“About us having our share of interesting, or should I say questionable, acquaintances.”
“More than our share.” Mercedes craned her neck. “Where’s Tony? I thought he was already here.”
“He ran home to get Shelby and the kids. Violet made a special gift for Luigi and Dernice.”
“She’s such a thoughtful girl.”
“The best. Come check out the delicious dishes we’re serving for the shindig.” Carlita led her daughter into the main dining room, to a long table set up buffet-style. “We have deep-dish lasagna, four-cheese ravioli, parmesan-crusted chicken andone of my favorites.” She lifted the lid off a dish. “Fettuccine Alfredo.”
Mercedes licked her lips. “With your secret creamy sauce?”
“You know it.” Carlita pinched her thumb and index finger together. “I added fresh lemon juice, a little garlic and a pinch of pesto. I believe this is my best batch yet.”
“I can’t wait to try it.”
A commotion caught their attention. It was Tony and his family.
Violet ran toward her, tightly gripping a gift bag. “Hi Nana.”
“Hello, sweetheart.” Carlita kissed the top of her head. “You brought me a gift?” she teased.
“It’s for Dernice and Luigi.” The young girl clutched the bag. “I drew a picture and even painted it myself.”
“I bet they’ll love it.”
Tony, with Shelby holding baby Melody in her arms, made their way over. “Do you need help with anything else?”
“I hung the sign, which was last on my to-do list.” Carlita gave her daughter-in-law and granddaughter a gentle hug. “The gifts go on the table by the window.”
More guests started to arrive…Claryce “Reese” Magillicuddy, her friend and local trolley driver. Carlita’s tenants, Cool Bones, Autumn Winter, Autumn’s brother, Steve, and his girlfriend, Paisley, who also worked as a server at Ravello’s.
A guest who looked vaguely familiar slipped inside.
Carlita caught his eye and hurried across the room. “Shrimpy. I’m glad you could make it.”
“Hello, Mrs. Taylor. Thanks for inviting me.” Shrimpy, a dockhand and acquaintance of Dernice’s who had been instrumental in helping clear Luigi’s name during a recent gang-related heist, hovered in the doorway. “I hope I’m not late.”
“You’re right on time.”
Mercedes eased in behind her mother. “Hey, Shrimpy. Lookin’ snazzy, bud.”
The former homeless man was clean, sober, bulking up, and not nearly as thin as he had been when he first met the Garlucci family.
“Thanks. I got promoted to assistant supervisor,” he beamed. “With my recent raise, I put a deposit down on a studio apartment close to work and only a few blocks from the river.”
“Congratulations.” Carlita gave him a high five. “It’s refreshing to hear about a good guy coming out ahead for a change.”
“The place is filling up.”
“Go grab a drink. The gift table is over there.”
Shrimpy excused himself, heading toward the tables lined up against the wall.
“Shrimpy is right. We’re gonna have a full house.” Carlita cast an anxious glance toward the clock. The plan was to text Elvira as soon as the last guest arrived. She would then escort Luigi and Dernice, who were hanging out at EC Security Services’ office, to the restaurant. “Elvira is on standby.”
“Twenty minutes and counting.”
“I’ll be the first to admit, Luigi and Dernice have an eclectic group of friends.” Carlita whispered under her breath, watchingas a man with an electric blue mohawk strolled into the restaurant.
