"Hi, braces!" said Nella so loudly that everyone in the lobby could hear it.
"I've told you before Nella, you need to come up with a new nickname for me!" squeaked Betty as she smiled icily and pointed to her white teeth. "How about calling me Betty?" she said in a pleading tone. Annoying seems to run in the family.
Gio's mother and father approached. Oh god, what will I call them? I still can't remember their names. It can't hurt to go formal, I suppose. "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Rossi."
Gio's father looked shocked and exclaimed "Betty, you are part of the family now. First names, please, I insist."
Betty blushed an even deeper shade of red. How do I get out of this? I'm desperate. I can't think with this pressure.
"Um, can I call you Mom and Pop?" Betty asked.
Gio's father almost shouted in his surprise "What?"
Oh, now what? I've really messed up this time. Gio, why didn't you help me?
"It was Gio's idea." Betty explained. Gio's lame idea.
"Dear Betty!" Gio's father said while glancing at Gio's mother. "I told you Gio picked a good one!" Turning back to Betty he said "Of course, you can call us Mom and Pop. We would love it."
Gio's mother pulled Betty to her and enveloped her in a warm hug.
Betty hugged back and said "Mom."
The sound of her own voice saying Mom while hugging Gio's mother brought a vivid memory to Betty's mind of her hugging her own mother. She could hear the sound of her child-like voice saying 'Mom' and remember the warmth and the scent of her mother. Betty held on tightly and savored the moment. It had been so long since her mother's death that she rarely felt her memory anymore as fresh in her mind as it was at that moment. As the feeling started to fade Betty continued to cling to Gio's mother. She'll never get to meet Gio. She'll never see how happy I am with him. She won't be at my wedding. She will never see the children I hope to have. A wave of emotion, a feeling of longing for her mother and a feeling of sadness swept over Betty. She was flooded with a sense of loss. The emotion caught Betty off guard and she suddenly burst into tears.
Gio's mother pulled back to look at Betty. "What is it dear? What is the matter?"
Betty covered her eyes with her hands, tears streaming down her cheeks. She opened her mouth to speak but only an anguished cry came out.
Gio's mother pulled Betty back into a hug, patted her back, and repeated to her over and over "There, there Betty my child. It's alright dear. You don't have to say anything." Betty continued to sob, burying her wet face into Gio's mother's neck while hugging tightly.
Eventually Betty's sobs tapered off and she stopped crying. Maria passed her a tissue so she could dry her face.
When she was calm Gio's mother stepped back. Betty's face was mottled and her eyes were reddened. She wiped her nose with the tissue.
Maria said to Betty "Let's go into the washroom and fix your makeup." she turned and said to her parents. "You go on ahead. We'll meet you at the restaurant."
Gio's father, mother and Nella left and Maria and Betty went into the washroom. Maria expertly applied a light coat of fresh makeup while engaging Betty in some pleasant small talk. "Don't worry, I'll have you looking like a million bucks in no time." she said confidently.
"You and my sister Hilda will get along so well." Betty said after she regained her composure.
Soon, they made their way out of the lobby and down the street to the restaurant.
When they entered, Nella and Gio's father and mother were already seated at the table.
"Oh goody, breadsticks!" said Betty, taking one as she sat down. I don't think that fooled anyone. She took a bite and passed the basket of breadsticks to Maria who had just sat down to her right. Maria passed them to Gio's mother, who passed them to Gio's father, who took one and passed them to Nella. Nella was seated on Betty's left.
Nella selected a breadstick and put the basket on the table. She turned to look at Betty. "So, when are you and my brother getting hitched?" she asked nonchalantly.
Betty covered her mouth mid-chew as she gaped at Nella. Can she be any worse of a pest?
Not waiting for an answer Nella continued "Are you pregnant?"
Betty swallowed and then gasped. Apparently she can get worse.
Not knowing what to say Betty blinked and stared at her.
Gio's father said "Nella!" He swatted Nella's head, messing her hair, and said to Betty "You don't have to answer anything you don't want to."
"What?" said Nella. "I'm not saying anything everyone isn't already thinking."
Betty was speechless. She noticed Gio's mother covering her mouth and looking sheepish. So, they were talking about her. Betty blushed bright red. She thought about the last time she had lunch with Gio's parents. It was so boring she could hardly remember it. Then, she was just a 'good friend' of Gio's. She wasn't even his girlfriend. Was that only a week ago? Now, here she was engaged to their son. A future daughter-in-law. One that had just burst into tears with no warning. Betty recalled Hilda's pregnancy with Justin. Her hormones went crazy. It was an emotional roller-coaster. I think I am starting understand. They are concerned about their son's sudden engagement. And my emotional outburst. Naturally they are wondering if I'm pregnant. They are putting two and two together. And they might be wondering if I love Gio or if I am only marrying him for the baby's sake.
The waiter interrupted the awkward silence by handing out menus and filling the water glasses. It appeared that everyone became simultaneously very thirsty and they all lifted their glasses and drank deeply. Then, everyone studied their menus.
Betty swallowed her water and put down the glass. She coughed. I owe them an explanation.
She looked straight ahead and said clearly and with emphasis "I am not pregnant."
There was an audible sigh as everyone around the table exhaled in unison.
"I love Gio with all my heart …" This was true. There was no one else in her heart anymore. "… but Gio and I are focused on our careers. We're in no rush to get married." she added.
Gio's parents murmured a quiet "oh" each. Everyone was staring at Betty. Even the other diners are staring at me.
She said brightly "I think we should order lunch since I need to get back by two o'clock."
Everyone started discussing the menu and selecting their meal. Maria looked approvingly at Betty and they exchanged a glance.
"I loved visiting you and watching Giancarlo the other day." Betty said. "He is such a delightful little boy."
Maria beamed. "Yes. Thank you for saying that. He is an angel." she said. "I've been wondering if you would like to get together with me some day. I'd love a chance to see more of you before you go back to New York."
Betty thought about it for a moment. "I've been thinking it would be nice to get a manicure and pedicure. What do you think of that? Do you want to go together? Do you like the idea?"
Maria was delighted and replied "Super! A spa day. I know a great place. I'll call you tomorrow and find out when is a good day. I can drop by the hotel and pick you up on the way."
Then Betty asked Gio's father about himself. "What do you do, um, Pop?"
Gio's father beamed and said "I'm a plumbing inspector in New York. It is fascinating, really. I get to visit the bathrooms and kitchens of the rich and famous! I have lots of amazing stories. You won't believe what happened just last month."
Gio's mother and Maria both shouted "No!" and he stopped.
Ah. That explains why Gio knows so much about plumbing. Betty could see Gio's father wanted to talk and asked "That sounds interesting. Someday I want to hear your stories. How did you get into that field?"
He paused and thought for a moment. "Well, when I was a young plumber newly trained I happened to be assigned to a big, important job …" he gestured with his hands for emphasis. " … a really important job and I noticed another plumber making a mistake. I told the supervisor about it. Other people had seen it too, but no one else told him. They were too scared of the supervisor's temper."
He looked down and touched his fingertips together. He looked up at Betty and said. "I was lucky. That plumber had made a mistake that could have been costly and the supervisor was grateful to me for telling him when I did. He remembered it and he put in a good word for me when an inspector position came up." He laughed. "To be successful, it is crucial to be passionate about what you do, but it can pay to have a big mouth too."
Now I can see where Nella comes from. She fits in to this family. She is young but she has guts. It is a trait that is respected. It is a good thing to have the nerve to be able to speak your mind even when everyone else is intimidated. Hilda would understand it perfectly. I wonder if there is any such thing as an esthetician inspector.
Later, when lunch was finished Maria offered to walk Betty back to Antonio's fashion house.
Everyone rose when Betty and Maria got up to leave.
Betty said goodbye to Nella. That was quite the grilling she gave me. I wonder if she has ever considered going into law.
Gio's father gave Betty a hug. "Promise me you'll tell me some stories next time." Betty said.
Then Betty looked at Gio's mother and said "My mother passed away when I was a girl so it means a lot to me to call you Mom." They hugged warmly and soon Betty's eyes started to glisten with tears. Betty said "I better go" and turned to leave with Maria.
Maria linked her arm with Betty's as they walked down the street. Betty told Maria more about her sister Hilda and nephew Justin. She was sure that Maria would love them. She told Maria again what an adorable boy Giancarlo was.
Maria responded by saying "Giancarlo won't always be an only child, you know. Someday he is going to be a big brother." What is Maria saying? Sounds like a baby! Is Maria expecting? There was no talk of that at the table.
"Maria, are you saying what I think you're saying?" asked Betty. "Don't say it." said Maria smiling "It is too early to talk of it. You mustn't say anything to anyone." So, there is something. Betty felt the warmth of sisterly affection for Maria. Maria had trusted her with her secret. Betty was excited by the thought of a new baby in the family.
"Maria, can you take me shopping?" said Betty "I need to buy some lingerie."
"I'd love to!" said Maria. "I know a great shop. We can go there on our spa day!"
Soon they were back in the lobby. Maria stopped at reception, kissed Betty goodbye and told her she would call her soon. Italian Amanda looked admiringly at Betty. Betty looked around the lobby for a quiet corner to sit down in.
Alone for the first time that day she closed her eyes and leaned back into the comfortable chair. Mmmm, more Italian leather. Nice. I can see why Gio loves to wear leather. She felt calm and relaxed. Gio's family is crazy. Kind of like my family. I love them already. Well, maybe not Nella as much. That'll come. I respect her. I hope Daniel is okay. Some day he won't need me anymore. I'm glad that day isn't yet. Thankfully, it doesn't look like that day is going to be anytime soon. Where is Wendy? I think she is supposed to meet me here. I hope I'm in the right place. Betty, full from lunch, drifted off to sleep.
The next thing she knew she was hearing Gio and Wendy's voices. Gio was kneeling beside her and touching her arm gently. "B, it's time to wake up." Betty opened her eyes and straightened up.
"You look great." Gio said "New lipstick?"
"Oh, this is Maria's" Betty explained touching her lips and smiling.
"How'd it go with my folks?" Gio asked.
"You have no idea." Betty responded with an inscrutable smile. "I'll fill you in later."
Betty spied Daniel and Antonio approaching them. Gio saw them too and left to go over to them. Daniel and Gio would be touring the other departments while Betty interviewed Wendy for her Hot Flash article. Wendy sat down in the chair next to Betty.
"How was your luncheon?" Betty asked Wendy.
"Marvelous. Gio is an absolute darling, my dear. It was a delicious lunch … and I'm not just talking about the food." Wendy answered "I'm so glad that you let us borrow him. He charmed everyone."
Betty smiled. Gio is getting a good review. Why am I not surprised?
Wendy continued. "I hope you had a good lunch with his parents."
"Yes I did, thank you for asking. Okay, now let's work on our article." Betty got out her notebook. I am the image of efficiency. At least I sincerely hope I am. "I want to know everything about your tours. How did you start? Where do you go? Who are your clients? How do you find them? What are your future plans? We have a couple of hours and I want to know anything and everything."
Wendy described to Betty how she started small, with groups of friends first, and then with friends of friends, and how she built up her business slowly. It was still a part time venture but she hoped to expand it to full time and eventually be successful enough to hire her own staff of hand-picked guides in the cities that they visited.
She specialized in tours for older women who enjoyed fashion. The women in the groups had a lot of fun together and often became close friends. She had many repeat clients and a lot of word-of-mouth business. She was thrilled to have the chance to have her business featured in Hot Flash.
Betty was a little puzzled when Wendy said most of the women were happily married. Something about that fact doesn't add up.
"If they are so happily married, then where are their husbands?" Betty asked pointedly.
"A lot of their husbands go on their own vacations." Wendy answered.
"Such as …"
"Such as vacations to Canada to fish and golf … they go and do the kinds of things guys like to do." Wendy explained.
"But, wouldn't happily married couples want to vacation together?" Betty thought it was odd that they didn't want to vacation together and that it didn't seem to bother them or Wendy that they didn't.
"Betty, you can be a happily married couple and not always want to do exactly the same things all the time. People don't have to have all the same interests to be compatible."
"Hmm." Betty said thoughtfully. But, I kind of thought they did.
Wendy saw Betty's doubtful look. "People can be perfectly happy in a marriage even when they aren't exactly the same and they don't have exactly the same interests. They can complement each other. I'm not saying that opposites attract, although that may be true, I'm just saying that people can have different areas of strengths and interests and still get along famously. It's often a more exciting relationship that way."
"Oh" said Betty. I'm starting to get the idea. "Complementary … as in yin and yang?"
Wendy laughed. "Well, you could put it that way. I suppose you could. Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?"
Betty responded "Not at all. What do you want to know?"
Wendy asked "How did you and your fiancé Gio get together?"
Betty paused to think and laughed. "It's a long story. I wouldn't know where to start."
"Well, how did you meet?"
"At work. Gio was selling sandwiches and I was buying one."
"Aww. That's cute. It sounds like a match made in heaven!" Wendy laughed.
"No, it wasn't like that at all. I already had a boyfriend."
"So, Gio had to win you over?"
"I guess you could say that. It wasn't easy for him though."
"You were playing hard to get?"
"No. no. I wouldn't say that. I'm not like that!" Betty exclaimed.
"Everyone was talking about that kiss at lunch." Wendy said fanning herself. "It was hot. You're a very lucky girl."
"Thank you." Betty blushed again. "I do feel lucky."
"Well it is time for me to get back to my group." Wendy said "I hope their shopping is going well. Maybe I can see you two in New York sometime?"
"Sure." said Betty "When will you be there?"
"I'm there most of the time. I live there. So that's where I am when I'm not on a tour. I'll see you then."
Wendy left and Betty was alone again. She thought about introducing Wendy to Claire. She was sure they'd be good friends. She relaxed and closed her eyes. She didn't expect Gio and Daniel back for a while.
Betty thought back to the day she met Gio. He didn't want to give me extra tomatoes on my sandwich. It made me so angry. But it makes perfect sense. He was passionate about his sandwiches and he had no hesitation in defending the way he made them. That's the Rossi way.
Betty continued to think, recalling the events of that day. And then there was the quacking. He was outspoken in a way that surprised and annoyed me. But he was just thinking of me. He was making me think about myself. It wasn't too long afterwards that he left me the sandwich with the ribbon and note. Tried it your way, not terrible. That was a bigger gesture than she had previously thought. It was huge. He wouldn't have done that for just anyone. And then I used him as my fake boyfriend. What did he think about that?
Betty continued to think about Gio and the events from months ago. She was charmed when recalling his behavior when he took care of her after she broke into his shop. She fell in love with him again remembering her birthday and the carriage ride. She thought about the passionate kiss in his shop and her slap in response. I'm lucky he didn't give up on me right then.
She recalled how he loved to plan. He was proud of his five year plan. That carriage ride was an elaborate plan. Especially considering I barely acknowledged he existed. Then there was the way he got his relatives to figure out what engagement ring she would like. That was another one of his elaborate plans. I love surprises and I especially love them when I love the surprise I get.
She knew that Gio had made a lot of effort over many months to gain her affection. Yet, when I first invited him into my bed, he refused. He refused me several times. He wanted more from me than that. He wanted all of me. Mind, body and soul. He waited for it. Even after she had already won his heart he waited until she was ready. Wendy is right. I am a very lucky girl.
Betty looked up to see Gio on the other side of the lobby walking towards her. He looked just as he had at the school dance, dressed in the same burgundy dress shirt and threading through the other people with his eyes focused on her. Oh god, he looks so sexy. Betty didn't dare to try to stand up. When Gio reached her he bowed and extended his hand. Betty clasped it and he pulled her up. Turning around he embraced her in a dance position. Betty rested her head on his shoulder. He hummed a song she recognized and they swayed in time to the rhythm oblivious to everyone else. Gio spun her around and she ended up face to face with him with the full length of their bodies pressed together. Gio stared at Betty intently. Suddenly Betty cupped his head with her hands and kissed him, pushing Gio backward a step. He held her tight and responded passionately. After a while, Betty heard Daniel cough.
Betty and Gio, still holding each other, looked at Daniel.
"How about we go somewhere?" Daniel asked while smiling broadly "It is time to celebrate! I am very pleased to say that I have a deal with Antonio. And I owe it all to the two of you I might add."
The three of them headed towards the entrance of the building talking about their day. Daniel asked her about her article for Hot Flash and said "Claire is going to love it!"
"Guess what? I'm going to go shopping with Maria!" Betty said gaily to Gio. And I'm planning to pick out something black and lacy.
Betty, Gio and Daniel stepped out of Antonio's building and into the mid-afternoon heat.
