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Gina speaks into the phone. “Toni, once you download it, copy the login information I’ve texted you. I have two awesome drivers. One of which will be there shortly. I’ll even give them a call once you place the request, okay?”
Blubbering, Toni replies, “Okay, bye.”
“Thirteen going on thirty,” I mutter to myself, shaking my head. “But when it fucking counts, she sounds like a baby.”
“Santino, stop. Antonia handled herself well, given the circumstances,” Gina utters.
In minutes, Gina has resolved a conflict that would end up with my fist in some nameless fuck off’s face. There are three women you don’t mess with, my mom, my niece, my woman.
Gina’s on the phone with a man named Thomas; his tone is so sweet my jaw hurts from gritting. She patiently explains how he should be gentle with her mother-in-law.
Five minutes after that, Toni calls me back, saying, “Ma was threatening the driver! But he was so nice that she stopped! She just stopped! Now we’re in this super nice SUV. He has tiny apple cider bottles!”
“We will be there as soon as humanly possible,” Gina promises, threading her fingers through mine.
* * *
The tension tighteningmy shoulders had lessened during the drive. When Gina and I arrive, Toni’s at the kitchen table with her head in hands. Ma’s at the top steps of the narrow stairway in a patched robe. “Santino!”
She’s so tiny and innocent, but the fury in my chest is on an uprise. With her itty-bitty legs, she slowly descends the stairs. Within a few steps, I reach my mother. Running my hands over her cheeks, I kiss her forehead.God, I want to beat that manager to a pulp!“Ma, where is Maria?”
“Maria’s stealing from me, Santi. I shouldn’t tell you this . . . You’re just like . . .”
“Shhh . . .” I place her against me.You’re just like Piero and Cecco.Last time Ma snarled that remark, I had just gotten picked up from county jail. Well, they’re myfamiglia!The aggression in my veins came from her side of the family. I growl, “Antonia!”
“Santino,” Gina speaks up. “You made your point already.”
“I’m a little easier provoked than you think,sweetheart.” Extending the token nickname she abhors drives the statement home.
“Toni.” Gina overlooks me. “You guys were welcome to come with us.”
With a tiny voice, Toni replies, “Uncle never met your family. I didn’t want to impose the first time. Ummm, I never thanked you for introducing me to that federal agent.”
My eyebrows pull together.
Gina smiles. “Did your dad sign the consent form?”
“Yeah.” Toni nods, giving a small smile. “I get to shadow an FBI agent, Santa.”
I glance between the two of them, still holding Ma. With my chin pressed to her forehead, I ask, “Toni, when did this happen?”
“When you were sick,” Toni yawns, “and we were making soup, Gina sort of mentioned it.”
I nod. “Go get some sleep, Toni.”
Ma yawns in my arms. “I should get some rest too. Santino, make sure you brush your teeth. Reach all the way . . .”
“Ma, I promise to get my molars. Pinkie swear.”
“O Mio Dio! Swearing, Santino?” Ma shakes her head. “Gina, love, I didn’t notice you.”
“Happy Thanksgiving, Mrs. Morelli.”
“How many times have I told you to call me ‘Ma’?”
Grinning wide, Gina replies, “Sorry, Ma.”
“Well, love, you have to go home now. If you come back bright and early, I’ll cook breakfast. French toast is still your favorite?”
