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Eddie pulled up Micola’s driveway at exactly three-twenty to find her waiting on the front porch. She wore a bright green spring coat, buttoned up tight, with her hands clasping a white handbag. Eddie put the car in park, and ran up to help her down the stairs.
He grinned. “Look at you.” He reached out his hand. “You look more than ready.”
“I am ready Eddie.” She giggled. “Oh, that rhymes.”
Eddie joined her with a laugh at her little joke.
He stuck out his elbow. “Let’s go check out your new place.”
Micola hooked her arm through his. “You really think this is the one?”
“I do.”
He helped her into the passenger’s seat and chuckled to himself. This whole setup just might work.
They drove down to Payne Avenue and turned right. After driving several blocks, Eddie slowed the car and parked in front of the old building on their right. Kate’s car was parked up ahead.
Micola’s shoulders slumped as she frowned, her wiry salt-and-pepper eyebrows nearly touching as she turned to Eddie.
“This place?”
Micola stared at the old brick building and looked back at Eddie.
“Hey. What’s with the face?”
She opened her mouth to speak, but Eddie stopped her with his best charming grin. He patted her hand.
“I know. I told ya’, dint-I? It don’t look all that great right now. But you gotta’ trust me. This is the place. It’s got a-lotta’ potential, capisci?”
“Okay. But right now?” She shook her head. “I no-like.”
“Come on, lemme’ show you.”
Eddie got out and jogged around to help her from the car. He gently placed his arm around her waist, as they walked toward the front door.
He leaned in near her ear. “Believe me. With my ideas? And your food? This place’ll be a gold mine.”
“I hope so.”
“You’ll see. Trust me.”
“Okay, Eddie. I trust you.”
Eddie raised his hand to knock just as Kate opened the door.
“Hello,” she said, smiling. “Come on in.” She held the door and stepped aside.
Eddie ignored the smell of the damp, musty air but watched as Micola wrinkled her nose. She raised her hand to block it.
“Oh, Eddie. What is that smell?”
“I know. But hear me out, okay?”
Micola frowned as she lowered her hand.
“Kate, I’d like you to meet Mrs. Micola Fortunato. You can call her Micola.”
Kate reached out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Fortunato. Micola.” She waved her arm across the room. “Please. Take your time.”
Eddie wrapped his arm around Micola’s shoulder and began to work his magic. “Now, close your eyes, Mrs. F.”
“No. I-no wanna’ close my eyes. I wanna’ leave this place. It stinks.”
Eddie turned and smiled into her brown eyes. “Come on.”
“Fine. I-close my eyes.”
He walked behind her and leaned his face close to her right cheek as he guided her across the room. He winked at Kate, who was watching with amusement.
Even though Micola couldn’t see what he was doing, he reached out his arm and slowly spread his hand across the room.
“Imagine, Micola. Freshly painted walls, in maybe some-a-that fancy mud stuff they use to troll across the walls—maybe a caramel color or a warm cream—or maybe both.”
With her eyes still closed, the old woman nodded. “I like that. Sí.”
Eddie continued whispering as they walked slowly across the room, painting the imaginary picture.
“We buff up the floors to a shine in a color you like, lights comin’ down outta’ the ceiling on those long wires, and maybe a big chandelier dead-center.”
“Hmm-hmm,” Micola murmured.
“Beautiful tables with white linen tablecloths and flower centerpieces, the place filled with all kinds-a people laughin’, and drinkin’, and eatin’ your food. Beautiful Italian music comin’ outta’ the speakers.” He turned her toward the door. “And maybe a little bell that jingles when people come in.”
Micola giggled and clapped her hands. “Oh! Yes, a bell. I love that.”
She opened her eyes and turned to him. “Or maybe no bell because it will be too much ringing from all of the people coming in, yes?” She bent forward and laughed at her joke.
Eddie laughed, too. “Good point. All that jinglin’ could get annoying.”
He watched as she examined every corner of the spacious unfinished area. She came to a space with broken bricks exposing a set of black PVC pipes and frowned.
Eddie came to her side. “Don’t worry about stuff like that, alright? All that stuff’ll get fixed.”
He turned to face her, his right hand on his stomach, his left hand stretched out, fingers snapping, head bobbing as he sang out the words to Oh Marie. He took her hand and twirled her under his arm, as she giggled.
He caught a glimpse of Kate standing off to the side near the back, watching and smiling.
Eddie continued his singing as he took Micola’s hand and did the same little dance they’d done in her living room. He stopped after a few seconds and continued his pitch.
“And that food-a yours? I can smell it and taste it already.”
Micola’s face broke into a great smile as she opened her arms for a hug.
He had her. He knew he did.
“Okay. If you think this is the place, then I-do it. It’s-no-what I think I like, but I trust you, Eddie.”
“You okay with the price?”
She flapped her hand. “Sí!”
And in that instant, with those few words from Micola, Eddie knew he had the investment capital he’d need to start his very own organization—without Primo breathin’ down his neck. It looked like they both had their dreams comin’ true. Dollar signs floated in his head.
He took her hand and kissed it as he looked her in the eye.
“You won’t regret it, Mrs. F. It’s gonna’ be great.”
He turned to Kate. “Kate. Good news. We’ll take it.”
He watched Kate’s smile bring a sparkle to her blue eyes.
“That’s wonderful! I’ll get the paperwork started right away. We can talk about the details tomorrow.”
Eddie gave Kate a slight bow. “Thank you.”
He held the door for his two new favorite women, one young and beautiful, the other old and rich. He soaked in the crisp spring air, not even slightly bothered by the gentle drizzle falling on his hair.
“You have my number, Kate. We hope to hear from ya’ real soon, alright?”
Kate reached out her hand. Eddie took it, feeling her soft warmth.
“Thank you,” she said. “I’ll give you a call as soon as I can.”
She turned to Micola. “Mrs. Fortunato, it was a pleasure meeting you. Congratulations. I’m so happy you like the place and I can’t wait to come here for dinner.”
She waved to them as she headed toward her car.
Eddie put his arm around Micola’s shoulder. “Let’s go home and talk business.”
“Okay, Eddie. I better get out my checkbook.” Micola laughed again at her own joke.
Eddie joined her, pleased that she’d said it first.
