“James, look at you,” she bubbles, giving me a hug.
I look like her. I have her blue eyes and high cheekbones. My brothers look like Pa. Right up until I was about seven, people used to mistake me for a girl because I looked so much like her.
“Hey, Ma, you okay?”
“Yes. I am now that I’ve seen you,” she beams, and Freddie takes his leave.
“Why does Pa want to see me?”
She shakes her head. “Best you talk to your father, dear. It’s something he specifically wants to talk to you about, and while I know what it is, I promised I wouldn’t say anything until after he’s spoken to you.”
I bite the inside of my lip. I’ve always been closer to my mother. Things haven’t been the same between me and Pa since I decided to teach. Right from that day a little over ten years ago when we had that massive argument after I told him my plans. I always get antsy when he wants to see me. I don’t like fighting with him.
“Okay. Is he in his office?”
“No, he’s out on the terrace smoking a cigar. He lost at an auction, and between you and me, I think he needed the air before he saw you. He wants you to meet him outside.”
“Alright, I’ll see you after.”
“Will you stay for dinner?” She looks hopeful.
Dinner sounds amazing, but I have plans with Paige later. My thoughts aren’t synonymous with each other, but I imagine Ma meeting Paige. She’d like her. It’s funny, the age difference between my parents is the same as between Paige and me. A few months shy of ten years.
“How about I come by for lunch tomorrow? I have plans later.”
“Plans? Please tell me these are plans with a decent woman I’m likely to meet in the future.” She always says things like that because I’m always hanging out with the guys or doing my usual serial dating. It’s a dig at me. She wouldn’t know that this is the first time she’d be right.
Instead of answering, I chuckle and leave her shaking her head at me.
I’m crazy for thinking about Paige like that. I must be. It’s too soon in our relationship for me to be thinking of my mother meeting Paige.
As I step outside onto the terrace, I push the thought out of my mind. My father is standing over by the balcony looking at the lake. As usual, his salt and pepper hair is in a neat faux hawk and he’s dressed in a suit, looking like he’s ready for business. I get the impression that he went out to this auction, but truth be told, he’s always dressed like he’s ready for business.
He turns to face me as I approach and puts out his cigar. That’s my first indication that what he has to discuss is going to be important. Cigars are for chilling.
“Hi, Pa,” I say with a respectful nod of my head.
“Buonasera mi amo,” Pa answers and comes over to greet me in the customary way with a kiss to both cheeks. “My son… look at you, you’re even starting to look like your grandfather.”
“I guess that must mean I look like you.” I point out because except for his eye color he’s the spitting image of Grandfather.
He grins. “I guess so. Come take a seat.” He motions for me to sit in the wicker chair. I do, and he sits opposite me. “Thank you for coming by.”
“Pa, you know I’ll always make time for you.” That’s true. My father is my father, and I give the same respect I should as his son, and like everyone else does. He’s the second oldest Marchesi brother, which allows him to command the same respect as my uncle.
Our business is our law firms. My uncle presides over the head office with my cousins in New York. My father and brothers have taken care of the Chicago branches of the firm for over twenty years.
“I thank you for that. I’m sure you’re eager to get into why I’ve summoned you here.”
“Yes. Is everything okay?”
“It is. Both myself and your uncle have a very important proposal for you I’d like you to consider.”
“Oh really?” I tense in anticipation of what this might be. It’s always unnerving to hear that they’ve been talking about me, no matter if the topic is good or bad.
“Something new.”
“What is it?”