Page 26 of Babies at Coconuts

Chapter 20

Suzy could barely contain her glee. “Just wait. It’ll be perfect in an hour or two.”

“Cazzo.” Fernando’s mother threw both arms in the air. “I can’t believe this. My son is getting married in a parking lot when we have the beautiful country of Italy. This is absurd.” A string of heated Italian words peppered the air followed again by the term, Cazzo.

As they stepped across the lot, Suzy wished Izzy were by her side to translate and made a mental note to remember the word. Feeling a slight stress headache coming on, Suzy hoped she’d made the right decision but there wasn’t any backing out now. On top of the venue issues, Jon and Fernando had insisted Vanessa participate in the wedding and had even bought her a white maternity dress. With the pregnancy, Vanessa’s doctor wouldn’t approve a flight at this late date, so their choices were limited. Jon had always wanted a beach wedding and Suzy had lined up every vendor she knew to bring the beach to him.

The beeep beeep beep of a large dump truck broke the inquisition. The driver backed up and hit his air brakes. Poking his bald head out the window, he waved a piece of paper in the air. “Are either of you with Weddings by Suzanne?”

Suzy cupped her hands around her mouth to shout above the noise. “Yes, I’m Suzy. That’s my wedding company. Glad you’re here.”

He nodded. “Where do you want all of this sand?”

She pointed a few feet away. “Right there. Dump it.”

Mama Gia’s eyebrows knitted. “What a mess.”

Ignoring her, Suzy yelled, “You have a spreader, right?”

He gave her a thumbs-up. Soon the gravel lot was covered in thick, powdery sand. Suzy kicked off her shoes and motioned for Mama Gia to do the same. “See, it feels like we’re on the beach. Try it.”

Fernando’s mother hesitated but stepped out of her heels. The woman always wore heels. She set them underneath a table. “Okay, we have sand. Now what?”

Suzy grinned. “Get ready for a transformation.” As if on cue, two enormous rental trucks arrived with eight fake, albeit realistic, towering palm trees, box after box of white twinkling lights, an archway covered in silky white orchids, one hundred white folding chairs, and several rectangular tables for food and gifts.

Mama Gia grabbed her phone and began dialing. “Vinny, tell Luigi and Frankie to come to Coconuts right now.” She added, “The rental car is already packed.” Pausing, she said, “It doesn’t matter how I got here. While you sleepyheads were sprawled on the floor, if you must know, I took a cab. Now, hurry. We’re gonna have a beach wedding for your brother and need help setting up.” She hung up without bothering to say good-bye.

Suzy grinned to herself. Mama Gia might be coming around. Scanning the area, she decided to leave the chair setup to the guys and asked Mama Gia to help drape white linens over the tables that Ken and Gus had placed next to the building.

Smoothing the cloth and straightening a corner, Suzy said, “We need to get the tables ready before the food arrives. I’ve ordered all of Jon’s favorites—”

Mama Gia waved her hands. “I’ve got the food covered. I know exactly what Fernando likes.”

Suzy bristled. “The food order was placed with a caterer months ago.” She glanced at her watch. “In fact, it should be here within the hour.”

“I know food.” Mama Gia spewed several angry-sounding Italian phrases in rapid succession.

“In English, if you don’t mind.” Suzy realized she had her hands on her hips and lowered her tone. “Please.”

“Caterer?” Mama Gia shouted. “We don’t need a silly caterer. Look at me. I’m an Italian mama. Leave the food to me. Besides . . . it’s already cooking.”

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