16 Romeo's demise

Truth hurts

Joe found himself in a long conversation with Vito. Terri's Father didn't know she wanted to leave the family, or he was lying. Joe would never know if he was truthful and remembered that he was talking to a mobster. Joe elaborated on the relationship between Joyce and Terri. He made it clear that Vito needed to speak with his daughter. It had come as a considerable surprise when Vito asked him if he was involved with Terri. After his honest answer of "No," Vito told him Terri was in love with him and always had been since high school. Joe could tell Vito hadn't wanted to give but loved his daughter enough to sway him towards a relationship with her or for more devious purposes. Vito wasn't happy when Joe said he didn't know what the future held for himself. He did tell him Stephanie had just broken up with him.

Joe went home. He was tuckered out when he arrived home. He was surprised Ranger's big black truck was not parked at the curb. He entered through his back kitchen door, throwing his keys and wallet and phone on the new granite countertops he had installed two years ago. He could still smell the BLT he made for breakfast yesterday. Stephanie sat at the new dining room suit looking at the plane tickets, the prenatal vitamins, the pamphlet on the new furniture. She was pale and looked exhausted and pissed off.

"Hi." She greeted. "You look tired, how long has it been since you had some rest?"

"Oh, about twenty-four. You hungry want something to eat?"

She shook her head, no.

"Donuts are in the oven. Where is Bob?"

"Mooch has him."

"Ranger had to go help secure the building. I took a nap on the couch. I hope you don't mind."

"You know I don't mind." He said with irritation.

"How's Terri?"

"She's ok, they applied a tunicate, and she quit bleeding. Come to find out she is anemic. They want to watch her for a little bit. She wanted to deny treatment, but Vito asked her to stay, and she did."

"The Vito veto," Stephanie said with humor.

The temperature shifted in the room, going from friendly to unsure.

"When did you get rid of the table? She didn't give him a chance to respond when she asked. "Why did you get a table and hutch?"

Joe was a smart man; he didn't offer up any unneeded information.

"I bought it for you so it would feel more like a home than a pool hall. I admit it was not a good ideal. In hindsight, I was trying to ease the way. I also had the thought that both of our Mothers are getting any younger. I figured it was only a matter of time before we started having holidays at our house."

"I'd love to rip you one, but that was most thoughtful. What were the tickets for?"

"Vegas, I was going to ask you if you wanted to elope. I know you were struggling with the wedding plans."

"And the prenatal vitamins?"

"Figure it out for yourself, Stephanie," Joe answered with gritted teeth. "I won't lie to you I had hoped we would elope come home and start a family."

"When were we going to talk about all this? Why do all of it yourself? Joe, I'm at a loss here. If I hadn't already broken up with you, I'd be running out the door screaming!"

"I won't apologize for what I want, Stephanie."

Stephanie stared at the brochure to the table. "The Howard" set was made from reclaimed wood with echo friendly stain and protectant, and it met universal sustainability standards. It reminded her of a long table at a restaurant.

Joe came over and sat down beside her.

Stephanie swallowed, and her eyes clouded with tears. "I could never promise you this life, Joe. I'm not Suzzie homemaker. It would have never worked out."

He put his arm around her. "I know that now." He kissed her forehead.

"It's going to be ok, Steph, you'll see no matter where life takes us even if it's on different paths, you will always have a place in my heart. I'm sorry about the house. I had hoped you wouldn't see all my improvements. I was trying to rush home and hide a few of them, but Vito wanted to talk to me, and he had a lot to say."

"What else did you do that you wanted to hide?"

"Oh, I decorated the bedroom and umm painted the spare bedroom."

"Joe, are you sure your not pregnant? Your nesting." She laughed.

"I really thought I was making things more simple, we could have slipped off this weekend got married, and nobody would need to know. The best part was we didn't need to tell anyone. I thought you wouldn't be so nervous about getting married."

Stephanie could tell at the inflection in his voice a life with Joe was still on the table. She hurt for him and would always miss his love. It was time to move on.

Ranger always had perfect timing; it's how Stephanie found her way out of an awkward conversation with Joe. Apparently, Grandma was able to get Ranger's cell number through the Shady Pines Elder Reconnaissance Mafia. In a short ten minute drive, Ranger had pulled up in the driveway of my parent's home. It seemed weird not seeing my Mom at the door waiting for me to come inside.

"Is Big Blue still in the back garage? Do you mind if I check to see if the garage is secure?" Ranger asked.

"Sure, knock yourself out. I seriously doubt that anything could take out that car, though."

"Does your sister have room to park your parents Buick at her place?"

"Not really just street parking. Why are you asking so many questions?"

"I'm worried about the attack on Rangeman and the lengths they might go to, to reach me."

"Oh. Dad told me to use the car while they were gone. I think he might have given it to me, but I want him to clarify that before I used it. I'd hate to blow it up if it wasn't mine. We could take it over to Connie's and park it, she has the extra driveway from the half of the house that burnt down beside her."

"That's not bad," Ranger replied. "I hope your car blowing up days are over." Then he crossed himself.

"I've never seen you do that!"

"What? Cross my self?"

"Be sarcastic with me."

"It's a new world Babe, brand new."

"Connie's family is mafia too, so I doubt they would mess with her."

"Another good point. I want your Grandma to come with us, I'm not comfortable leaving her with your sister. She's smart and needs extra attention, and I have a team of men who have had it way to easy for a while."

"You know she will drive us a little crazy, right?"

"Yes I know, I don't want regrets."

"Thank you for that."

"Could I get you and your Grandma pack for about ten days?"

"Sounds good." She smiled at him and the thought of being with him