Chapter Ten

Chicago

"I'm so sorry to have to ask...I've already disrupted your lives…"

Lena arrived home from the hospital early, distraught over the doctor's news that Frank would have to spend more time there due to an infection. She was relaying the news to Nora and Rita.

She continued. "We thought he was doing better...he's improved so much...this is so disappointing…" Lena held Addy close trying to soothe her. Little Frankie was asleep.

"My poor babies...they need me here and Frank needs me there...and you two are taking time from your families…" Lena looked at Lilli who had fallen asleep on Nora's lap. "Poor little Lilli...she looks exhausted. Maybe I should check into hiring a nurse…"

"Okay, now that's enough," Nora admonished. "Lilli is fine. She's just tired from playing all day without taking a nap. And, I can't speak for Rita, but I'm fine too; and I can stay for as long as you need me…"

"Absolutely," Rita agreed. "The last thing you need is to be worried about things here at home. You take care of Frank, and we'll take care of the bambinos. Everything is going to be fine. Don't you worry about anything."

A tear trickled unbidden down Lena's cheek. She wiped it away quickly hoping the girls hadn't noticed...but they had. They knew it wasn't like Lena to become emotional. She leaned her cheek against the now sleeping Addy's fuzzy head.

"I don't know what's wrong with me…" she began, letting the tears go.

"I do," Rita said. "You miss your bambinos and you're trying to be strong for Frank."

"And you're exhausted," added Nora.

"Enough. I have an idea," Rita said decisively. "You two lay your babies down to rest. I'll be right back."

Lena tucked little Addy into her crib while Nora laid Lilli on the couch, removed her shoes, and kissed her goodnight.

Moments later, Rita returned bearing a bottle of Salvadore's house wine and a rich, Italian dessert called tiramisu`.

"Oh...I love tiramisu`," Lena said in wonder. "You're too good to me, Rita. I'll get some plates and glasses."

"Well," Rita said slicing the dessert, " 'tiramisu` means "cheer me up" or "pick me up"...and I think that's what we need tonight."

"And, if the dessert doesn't do it, the wine will," added Nora pouring them each a glass.

Within minutes the conversation turned from hard times to good times as the girls reminisced about the past…

"Remember when you first learned to drive, Lena, and you nearly killed us?" Nora asked, laughing.

Lena nodded. "On more than one occasion, as I recall," she admitted.

"Mio Dio! I never prayed so hard in my life," Rita said, shaking her head.

"Well, don't blame me," Lena exclaimed pointing a finger. "You can blame Mick. He's the one who taught me...Good ole Mick…" Lena said while pouring herself another drink. She turned to Nora, "Does Bo ever hear from Mick?"

"Occasionally," Nora answered.

"How is he?" Lena asked.

Nora smiled with understanding. "He's fine."

"Married?"

Nora shook her head. "No."

"Is he...seeing anyone?" Lena asked trying to sound casual. "I'm just curious, you know...I want him to be happy…" She looked at her reflection in her glass. "I know...I shouldn't still care, but I do. I loved Micky. I love Frank too…" she added hastily, "...I really do...but it's different, ya know? Frank gives me everything I never had in my life...acceptance, love, security…" She took another sip of wine. "But it was different with Mick. My love was different for him...I don't know...it's hard to explain…"

"I know exactly what you're saying," Rita said. "I love Vinnie too, but it doesn't compare to what I had with Sal...I understand what you mean, Lena."

"God forgive me," Lena said realizing what she had admitted. "I shouldn't even think things like that after what Frank and I have been going through…please don't judge me."

Frankie, thankfully brought about a change of topic when he started fussing. Nora volunteered to get the crying baby from the nursery while Lena warmed up a bottle of milk.

Nora returned with the baby cuddled close under her neck. "He's all changed, Mama," she told Lena. "He smells so good. Mmmm…" she said giving him a little squeeze, "I love that baby smell...especially when they're snuggled up close...so sweet."

Lena tested the temperature of the milk on her wrist. "Sounds to me like you're ready for another one."

Nora didn't respond, but willingly turned Frankie over to his Mama when she said, "Come here, Little Man, I haven't seen you all day!"

"Seriously, Nora, what are you waiting for?" Lena continued. "I'm sure Lilli would love a little brother or sister."

"She would," Nora admitted. "It's not for lack of trying...it just hasn't happened for us yet…"

She sat down again and poured herself a little more wine. The girls were silent for a moment...the only sound to be heard was Frankie sucking voraciously on his bottle.

"I really want another baby," Nora confided with a half smile. "I just don't understand why we conceived so easily with Lilli and now…" She shrugged and shook her head.

"What does Bo think?" Lena asked.

"Oh...he would love to have another one too...but, we haven't talked about it in a long time. I...I guess I don't want him to know how important it is to me. The last time we discussed it, Bo felt like perhaps I'd never be happy without more children...like he and Lilli weren't enough to keep me happy...and that's not true. And Bo worried that maybe it was him...that he was exposed to something during the war…"

Rita finally joined the conversation. "Well, you know Sal and I went through that...the wanting and trying and...it just didn't happen for us. Now that I have two, I know that it was Sal, not me, that was preventing conception. But...I'm glad Sal never knew. It would have bothered him so…"

"I know it would bother Bo too...like it would bother me if I knew it was me," Nora interrupted. "I guess it's just best not to know. But, in our case, it must be me...something with me...since we have Lilli…"

"Not necessarily," Rita said. "It can be lots of things...sometimes just timing. Believe me, Sal and I did everything to conceive. From taking my temperature to putting my feet on the wall to…"

Lena snorted. "Putting your feet on the wall? Well no wonder you were having problems! That's not how it's done!"

"Ohhh! I know how it is done!" Rita exclaimed.

The girls laughed.

"I'm sorry," Lena said trying to contain her laughter. "Go on...tell us this new method of 'putting your feet on the wall'. I'm not sure I could convince Frank to try it, but ya never know...Frank does like to experiment...so let's hear it, Rita. How's it done?"

By this time they were all laughing and wiping tears. This serious topic was lightened by Lena's frivolity. Still...Nora wanted to hear this new method. She was willing to try anything.

"Okay, okay…" Nora said stifling her laughter to get back to the topic. "Tell me about this method, Rita…go ahead...I do want to hear it."

"Oh, I wanna hear it too!" Lena exclaimed. "It sounds like it could be fun!"

Rita smiled as she shook a finger at Lena. "Well, it didn't work for Sal and I, but it worked for mi Nonna and…"

"Nonna who?" Lena interrupted again.

"MY GRANDMAMA! MI NONNA! Oh you!" She shook her head. "Anyway…" she said regaining her composure, "Mi Nonna used this method and she had 13 bambinos, so it works!"

"THIRTEEN?!" Nora and Lena shouted together.

Rita nodded.

Lena grimaced, "Count me out! Sounds like Nonna should have brought those feet off the wall…"

But Nora encouraged, "Go on, Rita."

Rita proceeded to relay Nonna's tried and true method of fertility. As far-fetched as it sounded, it had worked for Rita's grandmother multiple times...and it was something she could do without Bo's knowing about it…

Sounds crazy, Nora thought to herself. But, why not? Anything is worth a try. I'll have to try this when we get home...