A TWIST OF FATE
Chapter Forty
The dinner was excellent; Jack had to admit
he couldn't remember the last time he ate so well. There was enough delicious
food to feed an army. It was a chance for the family to get together one last
time before the big day. Maria's family was large and friendly. They were all
very excited about the coming wedding and equally pleased that Fabri's friend
had made it. With Fabri's family in Italy and unable to attend, Jack was the
closest to family that Fabri had. They sat round a table that was far too small
for all the people and all the plates. Jack sat between Fabri and Maria's
sister Theresa.
"This food is excellent Mrs. Di Rossi" Jack grinned.
"Why thank you Jack, but I can't take all the credit, everyone helped a
little bit"
"Here boy, have more wine" offered Maria's father topping up his
glass.
Jack was already starting to feel a little lightheaded. He ate more bread and
swallowed another mouthful of the rich red wine in his glass.
The family asked Jack about his life in Philadelphia, his drawing and then
about his and Fabri's travels around Europe. In between mouthfuls of pasta Jack
and Fabri recounted tales of their days on the road. Jack was truly happy. His
stomach was full and he was among friends. He didn't feel lonely and the wine
numbed the pain he was feeling about Rose. He felt almost part of the family,
it was a strange feeling and the love that was evident between Fabri and Maria
warmed him.
"Tomorrow night, we go out" Guiseppe, Maria's father laughed.
"We have to be out of the way, the ladies have a little something to do
and us men have too!"
"What is that all about?" whispered Jack.
"There is something the ladies have to do with Maria's dress" replied
Fabri
"There is a tradition from where we come from in Italy." Explained
Theresa. "We have to lay out Maria's dress in the moonlight for
luck."
"We will go to my brothers restaurant and have a glass of wine!"
laughed Guiseppe. "My first daughter is getting married!"
Rose Jack thought. If only you were here, you'd love. Real nice people and
proper Italian food. The wine swirled round his head.
I promise, I will take you there, one day.
Rose and Trudy made their way back home in silence, getting out of the cab
around the corner so as not to be seen. They walked up the steps to the house,
only to be greeted by Lovejoy at the door. Rose's heart fell. This meant that
Cal was home and had posted Lovejoy to look out for her. This was not a good
sign.
"Ah Miss, Mr. Hockley was concerned about you. He did not know where you
where."
"Well I am back, you can go and tell him" snapped Rose. She pushed
past Lovejoy and went upstairs. She had just found out one of the worst things
that had ever happened to her, had to do the worst thing she thought possible
and was in no mood for Lovejoy or Cal's ranting which would inevitably follow.
She hadn't been in her room two minutes when there was a thud of feet on the
stairs. Rose closed her eyes. She wanted to tell Cal about the baby, but now,
not like this.
"Rose!" he shouted and stormed into the room. "What is the
meaning of this?"
"The meaning of what?"
"You have deliberately disobeyed me again. You were told not to go out
when I am not here"
Rose stared back at Cal coldly.
"I needed some air"
"There is a perfectly good, secured garden behind the house. You could
have gone there"
"I wanted a proper walk."
"So where have you been?"
"Just out walking with Trudy. It was a lovely day."
"Now I know you are lying" Cal's face was almost exploding with
anger. "You have been seen out"
"So you have had people spying on me?" Rose too turned red. She was
too afraid to be nervous.
"I have tried. God I have tried. Nothing, NOTHING I have done so far has
got through to you has it? Well, I know of one way I will get through"
He turned and left the room. Rose paused for a moment trying to work out what
Cal was about to do. She heard a click from the corridor and knew immediately.
Cal was going into her art room.
Picking up her skirt she ran out and followed after him. He stood in the middle
of the room, for one moment the beauty and colors of the art trying to reach
him. But they had no effect on Cal. He grabbed the first one and smashed it
over his knee, tearing through the canvas.
"No Cal!" screamed Rose as Cal ripped up some drawings done by Jack
he had left on the table. The paper fluttered through the air like little
birds. Another picture went smash and another.
Rose stood horrified.
"Stop it Cal. Stop it, stop it" she sobbed as her beloved pictures
were torn down and destroyed. Unable to watch, she went over to Cal and grabbed
his arm. She struggled to hold him back, but it didn't stop Cal.
"I warned you Rose" he snarled as another painting fell in bits.