When she arrived on the doorstep and rang the bell, the diminutive matriarch opened the door and almost threw herself at Misty, giving her a huge hug.
“Come in, come in! It’s cold out tonight, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. It’s always freezing on my birthday.”
Gabriella Fierro gasped. “It’s your birthday? Today? I thought it was… Never mind. Happy birthday, my sweet girl!” After another tight hug, she released her. “Let me take your coat.”
“I hope I’m not imposing. I was supposed to meet Gabe at his station, but they’re out on a job.”
“Oh, yes. We heard about a big fire in South Boston. Antonio thought he’d go watch for a while.” She chuckled. “You’d think he might have had enough of fires after thirty-two years.” She hung up Misty’s coat and led her to the kitchen. “I was just wishing I had some company. Have you had dinner yet?”
“Not yet. I have plans with Gabe, but I guess they’ll have to wait.”
Gabriella sighed. “Ah, yes. Plans need to be somewhat flexible when you’re involved with a firefighter. It’s a shame they don’t work regular hours, but fires can be very inconsiderate.”
Misty smiled. The woman had such an easy way about her. She wondered if she’d ever be able to take things so calmly. Misty tended to be “wound a little tight,” or so she’d been told.
“Can I get you some coffee and a small piece of cake? I imagine Gabe was taking you out to dinner, and I don’t want to spoil your appetite.”
“Coffee, yes. But no thank you to the cake. It might be easier if I just get takeout and save him the trouble of going out to dinner at this point.”
“Tsk tsk.” Gabriella shook her head as she gathered the cream, sugar, and spoons. “You can’t always make everything easy on them, especially when the relationship is new. They might grow to expect it.”
“Oh. I don’t think we have what you’d call a relationship.”
Gabriella was quiet until she sat down with two mugs of coffee and set one in front of Misty. Then she took a deep breath and held Misty’s gaze. “Be patient with him. He needs you. He just doesn’t know it yet.”
Misty didn’t quite know what to say to that. Gabe needing anybody or anything seemed implausible. He was always so self-sufficient.
Leaning back, coffee mug just below her lips, Gabriella smiled. “He’s a good boy. They all are. But Gabe is the one who… Well, I worry.”
“Worry? Why would you worry about Gabe? Is something wrong?”
“Oh, honey, it’s not that. He’s just a little stubborn. He thinks he doesn’t need anybody, but he couldn’t be more wrong.”
“I see.” She didn’t see. She didn’t have a clue.
“So, how are things with you? Have you found any leads on a new job?”
“Um, no. I don’t think I’m going to look for a new job right now. I kind of need the insurance.”
Gabriella’s eyebrows raised. “Health insurance? Are you all right?”
“Yeah. Well, no. Um, maybe.”
Gabriella gave her an indulgent look. “You know you can tell me anything, right? I won’t divulge any secrets.”
“I know. It’s just that I need to have some tests first. I won’t know if there’s anything wrong or not until next week at the earliest.”
“What makes you think there might be a problem?”
“Between you and me, I’ve been having trouble with my balance. I was afraid it might interfere with my dancing, so before quitting my job to find something in the dance community, I thought I’d better get it checked out.”
“That’s wise.”
The phone rang, and Gabriella rose to answer it. They had one of those old-fashioned phones on the wall. It even had a dial instead of buttons. The Fierros were complete Yankees. What was that saying?Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.
“Hi, honey. Yes, she’s here. We’re having a lovely chat.” Gabriella smiled slyly. “There’s no need to rush. We’re fine.”
