Chapter 13

Carlita finished filling the platter with mini meatballs and placed them next to the prosciutto-wrapped avocado bites. She set the sheet cake and paper plates off to the side and did a final check of the gift table.

The apartment door flew open. A weary Mercedes trudged inside. “Hey, Ma. Sorry if I’m late.”

Carlita tied the bouquet of balloons to the guest of honor’s chair. “How did it go?”

“About as good as can be expected.” Mercedes plopped down on the sofa and kicked her shoes off. “Except for the fact Sam brought his tour group by to introduce me to them.”

“Introduce you?”

“Fully clothed in an orange jumpsuit with a prison guard standing nearby.” Mercedes placed her head in her hands. “I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life.”

Carlita chuckled, envisioning the look on her daughter’s face when Sam showed up. “I saw a picture of you and Elvira in action. Where were you?”

“City Market. Smack dab in the middle of the square. He humiliated me on purpose,” Mercedes said.

“The City Market is part of his tour route,” her mother reminded her.

“It is, and it would have been fine had he not introduced me via his bullhorn.”

“I wish I could’ve been there. At least he isn’t embarrassed at the thought of his girlfriend performing community service. I call it devotion.”

Mercedes lifted her head, trying to visualize how she must’ve looked. “I suppose. He didn’t seem at all shy about letting people know who I was. It wasn’t so funny at the time.”

“I bet you were fit to be tied.” Carlita shook her finger. “You should give him the benefit of the doubt.”

“I’ll think about it.” Mercedes changed the subject. “Before I forget, remind me later, after the shower, to talk to you about making another batch of biscuits and gravy tomorrow morning.”

“Why?”

“For the prison guard/cop I invited to Ravello’s, who might have information on Cool Bones’ case.”

Ting. Ting. The outer bell rang.

Carlita hurried to the door. “I hope guests aren’t already showing up.”

“I need to shower and change.” Mercedes slowly stood.

“Go ahead. I’ll see who it is.” Carlita ran downstairs and found a delivery person standing on the stoop with a bouquet of flowers in hand. “I have a delivery for Mercedes Garlucci.”

“Mercedes is my daughter.” Carlita could barely see the man past the gigantic bouquet of long stemmed red roses. “Do you need me to sign?”

“Please.” He handed her a clipboard.

Carlita signed her name and traded the clipboard for the bouquet. “These are stunning.”

“It’s our most extravagant bouquet. I don’t know what the sender did, but he must’ve gotten into some pretty deep doo to spring for these flowers.”

“He did. This should get him pretty far in making amends.” Carlita thanked the delivery person and carried the bouquet back upstairs.

She placed them on the counter and texted Shelby to let her know they were ready for their special guest of honor.

Shelby and Violet arrived within minutes.

Carlita gave her daughter-in-law a gentle hug. “You’re absolutely glowing.”

“More like sweating.” Shelby fanned her face. “The baby is making me hot.”

“It won’t be long now.” Carlita hugged Violet next. “Are you ready to help Nana host the baby shower?”

“Yep.” Violet twirled in a circle. “Mom bought me a new dress for the party.”

“It’s beautiful, like you.”

Shelby waddled over to the counter. “These roses are gorgeous.”

“They’re Sam’s apology roses for Mercedes.” Carlita told her what had happened.

“Oh, boy.” Shelby let out a low whistle. “I bet she was steaming.”

“Steaming, stewing. Here she comes now.”

Mercedes breezed into the living room, looking no worse for the wear, sporting pink shorts and a crisp white cotton blouse.

“Your mother told me what happened and how Sam showed up downtown,” Shelby said. “I don’t think I would have been happy either.”

“I was ticked. He’s lucky the cop was there, and I didn’t punch him.”

Carlita motioned to the flowers. “These were delivered a few minutes ago.”

Her daughter’s expression softened. “Someone sent me flowers?”

“I’m gonna go out on a limb and guess it was Sam. The biggest, most extravagant bouquet he could buy,” Carlita said. “At least according to the delivery driver.”

“I see an envelope.” Mercedes tugged the envelope from the holder. She flipped the flap and removed the card. “Flowers for the most beautiful community service worker in Savannah. I’m sorry.” The card was signed, Love, Sam.

“He must’ve realized how upset you were, and this is his way of apologizing.”

“Your flowers are so pretty, Aunt Mercedes,” Violet said.

“They are. I suppose I should thank him.” She grabbed her cell phone and stepped out onto the balcony.

Shelby waited until the door closed. “Sam’s been treading on thin ice lately, as far as Mercedes is concerned.”

Carlita sighed. “She put him on long-term relationship probation, because of the whole Natalie incident.”

“I can’t say I blame her, but maybe it’s time to forgive and forget or…”

“Move on,” Carlita said.

“Yep.”

The conversation ended when Mercedes returned. “Sam is home. He wants to know if I have a minute to stop by.”

“Go ahead. We’ll greet the guests if anyone shows up early.” After she left, Carlita grabbed the special gift she’d purchased for Violet. “This is for you.”

Violet’s eyes grew round as saucers. “A present for me?”

“For being my special helper.”

The young girl reached past the sparkly lavender tissue paper and removed a purple jumpsuit. Along with the jumpsuit were hair bows, matching purple sandals and a heart-shaped locket.

“You can save the outfit for another day since you’re wearing your new dress.”

Violet flung her arms around Carlita and hugged her tightly. “You’re the best Nana ever.”

“And you’re the best granddaughter.” Carlita blinked back the sudden tears, overcome by emotion and love for the young girl who had captured her heart. “Papa Pete…Gramps and I love you very much.”

Mercedes reappeared, her cheeks flushed and clutching a sheet of paper. “Sam wanted to apologize in person and give me this.”

“What is it?”

She handed it to her mother.

Carlita slipped her reading glasses on, skimming the hotel reservation for a swanky resort in Hilton Head.

“He booked us a romantic weekend getaway. He said I’ve been working too hard and could use a break.”

“How sweet.” Carlita handed it back. “Red roses, romantic getaways. Sam is a keeper.”

“He’s totally redeemed himself.”

The outer bell rang. “It’s time to celebrate Baby Garlucci.” Carlita darted downstairs to welcome their guests. She escorted the women, friends of Shelby’s, to the apartment and returned in time for another round of arrivals.

One after another, all bearing gifts for the mother-to-be. Soon, the apartment was packed. Cheerful voices. Smiling faces.

Working as a team, Carlita, Mercedes, and Violet hustled and hosted. Tons of food. Lots of laughter. There were games and gifts galore. A stroller, newborn outfits, baby blankets, diapers, rattles and even a bouncy seat. So many gadgets and gizmos, Carlita wondered where they would put it all. Fortunately, she had a very good idea. There was another big surprise she couldn’t wait to share.

After the guests left, Carlita and Mercedes made several trips back and forth, helping Shelby carry the gifts to their cramped apartment at the other end of the alley.

“Where you gonna put all of this?” Mercedes asked.

“I wish I knew.” Shelby sighed. “I forgot how much stuff babies need.”

“I might have a solution.” Carlita caught her daughter’s eye when Shelby looked away and winked. “I haven’t given you my gift yet. I want to wait until Tony is around to give it to you.”

“You’ve already done so much,” Shelby protested.

Carlita placed her hand on her big belly. “Believe me…you’re going to love it. I promise.”

“I’m sure we will. Thank you, Carlita and Mercedes. I couldn’t ask for a better family.”

“We feel the same.” Mercedes hugged her sister-in-law.

With a final hug for Violet, Carlita and her daughter trekked out of the apartment. The baby shower was a wonderful break, a welcome break from worrying about Cool Bones.

Something told her they would need to double down on their efforts if they planned to make headway in helping their friend and tenant.