Page 5 of Out of the Shadow

I sprinkle a liberal amount of cheese over my plate and dig in. “It’s a reality show about real estate agents. And I’m not ‘in’ yet. Russo Real Estate is a finalist.”

“Why are they even considering your place?” Leo says around a mouthful of food. “Are they desperate or something?”

Francesco smacks him upside his head. Of course, Leo’s joking. My younger brother—by eleven months—knows how hard I’ve been working to make ends meet. Everyone does. “Because I’m the best.” I bat my eyelashes.

“Of course you are,” Mama pronounces. “Isn’t that right?” She nudges my father.

“I think it’s wonderful, Angela,” my father says as he takes a second piece of garlic bread. He’s the only living person who I allow to call me Angela. It just sounds better in his accent. “Tell us more,bambina. What is the show about?”

I put my fork down. “They said it’ll showcase real estate in Aroostook, and it’s really high-end. I think they want an excuse to go into the mansions on the beach and shoot celebrities and other rich people who are buying and selling.”

Juliana taps me on the back of my arm with the flat end of her fork, a concerned look on her face. “Did you tell them you don’t have any of those listings?”

I shake my head. “I told them that I’m licensed and have had the agency for a couple of years now, but that I’m still new on the scene. They seemed to like that answer.”

She nods. “You remember when the Genovese bakery was featured on one of those shows? It made them a household name overnight and they’ve had to hire security to make sure the crowds are orderly. Maybe that’ll happen with Russo Real Estate, too.”

I inhale and hold my breath for a second, hoping so hard my heart hurts. “That’s the idea. I’m hoping this is our big break.” I take a bite out of my bread but am too worried to savor the homemade goodness.

“What’s the next step?” Francesco asks.

“The producer told me there are two finalists who are coming into town to do screen tests with me next week.”

Francesco and Leo exchange looks. “No names?” Leo asks.

I give him the evil-eye. “I know what you’re thinking. You better not go all NYPD on me and run background checks on them. I’m sure the studio will have vetted them.”

“Not agreeing to that,” Leo rumbles with a mouthful of pasta. “Gotta make sure my big sister is safe.”

I point with my fork to both of them. “I mean it. Don’t.”

Having two brothers on the force can be such a pain. Like the time they raided an Open House I was doing because someone submitted a tip that the owner was running an unlicensed puppy mill. Turned out, the couple rescued animals from hurricane-ravaged places and adopted them out. Needless to say, I lost that listing, too. Can’t prove it, but I still think Poppy was the tipster.

“I, for one, think it’s cool. My granddaughter is going to be a television star.”

I lean over and kiss Nonna on the cheek. She smiles and picks up her fork, the glint of her wedding ring catching my eye. My grandfather passed away five years ago, but she still wears it. I sigh, and play with my own wedding rings. One true love for a lifetime.

My sister intrudes into my thoughts. “Do you think you’re going to get as much screen time as Chip and Joanna?”

My stomach twists at the thought. Could I really be in the same league as the hosts on HGTV’s hit show? Wouldn’t that be amazing? It would catapult me toward the last item on my Bucket List for sure. “If the agency is selected, the show will bring in clients who don’t care that I’m not from the Hamptons.”

“Brooklyn can kick their ass,” Francesco announces and we all laugh.

Everyone except for Mama. “All right. That’s enough. Eat up.”

When Mama decides it’s time to eat, we know better than to question her.

Angie

THE DAY HASfinally arrived. Blaine and his crew should be at the agency in under an hour. My sister and I finish our breakfast, and I toss my half-eaten bagel into the garbage. If she hadn’t come over to help me prepare for the show, I wouldn’t have eaten a bite. I also wouldn’t look nearly this good.

Juliana touches my dark hair, which she’s styled into sleek, glossy locks that move when I do. “You look gorgeous. I’m bummed I have to work this afternoon.”

I’ve been acting as if everything’s fine, but a lot is riding on this show and I’m a bundle of nerves. “Are you sure I’m ready?” To lighten things up, I add, “Can you make me taller?”

My big sister takes a step back, gives me an assessing look, and wolf-whistles. It’s impossible not to smile. The total confidence she has in me helps me relax. She glances down at my feet. “You’re wearing my best heels. That’s about as tall as you get. A little more lipstick and you’ll be camera-ready.”

We move into the bathroom, where she touches up my lipstick and adds more hairspray. “Just be yourself.”

---