Paris, The Ambassador and Me Read online

  “Simmer down, Sally.” She walked into our kitchen, rummaging through the fridge.

  “Come on, it will be great. We could use some happy news after yesterday.” I followed behind her.

  “What happened yesterday? Do you mean Sophia?”

  “No, I’ve known about Sophia all week. It’s Marco. He quit the restaurant to go on the road with his band. He wrote a letter of resignation to my dad.”

  “Holy Fuck, it gets better. This is going to be colossal tomorrow. I can’t wait. Let’s go tonight instead and get front and center before the action starts.”

  “You’re an ass.” I laughed at her.

  “Hey, I’m staying with Fabrice tonight. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “I heard some strange noises coming out of your room last night. I thought you were choking or having a seizure. I didn’t know if I should come in or call 9-1-1, then I heard Pepe’s accent and you talking.”

  I started to laugh. How the hell did she hear us? I made sure we weren’t that loud.

  “Can’t you two go a day without sex?”

  “Shut up. We were horny and I was stressed out.”

  “He’s the man. I didn’t think a guy could go more than once a night. He’s proved me wrong.”

  “Oh, he can go all night, Ave. His dick can stay hard after two rounds.”

  “No shit. Is he on Viagra?”

  I laughed at her.

  “No, he’s not that old. He doesn’t need Viagra. He has me. I wouldn’t talk. I heard slaps in your room the other night and then giggle, giggle. You’re busy too.”

  “Oh, is that a fact? We were swatting flies.”

  I couldn’t help but start laughing hysterically. Some of the things she said were so, Avery.

  Chapter 8

  On Sunday, we were forced to face the reality of our family’s current situation whether we wanted to or not. My parents’ house was jam packed with people. The word got out about the French man coming to dinner with me and everyone needed to see him. Cousins we used to beg to come over, were now sitting at the table when we arrived. Sophia wasn’t there yet. She was going to make the grand entrance with her new boyfriend. My brothers had the alcohol rolling with mimosas and Bloody Mary’s as soon as we arrived. I had two strong Bloody Mary’s before the dinner and show began. Fabrice had no clue what was about to happen. I told him about Sophia, but he didn’t know my family too well, and couldn’t imagine them being unhappy about the news. He was in for a surprise.

  I’ve rehearsed it over and over in my head the entire week. I imagined my mom passing out in her pasta, my dad getting up to fight Ben for deflowering his sweet baby, Marco starting to sing and play guitar, and me sitting there crying. Of course I was over-exaggerating, at least I hoped.

  I spent the first half hour talking to Marco outside where no one could bother us. Avery went in the kitchen and helped my parents cook. Maybe they will teach her a thing or two about cooking the proper way. Fabrice went out to the garage to look at my dad’s 57’ Chevy he recently bought at an auction. They were going to take it for a ride with the top down.

  “I have to get out, Izzy. I don’t have a life doing this. I want more. You know how it is, you are the same way. Dad knew how important my band was to me and he refused to let me play in the restaurant. I’ve had enough. I don’t think you are where you want to be yet either.”

  Why was everyone saying that to me lately? I guess they see something I don’t, or I was refusing to face.

  “I’m not judging you. I’m happy for you, Marco. I want you to be happy and think it through before you go.” We were sitting on the old wooden swing set still in our yard from when we were little. My mom refuses to take it down. She is determined to fill it with grandchildren. Little did she know it would be happening sooner, rather than later.

  “That’s all I’ve been doing. That’s all I’ve thought about. I know what I’m doing. I know it’s not going to be easy. I know I have a long road to go before I’m successful, but I’m going to try like hell to get there.”

  “Is Dad going to help you with money?” I was playing with the old sand on the ground under the swing, writing my name in it with the tip of my shoe.

  “I think so. He’s coming around. You know Mom can get him to do anything and she’s supporting me on this.”

  “Well, if he doesn’t, I have some money put away you can borrow. Don’t hesitate to ask.”

  “I’m not taking your money, Izz. That’s fucked.”

  “Think of it as a loan. When you become rich and famous you can pay me back with interest or with shoes, whichever.”

  “If it gets bad, but it would have to get bad before I took your money. “

  I saved about everything I made. My parents still felt the need to pay me for working in the restaurant which is what I basically lived on. I had a couple of credit cards and paid the utilities and food. Our condo was bought by Avery with cash so we didn’t have rent.

  He put his head in his hands and I reached over to give him a one arm hug.

  “I have to try this or it will drive me nuts. If I don’t give it a shot I will always question what if I did. I will be successful.”

  “I know you will. I love you, Marco.”

  He smiled at me and I knew it was his way of telling me he loved me too.

  “Danny thinks I’m an idiot. He’s flat out told me.”

  “Don’t listen to him. Danny likes to play it safe and not rock the boat. He’s envious of you for having the balls to get out.”

  Marco shrugged his shoulders.

  “We better get back inside. I’m starving. Hey, make me another drink. I have a feeling I’m going to need it. You better have one too.”

  My mom has a huge bell outside on a wooden post. She would ring this thing when we were kids and if we were outside playing it was the sign we need to get inside. On Sundays, depending on who was over and if we are all in different places she will ring it, signaling its dinner time. Two gongs of the bell and Marco and I headed back to the house. It may be standing room only today if we don’t move or I may have to sit at the kids table.

  Luckily, Avery saved me a seat between her and Fabrice.

  After we prayed and my parents started passing the food around, Sophia stood up and said she had an announcement to make. The spaghetti and meatballs made their way around the table in front of me when she decided to make her announcement. Couldn’t she have waited until dessert? I was starved.

  I finished off my drink and held my glass up for Marco to make me another one and then I put my head into my hand and looked down. This was it. The earthquake in the Piori household was about to rattle the walls. Avery sitting on one side of me poked me in the ribs.

  “Here it comes. Hold my hand,” she laughed as I slapped her hand away.

  The room was quiet except for a couple of little cousins acting up at the little kids table set up in our living room.

  “I need to tell everyone some news.”

  I looked up and noticed my dad’s face. My mom blurted out.

  “Jesus, Mary and Joseph, now what?”

  Sitting next to her and not realizing what was about to take place was her boyfriend, smiling at everyone. He was tall, lanky and he knew how to dress. His hair was styled in a buzz cut. He wore jeans and a t-shirt. His watch was a Rolex and his shoes were Gucci. I liked him already.

  “This is Ben Kwon. Ben is a neurologist at Mercy hospital, finishing up his last year of residency. I have known Ben for four years now. We met at a party my first night of college and have been friends ever since. Ben has seen me through a lot, and I consider him my best friend. Well, he’s not just a friend. He’s my boyfriend and… “

  I held my breath. She reached down and grabbed her water glass and took a huge swig of water. No one said a word. I looked at her stomach to see if there was any hint of her being pregnant. I didn’t see anything.

  “I’m pregnant.” I grabbed Fabrice’s thigh, anchoring myself to him. His ha
nd rested on top of mine.

  There were gasps. I heard Danny say “Holy Fuck.”

  My dad stood up; his jaw was twitching as he looked around the table, slammed his hands down, and walked off. When we were little acting up at dinner, he would do the same thing. That was his way of showing he was the boss and he wasn’t happy. My mom sat there and asked Marco to get her a vodka double straight up.

  I heard the front door slam shut and I knew my dad must have walked outside. This was typical behavior in our home. When I was fifteen I told my dad I was dating a senior in high school. After he went nuts with the I will cut his dick off and ram it up his ass, and you are going to the convent tomorrow, he stormed out of the house and sat outside for an hour. When he came back in he was calmer but the answer was still no.

  Marco brought my mom her drink as she sat there and cried. My Aunt Fina took out her ruby red rosaries and started praying out loud. Some of my aunts ran to my mom and told her it was going to be okay. They asked her if she remembers Gina’s daughter, my mom’s cousin. Her daughter had a baby at sixteen. I heard a glass break in the kitchen making everyone flinch. My Aunt Josephine yelled, “It’s okay. It slipped out of my hand.” Danny stood up and started to call someone on his cell phone. Chaos had ensued.

  Ben stood up and began to speak. He obviously knew he had to do something to get them to settle down.

  “Can I say something, please,” he said. I noticed he was very confident in himself. He was not intimated in the least of my father, or my brothers. He was like Fabrice, a man who knew what he wanted and didn’t care what anyone else thought about it.

  “I want you to know I have been with Sophia in a committed relationship for the past year. My parents don’t know about this and when I tell them, I will undoubtedly be disowned. I come from a Korean family that came over here when my dad was a little boy. I was told from an early age I would marry a Korean woman and have Korean children like my brothers and sisters. Then I met this gorgeous, intelligent woman and nothing else mattered. I love her.” He grabbed her hand and looked down at her.

  My family said nothing as he reached into his pocket.

  “In front of all of you, I want to ask Sophia if she will marry me. Yes, she is pregnant. I plan on spending the rest of my life with her. I plan on taking care of her and letting her be whatever she wants. I love her more than anything. With that being said, Sophia, will you marry me?” He then knelt down on one knee and held up the box for her. I had to take a picture of it. Avery was speechless. Fabrice was smiling.

  My mom drank her entire double shot of vodka in one gulp as Sophia jumped up wrapping her arms around Ben and said “Yes.” My family sitting around the table didn’t know if they should clap, cry or get up and leave. The spaghetti and chicken parmesan sat untouched on everyone’s plate, except for Uncle Dino. He didn’t stop eating the entire time.

  I watched as Ben slipped a beautiful large diamond on her finger with shaking hands. He was a handsome guy, and had an amazing future ahead of him.

  My mom decided it was of no use to fight it or her vodka kicked in, and she stood up and hugged both of them crying. It broke the silence and everyone but the guys clapped and squealed in delight for the good news.

  Sophia broke down and let the tears take over. She shook and sobbed as my mom held her close to her and told her it was going to be okay. I stood up and walked over to them both and hugged them together.

  Turning her attention to me she said, “You knew about this, didn’t you?”

  I nodded through my tears.

  “It was the first time she ever told me a secret. I couldn’t rat her out.”

  Fabrice stood up and shook hands with Ben and hugged my sister, kissing her on the cheek.

  We heard the door and my dad walked back in. He walked over to Ben not looking at anyone else. The room became silent again. The thought crossed my mind of the chef and when he punched him in the face and broke his nose. Would he do that to Ben?

  “I want to cut your throat right now. I hope you know this.” Oh my God, poor Ben. I’m sure he was not used to this talk.

  “You took my baby and it doesn’t sit lightly with me. There is nothing I can do about it now. You better not disappoint me or my Sophia.”

  “I promise you I will not disappoint you or her.”

  “I hope the two of you know what the hell you’re doing. This isn’t like getting a dog. You are bringing a life into the world that will need constant care. Sophia, those trips to the spa, getting your nails done, and tanning are going to be a thing of the past. This baby has to come first.”

  “I know Dad.” Sophia looked at him for reassurance.

  “I don’t like this. I won’t ever like this, but I love you, Sophia. I want you to go to confession with Father Dave. Ben, you are showing me you are a standup guy. I don’t like it that you touched my daughter. I want you to know she has two brothers that will gladly tear your ass up if you do anything to make her cry. Capisce?

  “Yes, sir.”

  My dad reached over and shook his hand and brought him in for a manly type hug. I was shocked.

  “You better be as good as I think you are. That’s my baby you are marrying.”

  “I promise, Mr. Piori. I will take care of her and our baby. I will love her for the rest of my life.”

  After that, everyone stood up and hugged and kissed and offered congratulations. My dad took out two bottles of champagne and everyone made a toast to the couple. The food was warmed up and everyone ate and laughed. A wedding was being planned and Ben was planning on going to see his parents the following weekend to tell them.

  I grabbed Avery’s hand and held it up in the air. She tried to pull it away but I wouldn’t let her.

  “Everyone. There is even more good news. Sophia is not the only wedding happening around here. Someone else is getting married.”

  “Wedding number two will also take place sometime this year for Miss Avery.” More clapping and squealing and my mom stood up again and ran to Avery.

  “You are having it here. Remember, I want it here.” She hugged her tight and almost broke poor Avery in half.

  “I know, Mrs. Piori. I promise.” Avery pinched me under the table.

  Avery promised to bring Cherise to the next dinner. One of my Grandma’s sisters was eating with us. She is ninety and was so confused by the end of dinner. I felt so bad for her. My mom had to take her aside and explain to her why Sophia was getting married and why Avery was marrying a woman. What a day. By the time everyone was ready to leave, we were tipsy and happy.

  Fabrice whispered to me, “See that wasn’t so bad. You worried for nothing. Now, you focus on yourself.”

  I kissed him and the warmth of my family surrounded me. We may be crazy and dysfunctional but I loved each and every one of them.

  Chapter 9

  It was a rainy spring day when my mom called me at work with the news I didn’t want to hear. The news lately had been the news I didn’t want to hear. This news took the cake.

  I had a busy day at work and meetings all morning with General Morou. She and Fabrice were heading to New York City to attend a summit at the U.N. headquarters for the next two days and it was up to me to book hotels, line up cars, and make sure everything was secure. I still hadn’t decided to give my two weeks’ notice to her. I was putting it off for no reason other than I didn’t like to quit something once I started it. I was afraid I wouldn’t have anything to do.

  My mom didn’t break the news gently. I was trying to book the hotel for the General and Fabrice when I noticed she was calling on my office line. Something she didn’t do much.

  “I can’t work tonight. Don’t even ask. Make someone else do it.” I said before she even said anything.

  “Anthony is being released today.” I heard the words I didn’t want to ever hear.

  “No,” my heart dropped to my feet. Thankfully, I was sitting down or else I would have toppled over.

  “Yeah, seems he made a
miraculous recovery. The doctor thinks he will be back to normal quicker than expected, his mom said.” I slumped back in my chair. The heat rose up my face and the fear struck through my body. My worst fear had arrived. He was back to normal. Would that mean he would be back to his normal way of life?

  “Did you go down to the police station and fill out a restraining order like we talked about?”

  “No, I didn’t think I would need it. A couple of weeks ago you said he couldn’t remember me. What about who beat him up. Does anyone know who did it?”

  “Well, the little bastard was either acting or the saints were looking down on him. Either way he’s talking, walking, and ready to go home. Go down there today and file a restraining order. I would suggest Avery do it, too. Do you want me to go with you? I can’t believe you didn’t do this. He has no recollection of the beating. They have questioned him and he has no idea who beat him up. Either that, or he isn’t saying in fear they will finish the job.”

  “He’s probably lying. I’ll go down today. No, I don’t need you to go with me. ” I had too much to do to worry about Anthony and his bullshit again. I squeezed my eyes shut trying to get the image of him out of my head. I hung up with her and went to get some coffee. Fabrice was in the break room with a few people laughing and talking. When I walked in he seemed to sense my uneasiness. I didn’t interrupt him. I wasn’t in the mood for talking.

  He walked over to me as I poured a cup of what looked like the morning’s nasty, burnt coffee.

  “Come to my office and get a cup. I brewed some with cinnamon. You’re favorite. I see something is bothering you. Come on.” Usually I would say no but I wanted to go to his office. I wanted to shut the door and stay in there with him for a few days and not come out. I followed him down the hall and thankfully no one saw us. His ass looked damn good in his khaki pants with his white shirt tucked and his skinny leather suspenders. That’s what I needed to get my mind off Anthony. I didn’t want people to think I was shirking on my duties or I was getting a quickie in with my boyfriend, so we hurried in.

  I stepped in and the familiar click told me the door was shut. Then the tears came. He took me in his arms and held me to his warm body. I was shivering but wasn’t cold. I was terrified.