Page 67 of Bearly Familiar


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Chapter 20

It was a small funeral, and not many people came. But, Rene was surprised to see a few people she hadn’t even heard from in years. They came to honor her mother one last time and she appreciated that. The priest’s speech was short. Rene had asked him to modify it a little. She knew that her mother wouldn’t want it made into a big deal. She also knew that her mother would want everyone to eat, drink and be merry right afterwards. That was exactly what she planned on doing.

After the funeral and after the people offered her their condolences, she got into her new car and drove Hyde and Jesse to her mother’s favorite Italian restaurant. It still looked the same, even after all these years. Rene realized that those were the kind of things she appreciated the most: relatively permanent, offering stability and the same level of service.

The three walked in. Rene had forgotten to make a reservation, and she could only hope that t

hey didn’t need one. The interior had changed slightly, but it still resembled the same place. The hostess approached them, smiling mostly at Hyde.

“Hi, there,” she flashed a row of pearly whites, “table for three?”

“Yes, please,” Rene replied.

“OK, if you’ll just follow me,” she frowned seeing Hyde made no effort to talk to her.

“Rene?”

She heard her name being called out.

“Rene Olsen?”

Rene turned around, and saw the owner, Gioventino Gatti. Back in the old days, when she and her mother used to frequent this place more often, Gioventino was always here, supervising the business. Little by little, they became friends, and he would often sit at their table and join them for lunch. Then, life happened, and Rene couldn’t remember when the last time she came here had been.

“Hey, Gio!” she smiled, as he rushed into her arms, in true Italian fashion.

They kissed on the cheek and he held her by the hands, taking a step back.

“Let me look at you, bella,” he swooned. “You are even more beautiful than your mama! And where is she?”

Rene bit her lower lip, feeling another gush of tears coming on.

“She passed away, Gio. Her funeral was today.”

“No!” he shouted so loudly that a few guests turned around to see what was going on.

“I’m afraid so,” she nodded sadly. “So, I came here with my dearest people, to honor her on this day.”

“That is so touching, Gio, he is heartbroken to hear this news. If I knew, I would have come, I swear.”

“It’s OK,” she managed a weak smile. “It all happened so quickly, and I really wanted to get it done as quickly as possible, not to prolong the inevitable.”

“Si, si, of course,” he nodded, “you know what? Your lunch today, it is on Gio.”

“What?” she replied. “No, no, we couldn’t do that.”

“You can and you will,” he took her hands and brought them to his mustached lips, kissing them. “Today, we celebrate Magda. You and your lovely friends are welcome to the best table in the house.”

He gestured with his finger to the hostess, and her direction changed immediately, getting them to what really was the nicest table in the whole place. Rene smiled, as Hyde pulled her chair, to help her sit down.

“Your waiter shall be with you shortly,” the hostess said dryly, leaving them.

“Well, how about that,” Jesse whistled. “You really are something, Miss Olsen.”

“I feel a little awkward about this,” she admitted, as the waiter already placed menus before them on the table.

“Something to drink?” he asked.

“Do you have the 1963 Estate Cabernet Franc?” she asked, sounding like a real connoisseur, so much that Hyde and Jesse eyed her with awe.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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