook his head. “It’s getting late Uncle Tom. I have an early class tomorrow, we should get going.”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it. I don’t need your excuses to go screw around, but yanno your mother’s gonna kill you for datin’ a non-Italian girl.”

“I told you, were not dating, Uncle Tommy,” Vinny snapped. “She’s a friend.”

“Yeah, yeah. Save your lies for your mother. You two kids have fun.”

Vinny shook his head and glanced at me. I felt another wave of heat rush over my face and I joined him at the door.

“It was nice meeting you, Tommy,” I said when Vinny opened the door.

“Yeah, you too kid.”

“See you Uncle Tommy,” Vinny said, ushering me out and closing the door behind us.

We both looked to one another once we were alone, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “And I thought my gram was bad.”

“He’s a real fuckin’ nutcase,” Vinny said digging his keys out of his pocket.

“Right out of a Godfather movie…” I agreed.

He chuckled. “Yeah, I guess.”

We walked to his car and once we were settled inside, he turned to me. “Did you need me to drop you off at your apartment?”

“Um, actually, I should probably go back to the party and find Lindy. I need to make sure her and Tyler are still conscious.”

“Okay.”

He put on his glasses before we headed back towards Alpha Tau.

“So how’s your family business doing back in Hamilton?” he asked, breaking the droning silence.

“Not so great. We’ve been struggling for about five years.”

His brows lifted. “Five years? That’s a long slump.”

“Yeah I know… after my parents got divorced it was never the same. It’s been rough on us in more ways than one.”

“My parents got divorced too,” he said, shifting gears.

“Really? I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. My dad is an asshole, so it worked out for the best.”