“So, you treat me nice to get favors, huh?” She chuckled. “Lending you my womb for nine and a half months wasn’t enough!”
“I was late, so sue me. And ya damn right that’s why I treat you well. I always need a favor down the line. You’re an investment, Ma! The bank of motherhood. At least I make deposits, too. Tonight though, I need a withdrawal. Please come see the clown. I promise it’ll be the greatest show on Earth!” She guffawed. “Jokes aside, it’ll be nice. You’ll get to see us all together. Your grandkids, too… No waiting until your birthday or Christmas to have the entire gang around.”
“UGH! All right, Nix, but only one hour, two max, and then I’m leaving. Will Leo be there for dinner tonight? I wanted to talk to him about some old stuff he still has here at the house.”
“Yeah, he said he’s coming. Thanks, Ma. Order as much wine and calamari as ya want. I’ll make the deal even sweeter by throwing in some take-home chocolate cannoli. You love those.”
“Yeah? You’re going all out, huh? How nice. I’m trying to watch my girlie figure though. I have a big wrestling match tomorrow.”
He grinned into the phone.
“Ma, you’d look beautiful even if you weighed a million pounds. You’d still be a big ass dream come true. I gotta run. Do ya want me to send the car to pick you up? An Uber if that’s not to your liking?”
“Nope. I want your father to see me pull up in my Aston Martin our son bought me so he can eat his heart out. Oh, wait a minute, he doesn’t have one. Guess he’ll have to nibble on little colorful fake flowers that squirt water and jump about in a temper tantrum in his big shiny clown shoes! What a Bozo! I swear, the shit we do for our kids!”
“I hope you’ll be nice tonight, but either way, I’ll take my chances.”
“Is Bozo’s wife still jumping on other men’s peters and callin’ it a business trip?”
“I have no idea. Dad doesn’t believe she’s doing anything. Let’s just not bring that up tonight and—”
“I wasn’t cheating at all, and he accused me of doing it every Sunday after Mass like football! Now he has a lady who can’t even spell the word ‘faithful,’ and he turns a blind eye. Sobriety seems to be synonymous with rose colored glasses. What a moron. I’m only going because I love you and your brother and sisters.”
“Whatever the reason, thank you. Besides, it wouldn’t be the same without you there.”
“You four were the only thing he gave me that was worth more than five bucks. Cheap bastard. But trust and believe, all five minutes of your conception was worth it.”
“Ahhh, Ma! You’re so mean! I love you.”
“Love you too, Nix. See ya tonight.”
He disconnected the call. Before he could even form another thought, his office phone rang. He snatched it up.
“Nixon Rossellini speaking.”
“Hey, baby.”
He smiled upon hearing Yasmine’s voice.
“I was just getting ready to call you.” He placed the gold globe down and opened his laptop, logging in with his password. “Our workweek is finally almost over. Are you sure you don’t want me to swing by and get you?”
“Oh no, honey. I have it taken care of. I’ll drive myself. I know your dad will be with you and your hands are busy right now, so I’ll just meet up with you there. It’s better that way.”
“All right, no problem. Do ya know how to get to La Scarola? It’s on West Grand Avenue.”
“I’ve never been before, but I’m sure I can find it with the help of Google Maps on my phone.”
“Cool. I think you’ll like it. My dad is a no fuss type of guy, but he likes big portions and quality Italian foods. He’s kinda picky about what he eats. Anyway, it’s one of the few places he says he enjoys.” He swiveled back and forth in his seat.
“I bet it’s great. I don’t eat Italian food that often because it tends to be a diet buster, but I absolutely love it. Well, I’ll see you this evening. I’m about to leave, take a long bath, and get ready.”
“Perfect. See you later, baby.”
“Bye, baby.”
He picked up the gold globe again and tossed it between his hands.
A big family dinner tonight at La Scarola… bringing my lady to meet the family… I haven’t seen my father in a long ass time.