Fairytales (27 page)

After the tonsorial battle was won, Dominic sat in the best men’s shop watching Roberto as he rebelled against trying on suit after suit, all of which he rejected saying he refused to become the stamp of Harvard. Finally Roberto relented stubbornly and settled for a navy blue sports jacket and a pair of gray flannel trousers, a white shirt and a striped tie which he insisted was choking him, but an adamant Dominic said he was going to look like a human being when he saw his mother. There was much more Dominic wanted to buy, but Roberto resented the gesture so Dominic threw up his hands, saying to himself, the hell with it… at least he accomplished the enormous feat of getting him to look human. On the way to the hospital Dominic bought a bouquet of flowers which he handed to Roberto to present to his mother, which again he grumbled about, but when at last he stood before Catherine, who was so greatly touched by seeing him, as well as having thought to bring her flowers, in this one case he was happy he had listened to his father.

“Roberto,” Catherine said weakly, insisting the end flap be lifted by her nurse so that she could see him, “you look so handsome … Mama’s so happy you’re well and safe … you know, we were awfully worried about you … that something might have happened. It’s just not like my sugar to run off and not say a word.”

It wasn’t a reprimand and Roberto felt truly guilty for having hurt her. The old man was right about one thing … why her? She’d always been his best ally and in his way he really loved her. “I’m sorry, Mama …” Roberto said with eyes diverted.

“I know you are, but you just weren’t thinkin’ … that’s the way it is with gifted people … I understand the inner feelin’ of artists, wantin’ to have been one myself when I was young.”

Dominic wished she could have only seen her darlin’ shacked up this morning …
Mama mia.
Ashamed to take him shopping, looking as he did, in those sandals without any socks and smelling like a dead carp.

Reaching for his hand she said, “In my heart I knew you were the son I had raised. It means a lot when one has the background and the heritage behind them.”

Roberto swallowed hard; changing the subject, he asked, “How are you, Mama?”

“Couldn’t be better now that I’ve seen you … why, in a few days you’re gonna be surprised how well I’ll be … like nothin’ happened.”

“I hope so, Mama.”

“You bet … ’course, you have no idea what a comfort your Daddy’s been, darlin’, takin’ over the way he did when I came down with this damned cold that laid me low … now, let’s not talk about it anymore … what you did was just a prank that all boys do one time or another.”

Son of a bitch, thought Roberto, leaving my mother for some whore.

“Did you call Maestro Segetti, Dominic?”

“Not yet, I haven’t had time, but I will later … has the doctor seen you since this morning?”

“Yes, he dropped in a little while ago and said I was just comin’ along beautifully and now, with my dear son here, I’m gonna be like new in a few days, you just wait and see. Roberto, did you have anythin’ to eat today?”

“No, Mama.”

“Well, then go down to the restaurant in the hospital and have lunch … what about you, Dominic?”

“I’ll eat later.”

“Well, then, Roberto, you go … have a good lunch … hear? I don’t like you so thin.” Roberto hesitated. “Now go on, darlin’ … I just love my boy and I’m so happy you’re here safe and sound.”

“Thank you, Mama, I’m happy to see you.” As he turned to go, there were tears in his eyes.

“Well, Dominic, was it difficult findin’ Roberto?”

“No…”

“That’s good … where was he livin’?”

“In a bohemian apartment with an artist friend.”

“You see, he’s got it in his blood … artists always seek each other out, isn’t that the truth?”

“That’s the truth.”

“Did you have a heart-to-heart talk … like father and son?”

“Naturally.”

“Oh, Dominic, I can tell … the way he looked when he walked in here, looking so handsome and fine. I knew it was because you got to him … with your convincin’ logic.”

Catherine would have died if she had known the logic it took to get her lovin’ boy here.

“Dominic, I’ve been thinkin’ a lot lyin’ here. We both know all the children are different and that’s not so unusual in a large family, is it?”

“No.”

“Dominic, I’ve thought that when I’m well, I’d like to go back to Florence and speak to Segetti. Somehow I feel if he could see Roberto and realize that what he did was just a childish prank, I truly believe he would take Roberto back.”

“No, Catherine, I don’t think so. To begin with, Segetti would never accept him back, no matter what you said. But more important than that, I know Roberto belongs home.”

She looked at Dominic with tears in her eyes. She said softly, “Please forgive me, Dominic, for sayin’ this, but a home constitutes a Mama and Daddy … not that I’m rakin’ over old coals … believe me, I’m not. But a place in which there is no father makes a big difference in the attitudes of the children.”

Dominic took a deep breath, then sighed, walking to the window, “Lots of people are separated and the children grow up.”

“But how do they grow up, Dominic?”

“That I can’t answer, Catherine. But we can’t relive the past. We’re just going to have to do the best we can with the future.”

She slumped back into the pillows, sorry she had brought up the issue that was long since gone.

That evening Dominic and Roberto returned to the hotel. Silently, Roberto went to Catherine’s room and Dominic to his. Taking off his shoes, he lay on the bed and called Victoria.

“We’ve found Bobby.”

“Thank God,” Victoria sighed. “Was it an ordeal?”

“Yes, but at least he’s safe and his mother’s happy.”

“How is she?”

“Better, much better.”

“How long will you be away?”

“About a week or so … it depends on her … how quickly she can travel.”

“I hope it will be soon. Darling, get some rest now that the worst is over.”

“I don’t know about the worst… but at least he’s in the next room.”

“He’s just a boy, darling, he’ll grow up.”

“And while he’s growing up, I’m growing old.”

She laughed. “You’ll never grow old. Now, get some rest and call when you can … I love you, sweetheart.”

It was only nine-thirty and with nothing else to do, he put his shoes on again and went downstairs to the bar. When the drink was served he sat twisting the glass in his hand, then took a sip. Finishing, he ordered another. God, he felt lousy. Getting up, abruptly, he walked across the lobby out into the street. The rain had stopped. Although it was very cold, he did not bother to go back and get a coat. Instead, he walked along the boulevard for blocks, trying not to think. It was eleven when he put the key in the lock. First, he looked into Catherine’s room to see if Roberto was there … he was and fast asleep. Then he went to his room, picked up the phone and called the overseas operator again.

“Will you hold on, sir, or shall I call you back?”

“Call me,” he said, hanging up. Undressing, he prepared for bed when the phone rang. Quickly picking it up, he said, “Anna?”

“Si, Signore
Rossi, how is
Signora?”

“Much better,
grazie
… let me talk to Gina Maria.”

“She’s not here.”

“What! It’s only seven in the morning. She can’t be at school.”

“She’s not.”

“Then where is she?”

“Staying overnight with a friend.”

“What friend?” Dominic asked angrily.

“A girl from school.”

“What girl?”

“Wait, I call Vincente. He tella you.”

“Hurry up. This is long distance.”

“I’ma gonna go,” she said, running up the stairs. “It’sa your Papa on’a the phone. Come quick … it’sa long distance.”

Lifting off the receiver from his phone, he said, “Hi, Papa, how are you?”

“Fine and how are you?”

“Great… how’s Mama?”

“Better … tell me, where is Gina Maria?”

“Sleeping overnight at a girl’s house.”

“What girl?”

“From school.”

“I know that, but what’s her name?”

“Pam McCormack.”

“Who the hell is she?”

“I don’t know. They go to school together.”

“You don’t know! Do you have her phone number?”

“Yes, hold on for a minute. I’ll get it.” Soon, he was back, giving Dominic the number.

Writing it down, he said, “This is the way you take care of your sister? Three grown boys in the house with a grandmother and you let her sleep at a girl’s house you don’t even know?”

“What do you want from me, Papa? It’s only a girl’s house she’s at. From the sound of your voice you’d think she was being raped.”

“That’s enough … from now on, when we’re away, I don’t want any of you to sleep away from home … you hear? I mean none of you.”

Big deal, Vincente thought, but it’s all right for you to sleep with another woman. “Okay,” he said sullenly.

Dominic caught the intonation in his voice. He was beginning to realize that since he had become the errant father, he was being more demanding with the children. “All right, Vincente,” he said more softly, “be good. Take care of yourself and Gina Maria. I depend on you. Now, let me talk to Angie and Tony.”

Vincente swallowed hard, “Papa … don’t holler, but they’re not here either.”

“They aren’t?” he asked, bewildered … it was too early for them to be in school. “Where are they?”

“Papa, please don’t get mad now.”

“What is it … tell me.”

Slowly Vincente answered. “They’re in Juvenile Hall.”

Dominic took the receiver from his ear and looked at where it lay in his lap. Finally, putting it back to his ear, he said, “Juvenile Hall? Why?”

“You won’t get mad?”

“I won’t get mad … what happened?”

“Angie … now you’re not going to get mad?”

“No…”

“Okay, Angie talked Tony into taking a motorcycle … now, wait a minute … it doesn’t sound like it really was.”

Long pause, then, “What was it really like?” Dominic asked.

“What happened is they were just goofing off with this kid’s bike and drove away.”

“And?”

“And they took it overnight.”

“Don’t tell me … let me guess … the kid thought they stole it, right?”

“Right, Papa … how did you know?”

“Because I’m psychic … then what?”

“Well, the kid’s old man called the cops and said Angie and Tony swiped the bike … and when they got here they found it parked in front of the house.” Vincente hesitated.

“That’s okay, Vincente, I’m listening.”

“Well, Papa … they handcuffed Angie and Tony, put them into a police car and took them to Juvenile Hall.”

“Handcuffed them … took them to Juvenile Hall?”

“That’s right, and was I mad … I called the boy every name in the book and told him the twins had only meant to borrow it and were bringing it back but he wouldn’t buy that.”

“He wouldn’t… who is the boy … ?”

“Peter Owens. He called you a terrible name. That’s when I swung at him.”

“You tried to fight him?”

“Yes, but he was bigger.”

“Did he hurt you?”

“Only gave me a black eye, but I wasn’t going to let anyone call my father the Mafia.”

Dominic put his hand up to his forehead to stop the pounding.

“Are you mad, Papa?”

“No,
mio figlio
… I’m proud of you … very proud … now, Vincente, call Gina Maria and tell her I called. I’m depending on you to take care of her. I don’t want her to sleep in any girl’s house, you understand? I’d call, but first I want to get the twins home. Don’t tell Mama, if she calls. There’s no need to upset her.”

“I won’t, Papa… did you find Bobby?”

“Yes.”

“Is he okay?”

“Yes.”

“Are you mad at him?”

“No … not anymore.”

“I’m glad … give Mama my love and say hello to Bobby.”

“I will…
grazie,
Vincente, we’ll be home as soon as possible … you’re the man now. Take care of everything.”

“I will, Papa …
arrivederci.”

“Arrivederci,
Vincente.” Hanging up, he placed a call to his partner’s home.

“Dominic?”

“Yes.”

“How’s everything going?”

“Couldn’t be worse.”

“What do you mean … you still haven’t found Roberto?”

“We found him … at the moment he’s not my problem.”

“You’ve got more problems?”

“The twins are being detained at Juvenile Hall. I want them released immediately.”

“Juvenile Hall?”

“Right.”

“On what grounds are they being held?”

“For … for borrow … for stealing a kid’s motorcycle, which they didn’t intend to keep. I want them out of there in a damn big hurry.
Comprendere?”

“Right… I’ll get on it immediately.”

“Call me the minute they’re home.”

“Will do … how’s Catherine?”

“Better.”

“That’s something to be grateful for.”

“Yeah, right.”

“Dominic, I know this is not the time, but I’ve got to say it… this is your nickel and you can tell me to mind my own business or to go to hell, but, Dominic, go home, make it up with Catherine … that’s where you belong … the head of your house. If you were, maybe this wouldn’t have happened. Now, don’t blow your stack … I never said a word or tried to give you any advice when I found out about you leaving … but listen to me, Dominic, no matter how much you love this woman, your kids come first… now, tell me to keep my damn mouth shut.”

Dominic sighed deeply and remained silent.

“Dominic? You there?”

“I’m here.”

“Okay, I’m sorry I shot my mouth off. I suppose it’s just the Sicilian in me … not that I’ve got much to brag about in the broad department, but when it comes to the Mrs. and especially the kids, that’s a whole different ball game … Still friends?”

“Still friends … thanks. Now get the boys home.”

“It’s done … talk to you later.”

“Good.” Dominic hung up slowly. Jesus … his whole life had come crashing down on him. Who did he owe? The painful answer came rushing at him like a bulldozer, hitting him right in the pit of his stomach. Victoria … Victoria … I love you more than anything in the world. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, but I’m not Dominic Rossi … I’m the father of seven children whose lives have to be shaped … whose lives I hold in my hands … I can’t turn my back on them … I love you, but I can’t have you because I don’t own myself.