Simone (The Ciprianos of Kellington Book 2) Read online

  * * * *

  Simone decided to get out of his house and thought that a ride would clear his head. Putting the top down on his BMW M6 convertible, he put on his shades and thought the wind felt great blowing through his shoulder-length hair. He enjoyed these moments when he could get time to himself. But for Simone that didn’t happen often, since he always seemed to have such a big workload on his hands day after day. Hearing the phone ring, he realized that it was Renzo who was calling when he recognized the familiar ringtone. Pressing the button on the console he said, “Hello brother, what’s up?”

  “Oh, nothing much, just checking in on you. Plus, I wanted to know if you were coming into town today or not?”

  “Actually, I hadn’t planned on coming until tomorrow for Sunday dinner. Do you need me to come down early or something? ”

  “No, I wanted to talk with you about Delia.”

  “What’s wrong with Delia?”

  “Nothing is wrong with Delia, I had a talk with Andrew last night and he told me of his concern about you and your feelings for her. You know you had the chance to get with her a long time ago. Let her enjoy her life with this guy, they are very much in love.”

  “Listen brother, I know that Andrew was concerned about how I was acting yesterday. I’ve had a lot on my mind and she has been on it. But I only want her to be happy Ren, and I know she’s probably very happy with this guy right now.”

  “Well, I hope what you are telling me is right. I’ve seen her with Rodger. He’s a really nice guy and honestly, they are very loving toward each other.”

  “And you’ve seen this firsthand?”

  “Hell, yeah, we’ve been out on double dates before. I’ve seen how he’s treated her and how they act together. Jaslyn and I always talk about how great they are together and how he is always doting on Delia. Like I said, bro, if you really care about Delia, let her be happy. You had your chance but didn’t take it in time.”

  “Ren, I care very much for Delia-—actually a bit too much. I blew it when we were teens.”

  “But that’s just it, that was when you guys were teenagers and she was in love with you. You had every chance to let her know how you started to feel about her. I don’t understand why you never did and what was the problem with letting her know you wanted to be with her? Why wait so long and make it hard on yourself?”

  Simone saw a gas station and decided to pull over into a parking spot near the vacuum and air station. “I was stupid, naïve and stupid to let someone like Delia go, but like I told Andrew, I did it because of my friendship with him. I didn’t want to fuck that up because I was dating his sister.”

  “Well, what happened when she decided to stop seeing you in private? Because that’s how she stated it to Andrew, she said that basically she felt like you were showing her charity because you felt sorry for her when we read her diary. You never even told her that you loved her and you guys had been talking and seeing each other for months after that date. I thought you guys would have hit it off by then.”

  “I swear you sound just like Andrew, man. We had this talk when he came into town.” Simone chuckled. “We would have gotten closer but I didn’t tell her the one thing she wanted to hear from me, actually it was the one thing she ever wanted me to say to her and I was too afraid to say it.”

  “What was that?”

  “That I loved her, she wanted me to tell her that I loved her and even though I was slowly getting to that, I didn’t want to admit it just then. It took me years of figuring things out in my life and what I wanted and who I wanted to spend my life with. You know most of the women I’ve been with over the years have never seemed to measure up with what I thought I wanted for my girlfriend much less who I thought about spending the rest of my life with. But it took me all of this time to realize that I fucked up, I fucked up big time, Ren, and now that she’s happy with this guy, I really know I missed my chance with her.”

  “Bro, just be happy for her because she is happy now. This guy is everything to her right now and all you can do is just be happy for her. You had the chance but now it’s time for you to move on.”

  Simone didn’t say a word, maybe Renzo was right. Maybe he needed to let her just be happy.

  Chapter Six

  Sunday dinner at the Ciprianos’ was always a big deal. The place was filled with the aroma of good food and chatter from everybody. These were the times that Filomena enjoyed having her sons around and now she also had Jaslyn, who she had hoped would be her daughter-in-law one day. Soon, Andrew and Delia would be coming over to join them and she had been so happy on Saturday when he told her that he and Diane were going to have a baby. She loved both Andrew and Delia like her own children. Hearing this wonderful news was something that she hoped eventually would happen for her own sons one day.

  “We’re here!” shouted Andrew as he came from the backyard with Delia in tow.

  The guys soon crowded around Andrew as congrats and hugs were given to him. Delia walked over toward Jaslyn and Filomena giving them hugs as well. “So, how does it feel, being an auntie?” Jaslyn smiled as they went into the kitchen.

  “I’m still in shock at hearing that word being used in a sentence with me involved. But it’s wonderful that I get to pick out clothes and other little things too. What do we need to take out to the table, Mrs. C?”

  “Nothing dear, we already have everything out on the table so come on and let’s eat, everybody!” Filomena told her while grabbing hold of her arm as they made their way to the dining room.

  When they started to sit down, Delia headed toward the chair next to Andrew but Gianni sat down instead. So, she grabbed the chair next to Filomena near the head of the table while Jaslyn sat next to her along with Renzo. Simone sat down on the other side of his mother along with Federico. Soon, food was being passed and plates were filled with an array of pastas, meats and other good things. Filomena was happy to see her family around her, enjoying each other’s company.

  “Everything is amazing, Mrs. C as always,” Delia told her as everybody else agreed.

  “Thank you, I’m glad that everybody is enjoying their food.” Filomena said with a smile before taking a sip of red wine.

  “Simone, what are you up to next weekend?” asked Delia.

  Simone looked at her for a moment and it seemed like everybody at the table had gotten quiet. “I don’t know yet, why you ask?”

  “They are going to have a double feature in town, Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein on Saturday. Would you like to go?”

  “Wow, those are my two favorites, I’ll make sure to keep that day open then.” He smiled as she continued eating.

  “I swear I never could understand you guys always liking those old movies.” Federico chuckled.

  “Well, it’s like wine, it’s an acquired taste, plus there is nothing better than the classics.” Simone told him while Delia nodded in agreement.

  “Simone and I would get into deep debates over movies and characters all the time. I think one time we got into such a heated debate that I stopped talking to him for about a month.”

  “That’s right,” Andrew chimed in. “I swear, when those two got into a debate it was a nonstop clash of wills. What was the debate about anyways?”

  It took a bit of time of thinking before Simone laughed out loud, “It was whether or not Bela Lugosi or Boris Karloff made for a better villain?” Soon Delia started laughing too.

  “Who won?” asked Jaslyn.

  “No one did because we couldn’t figure out who was right or who was wrong. Even though I thought that Boris made for a better villain than Bela ever did.” Delia eyed Simone when she said this.

  “Now that’s where you are wrong, Deedlebug. You know as well as I do that Bela was the man.”

  “Whatever, I don’t know whether you are delusional or just drunk for even saying something as crazy as that.”

  No one said a word and it seemed like the moments right before the shootout at the OK Corral. Not a
breath was uttered as all eyes were on the two. “Do you really want to dive headfirst into the shallow end of the pool with this, Simple Simon? Because you know you will lose this once and for all.”

  Simone laughed at her comment, and stood up, taking a huge gulp of his wine before leaning toward her to say, “Sei sicuro di voler andare lì?”

  A cute little smirk grew across those lips of hers. Then she uttered, “Si”.

  “Oh man, here we go again,” Andrew said, shaking his head.

  “Oh hush, Andy Panda! Shall we take this outside, sir?”

  Simone motioned toward the entrance into the garden and watched as Delia got up from the table with a glass of wine in hand as he grabbed his.

  “What is going on here?” Jaslyn asked, puzzled.

  “World War three of the minds, is what’s happening, sweetheart,” Renzo said as he got up along with the rest of the men.

  Jaslyn looked at Filomena who could only laugh at the situation. “I swear, those two, it’s never ending. The fight that they were talking about lasted all but three months when they were young. Lord knows how long this one will last. We’d better put a stop it now before it gets completely out of hand.”

  “So, you were saying that Bela was a better villain even though Boris got more acclaim than he did?” asked Delia as she stood in front of Simone while everybody else stood around them.

  “You are asking for a bruising, young lady.” Simone reminded her.

  “Answer the question--or are you afraid?”

  “Bela took any role to a different level. Hell, he took any role he got into and made it his own.”

  “Very true, but that doesn’t mean a thing because Boris was an artist in his own right too.”

  “The only thing that Boris Karloff is known for nowadays is for How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Simone folded his arms together, giving her that ‘I won’ smile of his.

  Soon the oohs and snickers came from the men as Filomena said, “Now, all of you back inside. I will not be having you all debating during this time when we should be celebrating, so stop all this childish nonsense, you two. I want the both of you to give each other a hug and let’s eat dessert. Come on, Jaslyn.”

  They looked at each other and ended up laughing as they hugged.

  “Next time, your momma won’t be around to help you get out of trouble Simple Simon.”

  Simone chuckled as he looked down into Delia’s eyes.

  “Come on, sis.” Andrew said as he grabbed hold of Delia’s arm and they walked back inside.

  After they all had dessert and coffee or tea, Andrew wished everybody a good night as both he and Delia left the Cipriano house. “I promise to call and send pictures when we get sonograms of the baby, all right?” Andrew assured Filomena, giving her a kiss on the cheek while she hugged him tight.

  “I’m so glad that you came and send Diane my love. I’m so happy for you both.” Filomena said as she almost started to cry.

  “Now, I won’t have any tears unless they are happy ones.” Andrew said looking into those teary blue eyes of hers. “I’ll see you soon.”

  Filomena nodded, giving him another hug as they both said their goodbyes. When they got into the car and drove off, Andrew told Delia something that he knew would probably shock his sister when he said it. “I don’t think you need to be spending so much time with Simone.”

  She looked at him as if he was crazy or something. “What do you mean you don’t think I need to be spending time with Simone, why not?”

  “Because I am your brother and I say so that’s why. Listen Delia, I know we’ve all been good friends over the years but I just think that you don’t need to confuse things between the two of you.”

  “What in the hell are you talking about? Nothing you are saying is making sense at all.”

  “Just stay away from him, Delia. Out of all the things we’ve been through together, I’ve never asked you to do anything for me. But this I want you to do. I don’t want anybody to get hurt, especially not you.”

  “You’re still not making a lick of sense. How in the world can Simone hurt me?”

  He never did answer her question which probably made Delia even madder than she already was. It would be the first time in years that they would argue but he knew it only made her want answers to her questions.

  Chapter Seven

  Work really did put a damper on her mood when she got there on Monday. After their goodbyes that morning, Delia still wanted Andrew to tell her what the hell was wrong with her talking with Simone.

  “Do you want some tea?” asked Jaslyn

  “Let me ask you a question. Why would someone not want another person they’ve known most of their life to not be around another person for?” Delia asked Jaslyn as the look in her friend’s eyes made her suspicious.

  She knew something.

  “Spill it, Jaslyn, I know that look in your eye.” Delia demanded.

  “What in the hell are you talking about, Delia? I was over here thinking about how to answer that question you gave me.”

  Breathing a heavy sigh, Delia shook off what she’d said. “I’m sorry but it’s just that I don’t understand why my brother doesn’t want me around Simone.”

  “That was pretty weird, especially when I noticed how Ren and Andrew both got quiet when you invited Simone to go see the double feature. I asked Ren why he was acting so weird. He told me that I wouldn’t understand and we just left it at that.” Jaslyn poured some tea into a cup as Delia got some sugar from the bowl.

  “Well, I can’t keep dwelling on that much longer otherwise it will consume me. Plus, I have to deal with Rodger’s mom for lunch.”

  “Speaking of Rodger, have you heard anything from him this weekend?”

  “Not since Saturday, Andrew and I were supposed to have lunch with him but he had to cancel. Why do you ask?”

  “Well, he called me and told me he wouldn’t be in today because of family problems. I told him that I hope things were all right, he told me everything was just fine. But that he had to deal with some family business that needed to be taken care of.”

  “I hope everything is all right. Hopefully, his mother can clue me in. I’m hoping it’s nothing to do with his dad.” Blowing the tea before taking a sip she could only imagine what news she would get once lunchtime came around.

  The next couple of hours seemed to go by quickly and in a way Delia wished they hadn’t. She wished time would just go by at a snail’s pace instead. That way, it would give her time to comprehend all that had been going on within the last twenty-four hours.

  Luana’s was about fifteen miles from Kellington but only about five miles from Bristol. Delia guessed that it was easier for Rodger’s mother to make it there than just going into town. When she pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant, there weren’t many cars there even though it was lunchtime. Taking a deep breath and saying a silent prayer, she grabbed her purse and got out. Walking toward the door she opened it and walked inside to the podium where the hostess said, “Welcome to Luana’s, I can seat you at a table or booth.”

  “I am meeting someone here. Did a Mrs. Smith come in?”

  “Yes, please follow me.” Grabbing a menu the young lady led Delia to the back of the restaurant toward a booth. There the woman sat looking over toward her with a small smile. With her dyed jet-black hair in a tight bun on the top of her head, Mrs. Smith wore a cream-colored blouse with an emerald green brooch at her neck. Her makeup was immaculate, for all she really wore was a bit of blush on her smooth skin and what Delia would call “Killer red” lipstick. “What can I get you to drink, ma’am?”

  “Some water with lemon, please.” The hostess left them alone as Delia let out a sigh. “It’s good to see you Mrs. Smith.”

  “You look well, Delia. I’m glad that you were able to come meet me for lunch.”

  “I appreciate you asking me here to meet you for lunch. But I must ask though, why did you invite me here?”

  She watch
ed the woman’s demeanor turn just as cold as the look in her eyes. “I will be frank with you, Delia. From the very first time Rodger brought you over to meet us, I have to admit that I really didn’t care for you at all. You basically were not the type of woman I had wanted for my son. In a way, you kind of reminded me of how I was when I was your age. I didn’t want that for my son, I wanted a woman with grace and poise and status--which are things that you don’t possess at all.”

  Delia wasn’t about to get mad even though the more this woman talked, the more Delia was getting annoyed with her words. “How can you say that? Besides, I could tell that neither you nor your husband cared for me because you thought that I was after your son’s money. But I am sorry to tell you, Mrs. Smith, that Rodger never told me anything about the fact that he was rich. He kept it from me for over a year before he let me know. I told him like I am telling you, that I could have cared less whether his family was rich or not, I love him for who he is.”

  That’s when Mrs. Smith started to laugh and it wasn’t a funny laugh but rather it was the laugh of someone who didn’t believe a word being said. “The reason I brought you here is that you will no longer be seeing Rodger.”

  “What!” Delia exclaimed, completely in shock. “You can’t be serious.”

  “I am very serious, young lady. My husband is dying from cancer. He had been in remission for two years and now it’s back again. He’s going through chemo but we don’t think that it will help him. All we can do is pray to God and hope that it will work. Rodger has gotten all of this mess out of his system to do what he wanted to do with his life. Living on his own, working where he wanted, being with a woman that he just basically wanted to screw around with.”

  “Take that back, old woman!”

  “I will not take it back. I meant what I said. Do you honestly think that you and Rodger were going to get married when he had millions on the line? His father told him that if he was to die and Rodger was still with you then he wouldn’t get a penny of his money. So, he was given a choice. Stay where he was in that humdrum job of delivering at that stupid shop, dealing with a woman who he knows deep down he doesn’t love. Or, he can return to working for his father and start off fresh with people that he’s known for all of his life growing up. Start dating again with someone of his caliber.”