Victoria had moved to the only love seat in the room, which would mean either Gianna or I having to sit next to her or take individual chairs across from each other. “Move!” I wasn’t here to play with her today and had no time for teenage girl bullshit. She didn’t look like she wanted to budge, but unbeknownst to her, I’d have no problem helping her out of that chair. Felix came to her rescue just in time to save her from being dragged and dropped on her ass.
“Move and let them sit together Victoria, there’re other chairs here.”
“But I want to sit here.” She pouted as I’m sure she’s done a million times before to get her way. Felix, maybe for the first time, gave her a look that sent her scurrying just as Becky came back into the room with the water I'd asked for.
“Oh, this is room temperature. Don’t you have any water that’s been in the refrigerator more than two minutes?”
“Oh, I can look.” I wonder why she’s so flustered and malleable? Not!
She came back just in time for my phone to ring with the call I’d programmed for this time. Gianna was leaning away from me at the other end of the loveseat talking to her dad when I answered. “Oh, excuse me, I need to take this.” I got up and walked a few steps away but not too far that they couldn’t hear.
“Hi Jimmy, hey, you landed. Yeah, I know. I figured the jet would make for a much shorter and smoother ride for you. Yeah, I’m pretty sure they’re the ones you’re looking for.” I looked directly at Becky and Victoria.
“Ha-ha yeah, my driver knows the location. I’ll see you in a bit, all right.” I hung up the phone and walked back to my seat. “Sorry about that, that’s my friend Jimmy, he just met his daughter for the first time in years last night, but she disappeared somehow. I promised I’d help him find her." Becky dropped the unwanted water with a moan while Victoria almost fell out of her seat. "It looks like we did.”
GABRIEL
There were two very pale females in that room, while one adult male looked like someone had goosed him. Come on, jerk, get your shit together for Pete’s sake. “So, you look well; they’ve been taking care of you?” Felix, you are a lost fucking cause. That was my first thought when he dropped that sentence into the silence that fell.
No, wait, that seems way off. The words never judge a book by its cover are never actually talking about books. No man is that dumb, that clueless when faced with the truth. So I looked again. I watched him as he spoke to his daughter, and good old Felix was clutching his hands together so tight, they’d turned white. My eyes went back to his face, and no, he wasn’t angry at her, but he was livid about something.
I knew when I saw him last night that the tide in his house had changed as well, but this was better than expected. I know he’d talked to the Feds and heard about Victoria’s dad being alive, but I have no doubt these two could spin a spider out of its web, and Felix, well, he’s just stupid. So, I guess you could say I’m here to help. I’m the neighborhood fairy Godfather.
“So. Victoria, have you found a new school to attend yet? I know it’s only been a day, but you’re a Junior, after all, you want to get settled somewhere new so you can get into the swing of things, what with prom and senior pictures coming up in about a year. I imagine you’d want to get a head start since you’d be starting from scratch. No friends, no real footing.”
She screeched and flew out of the room. “Was it something I said? Speaking of proms, Felix, would you happen to have any of Gianna’s mom’s old stuff? I think she’d look amazing in something from that era. Like her mom’s prom dress or an evening gown she especially liked.”
“Yes, yes I do.” Becky made a sound of distress when he admitted that, and he looked over at her. “Becky thought it would be better for Gia to throw them all away, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.” I saw Gianna’s reaction to that out the side of my eye and reached for her hand.
I had a hunch after listening to her story about the way things were when her mom was alive. The man she painted in that picture was nothing at all like the man I now knew. I tried to imagine Pop in his place, how he’d react, what he’d do. And the conclusion I came to is that he wouldn’t be able to part with everything that reminded him of his wife.
“Everything is packed away in a storage facility. I’ll get you a key soon. I’d planned to anyway once you turned eighteen. I guess you’re old enough now. I hope being around her things can bring you as much comfort as it has me. I visit at least once a week, just to be near her things. Today with you looking like her Gia, I think I can even smell her here.”
“It’s her perfume; Gabriel bought it for me.” Victoria chose that moment to return and was none too pleased. She flounced into the chair and folded her arms with a pout.
“It’s just the first of many things of her mom’s that I plan to return to her. Knowing how much Adrienne loved her daughter, I imagine there’re lots of things she left for her to inherit when she turns eighteen.” Like a car.
Becky drew in her breath and bit into her lip like it was a lifeline. I couldn’t quite read Victoria’s expression. Either she knows nothing about the car being sold, or she’s too dumb to realize the subtle threat I’d just made.
“So, Gia, how long do you plan to mooch off that family? Or is that your excuse to shack up with him? Everybody knows, and it’s disgusting. What will people think about our family…?”
“The Fontanes are speaking, don’t interrupt.” You’ve got one more chance, Victoria. Don’t let your cushy life come to an end too soon.
“I’ll have you know; I’m just as much a Fontane as she is. Felix adopted me. I guess he needed an improvement.” She laughed at her own bullshit.
“You can’t adopt a kid in this state without both parents’ consent. Did your father sign away his rights?”
“My father is….”
“He’s what? What is he?” Now she had nothing to say? But I have plenty. Since she thinks she’s worthy of being my opponent and is bold enough to attack what’s mine right in front of me, there’s nothing left but to annihilate her.
“By the way, how’s the weather in Jersey? I hear it’s kind of chilly this time of year. Then again, a grimy booth in a diner in Jersey City still beats a cell in the Federal precinct in Manhattan.” My face had gone stone cold. I felt the change, so I knew what she saw when she looked at me.
My silent message said loud and clear, ‘say one more thing to or about Gianna, and I’ll end you right here.’ It may bring an end to my game of torment too soon, cutting into my fun, but for her, it’s worth it. I’d also just let them both know that I’m watching them.
Victoria stuttered and looked to her mom for help, but poor Becky wasn’t doing too good. She looked on the verge of an epileptic fit. I could swear I saw a look of pleading in her eyes when she looked at me, but all she got was a dead glare.
“What are you three talking about?” Felix turned away from his conversation with Gianna to ask. I put on my best boy next door smile, “We were just talking about my friend Jimmy and how great it is that he’s found his wife and daughter. Don’t you think that’s a great story, Rebecca? A long-lost family reunited at last. I imagine Jimmy should be reaching his destination any minute now.”