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Christmas music is not my favorite to play on the piano. However, playing in my new home surrounded with my family and friends, it gives competition to other music. Everyone is singing along to the carols, and Tony and Angelo are trying to out sing each other. The laughs are contagious, and the dancing delightful. Between Germano’s and Oskar’s cooking and Rose’s baking, the house smells scrumptious. Our very own gingerbread house has come to life. In every window, there is a candle, and the front door is draped in holly garland. Bianca and Maria were excited by the large Christmas tree and helped Katarina decorate it with different reds and greens.
Rose hand made us all each an ornament to be placed on the tree. Maria keeps admiring where her handmade angel hangs. I know that it’s probably her first ornament she has ever received. Smiling at the sights around me, I’m genuinely the happiest I’ve ever been. My wife gifted me this grand piano, telling me it was more for her because she wanted to enjoy private concerts each evening after our meals. Secretly I thank her, as I imagine worshiping every part of her body on it every which way. Noticeably missing from the festivities are my parents.
My mother suspiciously came down with a stomach bug last minute. She didn’t want to risk traveling and then returning for the reception with so much to do. Father refused to leave as well and said they would have Christmas just the two of them like before children. This would be the first time that we wouldn’t celebrate all together, which gives me a slight melancholy feeling. But then I look around, and it vanishes. Making new memories and traditions with Katarina feels so natural. I suspect there is more to Mother’s stomach bug. Since Angelo and I left for Italy, our parents’ erratic behaviors have intensified. Father has been traveling around the world like a wild man. According to Bianca, my mother does staycations at a rehab spa in the desert. I’m thinking it has to do with the Casas man that seems to be my father’s kryptonite.
Tony has graced us with his presence after attending to some business in Florence with my godfather and will be accompanying us to New York City and Vegas. He’s very relaxed, but every now and then, he drifts off staring at nothing. For the most part, him acting happy is a façade; he acts normal and obtuse; always with an aura of ill-defined understanding with his words. What was discernible was his changed look. His hair is styled shorter, and he’s clean shaven and wearing more defined, dressier clothes. His new style more resembles mine. I’m amazed after years of him and Angelo razzing me for my distinguished ways.
Dinner finishes, and the guys go outside to smoke cigars and drink whiskey on the terrace. I light the fire pit to take the annoying chill out a fraction. Angelo is telling how he and Ass are getting along better despite his healing ribs. He’s cradling a gray kitten now in his arms that Maria rescued. The headmaster at the school of course refused to let her keep it. I received a call and had to reason with Maria and the headmaster not to hold her animal rescue passion against her.
Hence, Angelo went to Switzerland to collect the girls for winter break along with a scraggly gray kitten. Katarina assured both them and me that we need a cat to keep the stables free of mice. The more animals we have, she said, the merrier the estate would be. Between the two of them, we are going to be Noah’s Ark.
Angelo’s caressing the kitten’s little head from time to time, almost like a comfort mechanism.
“Angie, you look smitten with the kitten.” Tony laughs. Angelo gives him the finger. “What is the name of your little kitty?” Tony asks, clearly razzing him for letting his tender sideshow.
“Ratina. Rat for short.” Tony and I, in unison, start howling with hysterical laughter on his behalf.
“What? Maria compromised on Ratina, but I call her Rat, and she responds well to the name. Don’t you, little lady?” He flips the middle finger again and turns his back, murmuring whispers to the kitten.
Tony turns to me while taking a puff on his cigar, letting the smoke swirl in the air. “I can’t believe you are married with baby on board. And Angie cozying up to animals like he’s collecting for Noah’s Ark.” He chuckles with astonishment.
I’m a planner, but I definitely didn’t plan on being married and a father-to-be this summer. I thought I would have five years to get my business stable. It will be quite the juggling act, but I’m always up for a challenge.
“What about you and your new look? You and I haven’t had a chance to talk much, mainly about Claudette.” I say with plight.
“Ahhh, I was waiting for my curious-minded, proper-mannered brother to ask.
I was hoping the women in your life would continue to keep you too occupied to ask. I thought keeping Angie busy cleaning up your messes would keep him from harassing me non-stop.” He smiles slightly, taking a sip of his drink.
I’m still not used to seeing him with hair gelled back, taming the natural curls. Silence swirls around us, while I wait for him to tell me on his terms. I’ll eventually find out by pressing Claudette for information, but I would like for him to confide in me.
“Claudette is a beautiful bird who deserves everything. I’m still the man who can’t give her that and who doesn’t deserve her. After years of restraint, I caved to her wants and my needs until recently. I’m not proud and regret that there is no future for us.” He says with a of desolation in his voice as he stares blankly at the fire. The reflection of the fire makes his gelled hair glimmer. He caresses his hand over his now beardless face a few times. He’s saying more to me than he has previously on this topic. “Santos, I know you are aware of Father’s behavior lately. I thought I had more years until I take over, but it doesn’t look like it any longer.”
“What are you saying Tony? Is Father sick?” I ask, truly concerned. Maybe that is why he’s been acting so crazy.
“No, he’s not sick. Well, maybe lovesick. He and Mother are having some marital issues, but I’m sure they will get through it all. She’s been drinking more and taking pills to numb herself from his world, my world. Father feels responsible and jealous, and he isn’t seeing things clearly. Their communication skills are sucking at the moment.” He shrugs.
“So, that means things will be changing for you as well.” I state, but it’s more of a question for him.
He expression remains stoic. “In more ways than you can imagine. Married life looks good on you. Not sure how it will look on me.” He raises his drink, toasting towards me, and I realize he is finished giving me a glimpse of his world.
He is mirroring my father’s behavior to the tee. I leave it at rest for now. He’s talking more than usual, and that means a lot coming from my brother. Like my father, there is meaning behind his cryptic words.
“Sonny, Maria and I are heading back to the hotel. We both still need to repack our bags.” Bianca comes out of the door with a gush of personality. Being the only daughter in the Ferrari family, she radiates just as much power. She captures an audience wherever she goes. Taking a last puff on my cigar, I set it down on the ashtray. Standing up, I embrace her, and I kiss her on the forehead. “I’m glad you stayed for Christmas, principessa. I’ll see you tomorrow at the airport.” I let go, and she goes to say her goodbyes to my brothers, Mateo, and Sam.
Next, Maria comes through the door, who is not a Ferrari, but in the short months being with us, she carries herself like one. “Ratina, there you are my kitty girl.” She may be smaller and waif-sized, but she captures an audience through her confidence just like my sister. Bianca and boarding school have been a good influence on her. “Such a devil!” She chides Angelo. “Why do you have her out here? She will freeze; bring her back in.” She says, with her hands reached out.
Angelo moves to stop her from grabbing the kitten. “Rat is staying with me tonight and stop with the name calling.” He snaps back.
“Devil,” Tony pipes in with a laugh, “I like the new nickname.”
“I’ll bring her over to the Morrones’ in the morning.” He says, strangely ignoring Tony’s remark.
We are all staring at them both fighting over the little kitten. Maria places her hand on her hips. “Fine, at least let me kiss her goodbye.”
Reluctantly, he passes her over with a grumpy face.
“Hello, husband.” Two dainty little arms wrap around my waist, taking my attention away from the rat show.
I reach for her hands and begin twisting her rings. “Hello, wife. Why are you out here with no coat? You will catch a cold.” I say with concern.
“I just came out to get you. I want you to join me, so I can introduce you to one last Christmas tradition. Meet me outside the back entrance of the stable and dress warm.” She swats my butt with love and walks back inside.
“I’m out of here also, before my wife wattles her pregnant body out of here. I like to be two steps ahead of her.” Mateo comes up to me, patting my shoulder.
“See you guys tomorrow at the airport. Thanks for coming.” I say as I head inside. Twenty minutes later, I’m throwing on my jacket and hat and heading to the barn.
Angelo is walking back to the house from the barn. “What are you doing out here?” I ask, amused how comfortable he is living here. He’s hardly been back to the boathouse. Between Mrs. Morrone, my wife, and Oskar, they’ve been tending to his Ass injuries like he was a prince. Such an annoyance, but thank goodness his ribs are almost healed to normal.
“Just saying goodbye to Ass and giving him some apples.” A little mew comes from his jacket pocket. “Damn, Rat! I just fed you; you’re darn relentless. Good luck on taking care of a baby. It’s a shit ton of work—never-ending.” He says flabbergasted.
Shaking my head, I tell him. “I told Maria to get rid of the kitten and not to jeopardize school. It’s your problem now since you caved and took the darn thing. To be clear, my kid will be perfect and taking care of her will be a joy.” I say with all honesty.
“Wait, you know the gender? I asked Kat the other day, and she said you were going to wait and be surprised.” As he speaks, he’s gesturing with his hands and rolls his eyes.
“I just have a feeling that I’m having a daughter.”
“Shit it’s getting cold. I’m going to finish packing and head to bed. Night, brother. You shouldn’t keep your girl waiting.” Angelo points to the barn and continues to the house with the little meowing Rat.
I walk into the stable and notice that Obsidian’s stall is empty. “Beauty, where are you?” I ask loudly.
I hear her voice calling back to me from outside, telling me to find her. I walk out to the meadow side of the stable, and there in the moonlight stands the black beast with my beauty. She is sitting on top of a thick, padded, red cloth saddle wearing a white wool coat and hat.
“And what are you two up to? It’s freezing out here.” I say.
“Climb aboard we are going on a Christmas ride through the meadow. It’s tradition that Obsidian and I do every year. Now we would like to include you and him.” She rubs her belly, and her smile glows at me.
“Wherever you go, I go. It’s an honor to be part of this tradition. However, I keep telling you it’s a girl.” Climbing up behind Katarina, I place my arm gently around her and nuzzle her ear. “Best Christmas ever.” I whisper into her ear.