The Best
of Friends
Luigi Rossi woke up with a start. The sun was shining
brightly through the window of the room he'd slept in when he was
growing up and living with his sister and her family. He didn't
remember when he'd had a more restful night. Probably when I was
living here, he thought to himself. He could hear muffled voices
coming from the kitchen. He splashed water on his face, brushed his
teeth and walked down the hallway stopping at the doorway.
He looked around the room. There was Eddie. He was the
spitting image of his father in looks and actions. He was a very
serious young man and extremely kind and caring. Tony was the
curious one. He had taken to the camera Luigi had given to him when
he first began working at Weston Camera Company. Tony was a natural
photographer even at his very young age. His photographs helped
catch a con artist last winter. Luigi loved telling that story to
his coworkers. Giorgio followed Tony every where he went. He was
the chatterbox of the family. The girls, Daniella and Maria looked
like his sister Rosa with their long dark hair and sparkling blue
eyes. What beauties they were already.
His brother, Nick was sitting at the table with his new
bride, Lucinda and their daughter Cassandra. Luigi was happy Nick
and Lucinda had found each other. They were a perfect match. He had
adopted Cassandra shortly after the marriage and she even looked a
little like the Marino family. Luigi found himself envying his
younger brother. He was so busy working and securing his future with
Weston's he hadn't had time for any kind of a meaningful
relationship. There was never a shortage of young women and he'd
been involved with a number of them but none that he could picture
sitting at the Marino family table.
He thought Mamma looked wonderful. Much younger than
her age although she wasn't old by any means. Papa on the other
hand had a sadness about him. Mamma told him about the loss of his
good friend, Mr. Russo and how he had given up the land that had been
in the family for years. He winced when he thought about the fact
that none of his sons were interested in taking over the land. Nick
loved working with grapes but his life was here in Camden Corners.
Luigi couldn't imagine his brother living anywhere else.
“Luigi, what are you standing there for? Come have
some breakfast,” his sister said when she noticed him in the
doorway.
Rosa worried about Luigi. She had been more of a mother
to her two brothers than a sister. They were both quite young when
they arrived in the United States. She had seen to it that they
attended school and church, did their homework, and behaved
themselves at all times. Luigi was a natural scholar, he never had a
failing grade and graduated at the top of his class. Nick, on the
other hand struggled to get through his final exams. If it hadn't
been for Rosa working with him every night he probably wouldn't have
graduated. He was never interested in learning unless it had to do
with grapes. He wasn't unintelligent, he just didn't like to learn
what they were teaching in school. He always did well in mathematics
and science, but wasn't interested in history and related subjects.
Nick was happy in his life. He was doing what he had always wanted
to do and he had Lucinda and Cassandra right there beside him. If
what Lucinda thought was true, they would be having a little brother
or sister for Cassandra one of these days. Eduardo mentioned last
night that Luigi was asking about Amanda Mackenzie. Rosa thought to
herself, those two were such a nice couple in high school. I wonder
if Amanda is busy today?
“Sorry Rosa, I was just admiring my family. What a
handsome group of folks we are.” Everyone laughed but Mamma
agreed with him and smiled.
“Luigi, come sit by me,” said Mamma. Your sister was
telling me about a fine young girl you were friends with in high
school. I do remember you writing about a girl named Amanda. I
thought it was such a pretty name. Daniella tells me she is back in
town after a broken engagement. Do you think she may still be
interested in you?”
“Mamma, it was a high school crush. So much has
happened in both our lives since then. We aren't the same people
anymore. Besides, I'm sure she doesn't even remember me.”
“That's not true, Uncle Luigi,” Daniella said.
“Why just last week Amanda asked me how you were doing and if you
were courting anyone. She smiled when I told her I didn't think so.”
“That settles it Luigi,” said Rosa. “You march
yourself down to the Mackenzie house as soon as you finish your eggs.
You and Amanda have wasted enough time. Now don't be stubborn.”
Luigi laughed at the women in his family who would like
nothing better than to marry him off. He had to be honest with
himself. He wouldn't mind that one bit. After breakfast Eduardo
covered for him while he slipped out the back door. He remembered
the way to the Mackenzie's house without even thinking about it. He
had made the walk so many times. Amanda was his first love and if he
were honest, his only love. He would have to find out more about
this engagement of hers. Maybe she was pining away for the guy.
As he tapped on the door knocker he hoped he wouldn't
embarrass himself. Just then the door was thrown open and a very
angry looking fellow was leaving the house. He recognized Amanda as
she followed him to the front walk and told him to calm down before
he drove away in the horse and carriage that was waiting for him.
“He is going to kill himself,” an exasperated Amanda
said to no one in particular. She turned around and saw Luigi
standing before her.
“Luigi, I can't believe it's you. When did you get
into town? How long will you be here? Oh Luigi you are certainly a
sight for sore eyes. Come inside, please.” She took hold of his
arm and guided him through the door.
“I don't want to bother you Amanda. It looks like you
were involved in something and I interrupted you.”
“Don't be silly. That was Nathaniel Lancaster, III.
We were engaged for about 30 seconds and now he thinks he can win my
heart with his shenanigans. I hope that is the last I see of him.”
“You must have some feeling for him if you accepted
his proposal of marriage.”
“It's a long story but I know how honorable you are so
I will tell you. I'm ashamed to say that I was mesmerized by his
charm and good looks. Nathaniel's grandfather, Nathaniel Lancaster,
I is the founder of Lancaster Trust.”
Luigi was very familiar with Lancaster Trust and knew
how influential the family was all along the eastern seaboard.
“I met Nathaniel at the wedding reception of a mutual
friend in New York City when I was living there. As I said before,
he was charming and I developed a crush on him almost immediately.
We courted for about three months before he asked me to be his wife.
I imagined my life would be filled with magic being married to a man
of such wealth and influence. My friends all tried to dissuade me
from even considering the marriage proposal but I was determined.
Our lives were a constant flurry of parties and
activities that I had never experienced before. I didn't realize at
the time but his friends were cold and indifferent to me. When we
dined with his parents, which was often, his father tolerated my
being with Nathaniel and was pleasant but his mother would peer over
the top of her spectacles with disapproving looks. Still, I went
along with it and hardly noticed. I had begged Nathaniel to
accompany me home to Camden Corners to meet my family. He finally
agreed and we arrived on the train one afternoon. You know what a
big boisterous family we have. I think the moment I walked through
the door I knew the visit was not going to go well.
Papa began quizzing Nathaniel about how he made his
living and how he planned to support me. Nathaniel had never been
asked questions like that before and told Papa in no uncertain terms
that it was none of his business. Of course, Papa believed it was
his business and refused to approve the marriage. Mama managed to
calm Papa down enough to sit at the dinner table with the rest of the
family. Mama had prepared her famous pot roast and gravy.
Nathaniel was unaccustomed to that type of food and could not force
himself to even taste the meal. That, of course, made Papa even
angrier. That was just about the time I looked at Nathaniel and
whatever charm I thought he had totally disappeared. I don't know
why I thought a marriage between us would work. The man had
absolutely no ambition and was willing to live off his family's money
for the rest of his days.
Nathaniel left that evening insisting I go back to New
York with him. I knew I couldn't possibly marry him and told him I
was breaking off our engagement. I handed him the ring he had given
to me and had such a sense of relief.
I stayed with my family for a few more days then
returned to New York. I realized I had lost my perspective. I was
living the kind of life I had read about in novels and that was not
the way I wanted it. I gave my notice at work and came back to
Camden Corners to see if I could discover myself again.
Nathaniel is unaccustomed to not getting his way. He
hasn't told any of his friends or his family that we are no longer
together. He has been dropping by every week or so trying to
convince me to go back to New York with him. Every time he comes it
is obvious he has been drinking all the the way from New York.
So there you have it. My story and not a pretty one.
I'm very ashamed that I fell for such a shallow man.”
What Amanda didn't tell him is that she made a trip to
Wilmington just before she became involved with Nathaniel. She had
never gotten over her feelings for her high school sweetheart and
Rosa had told her Luigi was not involved with anyone. She had the
address of Luigi's apartment and as she was walking toward the
entrance she saw him with a tall gorgeous blond. They were laughing
as he opened the door for her and they disappeared into the building.
She felt like a fool and high tailed it back to New York. If she
had followed Luigi into the building she would have seen Luigi and
the blond part at her apartment door where she was greeted by her
husband who happened to be Luigi's best friend and Luigi walking by
himself into his lonely living quarters.
“I'm happy you aren't marrying that fellow because now
I can ask you to come to Rosa's tonight for dinner. My Mamma and
papa are here from Tuscany and I'd love to introduce you to them.”
“Oh Luigi, I'm so happy for Rosa. I know how much she
has wanted your folks to visit for all these years. I would love to
meet them.”
“I'll pick you up at 5:00, that will give them plenty
of time to look you over. Seems my nieces have given Mamma ideas
about you and me. The whole family would like to see me married off
so ignore them when they start in on you. We are still the best of
friends, I hope.”
“The best of friends.” Amanda replied trying to keep
her disappointment in check. She didn't want Luigi to know she
wanted much more than friendship with him.
Without thinking, Luigi wrapped his arms around her
kissing her as friends rarely do. He smiled as he walked back toward
the restaurant to let Mamma and Rosa know he had invited a friend for
dinner. A very special friend.
Mack Mackenzie was pouring coffee for a customer after
refusing him another drink due to his obvious inebriation when Nick
walked in with a white haired gentleman. Mack guessed immediately
that this was the senior Luigi Rossi. The men shook hands
“Call me Lou.” said the older gentleman. “I'm in
America now.”
“Luigi is in Camden Corners too. He is visiting your
sister, Amanda as we speak. I don't think he has ever gotten over
his feelings for her.” said Nick
“I could have told you Amanda feels the same way. She
was engaged to some rich guy from New York. That didn't last long.
The poor sap had no idea that Luigi has been the only one for her
ever since fifth grade.”
Nathaniel Lancaster, III was hovering in the corner
adding whiskey from the flask he carried in his pocket to the strong
coffee the bartender was forcing on him. He was seething. He
remembered seeing some chap standing near the door of the Mackenzie
house when Amanda told him to get out. No wonder she broke off the
engagement. She is involved with that guy. We'll see about that he
said as he slithered out the front door and climbed unsteadily on his
rented carriage and headed back down the road to have a little talk
with Miss Amanda Mackenzie. He felt for the revolver he carried in
his pocket.
“We'll just see about that!” he shouted
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