“You’ll always be considered family in the Meyer house.”
And Tim, she had to laugh. When they were young she had always told him to just hold the club tight, swing it, and hit the ball—bossy really.
And his dad, Lenny, had made her a red wood wagon so she could take her dolls and stuffed toys for walks. Rob still had it in the garage.
Tim was never confident in himself and always so shy, really like a big red- headed teddy bear. And now, he had signed on with the Patriots and was their star defensive end with a huge six-year contract. Colleges started scouting him when he was a sophomore in high school. He finished college—even though he was encouraged to leave early to go pro—with a degree in finance in business management. She was so proud of him, handsome, talented, and confident—always awkward with girls, but no more. There were many pictures of him with a beautiful woman on his arm, and he had just been given an award for all the charity work he had done for the people in New England. He had invited her to be his date for the awards dinner, but she had a big exam so had to say no. His parents would live very well the rest of their lives.
She missed the days of her youth.
She and Yuri had parted ways a year or so earlier. Jessica’s grief was just too much, and he had tried too hard to comfort her. Debbie had told her she’d heard through the country club that he was engaged. Jessica was surprised it didn’t bother her that he was. He was a good friend, but she knew now that she had never been in love with him.
Leaning forward she picked up the cloisonné box and rested it on top of the Bible. Debbie told her she’d found the small box when she went through some of the unpacked boxes put in storage when they all moved to New Haven. Debbie wasn’t sure of the significance of the box or the green stone ring inside but figured it had to do with either Franco or Ric, or maybe both. She just knew when Gini was confused about where she was after the accident, the minute she put her hand on the box, Gini knew she was home.
Jessica took the ring out and put it on her little finger. And there she sat all alone. She saw Rob occasionally. He’d moved back to New Haven and lived in the condo where their dad had spent his last days. Robbie never seemed interested in girls. He and his buddy Mitch did everything together. Rob was extremely good-looking, his face and hair like their mother’s, and his body and mannerisms like their dad’s—the perfect combination. They both were having a hard time dealing with the loss of their parents, somewhat lost but both focused on getting a good education and helping people with disabilities.
This Franco and Ric, Jessica thought. She wished she knew more about them. And even her own father… he’d been abandoned somehow when he was six. So many things she didn’t know about her parents.
Putting the Bible and box back on the table, she picked up her computer, then typed Virginia Santini in the search bar.
…daughter of Riccardo and Janet Santini. Education: Harvard Law and MBA. President and owner of Greystone Entertainment, taking over the company after her father’s death. Corporate offices are located in Boston, MA…
Jessica smiled broadly. Virginia lived in Boston, too. There was a picture of her: a true beauty, olive skin, light blue-green eyes, and dark auburn hair.
Then Jessica looked up Virginia Elizabeth Legotti. There were two pictures. One was the same picture Jessica had just looked at in the photo album, her mother’s business headshot. Jessica was always surprised when she looked at that picture because her mother’s eyes were deep blue in the photo, but Jessica had only known her to have light blue eyes.
At first, Jessica thought the second picture was also of her mother, but on further examination, she realized it was not Gini. Even though the other lady had dark curly hair, deep dimples, and blue eyes, her skin was darker and her eye shape just a little different than her mother’s. She clicked on the link.
Virginia Elizabeth Legotti, daughter of Franco and Virginia Anderson Legotti. CEO of Legotti Engineering, NY. Educated at MIT, mechanical engineering, and MBA from Boston College…
How could it be that Franco and her mother had a child together? Jessica needed to talk to Debbie and find out what was going on.
“Debbie, it’s Jessica.”
“How are you doing, Jessie?”
“Good. Listen, do you think we could have a drink together? I want to talk to you about something.”
“Sure, when?”
“Say, four o’clock at the New Haven Hotel bar.”
“See you then.”
Jessica took the drive to New Haven and waited at the bar for Debbie. Was it possible that she and Rob had a half-sister? It was almost too much to comprehend. The little voice in her head kept saying, “no way.” But two articles had said Virginia Legotti was the daughter of Franco and Virginia. And her mother had told her for years she had a sister.
“There you are.” Debbie walked up to Jessica and gave her a hug. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”
“I know, school, but that’s no excuse. How have you been? Where’s Kensy?”
“I’m good, just packing. Kens is with her realtor this afternoon.”
“Packing? Where are you going?”
“Hawaii for three weeks, remember?”
“Oh, yes, what a fabulous trip. I envy you, Debbie. Have a wonderful time and send pictures.”
“I will. We are both very excited.”
“And a realtor, why?”
“Well…” Debbie stretched out the word. “She’s
