Fairytales (22 page)

When Catherine took his hand in hers, he shuddered, but as though nothing at all had happened, she said, “Dominic, the children could hardly wait and I’ve got a few wonderful surprises. Now, come on in.” He released his hand which she seemed not to notice as he followed her into the enormous sunken living room. There were autumn chrysanthemums in profusion. The aroma from the kitchen permeated the air with delicious holiday smells. And sitting in the large chair before a blazing fire was Dominic’s mother. Shocked at seeing her, he said, “I spoke to you last night and you didn’t tell me you would be here.”

“We wanted it to be a surprise.”

“I thought you were going to Theresa’s … you go every year.”

She smiled and shook her head, “So this year I decided to be here.”

Catherine didn’t overlook a thing, did she, he thought as he kissed his mother with great affection.

“And don’t I get the same kind of a kiss from my favorite son?” Mama Posata asked, dressed in her favorite color, rose mauve lace.

“Of course,” Dominic answered as Catherine stood by smiling broadly.

“Now, Dom, you be the bartender while I go see if everythin’s going well in the kitchen.”

Everyone was in a festive mood laughing and chatting … all except Dominic and his mother who both pretended to join the happy occasion. His mother felt out of place since this was the first time Catherine had been so cordial, extending her hospitality so graciously, which Mrs. Rossi knew was for the benefit of Dominic. She also knew that Dominic had left his home and was living with a strange woman. At this moment, although her grandchildren made up for some of the pain she felt, never before had she been grateful that her beloved husband had been spared the charade of this pretense. For Dominic, it was like drinking hemlock, seeing Catherine, remembering all too well what she was capable of and the crushing humiliation Victoria had suffered, and she was heavy on his mind, knowing that, although she was spending today with her parents and a house full of friends, she felt as alone as he. But he sat on the large sofa talking to Dom and Tory about school when suddenly he looked up and standing in front of him with a platter of hors d’oeuvres was Stella. His mouth hung open. This was the second shock he had received today … that’s what Catherine had meant by a surprise.

“Buon giorno,
Stella,” Dominic said, feeling the heavy pain in his chest, in fact he had to hold back the tears knowing she had suffered because of her loyalty to him. He truly loved this simple woman. How had Catherine taken her back?

“Buon giorno, Signore.”
She held the plate for him to help himself. As he did so, she lowered her eyes, then moved on to the others.

Catherine sat at ease and chatted casually with the two mothers as though today was as natural as past holidays had been. If she felt any tensions, they were not apparent. After an hour, Anna came in and announced dinner. Dom took his mother’s arm while Dominic assisted his mother on one side and Gina Maria on the other. Tory escorted Grandma Posata and the others followed. Everyone took their seats with Dominic uncomfortably sitting at the head of the table.

“Everyone’ll be quiet while Papa says grace … Dominic?”

He lowered his head while his eyes rested on the dinner plate. For a moment he could not find his voice. Then quickly, shutting his eyes, he said, “We thank thee dear Lord for all we are about to receive which you have given us so abundantly.” His voice faltered at the end, but all the children raised their glasses, as did Catherine and the grandmothers, and drank a toast (which Catherine had previously suggested they do) to Papa’s good health.

Dom stood up with his glass in hand and said, “I drink, as I think we all should, to the love of our parents for having given us so much … for having given us the understanding and patience through all the years … to your health and happiness, I drink.”

Each of the children stood.
“Salute …
Mama … Papa.”

Dominic had tears in his eyes as Gina Maria went quickly to her father and kissed him, then to her mother.

Stella had outdone herself … the dressing was marvelous, the turkey moist and tender, as Dominic carved. The cranberry molds, the sweet potatoes, casseroles, the pies and pastries melted in one’s mouth.

Catherine had been instructed by Mama to be gracious, but not overly so … to be casual with Dominic without seeming aloof. She played the part to perfection. The gracious, loving mother, the understanding wife, solicitous only when the occasion demanded, sure the innuendos intended were understood by Dominic.

Dinner over, everyone retired, more than full, but happy, to the living room where Catherine said, “Gina Maria, play Papa’s favorite song.”

She sat down at the piano and began “Sorrento.” Vincente came to her side and began to sing. Soon all the others joined in as Dominic sat observing them, while Catherine sat observing him and thinking, this is the beginning, Miss Lang. He’ll be back and you’ll be out.

The music continued with all the old Italian songs which Dominic loved so much. It was Dom who came to his father and whispered, “Dad, could I speak to you?”

Reluctantly, Dominic said, “Yes,” knowing, of course, what the conversation was going to be about.

“Shall we go into your study, Papa?”

“Alright.” The two left as Catherine watched, still singing along with the others.

When they sat down, Dominic took out a cigarette, lit it, watched the flame die, then said, “You wanted to talk … I suppose about school?”

“Well, that … but first, about something more important.”

Dominic puffed on the cigarette and waited.

“Papa, Tory and I didn’t know about you and Mama until we came home. In fact, when you weren’t at the airport, we were shocked.”

Dominic scratched the back of his head. “I didn’t know when you were arriving.”

“Oh, I see.” There was silence. “Papa, I’m sure this is very difficult to discuss, but all I know is what I got from Angie and Tony.”

“What did they say?”

“That you moved out.”

“Did they say why?”

“Only that you and Mama had a terrible fight.”

“This
is
very difficult to talk about.”

“I’m sorry, Papa … but I think I have a right to know what happened.”

Dominic hesitated and looked at his oldest son.

“You’re right. In a family there should be no subterfuge.”

“Okay, I’m waiting.

“Dominic, I don’t know how or where to begin.”

“Why not from the beginning?”

“Well, that goes back to a garden in New Orleans.”

“I don’t mean that, Papa. Let’s talk about
now.
What happened between Mama and you?”

“What happened is that when people are completely different they have nothing in common … well, they fall apart. It’s like a house without a foundation.”

“And you have no foundation? Your children aren’t a foundation?”

“Dominic, let me try and explain … I love my children and I think you all know that, but I find I can no longer go on living with the tensions between your mother and me. After all these years, just—”

“But we were a happy family… I find it hard, Papa, to understand how you and Mama suddenly have nothing in common.”

“That’s just the point, it wasn’t sudden … and may I say, Dominic, much as I respect you, I don’t want to talk about all the differences between Mama and me.”

“Why?”

“Because if I do, it would appear I was defending my position while making your mother seem wrong and that I wouldn’t do.”

“But you do feel she was wrong … wrong enough to leave her.”

“Please, Dominic, don’t push me into saying a great many things I believe are better left unsaid.”

“So you’re just going to leave it by saying you’re incompatible and let it go at that?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I’m not, Papa … I know there’s a great deal more to it than merely being incompatible.”

Dominic was trying to hold down his desire to say, look, don’t question me in that tone of voice, but checking his impulse, he answered, “Since you want to pursue this, say what you want to tell me.”

“Alright, Papa … there’s another woman … obviously, isn’t there?”

Dominic answered slowly, “Yes … since you already know … yes.”

“And you left Mama for someone else … I’m sorry, Papa, but I think that’s unforgivable.”

“Dominic … up to now I’ve tried to be patient and explain as best I could—”

“But you haven’t explained a thing—”

“Alright, you listen to me, Dom, and carefully … I didn’t leave your mother for another woman, because when two people have something important between them then there never is a need for another woman. In all the years of our marriage, I never cheated on your mother once. It’s only when there is no marriage, a man goes elsewhere.”

“What were the terrible differences you and Mama couldn’t resolve … I simply don’t understand.”

“That’s because you’re a son, not a husband.”

“So give me something to understand … as a husband.”

“You’re forcing me, Dom, to tell you things I don’t want to.”

“What did Mama do that was impossible to live with?”

Dominic, not looking at his son for a long moment, said, “Alright. From the time we were married, your mother fought me all the way on every important thing in my life. I’m a man, Dom, a man who wants to go as far as my abilities can take me. I’ve been poor, terribly poor in my life. I’ve made a name for myself and I did it the hard way, but your mother wanted me to do it her way. I think you’ve known I always wanted to get into politics, but I’ve stayed away because of her. She would have made me into a dependent, frightened little man if she could have, but our biggest and greatest problem is both of us are too strong-willed and that’s bad for a marriage. That’s the dilemma in our lives.”

Dom sat trying to see his mother in the role of the domineering woman, but somehow found he could not. All he could see was the good woman trying to make a home, raise her children and be a patient wife, remembering, during his growing up, that his father was away more than he was home. He loved his father, but in his heart he felt his father had misjudged his mother. “Well … I don’t know what to say. Please forgive me, Papa, but I think you’re making a terrible mistake. Maybe you don’t realize it now, but I feel this woman has been a very great influence in your leaving Mama. I hope it’s not one you’ll regret.”

“Dominic,
mio figlio,
this woman was not the reason … she was the result.”

“Please, Papa, I guess I’m confused … but tell me, what does she have to offer you that Mama doesn’t?”

Dominic laughed sadly, “Oh,
mio figlio,
you’re asking questions to which I have no answers.”

“There have to be some answers, Papa.”

“The only answer I can give you is she gives me the peace I need in my life… I know that doesn’t satisfy you, but you asked.”

“You’re right, Papa, it doesn’t satisfy me… Papa?”

“Yes, Dominic?”

“You talked about politics before … well, you know under these circumstances, that would be out for you … The public doesn’t take too kindly to politicians who have mistresses.”

“Well, in that case, Dominico, I’ll just have to content myself with trying to elect the men whose positions I would have liked to occupy … no one can have everything.”

“Then you mean it’s over between you and Mama?”

“I’m afraid so … my Dominico, I’m afraid so.”

Dom got up and put his arms around his father, holding him tightly around the shoulders and said, “I still love you, Papa.”

“And I love you, my oldest son, my pride … my name.”

Mama Posata knocked on the door, interrupting them. “What’s goin’ on in here. You’re missin’ all the fun. Now, come on, the two of you,” she said, taking Dominic by the hand and leading him back into the living room, where the singing still continued.

Dominic looked at his watch. It was ten… Victoria would be home. He excused himself and went to the kitchen. Stella was just finishing when she saw him. The guilt written in her eyes … had it not been because of her stupidity, her clumsiness in being caught that morning, her signore would still be here, living in his house, the head of his table.

He, of course, would never know how frantically Catherine had tracked her down, living with her friends from Italy in North Beach, afraid to leave even for a breath of fresh air for fear she would be apprehended by the immigration department. But Stella went with the package if Catherine was to try and get Dominic back. So in Catherine’s subtle way, she told Stella how much she regretted what had happened, that in no way did she hold Stella responsible for anything and what had happened
that morning
was simply the case of a distraught wife. She insisted Stella come back to the place where she was wanted and needed …
her home,
so with no other choice Stella packed her small belongings and returned.

“Stella,” Dominic said, putting his arms around her, “I’m sorry you suffered because of me.”

“No … no,
signore,
I have asked the Madonna for forgiveness because I was responsible for your pain … please forgive me.”

Oh, God, this dear soul wanted to protect
him.
He let her go, then sat down at the table and wrote a check for five thousand dollars. She trembled when she saw it and refused to take it, but Dominic insisted.

Handing it back, he said, “Stella, you know where the bank is, California and Sansome.”

“What bank?”

“Ours … you know the one.”

“Yes,” she said with eyes downcast.

He took her face in his hands and said, “Look at me, Stella, never be afraid to look anyone in the eyes.”

“Si, signore.”

“Alright … don’t tell anyone about this but I want you to have money of your own so
no one
can throw you out into the streets penniless again … you understand me?”

“Si, signore.”

“Good. Now, tomorrow I want you to open a savings account and I will continue to add to it … and the next thing, I want you to become a citizen. I’ll take care of that, too.”

“Why are you doing this for me,
signore,
I’m only a servant—”