“Jude, are you in Ethan’s apartment?”
I nodded until I became aware that he couldn’t see me. “Yes,” I croaked out. “Please help me find him.”
There were voices on the other end. I heard a woman’s cry. That had to be Mamma sounding as crazed as I was about her surrogate son. “Jude, do you need me to call the paramedics?”
Frank’s suggestion had me pleading. “No, Frank. Please, no. I’m just scared for Ethan. I’ll go sit on the sofa and wait for you.”
“Jude, Viv and I are already walking out the door. Do you need her to stay on the phone with you?”
“Y-yes,” I stuttered over the threat of more sobs.
Frank must’ve handed his phone over to Mamma. “Jude, I know Ethan drinks chamomile tea. Do you feel well enough to microwave a cup? It will help calm you.”
I stared at the roses, the various hues of pinks lightening to an almost white. “I-I’m in the kitchen.” In a whisper, I said, “He bought me flowers. We were supposed to be on a date,” I choked out.
“Jude,” Mamma urged. “We’ll get Ethan back and you’ll have your date. Now do as I say and walk around the counter to above the stove.”
I had the wherewithal to set my phone to Speaker. Grabbing a kitchen towel, I wiped my face and then went to the stove and opened the cabinet where there was a selection of tea boxes. “Here it is,” I confirmed and plucked out a teabag.
“Jude, let me know when you’re settled.”
Mamma’s voice was soothing yet held a hint of firmness that made me want to obey. I microwaved the water with the teabag in it, added sweetener, and then held the hot mug in both hands as I made my way back to the sofa. “I’m settled, Mamma.”
“That’s good,caro. Take a few sips and then when you’re ready, tell Frank and me what happened.”
“Jude, don’t take offense to what I’m going to ask but did you try calling him?”
“I can’t,” I wailed. “He left his phone with me…” My voice dropped off and instead of explaining right then, I drank the tea, letting the hot liquid slide down my throat. When the warmth soothed me, I started talking. By the time I’d finished recounting the horrible event, they’d arrived.
“We’re outside the door,” Frank said.
I rose and let them in. As soon as they were inside, Mamma dragged me into the kind of maternal embrace that I’d always longed for. The kind that spoke of boundless love and unrivaled faith in me.
“Mio povero caro,” Mamma said softly, mollifying my shattered nerves. “My poor dear.”
She walked me over to the sofa and Frank walked, aided by his cane, to the recliner. “Jude, do you mind if I put my leg up?”
“No, of course not,” I said quickly.
“Thank you,” he said, and a long sigh of relief sounded.
“I’m sorry I made you come out but I had no one else.” I was glad that I was feeling steadier and took another few sips of tea. “What can we do, Frank?”
“I have a few questions,” Frank said. “Ethan was in a great mood when he left today because he mentioned that he was buying flowers for you. Knowing him, he would’ve been upset for you if he’d walked in on your mother and the priest verbally abusing you. So, I’m confused as to why he fell apart. Again, no offense but what aren’t you telling us?”
I placed the mug down. “Something my mother said triggered him. But that part is not my story to tell,” I said quietly. “He was fine until she came at him. Her words devastated him.He went from enraged for my sake to terrifyingly withdrawn in himself.”
Frank leaned his upper body forward. “We know about the charges in Napa, Jude. As well as his months in rehab and therapy. When he applied for the position, the owner, Artemis, and I were taken aback by his transparency. It took courage and it almost did lose him the job, since Artemis is close friends with Luca’s husband. It was Luca himself who came to Ethan’s defense and said that Ethan’s skill as a master mechanic should be the reason for Artemis’ decision whether to employ Ethan.”
“I didn’t know that part,” I admitted. “Ethan mentioned that the man’s name was Luca. He sounds like an incredible person, to be so compassionate.”
“I’ve known Cain for as long as he’s been doing business with Artemis. And every time that he has a reason to come, he brings Luca’s pastries from Noto. Cain and Luca have dinner with Artemis and his wife every couple of months, and Artemis has always been impressed with Luca’s gentleness. And as for Cain, he’s not overly social with Ethan but he’s spoken to him and is always polite.”
I looked away, having to be honest about the sickening contrast between my mother’s conduct and the decency that Frank displayed as well as his comments regarding Luca. My father’s weakness when it came to my mother was equally disheartening. “My mother accused Ethan of being a pervert for seducing a priest. She…” I felt as if my throat was closing up so the word that I had to say wouldn’t come out. Frank and Mamma waited patiently with concern in their eyes. When the words came out, they sounded raspy, like sandpaper. “She accused him of being a rapist. She poked at his chest and kept calling him a rapist. When he didn’t defend himself, I knew she’d shattered him.”
“What happened?” Mamma asked.
“I yelled at my mother to shut up. I was horrified that she’d go that far and I ordered her to get out. When she resisted and Father Matthew said they wouldn’t go without me, Ethan recovered somewhat and held up his phone screen with his finger hovering on the emergency icon. But…” I was getting agitated again recounting those moments. “… his hand was shaking so bad. That’s when he handed me his phone. His neighbor intervened, having heard all the yelling, and she as much as escorted my parents and the priest to the elevator. When we were alone, Ethan hugged me, making sure that I was all right, and then he left. He said he needed time alone. But he’s going to do something. It was in his eyes.”
