Page 6 of Veil of the Past
“We’ve got a baked Alaska as today’s special, but I doubt that’s something you’re interested in, Mara,” Jade says, laughing at the expression on Mara’s face at the mention of baked Alaska.
Mara shakes her head, her face still twisted in disgust. “No thanks. I’ll just take a turkey sandwich with a tall glass of lemonade, please.”
Jade writes Mara’s order and then looks up at me. I order my usual. “I’ll take the eggs and avocado on toast and a cup of iced mocha, please.”
“I’ll have the Banana whip açaí bowl, and do you have the berry sparkling water?” Val asks Jade.
“We don’t, we’re waiting on an order, but we do have the strawberry one. Would you like that one?”
Valentina shakes her head and says, “That’s okay. I’ll just have some iced water. Thanks, Jade.”
“And what about you Mariana, what would you like?” Jade asks Aunt Mariana.
“Oh… I don’t want anything. I have to head out soon. I’m fine, thank you.” Jade gives her a single nod, tucking her small notepad and pen into her back pocket.
After Jade heads back to the kitchen, Val turns to Aunt Mariana and asks her, “Are you sure? We thought you’d be able to stay for brunch today.”
Aunt Mari reaches out, covering Val’s hand, and says, “I know, but unfortunately, I have an important scan at the clinic around the corner, so I can’t stay for long.”
“It’s not something dangerous, is it? Why do they want to do a scan?” I ask, noticing both Val and Mara seem to be alarmed as well. Val’s brows are scrunched up in confusion, and Mara leans back, her arms folded over her chest. Aunt Mariana has always been as healthy as a horse —so this is out of the ordinary for her.
“No, nothing to be worried over. The doctors just want to eliminate a few things. I’ve been having stomach aches that haven’t been going away. That’s all,” she tells us. When she looks at her phone screen, she says, “I have to get going. The appointment is in twenty minutes, and we all know how busy New York can be.” When Aunt Mariana scoots over, I move so she can get out of the booth.
“Keep us updated, yeah?” I say, and she nods before making her way through the now-crowded café.
Jade doesn’t take long to return and says, “Your food will be out in just a couple of minutes. Enjoy.”
The café is alive with noise, the chatter of weekenders, and the clinking of cups creating a hum that fills the air. It’s busy, but that’s part of its charm—no one ever pays much attention to us here. We’re just another trio of girls sharing coffee and conversation, nothing more. I guess, with the chaos that comes with being a woman in the Mafia world, we seek the simple things that comfort us.
I wrap my hand around my iced mocha, letting the coolness seep into my warm palm. Valentina sits across from me, her engagement ring glinting subtly in the soft morning light. She’s leaning back, relaxed, but there’s a small furrow in her brow that I’ve come to recognize. Next to her, Mara stirs her lemonade absently, eyes distant, as if lost in thought. I decide to break the silence.
“So, how was everyone’s week?” I ask, taking a sip of my coffee.
Mara’s the one to speak up first, setting her spoon down with a sigh. “Exhausting, honestly. Ma, Val, and I are organizing everything for this year’s family Christmas gala.”
I nod, understanding her frustration. “God, I hate having to go to that fucking gala, I can’t stand the hostility. At least it’s only once a year, and then everyone goes back to their cities. Remember what Aunt Rosa wore last year?”
Val laughs and says, “Oh, my God. Yeah, I remember. She wore that dress that made her look like a chicken, all yellow feathers.”
Mara laughs, nodding. “Yeah, and I seriously thought she was going to fly at any moment.”
“And then Aunt Belinda had ‘accidentally’ poured red wine over the front of her dress after Rosa kissed her husband under the mistletoe.” I let out a giggle. I remember it vividly because I was standing right next to them when everything unfolded.
Mara groans. “She did, and Aunt Rosa called her on her shit, and a catfight ensued because they both were too drunk to give a flying fuck about making a scene. It was so embarrassing, especially since Emiliano had to pull them apart. Meanwhile, I was running around making sure Fernando didn’t steal any of the purses left out on the tables. We all know how he has light fingers when it comes to new and shiny things.”
“God, it was awful. At least when he was younger, the family was able to avoid any outright scandals, but the man is in his forties with two daughters,” I say, leaning back. “Has Eli decided to let you go back to school or…?”
Mara’s smile falters for just a second. “He keeps avoiding the topic every time I bring it up, or flat-out ignoring me. He’s being overbearing, and it’s just …a lot sometimes.”
Valentina reaches over, squeezing Mara’s hand gently. “He just wants the best for you, you know that. He’s very protective.”
Mara nods, but there’s a flicker of something in her eyes. “I know. I just wish he didn’t see me as some fragile little thing that needs to be wrapped in bubble wrap and hidden away.”
I can’t help but smile at that. “Fragile? You?” I tease. “The girl who once threw a shoe at Lucio because he stole the last piece of cake?”
Mara laughs, and the tension lifts just a bit. “He deserved it. It was our cake,” she retorts. “And I have good aim.”
Valentina shakes her head, her smile warmhearted. “You two are ridiculous.” She pauses, then her gaze shifts, a little softer. “But really, Mara, you know he loves you. He just … doesn’t always know how to show it.”
