Friends in High Places Read online

  Brian Jr. grinned at Kat as if she were a double for Venus the Goddess of Love. “I hope it’s okay with you, because I can’t wait to catch up.”

  Kat looked confused for a moment. Her gaze shot quickly to Gino then back to Brian again. “I…I guess so. Why not? So then…we’ll see you both tomorrow at 12:30. And I don’t know if you remember, Brian, but Gino is Mama Maria’s son.”

  Kat turned to face Gino squarely. “Maybe we’ll see you and the kids there too.”

  Gino, looking grim, was studying young Brian intently. “You just might,” he said.

  This was my cue to head home. Uncle John and Gram would be very proud of me. Things were progressing according to plan, but truly a lot better than I’d hoped.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  KAT

  “Never in a million years did I expect to be twenty-nine and about to go on a double date with my mom. How did this happen?”

  Lilly fell back against the fluffy yellow pillows on her bed, laughing at me…deep belly laughs. “I guess ‘it’s raining men’ she half sang, “at least for the Donovan women. Get over yourself, Kat! You sound ungrateful. Just a few weeks ago weren’t you sitting at home most every Saturday night talking to your cat, and now look at you with two gorgeous guys interested in you. Instead of complaining you should be grateful and glad for your mom. How wonderful for Meri that her first time up to bat on the dating sites she bags a silver fox! If I were you I’d be eager to support her.”

  For once we were alone on a Saturday morning because Tom, the pretty-much- perfect-husband, had volunteered to take both kids shoe shopping so Lilly could help me get ready for my lunch date with mom and the two Brians, but mostly so I could bitch to my best friend without any tiny witnesses.

  “You have a point…a couple of good points, but seriously, Lilly,” I said, “what if this date completely blows my chances with Gino…not that I’m so sure I even have a chance with him at this point.”

  Lilly sprang back up. “What’s wrong with you, Kat? Gino is seriously interested in you. Why else would he keep coming up with these group dates involving the kids, and making it a point to include you; especially when you don’t even have a kid? And I’ve already told you, before that first dinner at our place we hadn’t seen Gino socially even once in the past year. Apparently you are the only one who isn’t aware of the significance of this.”

  “Tom thinks so too?”

  “Tom knows so…but you have to remember Gino is in a tough spot right now. Tori ‘s a troubled kid and I’m thinking it goes deeper than losing her mom. Especially since your sister, Angelica, is visiting her in her dreams…and I can’t believe I just said that!”

  She threw her hands in the air; then started folding the mountain of clean laundry stuffed in the basket at the foot of the bed. “I guess some of your mom is rubbing off on me at water-work-out.” She shook her head, “I swear to God I need a job! My brain is turning to mush.”

  I put my eyeliner down and turned from my reflection in her dressing table mirror to face her, “Why do you think Angel’s visiting Tori?”

  She shook her head and shrugged, “I hate to bring it up…but you and I both remember what happened to Angelica when she was a little younger than Tori is right now. It was the worst tragedy of her life and she never really got over it, even with all that counseling. Damn that Mr. Talbot, that asshole predator masquerading as a gymnastics instructor! I never liked that sleezy bastard. You thought he was a creep, too.”

  I nodded. “Yeah, you’re right, we both did. Angel was never the same, even after Mom and Dad got him arrested and made her testify at the trial. They hoped to put her demons to rest: too bad it had the opposite effect on her.”

  “Yeah,” Lilly said, “I remember. Instead of giving her closure, it seemed to take the light out of her, like she lost her batteries or something, and she never fully recovered.”

  “The worst part is how my sister got hard and tough and then threw herself into modeling, but I never believed she really liked it that much.”

  “She liked the paychecks, though, and who wouldn’t?” Lilly said, reaching over and handing me the peach blush. “Contour with this,” she said, and tossed her laundry aside. “I’ve been thinking, Kat, ever since that business last night with the three of you seeing Angel at the party, and then Tori telling us Angel visits her dreams and they’ve become friends, I’ve had this strange feeling maybe there’s a deep reason why she’s coming to your sister. Deeper than we may ever know.”

  “How so?”

  “Well, it could just be that she wants to help you and Gino get together, which I’m sure she does, or it could be, and I hope to God this isn’t it, but maybe she’s identifying with Tori because of her past. I just don’t know.”

  “Oh, no, Lilly, I never thought of that! Tori is acting a lot like Angel did when she was hiding what was happening to her. Oh, God, I hope she isn’t dealing with abuse…I mean, who around here would be a threat to her?”

  “Certainly not Gino…but they have a big family. You really never know about these things. I’ve seen a lot of sad stories on T.V. about sexual predators and their victims. You know it’s almost impossible to predict who is safe around your kids anymore, and most times it turns out to be someone the family already knows, or worse, a family member.” She shuddered. “It makes me crazy.”

  “You’re right about one thing, Lilly. I know something’s off with Tori, and I’m becoming obsessed with finding out how to help her. She’s a wonderful little girl and we’re getting really close, but I keep sensing she has a lot of secrets. It’s just… I would love to begin a real relationship with Gino, but then this overwhelming desire not to disappoint Tori stops me from trying. I don’t know why I feel this way about her because it just doesn’t make sense. Gino Rossi is my dream guy. You know that better than anybody.”

  “Makes perfect sense to me, Kat,” Lilly sighed.

  “Why?”

  She sat down next to me on the bench and we looked at each other in the mirror. “I know we never talk about our secret, but we’re completely alone for the first time in forever, and I have to say this, Kat.” She took a big deep breath. “Take a good look at Tori. Not only is she right around the age of the baby you gave up in California, which happens to be where she was born, but she looks exactly like you at that age. Just take a look at these…”

  Lilly opened the dressing table drawer and searched for whatever it was she had to show me. I felt suddenly faint at the mention of our secret, just remembering that terrible time when Todd, my first real love, had completely abandoned me.

  It was a shock when I discovered I was pregnant. We’d been so careful each time we made love and I hadn’t skipped any pills. Lilly said it must mean it was my responsibility to give birth to that little soul. And I agreed with her; too bad Todd hadn’t.

  He’d wanted me to have an abortion. He’d accused me of trying to trap him into marriage and parenthood and also ruining his life, but I think the most painful part was the knowledge I had naively given my virginity to a guy who didn’t really know

  me or love me, at all.

  “I have to organize this stuff!” Lilly muttered, getting more frustrated by the second as she pulled things out of the drawer and finally yanked the drawer completely out and dumped the contents on her bed.

  “You’ve got to stop beating yourself up, Kat,” she continued, “When your dad and your sister passed within a few weeks of each other, and that idiot Todd took off what else could you do? Your mom was a mess and you couldn’t have told her, or asked for help.”

  “I don’t know,” I said, “I guess there was no other choice at the time but to do what I did. I know it was the responsible thing to do. I just wish I’d made more of an effort to keep my baby.”

  “I hate when you say these things!” Lilly said, frantically thumbing through a huge stack of old photos. “You are the best person I know and remember I lived it with you and there was nothing else you could
have done. You sacrificed so your baby could have a beautiful life with two loving parents. You had no other choice and you’ve got to stop punishing yourself!”

  “If it wasn’t for you, Lilly, I don’t think I could live with it. But sometimes I want to tell mom about it all…But I don’t, because it would make her feel terrible. She’d probably blame herself for falling apart and I don’t want that.”

  “That’s right, no need to mess her head up,” Lilly said gently, as she placed some photos from our childhood, into my hands. “But take a good look and just see if you see what I do.”

  I did look, long and hard, and then I nearly passed out.

  We just stared at each other for a while. “Tori looks exactly like I did, but how?”

  Lilly shook her head. “Beats me…but pictures don’t lie. Maybe this is the real reason Angel is looking in on her…maybe she knows Tori’s her niece.”

  “Wait a minute, Lilly, Gino’s never mentioned adoption, not that he would, and since my child’s adoption was closed I can’t know who adopted her. And Anthony is so obviously Gino’s spitting image, I just assumed Linda Rossi resembled me. Tori said her mom had red hair, too, and I was encouraged a possible resemblance to Linda Rossi would make me more Gino’s type.”

  My mind spun with questions…and the tiniest bit of hope. “Oh, Lilly, what if she is mine?” My heart raced so fast I felt light-headed all over again.

  “I think there is a possibility, Kat, Tori might be yours. It’s common for couples who struggle with infertility to adopt and then, a year or two later they end up conceiving a child of their own. That would explain Anthony.”

  “But how can we find out for sure? I can’t just ask Gino if Tori’s adopted.”

  “No, you can’t. But you can start by finding out her birthday.”

  ***

  “Kat, would you please pass me the pepper?” Brian Jr. asked, grinning at me from across the table.

  “Sure thing.”

  Mama Maria’s was packed and buzzing with activity this afternoon. As pleasant as the conversation was at our table, I couldn’t help checking the entranceway every now and again, hoping Gino and the kids would appear. And as handsome and nice as Brian Jr. was, I couldn’t forget the fact that I felt more deeply for Gino and his little family, than I knew I would ever feel for Brian.

  Brian Sr. was gazing deep into Mom’s eyes and complimenting her on her dramatic bright red caftan-styled top. I can always count on my mom to bring color in so many ways into a room and a conversation.

  “This lobster ravioli is incredible!” she enthused, “You really should have some, Kat. Saturday is the day to let go and forget about watching your calories. You can eat boring spinach salad with grilled chicken for lunch Monday through Friday if that’s what you want to do.”

  “I hope you aren’t trying to diet,” Brian Jr. said, “You look perfect to me just the way you are.”

  I blushed and smiled at him; he really was a nice guy. “Thank you, Brian,” I said, “But really, it’s exactly what I feel like eating. Believe me, I’m not much of a dieter!”

  “Glad to hear it,” Brian Sr. said in his deep, commanding voice, “Because I insist on treating everyone to Mama Maria’s famous cheesecake: so you girls had better save some room for dessert.”

  Mom actually giggled and looked so smitten I swear her eyes twinkled at him, which understandably, made me wish I were anywhere else. This double dating with my mom was freaky at best.

  Then the door of the restaurant burst open and Anthony raced inside with Tori right behind him. Gino trailed close after, scanning the room, looking for us, I hoped, and looking better than ever.

  “Cuore mio!” Mama Maria shouted, coming around the cashier’s counter and spreading her arms wide. “You are my heart, Bambinos! Both children flew into her embrace.

  Then Lisa, Sophia, and Carmella all materialized from various corners of the restaurant for a reunion with Gino and the kids worthy of a ten year absence. It was my guess they all actually saw each other at least three or four times on any given week. I’ve always loved and envied the strong bond all big Italian families share.

  I couldn’t help staring and when Brian Jr. followed my gaze with his own, he said, “Gino and his kids made it! Why don’t we ask them to join us?”

  “Great idea,” I said, grateful Brian was so friendly.

  Mom stood before any of us had a chance to, and scooted around the table and took off in their direction.

  By the time she had snaked her way through the crowd of happy diners, invited Gino and the kids to join us and then started back to our table, an incredibly gorgeous girl looking exactly as if she might have been Sophia Loren’s granddaughter, came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron and smiling like the sun had just came out in Tuscany.

  “Come and say hello to our brother, Gino, Isabella!” Carmella called to her.

  It didn’t look to me as if Gino needed much coaxing. I could see him perk up all the way from where I sat.

  Wondering what the commotion was about, Brian Jr. turned again to look. “Wow,” he said, spinning all the way around in his chair to stare at her. “I wonder who she is?”

  My ears zeroed in on their conversation, so I was able to tell him. “Apparently, she is the niece of Mama Maria’s best friend from Italy and she is spending time here in the mountains while she pursues her master’s degree in psychology at ESU.”

  “Well, isn’t that nice,” Mom said, sitting back down and giving me a look that actually said the opposite. “She looks young, though, don’t you think?”

  Tori grabbed Isabella’s hand, and pulled her toward our table.

  “She’s headed this way now, Mom,” I said, “Why don’t you ask her about that?”

  “Hi, Kat! Daddy said you guys would be here!” Tori gushed in her little, breathless voice. “I’m so glad we didn’t miss you! This is Isabella and she’s staying with Grandma and working here in the restaurant on weekends while she goes to college. But she doesn’t know that many people yet.”

  I stood and shook her hand, smiling into her incredibly beautiful almond-shaped eyes. “Welcome to the Poconos, Isabella,” I said. “I’m Kat Donovan and this is my mom, Meri.”

  I sat back down as Mom introduced the Brians and told her more than she needed to know about the both of us and our lazy mountain town.

  Gino came around the table and smiled at me, “Hi, Kat…Brian and Brian,” he said, nodding at each one. “I see we’re a little too late to join you guys for lunch, but Tori needed some extra help with math homework and it took us longer than I’d hoped. I’m a little rusty on my math skills.”

  “I feel your pain,” I said, I’ve always been rusty on math skills,” and everybody laughed, as I realized that was unlikely, me being a bank manager, but even though I’d ended up in bank management, math never was my favorite subject.

  “It’s lovely to meet you all,” Isabella said like she really meant it, “but I need to get back to work now. I’m told we’ll need lots of meatballs for tonight’s dinner crowd. This is such a popular place! And Tori, the next time you need help with math please give me a call at your grandma’s, or here at the restaurant. It’s one of my best subjects.”

  “Wow! Now that’s an offer I can’t refuse!” Gino enthused. “We’ll definitely call you, Isabella. You’re a lifesaver.”

  She gave him a warm grin and with a little wave to all of us, she started back toward the kitchen, the added charm of her light accent lingering all around our table.

  “Isn’t she pretty, Kat?” Tori said, “I wish I had long, dark hair like hers.”

  “She isn’t prettier than you are,” I said quickly, “But she is a beauty, and so young to travel this far from her country for school. Do you know why she chose to come all the way out here? I mean, East Stroudsburg University is a good school, but it’s hardly world famous.”

  “I heard Aunt Sophia and Aunt Lisa talking after church last week and she isn’t that
young, she’s twenty-seven! And they were saying she’s already been engaged for a couple of years and she just broke up with her fiancé. I don’t know why but she was so heartbroken, she wanted to come to America and finish school here. And I guess her mom wanted her to stay with Grandma so she can keep an eye on her.”

  “Brian, you want to give me a hand with this table?” Gino cut in. “The kids and I will join you for dessert, but I insist on treating everyone. The kids can’t resist Mama’s cheesecake, and I highly recommend it, but you can each order whatever you’d like. It’s totally on me.”

  “I have to warn you Gino, you’ll have to fight me for the bill,” Brian Sr. said,” because I’m working hard to impress this beautiful woman here.” He reached over and ran his hand along Mom’s cheek while she blushed like a teenager.

  Brian Jr. grinned at the two of them; then shifted his eyes to mine. “I guess I’ll have to wait until our next date to try to impress you, Kat. It looks as if I’m out-classed today.”

  My heart sank a little and I didn’t know what to say because I didn’t want Gino to think I was expecting, or hoping, for another date with Brian, and I was grateful when he seamlessly caught my attention by placing a menu in my hand and pulling my gaze from Brian’s.

  “Well, I haven’t given up on impressing either one of you ladies yet,” Gino said smoothly, as he placed his arm casually along the back of my chair, “You just wait until you taste Mama’s cheesecake! I dare you to tell me you’ve had better.”

  “I want two pieces,” Anthony shouted.

  “In your dreams, Shorty,” Tori said, knocking her father’s arm off my chair, and squeezing her chair in between the two of us, causing Gino to scoot over farther toward the middle of the extra table he and Brian had placed next to us.

  “Excuse you!” Gino said, frowning at her.

  Tori turned to me with the biggest, friendly smile unaware of what she’s done. “Kat,” she said, “I’m getting tired of always wearing my hair in a ponytail ‘cause that’s all Daddy can do…so I was thinking maybe you and Lilly would help me try something different with it?” She looked right into my eyes. “Your hair looks pretty and it’s so much like mine, I figured you’d know how to teach me what to do with it...Maybe we could go over to Lilly’s sometime on Saturday and I could see Daisy again, too.”