From the upper level, she could see a flicker of light coming from Tony and Shelby’s new apartment.
Rambo and she kept walking; stopping long enough for her to take a quick peek in the front windows of Ravello’s, to make sure there wasn’t another break-in.
They finished circling the block, walking past the front entrance of Elvira’s apartment building and finally the alley where they began.
She was relieved to find Luigi gone.
Mercedes was sitting at the dining room table when Carlita stepped inside. “Hey, Ma.”
“Hey, Mercedes.” She looped Rambo’s leash over the key rack and wandered into the kitchen to wash her hands. “You want something to eat?”
“Cereal is fine.” Mercedes shifted in her chair. “I figured I would get up early to help you with any last minute details. The hairdresser is arriving around nine to start on Shelby’s hair, then mine and Fran’s hair.”
“Is Violet having her hair done?” Carlita asked.
“Yes. She mentions it to me every time I see her. You sure you don’t want to get your hair done, too?”
“This mop?” Carlita smoothed her hair. “I’ll stick with doing my own.”
After breakfast, the women got to work adding some final courtyard decorations. They moved into Ravello’s dining room to add the finishing touches.
Carlita’s new kitchen crew arrived a short time later to start prepping the food.
Dominic, her restaurant manager, arrived around the same time. They went over the final details; then Mercedes and she returned to the apartment.
Carlita was able to knock everything off her to-do list, but it left her with barely enough time for her to slip into her dress and join the rest of the family in the courtyard for the ceremony.
Paulie and Mercedes were the first to enter. Mercedes’ stunning cobalt blue dress fit her like a glove and accentuated her jet-black locks. They joined Tony and the pastor, who stood near the front.
Vinnie and Shelby’s maid of honor, Fran, were next.
When Violet appeared, Carlita’s heart melted at the sight of her soon-to-be granddaughter.
She pranced onto the red carpet and reached into the basket she was holding. Violet counted out a handful of flower petals and tossed them onto the ground.
The guests chuckled as she took two steps and repeated the process…counting and tossing, counting and tossing.
When she ran out of flowers, she skipped the rest of the way to the front and reached for Mercedes’ hand.
The wedding march began. Shelby and her Uncle Jerry appeared in the doorway.
Shelby’s princess V-neck dress was breathtaking. All eyes were on the beautiful bride as she and her uncle made their way to the front of the courtyard.
Carlita’s throat clogged. If only her Vinnie could be here with her. If only he could see for himself that she was keeping his last dying wish, to get his children out of the family.
Would Vinnie approve of Shelby and Violet? She believed he would have. He would have been proud of his son…his sons.
Her heart swelled with pride as she gazed at her children, standing at the front, waiting for Shelby to join them and become a member of the Garlucci family.
A lone tear trickled down Carlita’s cheek, and she swiped it away. The Good Lord had blessed the Garlucci family, despite the heartbreaking loss of her husband. She was thankful for all of her blessings…her health, her children, her grandchildren, her friends.
Shelby and her uncle reached the front, and the pastor spoke. “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
“Her aunt and I do.” Shelby’s uncle gently kissed his niece’s cheek. When he turned, Carlita noticed his cheeks were wet.
The vows were quick, followed by a few words the couple spoke to each other. They exchanged rings as the pastor pronounced them husband and wife. “You may kiss your beautiful bride.”
The passionate kiss got a few hoots and hollers, followed by applause. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s my pleasure to introduce Tony and Shelby Garlucci.”
The applause continued as Tony picked Violet up and the trio strolled down the center aisle to the back of the courtyard.
Carlita eased past the guests, who stopped to congratulate the newlyweds. While the couple greeted the well-wishers, she hurried to the kitchen to check on the food and beverages.
A harried Dominic met her at the door.
“The wedding ceremony just ended. The guests will be ready for appetizers and drinks to start making their rounds in the next ten minutes or so.”
“Of course.” Dominic nodded. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Mrs. Garlucci. We have a small problem.”
Chapter 5
“What kind of problem?”
“The risotto croquettes, they are very bland. Here, try one.” Dominic grabbed a set of tongs and picked up one of the fried balls.
Carlita bit the side. A burst of hot steam poured out, along with the fragrant aroma of her special Italian spices. The rich fontina cheese mingled with the salty goodness of the ham melted in her mouth.
“This is delicious Dominic.” Carlita popped the rest of the morsel in her mouth. “It doesn’t taste bland at all.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Don’t forget the sun dried tomato sauce. It will give the dish a nice pop.”
“You must sample the rest of the appetizers as well.” Dominic lifted a tray off the table. “Please.”
Carlita’s keen eye honed in on the presentation. She had hand-picked the menu, from the chicken parmesan sticks, risotto croquettes and mini Italian cheese rolls for appetizers to the spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna stuffed shells and mini pizza pies for the main entrees.
Dessert consisted of bite-size cheesecakes, tiered trays of Nonna Garlucci’s Italian cookies, and of course, the wedding cake Shelby and
