Say Ye (18 page)

“No, it just surprises me.” He pulled her into his arms.

“I hope I’ll be full of surprises so I can keep you interested.”

Lorenzo chuckled again as he held her closer.

“I’m plenty interested,” he said in a low tone that told her he was about to kiss her.

Uncle Enzo cleared his throat as he stood in the doorway. He apologized, but Lorenzo shook his head and asked him to sit down.

“It looks wonderful in here, Lita. Everything is ready though Celeste is disappointed her granddaughter won’t be coming home for Christmas.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I was looking forward to meeting her. Celeste has told me about her,” Lita said. She hoped for a friend.

“I believe she was cheered to hear what a happy morning you two had. Have you discussed your living arrangements yet?”

“Yes, but I thought you said there was no hurry. Have you changed your mind?”

“No, on the contrary.”

“We accept, thanks,” Lorenzo said.

“I have invited Lorenzo to stay here for the week, provided you agree,” Uncle Enzo said to her.

Lita smiled though she wondered why Lorenzo hadn’t told her. Maybe he didn’t want to. Maybe she didn’t want him to.

“I can see you do. I thought, well, I suppose I should give credit to Celeste, you two might like to spend more time together before Lorenzo starts work the week after next. Especially at Christmas. It will be good to have you both here on Christmas morning. Then we can all go to Sophia’s in the afternoon.”

Lita thanked him and even Lorenzo smiled, though his eyes were downcast.

“I need to go home and pack some things for the week,” Lorenzo said. He kissed Lita’s cheek and stood, waving before he walked out.

Lita and Uncle Enzo already greeted guests by the time Lorenzo returned. It couldn’t have taken him so long to pack a couple suitcases. He strode over and kissed her cheek before he went into the living room to talk to Nick. Janetta and Janice grimaced at her, whispering to each other before laughing. Lita grew unpleasantly hot. Sometimes those two reminded her too much of her old supposed friends. As she stood near the kitchen alone, listening to the clatter of dishes and glasses, Lee approached.

“You okay, sweetie?”

“Yes, fine, thanks. Oh, there’s Joanna, I need to talk to her,” she said.

She hurried into the living room. It was the usual crowd, the same as had been at Lita’s birthday party, except for the addition of the parish priests, some friends of Uncle Enzo, and a couple friends of Lorenzo, who he now stood talking with. Also, Lita’s friend, Joanna, and her grandparents. Lita enjoyed listening to their stories, though her attention wandered. She couldn’t understand why she was standing at their engagement party by herself.

She excused herself and went to Lorenzo. His friends stopped talking. Lita hadn’t appreciated the small snatch of conversation she’d heard. Lorenzo introduced her before sliding his arm around her waist. A wave of longing crashed through her and she leaned into him. His comforting, enticing scent surrounded her. He started to lead her out, but Sophia called everyone for dinner.

Lita smiled through the meal, but she didn’t feel much like eating. The yearning, almost seasick sensation dissipated, leaving her empty and dry, as if the warm sandy beach she felt herself on turned into a barren and parched desert. She busied herself after dinner getting people coffee and dessert, though Sophia and Nick admonished her for it. She was afraid, afraid if she gave into her feelings, she’d be just woman number three-hundred-one on Lorenzo’s list, afraid if he couldn’t be faithful now, he never would be.

On another trip to the kitchen, Lorenzo stopped her and led her into Uncle Enzo’s study. He shut the door. He pulled her to him, held her close, and kissed her. The powerful pressure of his lips started to blot out everything else. She pressed on his chest knowing what would happen if she didn’t. He let go, leaned against the desk, and crossed his arms.

“What is it with you? Sophia and Carlo probably kiss more than we do.”

“They’re married.” She circled her fingers on the hem of her lightweight merino sweater.

“Let’s go get married.”

“You know what I want.”

“I need something. Church wedding won’t be ‘til May. This isn’t working.”

“What isn’t? Us or that you’re not getting what you want?” Lita said, crossing her arms.

“I only want you.”

“Not yet.”

Lorenzo clenched his jaw. She knew he began to anger.

“We can do other things. If we could be alone--”

“I don’t want to talk about this.” The door was right behind her.

“I agree. Let’s stop talking,” he said, coming to her, running a hand from her neck, down, slowly.

Lita stepped back. He made a fist and turned. She closed her eyes and swallowed, pushing the words and feelings down.

“I’ll meet you out there.” Lorenzo waved his hand, as if in dismissal and turned, leaning his hands on the desk.

She rubbed her forehead as she yanked open the door. Glancing back, the urge to run to him, embrace him, almost froze her. Instead, she walked with tapping, swift steps to the front door. When she opened it, she saw Uncle Enzo and Celeste embracing, locked together in a passionate kiss. Maybe Lorenzo is right, she thought as they broke apart and smiled at her. She smiled, though she wanted to cry. Her seventy-six-year-old uncle and his seventy-year-old friend kissed with more feeling than she did Lorenzo, most of the time.

“I’m sorry,” she said, then really smiled noticing the tiny snowflakes drifting down. She’d never seen snow at home before.

“No time for that, this is a miraculous night,” Uncle Enzo said.

“The best is yet to come,” Celeste said.

“And won’t it be fine,” Uncle Enzo said. They laughed together. Lita knew this must be some private joke they shared. “Celeste has agreed to marry me. Do you mind if we announce it?”

“No, I’m so happy for you,” Lita said, hugging them as they entered the house.

She followed them to the living room, where Lorenzo spoke to Lee and Janetta, who were still over in the same corner they’d stood in since after dinner. Everyone cheered at Uncle Enzo’s news and he and Celeste went to speak to Father Grihalva.

“You’ll like having Celeste here,” Lorenzo said. He’d walked over to her during Uncle’s speech.

“Yes. I’m sure she’ll be moving in soon. I don’t think Father Grihalva will make them wait six months.”

“Doubtless. We’re a special case.” He sounded teasing but Lita saw the brief flash of hurt before his expression changed. She’d been wrong. His expression wasn’t unreadable, it was numb, detached, his eyes almost vacant. She shivered when Lorenzo stared off over her shoulder. The fire smoldered and filled the air with an ashy scent.

“Taking your time isn’t always a bad thing. As my grandpa used to say, ‘Slowly but slowly, faster means disaster.’”

Lorenzo studied her, a sparkle back in his eyes, a grin played on his mouth.

“Who are you, Daisy Duke? Actually, you’d make a good one…” he paused, looking her up and down.

“Maybe next Halloween,” she said.

“I can’t wait that long.”

“We’ll see,” she said. She knew she would wait, wait and see if he would.

13

Lita didn’t have to wait long to see how Lorenzo would behave. Uncle Enzo drove Celeste home once most of the guests had gone, except Sophia, Carlo, Janetta, and Lee. The six of them sat in the living room. Lee seemed distracted when he wasn’t talking to Janetta, but Carlo was focused, his infamous stare directed at Lorenzo.

“Enzo mentioned you’re staying here for the week?” Carlo asked Lorenzo, who held Lita in one of the oversized blue chairs.

“Maybe until New Year’s. We’ll see.”

“What?” Lee asked. He sat next to Carlo on the sofa. Janetta curled up in the other chair.

“Uncle Enzo asked Lorenzo to stay here over Christmas so we can spend more time together before he starts work.” Lita glanced at Sophia, not wanting to see the anger and suspicion in Lee’s and Carlo’s eyes.

“I don’t know why you don’t move in,” Janetta said.

Lee and Carlo glared at her. Janetta rolled her eyes and stood, stretching.

“I’m pretty tired. Are we going soon?” Janetta asked her parents.

“I could drive you,” Lee said. “I think Carlo might have more to say.”

“Yes--” Carlo began.

“No, he doesn’t,” Sophia said. She stood and frowned at her husband.

“Sophia,” he growled.

“Fine,” she said. “I’ll drive Janetta and you can get a ride with Lee.”

“No, please.” Lita stood. She put out a hand. “It’s okay, I--”

“Lorenzo,” Carlo said, “I don’t know how you convinced Enzo to let you--”

“I did n--” Lorenzo rose with an angry frown.

Lita put out both hands, like a police officer directing traffic at a downed signal so there won’t be an accident. “Please, stop. I know I’ve asked you and Sophia for advice, Carlo, and I appreciate how you’ve taken me into your family, but--”

“You are family,” Sophia said. “Carlo, let’s go. Let it go.”

Carlo exhaled like a winded horse. “Fine.” He stood, shook Lee’s hand, kissed Lita on the cheek and wished them goodnight. He, Sophia, and Janetta left, once the rest said their goodbyes, except Lee.

“Lee,” Lita said as her brother paced. “Please stop.”

“I don’t like this--” he said.

“Neither do I. I don’t need you to protect me from Lorenzo. He protects me, he takes care of me. We need time together.”

“You need--” Lee said.

“You need to leave,” Lorenzo said.

“Don’t threaten me,” Lee shot back.

“Just go,” Lita said. “I know you think I’m too young but this is my choice. I want a normal engagement. I want someone besides Sophia or Celeste to exclaim how beautiful my ring is. I want my family to be happy for me.”

“You have no idea what he’s capable of--” Lee said.

“He’s your friend!” Lita said. “And you want to talk about what people will do…what about leaving me with Jane when I was eleven?” Lorenzo grasped her shoulders. Lee stared at her, his brow furrowed, blinking. “I can take care of myself. I had to.” She willed the images to go away and leaned into Lorenzo.

“I’m sorry,” Lee said.

“I don’t blame you, Lee. You’re not my father. You needed to go to college. Just let me have this, please.”

He nodded and kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you in the New Year.”

“I hoped you’d have Christmas with us.” She didn’t want her family to unravel because of her choices, because she loved Lorenzo.

“I’m going out of town. I’ll call you,” Lee said with a wave.

Lorenzo moved his arm across Lita’s shoulder, holding her closer.

Lita closed her eyes. “Are we going to be able to do this?”

He turned her to him and caressed her cheek. “I’ll be like that prince in ‘Beauty and the Beast’. We’ll live together in the castle, but--”

Lita burst out laughing. “I can’t believe you saw enough of that movie to remember. You kept getting up for popcorn and stuff.” Lee and Lorenzo had watched it with her for her tenth birthday. It’d been her favorite and Jane wouldn’t let her have her friends over.

“I have a good memory,” he said.

“I hope you’ll be a little less a gentleman than the Beast. He didn’t kiss Belle. She had to first.”

“I can’t believe I’m having this conversation.”

“Me either,” she said. “Do I need to break out my Lumiere imitation?”

He held her hand and smiled. “No, I don’t need a candelabra to tell me to kiss the girl.”

They laughed right into a kiss. As Lita moved her hands down Lorenzo’s back, the front door opened and Uncle Enzo called to them. They broke apart, but Lorenzo still held her hand. She smiled.