Once Broken (11 page)

“That’s awesome,” Tara whispered back.

*

Jackie and Tony agreed to spend Christmas Eve with Jackie’s family and Christmas Day with Tony’s family.

Christmas Eve, enough snow fell to create a festive atmosphere. Tradition at the Martins’ was a celebration of the seven fishes or
festa dei sette pesci
as Lucille referred to it. Lucille’s sister and brothers came with their kids, who were all in their late teens or early twenties. Jackie met Tony at the door wearing a black chiffon V-plunge neckline minidress with a fitted waistband, and silver-strap heels. Taking a bag of gifts from him, she planted an impetuous kiss on his lips. “Oh, how I’ve missed you!”

“Hey, you did that just to get control of the gifts,” Tony said in jest, handing her his coat. “No cheating. No opening your gifts until we’re alone.”

“Why, what the heck did you get me?”

“Oh, nothing like that. I want to be alone so I can get the appropriate appreciation.”

“Then we’ll open them in my bedroom after everyone leaves.”

“Can’t wait! That dress is amazing.”

“Thank you.” She twirled for his inspection. “I can’t wait either. But for now, you have people to meet. She smiled, grabbed his hand, and led him into the living room where her uncles sat discussing pipe tobacco. She made introductions to Uncle Jim, Uncle Louie, and Uncle Tony. Then she led him to the kitchen where Lucille and her sister Mary, and Lucille’s sisters-in-law Amy and Rose, were making fried calamari, fried smelts, shrimp cocktail, broiled scallops, baked stuffed lobster tails, linguini with clam sauce, and seafood fra diavolo, reminiscing about what “Ma” used to do.

“Merry Christmas, Lucille.” Tony greeted her with a kiss on her cheek.

Lucille put her arm around Tony’s back. “This handsome guy is my daughter’s boyfriend, Tony,” Lucille announced.

They listened to a few stories of Christmases past before Jackie led Tony to the dining room, where she introduced her cousins Bunny, Lulu, Rita, and Rosie, who were chatting and snacking on Lucille’s famous antipasto. They lingered at the dining room table, nibbling on some cheese balls, before going into the sunroom where her brothers, Karen, and more cousins—Peter, Jimmy, Dom, Johnny and Dave—were chatting and listening to Christmas carols.

*

That evening, after the relatives left, the kitchen was clean, and Lucille retired to her bedroom, Jackie and Tony sneaked into hers. She put on Christmas carols and they settled on the floor with their backs against the bed.

“I want to go first.” She handed her gift to Tony. He unwrapped and opened the box.

“Wow, what a great watch!”

“Well, knowing how you appreciate punctuality. Look at the back.”

Tony turned it over and read the inscription. “‘
Once upon a time. Always, Jackie
.’ Aw, Jackie. I’ll treasure it always. Here, this is for you. I hope you like it as much.”

Jackie unwrapped the small jewelry box and flipped it open to find a pair of sparkling diamond studs. She gasped. “Oh, they’re beautiful! Thank you so much!”

“They’re a half carat each, in case you couldn’t tell.”

“Oh, I sure can. Look at them sparkle! I can’t wait to wear them.”

“And here’s something extra.” He handed her another small box that held a Christmas tree charm for her bracelet.

Tony put his arm around Jackie and she fused to him, melting into his kisses. “It’s so good to finally be alone. I’ve been fantasizing ripping that dress off you.”

“Don’t you dare! This thing cost a small fortune.”

Tony kissed her face and her neck, and massaged her breasts through the dress. He unzipped the back of the dress and slipped the sleeves off her shoulders. Unsnapping her bra, he set her breasts free, stroking… sucking… nibbling. She moaned. They rolled onto the carpet. His hands moved to her inner thighs and he was astounded to find she was bare. He moaned through his kisses. “I’m glad I didn’t know
that
all evening!”

She giggled. He removed his pants. With her dress pulled high, Jackie straddled him and took him for a ride he’d never forget. As she lay down on top of him she whispered, “I love you.”

“I love you more.”

*

Christmas day, Jackie watched her reflection in the Salvuccis’ storm door as she walked up the porch stairs. Her open black-and-white plaid wool coat looked great with her red cable-knit sweater, black skirt, and knee-high leather boots with three-inch heels. A diamond stud earring sparkled as the sun hit it.

The doorbell chimed “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Tony opened the door, smiled, and said “Merry Christmas.”

“I love the doorbell!” She wiggled her hips.

“It’s my mother’s thing.” He chuckled as he watched her dance. He took her coat and tossed it onto the bench, put his arms around her waist, and engulfed her in a sensual hello kiss. “I can’t stop thinking about last night. I’m getting hard right now.”

She chuckled, glancing at his groin. “Well, you’d better stop thinking about it. Now isn’t the time.”

“I’ll be spending the day wondering if you’re nude under that skirt,” he whispered. “Okay, I’ll let it go … for now. Everyone’s downstairs, waiting for the ping-pong champ! They want a rematch.”

Jackie was greeted like family. The Christmas tree in the corner was decorated with multicolored lights. Matching lights over the bar added to the holiday festivity. Tony had told Jackie that Louie needed a new bartending kit. For Anna, she bought a 40s style black-and-red wild rose floral apron with a scalloped hem. Anna and Louie gave Jackie a mani/pedi gift card from Anna’s favorite salon. Ping-pong followed the gift giving, and a rematch left the current champions unscathed.

Tony encouraged his parents to retire to the upstairs living room after the guests had left. “We’ll clean up down here. You guys look tired.”

Jackie smiled, knowing her boyfriend’s motives. They quickly cleaned up before Tony took Jackie’s hand and led her to his bedroom, right off the family room. “Finally, we’re alone,” he whispered, starting with gentle kisses. Tony lifted her sweater, unsnapped her bra, and caressed her breasts.

“What if your parents come down?”

“They won’t.”

“But what if they do?”

“They won’t.” Tony continued his seduction. “But if they did, I’d hear the floor creak long before they hit the stairs. We’d have plenty of time to look respectable.”

After more heavy petting, they rolled onto their backs. “Okay,” Tony said, “here’s what I have planned for New Year’s Eve. We’re going away and I won’t let your naked body out of my sight. We’ll shower together. Eat and drink naked together. And make erotic love so many times we’ll be too weak to get out of bed. It’ll be a New Year’s we’ll never forget. I promise you.”

December 31, 1976

T
ony checked his hair in the rearview mirror as he pulled up to Jackie’s house. He placed the key to their Hyatt Regency room on her seat. Before she sat, she took the key in her hand. “The Hyatt Regency. And you already checked-in?”

“I did. Our room has a romantic view of the Charles and the city. But it’ll be too cold to go out on the balcony, especially since we’ll be nude,” Tony said, smiling.

“Geez, I’ve created a monster!” She giggled.

*

As soon as they walked through the door, Tony closed the curtains to block out the balcony and afternoon sun. “As I told you, my plan is to be naked the whole time we’re in the room. Wanna strip for me?”

“Oh my, you’re not wasting a minute.” She kicked off her shoes. “Neither am I.” She unbuttoned her coat slowly and let it drop to the ground. “Do we have music?”

Tony turned on the radio. The top 100 songs of 1976 were playing, and Lou Rawls was singing “You’ll Never Find another Love Like Mine.” Letting the beat of the music guide her, she lifted her blue sweater over her head exposing her red lace bra. Next, she unbuttoned her pants and turned around as she gradually lowered them, revealing her red G-string and voluptuous backside. He groaned. “Oh man.”

She removed her bra. Turning to Tony, who was already lying on the bed, she said, “You can take off the rest with your teeth.”

Tony nipped at her underwear until he could pull them off. He eased her onto the bed and spread her legs. “I want to look at you.” He removed his clothes, eyes locked on the woman he loved. She shuddered with anticipation at the sight of his erection. He straddled her, kissing her mouth then moving down her neck to her breasts—cupping them together, nibbling. She felt his erection against her and wanted it inside her. She moaned. He thrust into her. They moved together until they were both satisfied. Tony rolled onto his back and spread his arm for her to snuggle into him. Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ “Wake Up Everybody” played on the radio.

After a short nap, they showered and resumed playful nudity. Tony retrieved a picnic basket he had brought earlier and hidden in a closet. “I’ve come prepared. We have three bottles of champagne, a bottle of red wine for something different, some cheese, crackers, and olives. I saved the best for last. Strawberries and whipped cream. What can we do with them? Any ideas?” he asked with a wink.

“Oh, I can come up with a few. You’re a hopeless romantic, Mr. Salvucci.” Slow dancing to Fleetwood Mac’s “Rhiannon,” she brushed her naked body against his. “That’s why I love you so. Give me that whipped cream.”

The couple spent the early evening drinking champagne, feeding strawberries to each other, and decorating each other in whipped cream for a delightful dessert—followed by a frisky shower. Lying on the bed, with the curtains of the patio door open, the couple could see the river and city lights while watching Times Square festivities on television. “Three, two, one
—
Happy New Year!”

“Here’s to 1977, a year of further discovery and romance.” Their glasses clinked and the couple shared a titillating kiss. “So I have a new year’s resolution,” Tony said.

“Let’s hear it.”

“It’s time to get an apartment of my own. I’ve already started looking.”

“Really,” Jackie replied, surprised. “You’ve got it made at home. Your parents don’t bother you; in fact, they wait on you hand and foot. Your basement bedroom with your own bathroom is like separate quarters. And it’s cheap! Why move?”

“Ah, but sweetheart, I can’t entertain you there the way I want to. Just imagine, we could do
this
all the time.”

“That I understand.” She shivered.

“I want you to help me find something. One bedroom is okay. I don’t want any roommates. I need a fireplace for romantic nights. I’ll watch the glow of the fire bounce off your naked body as I stroke, lick, and suck every inch of you.”

“Oh my, what a vision. Can’t wait!

“Neither can I. I’ve been looking at ads,” he said, as he took a booklet from the picnic basket. “Here’s some I circled.”

She glanced at the circled apartments. “This one in Newton looks good. Second floor, sunporch, two bedrooms, updated kitchen, and a fireplace! I know you wanted one bedroom, but this sounds fantastic. You should see this one.”

“
We
should see it.”

“Ah yes.” Jackie blushed. “
We
should see it.”

January 1977

The following weekend Tony called to confirm a few appointments. The first apartment was a one bedroom on the third floor of a large complex. It was a walkup, no elevator. The building smelled like stale cigarettes, and the common area carpet was dingy and stained. The apartment was equally disappointing.

The second was a first-floor apartment, one bedroom. The landlords lived upstairs. The apartment was small but sunny and clean. “This could work,” Tony said, “and the price is right.”

“True,” Jackie agreed. Just then, the sound of the landlord’s children running across the floor upstairs reverberated through the apartment. Tony’s eyes caught Jackie’s, silently agreeing they needed to get out of there immediately.

“Thank God those kids were home,” Tony blurted as soon as they were outside. “Imagine if I took that place without knowing the noise level I’d have to live with.”

Jackie laughed, hooking her arm in his. “You’d have been back with Anna and Louie in a heartbeat.”

“Let’s hope the next one has potential. That’s the one you liked. It’s pricey, but I can swing it. Sales have been great.”

They pulled up to a gray two-family house with white trim and beautifully manicured landscaping. From the outside it was perfection. After meeting the landlady, who resided downstairs, they inspected the second floor apartment. It was spacious, sunny, and immaculate.

“Oh Tony, this is beautiful! I love those three windows in the dining room. It’s so bright. And, here’s the fireplace you wanted!”

Beige shag carpet covered the floors. The walls were pale green, with white woodwork. The French doors were open, and Jackie led Tony to the sunporch. The warm sunshine highlighted the white woodwork and built-in desk. “I want to stay in here forever! Imagine putting a few cozy chairs in here. You could bask in the sun all year long. It’s heavenly.”

“
We
could bask in sun all year long.” Moving to the bedrooms, he nodded. “These are a decent size. I’m not sure what I’ll do with the second one.”

Jackie entered the kitchen. “Hey, this is nice! Harvest gold appliances. So much better than avocado green! Wow, a dishwasher? Bonus!” Jackie nudged his arm, and whispered, “You should take this one!”

“I agree.” Tony signed the lease and wrote a check. On the way out, he told her, “I’ll be moving in March 1.”

“Ooh, that’s
so
exciting! I love that place!”

“I’m glad you do. I’m hoping you’ll be spending a lot of time there.”

February 1977

For Tony’s birthday, Vic let Jackie use his and Karen’s apartment for a romantic dinner while they were away for the weekend. Jackie opened the door wearing a plum satin, kimono-style short robe, loosely tied, with a matching G-string and black-satin high heels. The Commodores played on the turntable. The aroma of beef burgundy and garlic bread filled the air.

“Happy Birthday, handsome!” Jackie took Tony’s hand and led him into the candlelit living room. “I’ve been waiting for you.” She pushed him to the floor, unbuckled his belt, unzipped his pants, and slid them off. She untied her belt and let her robe slip onto the floor. Tony caught his breath as Jackie caressed, licked, and sucked his long hard penis.