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¨Thank you. Teresa.¨
¨No problem.¨
Heading out the door, I become serious about a thought that’s crossed my mind. One that may cause quite a fuss. But, one I feel the need to do. If I am courageous enough to not crumble in defeat with the resurgence of offbeat feedback about Carvel, then I should be able to find enough courage to visit Mrs. Costa, Micola’s mother. She was the most inviting out of Micola’s family members when we dated. Hospitable and charming, she didn’t wear a dreadful face the way others did in her family when they laid eyes on me. I can still recall us laughing together on her front patio over our shared distaste for risotto.
I hop back in the car, where I tell Benjamin to take me to the Costa mansion in Howard Beach. It’s a bit after three in the afternoon when I get there. I hope I’m early enough before Mrs. Costa’s dinner prep time. I recall how intricate her dinner preparation is. She’s one who brings out the candles, the cloth napkins, and the bottles of wine as if every dining experience needs to be top-tier. It’s her art, the way that painting is clearly her daughter’s, and by god, I miss her daughter. I miss Micola so much that I’ve been habitually checking my Whatsapp, waiting to see if she’s received my message.
I ask Benjamin to not only stay put across the street but to reach out to me immediately if he sees any of the Costa brothers or Costa men in general. I buzz at the white gate, and when I hear the other voice on the other end, I know it’s Mrs. Costa.
¨Good Afternoon, Mrs. Costa. This is Alexander Masters. I was hoping to talk to you about Micola.¨
I don’t know what else to say, and I hope I’m not sending her worry.
¨Alexander, who?¨ She asks.
¨Masters.¨ Oh, boy. I hope she doesn’t slam the door in my face when she sees me. She does buzz me in, though.
As I stroll up the path, the heavy wooden front door opens. Mrs. Costa, looking radiant yet stern, folds her arms across her chest. Wearing a red and cream summer tunic, she pierces her eyes at me the closer I get to her.
¨You. Oh. Why didn’t you say so?¨ She asks before my foot reaches her broad wide porch.
She takes a seat on her porch swing. I nod as she directs me to the little white metal chair.
I wanted to embrace her, but I guess that’s not what she wanted.
¨So good to see you. Hope you are well.¨ I clear my throat.
She doesn’t respond immediately; instead, she folds her tunic to sit comfortably across from me.
¨Well, I can’t complain. I’m blessed.¨ She beams softly. I’m just glad she’s willing to push out a smile.
¨ You’re looking well.¨
¨Same. I hear you had quite the turnout at your museum in London.¨
Ha. I wonder if she’s read all the bad things people had to say, thanks to her sons.
¨Yes, I did.¨
¨So, what do you have to say to me regarding my free-spirited child?¨ I can tell she’s probably not a fan of Micola’s artistry. That’s rather typical.
¨I wanted to express to you how much I’m incredibly in love with your daughter, and I come here in peace as I know that my family name has caused horrific pain to you and your family. However, I have no desired linkage to them. I live a completely separate life from them.¨
She narrows her face by biting down on the inside of her cheeks. Bitter she looks, but I’m going to give her the benefit of the doubt and say that she is only being contemplative.
¨ You’re a lot like her, huh?¨ She laughs.
¨I suppose that makes sense.¨
¨Yes. It does. Listen, I don’t have a lot to say to you. I don’t know what you want from me, but I do love my daughter and my family. And I want to see her happy. I know she hasn’t been too happy with you in the past. I suppose you believe you’re a changed man.¨
¨ I most certainly am.¨
¨And, are you trying to ask for my daughter’s hand?¨
¨Well, hopefully, one day. I only want you to hear from me and see how sincere I am, so if you ever hear my name again, you have this moment to reflect on. I don’t want my name, Alexander Masters, to be affiliated with Alexander Matani. Two separate people.¨
¨You know my daughter left town to get away for her mental health, she says. And, I’ll tell you the truth, she mostly left because of her brothers. Not you. So, that does tell me that you aren’t the source of her problems. I thank you for that. Sometimes I think Micola thinks I side with her brothers way more than I should. I spoke with my sister about this, and she agreed. I’ve been trying my best to make sure I do better. ¨
