Sunday, April 11th
Anna’s Trattoria 12:45 pm
Neil arrived at the Trattoria a little later than his colleagues, because, after the Mass, he had gone to the orphanage to spend some time with Amy. The little girl had appreciated the gift from Tracy, even if she had admitted that she couldn’t remember her face. The sisters had confirmed that they didn’t know anything about Amy’s nightmares, and Neil had preferred not to ask her for the time being.
When he opened the door of the Trattoria, he met Bruno, the chef, Anna’s precious help in the kitchen. He was an Italian man in his late thirties, who had come to Canada little less than twenty years before to learn English and had eventually decided to remain there and to work at Anna’s Trattoria. He immediately grinned at Neil, and he said in his usual mixture of English and Italian:
“Benvenuto, Neil, welcome! How are you doing?”
“I am fine, Bruno, and you and your charming wife?”
“Sheila is having lunch with John and Mark today.”
Neil turned and waved at the smiling young woman and her tablemates. She was sitting with Mark, John, Alan, Giulia, Mario and Lisa. He heard an unmistakable voice from behind him:
“Hey, Blue Eyes! We are waiting for you!”
He rolled his eyes, and he winked at Bruno:
“Here she is… My secret admirer!” Bruno started to laugh, and Neil went to join his colleagues at the table. Sue stood up to embrace him affectionately.
“Things never change, Neil. Wherever you go, all the women turn to look at you!”
“Especially if you shout ‘Blue Eyes’ and do your best to attract attention, Sue.” He answered jokingly, making everyone laugh.
He sat down between David and Bob. Jennifer came to the table and gave them the menus. David introduced her to Sue. Jennifer was the wife of Lieutenant Steele, and she had been working for some years as a waitress at the Trattoria.
David had told Neil that they would break the wonderful news after lunch. That was the reason why they had invited all the colleagues.
Bruno took the time to come out of the kitchen to say hello to the policemen. A few days before, he had told Neil that his father was a Carabiniere in Italy, and that he knew what a hard job it was. Every time Neil went to eat at the Trattoria, Bruno gave him a portion of the special dish, and Neil had taken a liking to this jovial man, always smiling.
“Good afternoon, sirs.” He said, “Today I would suggest Pappa al Pomodoro, a typical dish from my region, beautiful Tuscany, bella Toscana! Now that Anna is not listening, I can tell you that it is the most fascinating region in Italy, but don’t tell her!” He winked comically and they all laughed.
David told his wife:
“Bruno comes from Livorno, the town where Neil spent… How long, Neil?”
“A month, then I went to Bolzano for another month…”
Billy intervened:
“Neil, have you shown Bruno the photos of Livorno you took from the parachute and the helicopter? They are wonderful, Bruno!”
Bruno didn’t try to hide his emotion, when he said:
“Oh, Neil, maybe I can see my home. I haven’t gone back to Italy for such a long time!”
Neil smiled and said:
“I am sorry, Bruno. I forgot to show them to you. I will upload them on my mobile, so that you can see them…”
“Grazie, Neil. Thanks a lot. Now duty calls me…” And he left whistling ‘O sole mio’ happily and saying hello to all the guests sitting at the tables.
***
When they were having dessert, David stood up from the table and went to ask John and his tablemates to join them.
“I have special news to share with all of you!”
They moved the chairs and they joined another smaller table to make room for everyone, and the children went immediately to sit next to Neil. The Trattoria was almost empty, and Silvia, Anna, Jennifer and Bruno were used to joining their relatives for coffee and remaining there to chat. Daisy came out of the kitchen and joined Lisa. Neil noticed that she was visibly more relaxed. Evidently cooking helped her to divert her attention from her problems and concerns. After a few minutes, Denise arrived and went to sit next to her friends.
When they were all gathered in front of a steaming cup of Italian espresso, David started:
“Excuse me. My wife Sue and I have invited our colleagues and friends today, because we wanted to share with you a special moment of our life.” He turned to Neil and said: “Only Neil already knows, but I have always confided in his ability to keep secrets…” Neil was smiling, and David went on, holding his wife’s hand: “Sue has not come here just for a visit. She is here to stay, because in a few months…” Husband and wife exchanged a glance, and David finished: “We are going to have a baby!”
Anna was the first to stand up and embrace Sue, followed by all the people gathered. Neil noticed that Sheila, who was usually enthusiastic and joyful, exchanged a glance with Bruno and left the dining room for a few moments. She came back after everyone had sat down again, and she said that she had a commitment with Bruno, she embraced Anna, who whispered something in her ear, and she left with her husband. Neil didn’t say a word, but he thought that it was really strange to see Bruno, who was usually easygoing and exuberant, so silent and even detached.
Sue was telling Silvia:
“We have tried so many times to have a baby, and last year I had a miscarriage. I was really thinking that it would remain a dream, and then …” Silvia squeezed her hand and said: “I am so glad you are here. If you need anything, let me know…”
David asked jokingly, looking from Mark to Silvia: “What was it like to have twins?”
Mark answered: “We didn’t expect it, and at first it was quite a blow, but then I like the idea of them growing up together… The first months were hard, though…”
Giulia asked:
“Do you already know that it is only one? Is it a boy or a girl?”
Sue looked at the beautiful child and said:
“Yes, we know it is one, and we don’t know yet if it is a boy or a girl…”
Jennifer couldn’t control her curiosity:
“Have you already chosen the names?”
Sue and David looked instinctively at Neil, and grinned:
“Yes, we have!”
Billy said jokingly, winking at Neil:
“I bet I know the name if it is a boy…”
Bob and Steve laughed, Neil rolled his eyes, but the rest of the group was still in the dark.
Mario asked Billy:
“Why do you know?”
Billy smiled at the boy and said:
“I will let David explain…”
Neil pleaded:
“Is it necessary to explain? And I have already told you, David… You can always change your mind…”
Everyone now was curious, even Anna was listening intently, because she perceived that she would soon learn something more about Neil.
John Steele pressed: “It is necessary, now, I think. You have succeeded in arousing our curiosity. What name are you going to give your son or your daughter?”
David pretended to clear his throat and to ignore Neil’s glare, and he started:
“If it is a girl, we will call her Marylin after my mother-in-law…”
Silvia noticed Sue’s watery eyes, and she embraced her. Sue said simply:
“My mother was so sad when I had a miscarriage, and she would be so happy now…”
Neil muttered: “Let’s hope she will be a beautiful baby girl…”
Billy insisted: “And if it is a boy, because I am sure it will be a handsome baby boy…” Neil was frowning at him, but Billy was merciless, because he wanted David to talk about what his friend had done for him…
David said solemnly:
“There is no choice, the boy’s name will be Neil!”
Neil was clearly flattered, but he said jokingly:
“I hoped you had reconsidered in the last ten days…”
Sue put a hand on his arm and said: “We will never reconsider, Neil…” She turned to the children, and she asked:
“Do you want to know why we have chosen the name ‘Neil'? Oh, and by the way, Neil will be the Godfather. That is why he already knew about our baby…”
Neil said desperately:
“No, the children don’t want to know, do you, guys?”
Alan and Mario were a little uncertain, but Giulia exclaimed:
“Of course we want to know!”
David looked at Neil, who was shaking his head, and he said:
“Two years ago, we were in the middle of a police operation. Since the situation was getting out of control, the ERT was called. They were able to arrest the criminals, but Neil realized that I was trapped in my car. The door was blocked, and I couldn’t move my leg. The car had been badly smashed in the chase, and it was going to explode. He was able to open the door…” Neil had his eyes downcast. Anna noticed that he didn’t like to be praised, that he was really embarrassed. Alan and Mario were watching him in awe.
Billy intervened: “Our superior, Jeff, was shouting and ordering him to stay far from the car, that there was nothing he could do, but Neil simply didn’t listen…”
David went on: “I couldn’t hear what Jeff was shouting, but Neil dragged me out of the car and as far as he could from it. When he saw that the car was exploding he threw himself over me to protect me from the flames and the splinters…”
Everyone now was looking at Neil, who was gazing out of the window, as if they weren’t talking about him.
Sue finished: “In the end, my husband didn’t have a scratch, and he had just sprained his ankle in the car crash. Neil went to the emergency room with burns on his back…” She turned to Neil and said softly:
“Neil, we will never stop telling everyone what you did for David. He wouldn’t be here if it hadn’t been for you. Calling our son Neil is the least we can do…”
Giulia told Neil:
“Why don’t you want them to tell us what you did? Did you receive another medal for this?”
Neil couldn’t help but smile at the little girl, he caressed her cheek and said:
“No, they didn’t give me a medal for that, because I didn’t do anything special. I just saved the life of a colleague…” He turned to David and said: “Now that you have told the whole story, can we just talk about your baby, about your life in Rosary?”
Lisa exclaimed: “I said last Sunday that I will put your mobile phone on speed dial, Neil, but now I am really doing it.” She took out her cell phone, and everybody laughed, easing the tension.
It was not so easy to change the subject, because Alan asked:
“What did your superior tell you? Did he scold you?”
And Mario added: “Did your back hurt? Have you still got the scar?”
Neil frowned once again in the direction of David and Sue, and he answered:
“No, Jeff was worried, and his command made sense, because he didn’t want to lose two policemen.He didn’t scold me.” He turned to Mario and said: “Yes, it hurt, and, yes, I have a scar on my back, but I would forget about it if David didn’t constantly find someone to tell…” He started to laugh and everyone joined him.
***
They were having such a good time chatting and laughing, that they didn’t realize that it was almost four, when there was a knock at the door of the Trattoria. They stopped talking and looked at each other questioningly. Anna stood up and went to the door. She had barely opened it completely, when a tall man stormed in, without bothering to say hello to anyone. Anna followed him to the table. Neil knew immediately who that man was, because he saw Daisy blanch, and he noticed that her hands were trembling and that her friends were watching her worriedly.
Anna was saying: “Good afternoon, Mr Brown!”
The man ignored Anna completely and glared at his daughter:
“Daisy, you told me that you wanted to talk to me, and I have been waiting for you at home…”
Now he turned to Anna with a frown and asked: “Does Daisy have to work all day at your restaurant?”
Daisy stood up and put a hand on her father’s arm. She said imploringly:
“Dad, ok, I am coming with you now, but don’t be rude. I stopped working after lunch service, and I was just chatting with my friends.”
She ran to take her bag in the kitchen, and she led her father to the door, afraid he would say something nastier. Neil and Billy exchanged a glance, and they remained silent. Lisa was going to say something, but she stopped. Everybody kept still until the door had closed behind Daisy and her father.
Denise said bitterly:
“Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to Mr. Luke Brown, Daisy’s gentle father…”
Anna was stunned, and it took her a few minutes to recover from the shock. Silvia put a hand on her arm and gently invited her to sit down. Neil and the other policemen exchanged a glance. Certainly Mr. Brown’s appearance had dulled the enthusiasm of the group.
Anna said, looking at Neil:
“I don’t know what you think, but I don’t like that man’s behavior and the way he treats her daughter…”
Neil nodded, and Billy commented: “I can’t help being worried about Daisy…”
Giulia asked: “But why was he so angry?”
Neil caressed the girl’s cheek and said softly: “He was not angry, Giulia. He was nervous. Maybe he doesn’t feel well, or he needs Daisy at home… Don’t worry, ok?”
Since the children were present, nobody commented further.
While Neil was leaving with Bob, Billy, Denise and Lisa, he turned to Anna, and, taking advantage of the fact that the children were still talking to Sue, he said:
“Anna, don’t worry. I want to learn something more about that man, because he is evidently having difficulties controlling his emotions and his reactions. Let’s hope Daisy can finally talk to him… We will call her later to see how she is doing. Keep an eye on her in the next few days, ok?” He smiled encouragingly at the troubled woman, and, after thanking her for her hospitality, he left with his friends…
***
Neil’s home, 8 pm
Neil was sitting on his couch with his friends Billy and Bob, waiting for the baseball game to start.
During the walk to the park with the girls, they had tried not to think of Daisy and her predicament, but their thoughts kept going back to her and the difficult conversation with her dad she would have. When they were sitting on a bench, Lisa had taken her mobile phone and had tried to call Daisy, but her call had gone to voicemail.
Now Billy dialed Daisy’s number, expecting his call to be rejected. After a few rings, a faint voice answered:
“Hi, Billy!” The policeman put the phone on speaker on the coffee table in front of him, and he said cautiously:
“Hi, Daisy, how are you doing? Is everything alright?”
A few moments of tense silence, then Daisy answered: “I am ok, my grandmother is at home with me.”
Neil asked:
“Daisy, have you been able to talk to your father?”
“No, when we arrived home, he was so nervous that I waited for a few minutes, also because I was angry. I was having a good time with you, and… Do you know what he asked me straight away?” After a tense pause, she added: “He asked me once again if I had talked about what happened six years ago… And he resented the fact that I was with you, guys… I don’t know why he behaves like this…” Neil exchanged a glance with his colleagues, but he didn’t comment.
Bob asked:
“But did you ask him why he behaves like that? What does he have against us?”
“I didn’t have a chance, because he received a phone call, then he made one, and his tension increased visibly. Then he ran to his car and drove away, without any explanation… He hasn’t come back, and he doesn’t answer the phone, but maybe he is with his friends. He sometimes goes out in the evening, and he turns off his cell phone, it is not unusual.” Daisy was evidently trying hard not to worry. Neil decided not to say anything that could increase her concern.
He simply said:
“Daisy, remember that if you need anything anytime, you can call us. Our phones are always within reach, ok?”
“Thanks, guys, and … I am sorry for what I told you yesterday… I know that you and Billy are orphans, and you have never had a father, so what I said was insensitive and rude… Sorry!There is much more than what happened six years ago, and I don’t know if I will be able to face the reality…”
Bob tried to encourage her:
“Daisy, whatever it is, you don’t have to face it by yourself. You are not alone. Lisa and Denise are there for you, Anna is a wonderful person, and we are here, ok?”
Daisy was trying hard not to cry, and she said quickly:
“Thanks, I know that you want to help me… I will call you tomorrow, ok?”
“Ok,” said Neil, “Don’t worry about what you said yesterday. If you are afraid of something, call us at any time. Please, Daisy…”
After a feeble “bye” the phone call ended.
Bob and Billy turned to Neil, who was looking at his mobile phone, as if he was debating what to do.
He was going to dial a number when the phone vibrated. He answered:
“Hello, Anna. Bob and Billy are with me and they are listening. How are you doing?”
“I can’t help being worried about Daisy. I have tried to call her a few times but she didn’t answer.”
Billy intervened:
“She has just called us.” At the other end of the line a sigh of relief. “She said that her father has gone out and hasn’t returned yet. She is with her grandmother…”
“The most important thing is that she is alright. What’s the matter with that man? I have met him only a few times, but he has never been so rude…”
Neil said:
“I think he doesn’t approve of her going out with us, but I don’t think it is because we are older, I think it is because we are policemen. He has something to hide, and it must be something important, because he is really nervous… Anna, keep an eye on Daisy, and try not to worry, ok? We made her promise to call us if she needs help. I hope she will do it…”
“Yes, tomorrow I will call Louise to see if everything is alright.”
Neil asked:
“Anna, I noticed the reaction of Sheila and Bruno today when Sue and David told you about the baby. Is anything wrong?” Billy and Bob were nodding, because they had seen the strange reaction as well.
“Don’t worry. Nobody has said anything wrong. The fact is that Sheila has had two miscarriages in the last two years, the last one just before Christmas. She was in hospital for a few days, because she had lost a lot of blood. The doctors told her not to try to have children, because it would be dangerous for her…”
“Oh, we are sorry!” Bob said. “They are such a pleasant couple. They would have been wonderful parents…”
“Yes, I agree with you, Bob. They called me an hour ago to apologize. They were afraid of having been rude. They are serene, they are a happy couple, but it has been a bad blow for them. And Bruno was scared, because Sheila was not well for some time, when she went home from hospital.”
Neil said:
“I will tell Sue to be careful, and maybe to talk to Sheila. I am really sorry.”
“They have hinted at the possibility of adopting a baby, but … maybe it takes time to accept their situation…”
Billy said: “Thanks for your hospitality today. We had a good time.”
“Oh, my family and I had a wonderful time, too! And my grandchildren have decided to pray for you every night before going to bed, after what happened to Neil…”
Neil laughed and said:
“A prayer is always fine, and we need a lot of them, so … thank Giulia and Mario…”
When the call ended, Neil went to take the photo Sister Frances had given him, and he showed it to his friends. Billy and Bob looked at it for a few minutes, then Billy said: “This face doesn’t remind me of anyone, but I think it is difficult, because it is a little out of focus. Let’s give it to Steve and see if he can use his facial recognition program…”
Neil nodded, he turned on the TV, and they started to watch the baseball game.
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