1
VITO
I pressprint for what must be the hundredth time on my ma’s ancient computer.
And nothing happens.
Again.
I hit the on/off button, check the power cables and connections, look for paper, ink, and any other obvious reasons why this goddamn little machine will print recipes and pictures of my mother’s rescue animals, but the one day I actually need a physical document, I can’t get the thing to show even the slightest sign of life.
“Come on, you little asshole.”
I run my hands through my hair before I check the time on my phone.
Almost noon.
Damn it.
One of my mom’s foster cats—this one is new, so I’m not sure what her name is—jumps up onto the desk and tries to nuzzle my face.
“Baby, you’re adorable, but I don’t have time for love right now.”
I’ve showered, but I’ve still got to get dressed and drive down to the station. My meeting with the chief is in an hour, and I cannot fuck this up.
I scratch her before giving her a gentle nudge away from the desk, and then I check all the printer settings again. When another five attempts at printing still don’t work, I give in and run up the stairs, and my sock snags on the wood. I catch myself before I fall flat on my face. “Oh fuck!” I yell out, aggravated beyond belief.
“Vito, language,” my mother says, sitting at the dining room table with Sassy, one of her best friends.
Ma has a group of ladies she’s tight with, and they keep one another busy. Sassy works as a waitress at my brother Benito’s restaurant, Bev runs the local animal shelter where Ma volunteers, and then there is Carol, whose son and ex-husband own the garage here in Star Falls where my older brother Franco works.
Small-town living, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I get my footing and stifle another mouthful of curses.
Sassy snorts and almost spits coffee onto Ma’s tablecloth. “Mornin’, sunshine,” she says.
I go around the table and kiss Sassy and Carol on the cheeks, greeting them. “Bev workin’?” I ask.
When I get around to my mother, she gives me a fake-angry look but then holds up her hands to cup my face. “She’ll be here for brunch in a few minutes. I’m so glad you’re here, V. You can meet Sassy’s niece.”
I shake my head. “Can’t stick around, Ma. Sorry. Got to run down to the station.”
Ladies’ brunch is a new thing they started after my sister Grace had her baby. Gracie is a stepmom to two adorable kiddos and has a one-year-old of her own now, Ethan. The brunches are potlucks where whoever is free can stop by and catch up. And Ma’s friends are definitely birds of a feather. Even though only Sassy and Carol are here, at least ten dishes are on the table already.
“This spread could convince me to stick around,” I say. “Sassy…” I draw out her name and flash her a flirtatious smile. “Are these your famous raspberry kolacky cookies?” I wink and grab one of the powdered-sugar-covered little bow ties.
“Vito,” Ma sighs, swatting at my hand. “We have company coming today.”
I shake my head. “Right, right, okay. Ma, can you help me for a sec? The damn printer’s acting up again.”
My mother crosses her arms over her chest, and the corner of one side of her lips curls up. “Aren’t you the one who told me nobody uses paper anymore. Join the digital age?”
I shake my head and crack up at my mother’s impersonation of me. “That doesn’t sound like me, Ma. Sounds like you’re confusing me with Benny.”
Ma shakes her head but pushes back from the table. “Sassy, grab the door if anyone comes, will you? And if Eden arrives before I’m back, yell for me. This might take a minute.”
I follow my mother down into the basement.
