Page 170 of La Dolce Vita

"I told them I was waiting for my wife," he chuckled.

"That's right. Let's get something to eat." She eased her arm around his waist. They started toward the buffet tent. Two tables had lines of silver trays with food from the grills or someone's kitchen. Most of it Lorenzo had never tried. She knew what he liked. She got him some pulled pork and barbecue venison. She piled on the macaroni and cheese, the cole slaw, the greens, and turnips. She got him fresh cornbread that was cut in a cast iron skillet. She even put some kind of seafood on his plate. Lorenzo pointed at different foods asking what was in it. He wanted everything. She loved paying attention to him. When she fixed his plate, and they came to the table, Mirabella had already returned with the kids. They were all seated with their cousins, eating. She looked happy and relaxed.

The tension they felt when they first arrived had gone. The gospel music hour had expired. The DJ played popular old school R&B. People laughed and joked with them. Even Giovanni smiled a few times and fell into conversation with someone who came to the table to make sure they were having fun. It was the best of times for them all.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Regret

Apple Grove, Virginia

"Honey, you should have worn more sunscreen. Look at you," Marietta gasped. Lorenzo knocked her hand away. She knew he hated to be mothered by her when he’d been drinking. He was much too aggressive inebriated. It was the only drawback to watching him toss down beer after beer at the picnic. Still, she was surprised by his reddened state. How was it possible he’d sunburned in Virginia? She and Lorenzo had sailed both the French and Italian Riviera on more than one occasion. Once they fell asleep on deck after too much drinking and raunchy sex. He had a sexy tan afterward. The van hit a bump, and she jostled in her seat. Eve lay with her head on her knees and her feet over on Lorenzo’s lap. Marietta found herself stroking Eve’s head with one hand and touching Lorenzo’s shoulder with the other. The back of his neck, ears and his brow looked inflamed after only a few hours in the sun. “Did you put on sunscreen baby?”

“No,” he groaned.

“What? Why not!”

Lorenzo sighed.

"Never mind. I think I saw an aloe plant growing in a pot on the porch."

"Leave me alone," he said and knocked her hand from his face when she touched him again.

“Mira? Wasn’t there a plant?”

"Yeah, I think so," Mirabella mumbled.

Marietta glanced at her sister. She couldn't see her face, but there was something in her dry tone that felt off. The closer the sisters became, the more sensitivity Marietta felt when it concerned Mirabella’s moods. Today was an emotional rollercoaster on all fronts. Even the kids were exhausted. However, there was a different kind of tension between the Don and Donna. At the end of the festivities, the two smiled and were pleasant to the end with the family. And they spoke to everyone, just not each other.

“I have an idea!” Marietta announced. No one in the van spoke. She glanced back at the kids. Gianni was asleep in his car seat. Gino had his mother’s brush in his hand and played with it as if it were a drumstick.

“Why don’t me and Lorenzo babysit tonight? You and Mirabella can take some time off.”

“What?” Lorenzo sat up from his slouched position.

Marietta grabbed his arm to stop him from protesting. She glanced to Giovanni and Mirabella. Neither answered.

"Look at them. After a good bath, they will be out for the night. Besides, it will be good practice for Lorenzo and me. Right, honey."

“Leave me out of it,” he grumbled.

Marietta rolled her eyes. We can give you two a chance to go out and have some fun. See the town. What do you think?”

Mirabella continued to stare out of the passenger window lost in thought. Giovanni never took his eyes off the road. He seems to know the direction to take them home with very little instruction. “Okay you two lovebirds, consider this a one time gift so don’t get too excited,” Marietta said. “We babysit. You two drop us off and go out and have some fun.”

“Grazie Marietta. We’ll take the offer,” Giovanni said. “Bella and I need the time.”

Mirabella's head swung left, and she looked at her husband. He looked at her once then returned his eyes to the road.

Lorenzo expelled a deep sigh. She rubbed his arm and smiled. “Good. Then it’s settled.”

"I had such a good time," Marietta spoke up. "The best of times. When I was growing up, my friends would have cookouts that I'd go to sometimes. I'd see their families laughing and drinking and be so jealous. I don't know. It was good to meet everybody. I really enjoyed it. That's all I'm saying."

"I did too. I like your family," Lorenzo yawned.

"You do, huh?" Marietta asked.

"Sure," Lorenzo said. "The women can cook. The men know how to play cards. They’re no different than my family. I liked it."

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