“Thanks.”
“And Sam?”
“Mmm?”
“If this guy did what you think, he’s probably monitoring your computer even as we speak. It’s best you stay off it until I can add some safeguards.”
“Understood. Thanks again. Bye.”
Shit.Banned from online research, I tap Suds on the shoulder. “I’m going to my Mom’s to do some laundry.”
“I’ll help.” He lifts an earplug and as gunfire rat-a-tats, he curses and shoots back.
Boys and their toys.Grinning, I shake my head, check my holster, and open my purse containing the small caliber revolver.
His jaw drops as if he’s about to argue but I kiss him, put a virtual phone to my ear, and mouth, “I’ll call you.”
On the way, I text my mother and ask her to keep the door to the upstairs closed. I’ll go through the garage, stay in the basement, and wash everything down with disinfectant before I go. I wouldn’t take this risk but if I don’t clean my clothes soon, they’re going to crawl out on their own and may never return.
Minutes later, I pull into the driveway. Overhead, Mom and Nonna wave out the picture window. What I wouldn’t give for a hug right about now. Tears sting as I throw them both a kiss.
“Ugh.” I tug the lawn-sized bag out of the trunk and drag it under the automatic door. Wearing gloves and mask, I stuff the washer and calculate. If I do two loads a day for the rest of my life, I may get caught up.
Halfway through the first load, a familiar voice calls down the stairs, “Did you find everything you need?”
“Yes, Mom.” The bottle of detergent sits on the dryer in the same place it’s been stored for the last twenty-five years. However, I take her concern as a sign she’s forgiven me, call her on my cell phone, and pray she’ll pick up.
When she does, I blurt out, “I’m really sorry.”
Now, I could get myself out of hot water and blame Suds but I won’t. I loved his surprise wedding but should’ve known we couldn’t keep it a secret.
My mother sighs. “I’m not mad. I was a little hurt, but after your husband explained it all, I understand.”
A huge weight is lifted off my shoulders and I smile. “Underneath that leather jacket, Sebastian’s got the heart of a country boy.”
“And a big party is too much for him?” When she hesitates, I reassure her.
“No, no. Please don’t think that. We both want a huge affair with the works. Maybe I can explain. During our last case, Suds found a used home pregnancy test in our garbage. It wasn’t mine but it got him to thinking about kids. He wanted to make sure if I got pregnant, we were married first.”
A deep breath releases on the other side of the line. “I see, it all makes sense.”
Smiling, I picture wrapping my arms around her and ache for that connection. “So, we can still have our big fat Italian wedding?”
“If this virus ever goes away.”
“Eventually, it will go. It has too. I heard they were using UVC lights to clean the subway.”I don’t have much faith in a vaccine. Not yet, at least.
“Did you see Italy?” Her voice cracks. “All those people…”
“Don’t worry, momma. It’s all up north. Your family lives in the south.”
“Si, si. I’ve been praying but how can I when I can’t even go to church. We have to watch mass on the television. There’s no communion but I eat a little saltine, just in case. And the sermons are not at all like Father O’Connell’s. I can barely understand what the bishop is talking about.”
I recall our priest’s last sermon. He rambled about fishes, loaves, and Mrs. Murphy’s cannolis. It ended with the sanctity of marriage and how we should love one another but that does not include prostitution or fornication. Also, we want to be tolerant of gay people. There was a lot more packed in there but I started to fall asleep around the twenty minute mark, which was a record for me.
Suds took notes and shared them during Sunday dinner. “The man is pure genius.”
He meant the man’s ability to pontificate on nothing at all and somehow make a point, my husband’s specialty.
