Mamma leaned forward on her elbows. “Jude, I believe very strongly that people have to earn your love. And parents are at the top of the list. They don’t get to treat you likesporco sullasuoladell amia scarpa,” she said, her voice rising an octave, as if defense of me, her hands waving in the air.
“What did you just rattle off?” I asked.
Still clearly agitated, she translated in the same angry tone. “They don’t get to treat you like dirt on the bottom of their shoes.”
I laughed not because I thought what she said was humorous, but beause I never would’ve thought she could get this agitated. “You do have a temper sometimes.”
“If something riles me up enough,” she said and then she squeezed my hand. “My apology to speak badly of your parents. I just don’t understand the notion of a mother not giving her child the world.”
“Please don’t apologize. Should I call them and lay it out for them? Until they treat me and Ethan with respect, they’re not welcome here and I won’t go home. When they’re ready they can contact me by email…” I was on a roll now and I took a minute to decide on what parameters I’d tack on. “What if I tell them that they have to have proof that they’ve tried to change their behavior. I told my father that he needed to get my mother professional help, but he didn’t react when I suggested the idea.”
“I think that’s perfect, Jude. If you give them a plan of action, then the onus is on them. I wouldn’t mention anything about me or Frank. That might just get them furious enough to fly out here again.”
“True,” I said. “I’ll keep it to me and Ethan.”
“I’m home,” Frank called out from the mudroom. “You can stop talking about me now.”
Mamma jumped up and went to greet Frank as he came through the doorway. “Ciao,” she said and kissed him on the cheek. “How was your day?”
Frank pointed a finger at me. “You boyfriend is a bloody genius when it comes to car engines. I always thought that I was better than average, but he blows me away.” He tweaked his wife’s chin. “That’s a way of explaining why my day was very good.”
While he washed his hands, he glanced over his shoulder. “Ethan was worried why you had to speak to my wife. So, you might want to text him. He was leaving a little later than me.”
“I’ll do that right now.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket.
Me: Frank said you were worried. Don’t be. Mamma helped me see things from a new perspective
Me: Frank said you’re a genius but I knew that already
Ethan: I’m glad you reached out to her
Me: Pot roast with potatoes for supper
Ethan: I’m starved
Ethan: And not only for food
Me: I’ll be your dessert, Daddy
Ethan: Fuck, baby. I’ll be walking into Andrew’s office with a hard-on
Me: Have a good session. See you soon
Ethan: *heart emoji*
I put my phone away again and asked Mamma if I could help.
“Nothing to do, Jude,” she said. She piled three plates with steaming beef and vegetables and handed them one by one to Frank, who was seated close to her. Then she placed cutlery and napkins in the middle of the table, allowing us to reach for our own. “Jude,vinoor something else?”
“Water, please.”
“Beer for me,” Frank said.
Mamma wrinkled her brow when she saw Frank and I were waiting for her to start eating. “Mangiare,” she instructed and we dug in.
I looked at Frank to make sure, and he chuckled. “You better start, Jude.”
I did. The meat literally broke apart; it was so tender. “Mamma, so good,” I moaned. “I remember having meals at the seminary that were made in a slow cooker and they never tasted anything like this.”
