Carlita waited until the trolley turned the corner and disappeared from sight before crossing the street and making her way inside the pawnshop.
Tony was in the back, helping a customer. Her daughter, Mercedes, was behind the jewelry counter. She gave her mother a quick nod. “You picked up Tony’s suit?”
“Yeah, and we gotta make sure it fits.” Carlita zigzagged her way to the employee’s area. She hung the suit on a hook near the door and waited for her son to join her.
“You got the goods?”
“Yep. I didn’t take a real close look. I figured you better try it on. I’ll cover for you.”
“Thanks, Ma.” Tony lifted the bag. “Shelby left a little while ago. She’s on her way to the bakery to check on the wedding cake.”
“How is Shelby?”
A somber expression crossed Tony’s face. “She’s still feeling tired. I’m starting to worry now.”
“I would be, too.” Carlita had a sudden thought. “You don’t think…” Her voice trailed off.
“Think what?”
“You don’t think she’s getting cold feet?”
“No way. Shelby and I want to get married. We’re excited about our new home and Violet is already planning her princess bedroom. We’re hopin’ it’s just because she’s got so much goin’ on, she’s worn herself out.”
“Hopefully, it’s nothing a few days away, and a honeymoon won’t fix.”
Tony headed out of the pawnshop. He returned a short time later, looking dapper in his dark suit.
Carlita’s breath caught in her throat. “You look so handsome.” Her eyes grew damp as she stared at a younger version of her husband, Vinnie.
“No water works.” Tony shook his head. “You can’t start crying yet.”
“But you look so much like your father. I wish he could be here,” she whispered.
“I’m sure he’s watchin’ over us and that he would love Shelby.”
Carlita didn’t dare speak and only nodded her head.
“I better go change before you start bawlin.” Tony backed out of the store and closed the door behind him.
“Hey, Ma.” Carlita turned at her daughter’s voice.
“Tony got you all choked up?”
“Yes. He looks just like your father.”
“Pops would be proud. This is a happy time. No tears.” Mercedes squeezed her mother’s arm. “Did you get my text?”
“No. You sent me a text?”
“Yeah. Earlier.”
Carlita fumbled inside her purse for her cell phone. “I see it now.” Her eyes squinted. “Did you need me to pick up something else?”
“No. You’ve got a surprise,” Mercedes said.
“What kind of surprise? Good or bad?”
“I…It could go either way. You’ll find out soon enough. It’s upstairs, in the apartment.”
“You bought something for the restaurant,” Carlita guessed.
“Nope.”
“For the apartment?”
“Nope again.” Mercedes shook her head. “Not even close. Like I said, you’ll have to wait until you get upstairs.”
“Vinnie and Brittney showed up early?”
“Uh-uh. Paulie called earlier. He and the rest of the clan will be here around the same time as Vinnie and Brittney.”
The rest of Carlita’s children were on their way to Savannah, to help Shelby and Tony celebrate their big day.
The wedding ceremony would take place in the courtyard. Carlita’s new restaurant, Ravello’s Ristorante, was hosting a reception immediately following the ceremony.
The timing of the wedding was perfect. It would give Carlita an idea how her kitchen and new staff would run before the restaurant opened a few days later.
The guest list was a mix of business associates, immediate family, friends and their close-knit Walton Square neighbors.
The original plan was to invite immediate family only, but as the wedding grew closer, the list grew. It was still manageable, and Carlita was thankful the restaurant was able and ready to host the event.
Ravello’s kitchen staff, servers, busboys and greeters were all in place and ready to go. Carlita had done as much as she could to make sure the wedding and the reception went off without a hitch.
“Thanks for picking up the suit, Ma.”
“You’re welcome. I’m gonna run by the courtyard and then the restaurant before heading to the apartment.” Carlita turned to go before turning back. “Will you and Shelby be joining us for dinner? I’m going all out and ordering Monster Pizza for dinner,” she joked.
“We wouldn’t miss it.”
A customer approached. “Can I have some help over in the gun case?”
“Sure.” Tony motioned to his sister. “You tell Ma about her surprise?”
“Not yet.” Mercedes smiled slyly.
“I wish I could be there to see the look on her face.”
“See what?” A feeling of dread swept over Carlita. “That does it. I’m going upstairs to see my surprise before I do anything else.” She marched out the back door and into the hall.
Mercedes hurried after her mother and followed her up the stairs.
“You know how I feel about surprises.”
“Wait!” Mercedes sprinted ahead of her mother, blocking the entrance to the apartment. “I have only one thing to say.”
“What?”
“For the record, this wasn’t my idea.” Mercedes opened the door and stepped inside.
Chapter 2
At first glance, Carlita didn’t recognize the person standing in front of the balcony doors, his back to her.
“Eddie?”
The man spun around and took a step towards her. “Hey, Carlita. I bet you’re surprised to see me.”
“Eddie.” Carlita repeated herself as she stared at her only sibling, her younger brother, Eddie DelVecchio. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here for Tony’s wedding. I ran into Vito Castellini a coupla weeks ago. He told me his son-in-law and daughter was heading to Savannah for Tony’s wedding. I thought I would make a quick trip down here and surprise you.”
“Surprise me? More like shock. Where’s Anjelica?”
“She’s out on
