Lily Lawson's Blog: Lily's log, page 11

Frustration prompt - Far-off waves …

Maria headed for the beach. There had been a lot to process recently. She’d only finished university a few years ago and was still finding her way around the business after spending some time travelling.

Mario had insisted she learn the ropes before whatever she did next. When he told her and her brothers he was terminal she understood why. Leroy couldn’t manage on his own and Andre was not reliable but he was interested in the charity so that might anchor him a bit although it was her parents thing really. Now there was Lucy.

Her body felt like it had been given a good pummelling but she had stepped up and cared for Mario. Leroy and Andre had leaned on her and expected her to do it all till she lost it with them. In the past few weeks they had upped their game.

The siblings were working it out and having their mother around the past few days had been helpful. The shock of having an aunty and a sister/cousin had reduced them all to silence. The pressure of being the first to break it and discuss it between themselves seemed to rest with her.

Speaking to Lucy had been surprisingly easy. There were conversations that needed to be had. Andre had spoken to their father a little and her own daily conversations with Mario had answered most of her questions. Leroy was the only one avoiding him, his hero diminished in his sight.

The four of them needed to be a team to deal with whatever the future held. They had to work out what that looked like before the chance to consult their father was taken from them.

Maria climbed the rocks beside the lighthouse and screamed until she felt the breath almost leave her body.

Far off waves made for the shore, she liked the rhythm of them, the reliability, the variance in strength. They were kindred spirits. She wished on them that they would bring her what she needed to get through this and come out the other side.

Leroy had to face this. She would lock them in a room if she had to. Then maybe all four siblings could talk.

Frustration

Maria headed for the beach. There had been a lot to process recently. She’d only finished university a few years ago and was still finding her way around the business after spending some time travelling.

Mario had insisted she learn the ropes before whatever she did next. When he told her and her brothers he was terminal she understood why. Leroy couldn’t manage on his own and Andre was not reliable but he was interested in the charity so that might anchor him a bit although it was her parents thing really. Now there was Lucy.

Her body felt like it had been given a good pummelling but she had stepped up and cared for Mario. Leroy and Andre had leaned on her and expected her to do it all till she lost it with them. In the past few weeks they had upped their game.

The siblings were working it out and having their mother around the past few days had been helpful. The shock of having an aunty and a sister/cousin had reduced them all to silence. The pressure of being the first to break it and discuss it between themselves seemed to rest with her.

Speaking to Lucy had been surprisingly easy. There were conversations that needed to be had. Andre had spoken to their father a little and her own daily conversations with Mario had answered most of her questions. Leroy was the only one avoiding him, his hero diminished in his sight.

The four of them needed to be a team to deal with whatever the future held. They had to work out what that looked like before the chance to consult their father was taken from them.

Maria climbed the rocks beside the lighthouse and screamed until she felt the breath almost leave her body.

Far off waves made for the shore, she liked the rhythm of them, the reliability, the variance in strength. They were kindred spirits. She wished on them that they would bring her what she needed to get through this and come out the other side.

Leroy had to face this. She would lock them in a room if she had to. Then maybe all four siblings could talk.

Responsibility

Leroy had wandered off on his own. He needed time to think. The responsibility of two younger siblings was familiar but now there were three and he never knew Lucy existed till recently.

Mario had made it clear that they all had equal shares, but Leroy was the one who had run the place side by side with Mario since he got his business degree.

Maria did the marketing as that was her degree.

Andre charmed everyone from supplier to camper, Leroy was unsure how American studies fitted the business model but given Andre had gone off travelling straight after it hadn’t been an issue.

He had no idea how Lucy would fit in business wise either.

All this business stuff and his father’s past being revealed not to mention his failing health gave Leroy a headache he couldn’t seem to shift.

So, he’d done what he did when this happened, he took to the hills.

The ground disappeared from under his feet. He was falling down a disused well. As he fell, he waited for water to hit him. When it did, he was relieved to find it wasn’t deep. There was no ladder, or any means of climbing out so he had to do the most unLeroy like thing and call for help.

He rang Andre but got no answer.

Maria’s went to voicemail.

His mum’s phone was engaged.

He couldn’t call his dad.

He had no other option. He called Lucy.

Decisions

In the months since Mario’s death the four siblings had managed the estate between them and learnt a great deal in the process.

Once their plans were in place it had become obvious that maintaining the place and running it was not a four-person job.

‘There’s a place for sale in town, it got me thinking.’ Lucy put the lunch plates on the table.

‘Go on’ Maria got the cutlery.

‘We could do something new, together just you and me.’

‘What did you have in mind?’

‘Maybe some kind of event planning or marketing or something.’ Lucy poured the wine. ‘We have experience between us. With my management degree and your marketing one I think we’d be able to come up with some decent options.’

‘Is this why you made me lunch?’

‘Can’t a sister do something nice for her sister?’

‘I don’t know. I’ve never had a sister before and neither have you.'

‘What do you think?’

‘It would be good to get away from the boys.’

‘The thing is we might have to use some of our shares in this place to fund it. Maybe like half each. So, we’d have one third between us rather than a quarter each.’

‘I see. I need to think about this. We need to know what we are getting into. Dad wanted us to have equal shares.’

‘Mario was a man who took chances, he told me about them. He wouldn’t have got to where he go to if he hadn’t. I think he might understand us wanting to strike out on our own.’

‘I wish I could talk to him.’

‘Let me know when you do. I understand whatever you decide.'

Lucy left Mario alone.

She decided to go to her father's grave, to ask his advice.

Regrets

‘Dad there’s loads we don’t know about you. This last couple of days has proved that.’

‘What did you want to know?’

‘How did you and mum meet?’

‘My Andre, ever the romantic.’ Mario put his hand on his heart.

‘It was someone’s birthday party and I asked her to dance. I was a bit of a clumsy oaf in those days. They’d been cleaning the floor and I fell over a bucket. She was so kind to me I knew she was the one.’

‘Do you have any regrets?’

‘We had loads of plans, loads of things we wanted to do.’

‘You had adventures. I’ve seen the photos.’

‘Yeah, we did. It didn’t make up for it though.’

‘Make up for what?’

‘My biggest regret is losing her.’

‘You didn’t, not really.’

‘I wasn’t faithful, the evidence is walking around outside. If you find the right one son, hold on and never let go. Your mum deserved better than me.’

‘She loves you or she wouldn’t be here.’

‘She’s a remarkable woman, a wise one too.’

‘You’re a bit of a wise one too.’

‘Took me longer than it should have to see what I had.’ Mario got hold of Andre’s hands. ‘Look after her for me.’

‘I will dad promise.’

Giovanna’s daughter

‘What was it like having Giovanna as a mother growing up?’

Maria led Lucy round the estate.

Lucy laughed.

‘An experience huh?’

‘She can be a bit much I know but she loves me.’

‘She seems a bit selfish to me. What sort of person has an affair with their brother-in-law?’ Maria opened the gate to the deserted campsite. ‘I asked mum about her, and she said she was like that growing up taking whatever she wanted especially if it belonged to her.’

‘Yes, that’s kind of how she rolls. She has a great imagination though.’

‘My mum paints and takes photos. Maybe they share creative genes.’

Maria led Lucy to a bench.

‘She used to make up stories. I can remember this one about his old man, the way she described him reminded me of Santa but this is my mother so it got dramatic…’

‘Do you remember it?’

‘Not much. He lived in a cave. He was huge like some kind of monster but wise. This girl went to see him for advice, the town being in trouble kind of thing … she had loads of them. If she hadn’t been so lazy, she might have written them down and published them.’

‘She still might.’

‘You’ve met my mother; do you really think that’s going to happen?’

‘You have a point, maybe not, good idea though.’

Heading for trouble

Giovanna yelled and punched and kicked the barn door.

‘Let me out!’

Leroy and Andre doing their nightly checks heard the racket and went to investigate.

‘Wait till I get hold of her.’ Giovanna struggled in Leroy’s arms having ran full throttle into him.

‘Who?’ he tried to restrain her as Andre locked the barn.

‘Your bloody mother that’s who. Locking me up like a criminal.’

‘Well, you did have an affair with her husband.’

Andre dodged the flailing limbs.

‘That was twenty years ago, she must be over that by now.’

‘The evidence suggest otherwise and there is a nineteen year old human here as a result of it.’

‘Gabriella adores Lucy.’

‘Lucy is not the problem.’

‘What’s the problem then?’

Andre took over as Leroy wandered off.

‘What’s his problem? What is it with you Capaldi’s? ‘

‘Maybe we don’t take it very well when our auntie has our father’s baby and it takes nearly twenty years for anyone to tell us and we only find out because he’s dying.’

‘I still say your mother can hold a grudge.’

‘She found out yesterday for heaven’s sake.’

‘I’m going to have this out with Mario. Dying man or no.’

‘I’m not going to stop you. Just don’t kill him, ok?’

‘At this point I can only think of one way to do that and I’m not sure it would work.’

‘I’m not going to ask.’

‘Your father was the best I’ve ever had.’

‘I’d rather not talk about that thank you.’

‘Bet you take after him.’

‘Just go if you’re going.’

***

Gabriella was sat with Mario as Giovanna stormed in.

‘Surprised to see me sis?’

‘Who let you out?’

‘Those charming boys of yours. Bet they’re not short of company.'

‘Neither are you I bet.’

‘A lady never tells.’

‘You’re no lady.’

Giovanna pulled Gabriella to her feet.

‘Ok let’s do this.’

‘You’re on.’

‘That’s enough.’ Mario kicked their legs.

‘It’s ok Casanova we’re taking this outside. Let’s see if your wife’s black belt is real.’

‘Oh, it’s real enough.’ Gabriella shoved Giovanna out the door.

Mario text 999 in the group chat.

They couldn't be allowed to fight. He had to think of a way to stop it.

Consequences

‘Yesterday must have been overwhelming for you.’

Maria gave Lucy her breakfast.

‘It was a lot.’ She sipped her tea. ‘Mum told me about all of you but it wasn’t till Andre rang her that she told me Mario was my father.’

Maria shifted in her seat.

‘All she ever told me was she had an affair, couldn’t be with my father and had to leave the country.’ Lucy made a neat pile of her crockery on the table. ‘She spoke well of him.’

Maria bit her toast.

‘It wasn’t love; I knew that.’ She picked up her things and headed to the sink. ‘My mother was just being my mother taking what she wanted, he didn’t stand a chance, she’d be in there all over him trying to get him to change his will if there wasn’t so many people around.’

‘Well, it is what it is.’ Maria joined Lucy in the kitchen. ‘I have a sister and she needs to see the place she has a quarter share in.’

‘I’d like to see everything, but it belongs to you and your brothers when your father passes.’

‘He’s your father too, it’s only right its split 4 ways.’

‘Your brothers may not see it like that.’

‘Don’t worry, they do. Come on I’ll give you the guided tour.’

***

‘Do we have to do this now? Can it not wait till morning?’ Giovanna rubbed her arms.

‘Stop whinging. You said you wanted to see everything; this is the last barn.’

Gabriella took the rusty key from her pocket. She felt for the lock in the dark. The door creaked open.

‘Ok I’ve seen your barn. Can we go back to the house?’

‘When we’ve had a look round. Interesting places barns…’

Giovanna walked to the back of the barn.

‘Ok lets get this over with.’

Gabriella made for the door.

Giovanna followed her.

‘Not so fast sister dear. You’ll be all nice and cosy in here tonight. I’ve made you up a nice bed and left you some supplies. You can go home tomorrow.’

‘Lucy and I will be out of here first thing don’t you worry about that.’

‘Lucy is a grown woman, she can make up her own mind and she wants to stay here with us for a while. Giovanna stamped her feet and grabbed at her sister. ‘I’m sure she will visit you. To be clear you are not to come here.’

Gabriella pushed her off. ‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you. I am a black belt after all.’

Giovanna made a lunge for the door.

Gabriella moved her out of the way and left the barn locking the door behind her.

Keys

As Gabriella waited outside for Lucy, she spotted a crow.

‘Crows mean change.’ Giovanna appeared at her side. ‘Fitting I’d say that one should be here.’

A taxi pulled up to the house and a young woman got out. The driver helped her with her bags, and she tipped him.

‘Lucy’ Giovanna wrapped her daughter in a hug.

Lucy eye rolled Gabriella over her shoulder.

Once she had been extracted Gabriella took in her niece. She was it seemed, the opposite of her mother in personality although she was almost a carbon copy in appearance.

‘Nice to meet you.’

‘You too.’

‘Are you ready? Andre get her bags, Leroy help him, Maria where is that girl?’

‘Breathe mother, I can manage and no rush. I’ve waited my whole life to meet my father a few more minutes won’t kill me.’

‘But it might kill him.’ Giovanna took her daughter’s arm. ‘He is a dying man.’

Gabriella helped Lucy with her bags while Giovanna hurried her into the house.

***

‘Lucy only.’ Mario’s voice came through the open door.

‘But …’ Giovanna protested.

‘You’ve hardly seen the place. Let me show you round.’ Leroy led his aunt away.

***

‘I know this isn’t easy for you, or for any of us.’ Gabriella placed her hand on Lucy’s shoulder. ‘But especially for you.’

‘Can I get you anything?’ Maria greeted her cousin. ‘I need a bit of Dutch courage to face all this some days, I’m learning a lot about my father’s life.’

‘I’m tempted but I think a clear head is best at the moment.’

Lucy went into Mario’s room and closed the door.

***

The door opened about an hour later.

‘He wants to see all four of us together. Just his children.’

Giovanna went to follow them in.

‘Leave them to it.’ Gabriella blocked her path.

‘But …’

‘Mother please.’ Lucy closed the door.

***

‘Here are your keys.’ Mario passed them out.

‘I’m not sure …’

‘Lucy, you are my child, you will be treated as such.’

‘It will be ok.’ Leroy put his arm round his cousin.

‘I’m sure we can work together to keep the estate going.’

Andre kissed his father.

‘You don’t have to live here, but it is your home now.’

Maria gave Lucy a glass of water.

Lucy fumbled with a small key on the ring.

‘That’s the safe. You need to set your own combo, that you can all remember and use. I will get Gabriella to open it so it can be reset. She will need access too. If you need information she knows everything.’

‘Now if you don’t mind. I would like some more time with Lucy.’

Leroy, Andre and Maria left the room and Lucy closed the door.

Prep

When Giovanna told Mario she was pregnant he opened an account and made regular payments till Lucy was 18.

To avoid telling Gabriella about their affair he made the condition that Giovanna and Lucy could never return to the estate. Mario made it clear the payments would stop.

if Gabriella found out about Lucy’s paternity.

There was nothing left of the money except the bare minimum to keep the account open in case Giovanna managed to scrounge any more out of Mario.

It was a surprise that Lucy would inherit a quarter of the estate.

***

Mario sat up in bed with his family round him.

‘Gabriella my lawyer has some papers to sign so you can run the business and the charity, my shares become yours once they are signed.’

‘I thought you said the kids got everything.’

‘No, they get the estate and any money not in the business. You get the business and the charity.’

‘and Giovanna?’

‘Your sister will get nothing from me.’

Four heads nodded.

‘When Lucy comes occupy that sister of yours will you, I want to be alone when I meet my daughter.’

‘And what do you suggest? I can’t bear to be alone with that woman.’

‘You have a creative mind, I’m sure you will think of something.’

Mario bit his lip.

Gabriella laughed.

‘She might not like it….’

‘I thought that might be the case.’

‘You are such a bastard.’

‘So you keep telling me.’

‘Damn you I wish you weren’t so lovable with it.’

They all kissed him and left the room.