I shake out of my thoughts as finish wiping down the table I just bussed. It is another Friday night which means we are busy and in the weeds. Which is usual for us. I tried to convince Uncle Tony to hire some kid to bus on Friday and Saturday nights, but he is too cheap. On these nights, Mia and I serve and bus while Izzy is hostess and server. Gina is supposed to help, but she is usually nowhere to be found unless Uncle Tony shows up, which is unusual. He is usually playing cards with his buddies down the street.
“I just sat you a party in the meeting room. Sorry Sof.”
Izzy calls to me as I walk by. I don’t have a chance to ask her why. The meeting room is Mia’s section. I don’t question it too much, figuring Mia is overwhelmed like I am and just needed help.
I hustle to grab food to deliver to one of my tables and then rush to take the order of the party.
I am searching for my pen as I walk up to the table and speak before looking.
“Good evening, my name is Sofia and I will be taking care of you. Can I get you something to drink while you look over the menu?”
A pen is suddenly thrust in my face and a give a small smile as I take it and look up. I am frozen in my tracks.
There are the table sits Bastiano with four of his men. I recognize two of them from the week before. Giovanni and Lorenzo. The other two I have seen on the streets, but never met.
“Good evening, Sofia. How are you doing this evening?”
I clear my throat as I look back to Bastiano. He looks similar to last week, except instead of a black tie, it is a lighter blue. It seems to make his eyes lighter. My heart is beating erratically in my chest. His eyes have haunted my dreams every night since we met.
“We’re extremely busy tonight so I can’t complain. How are you Bastiano?”
A smile lights his face as amusement lights his eyes.
“Wonderful. Thank you for asking. Can you bring two bottles of your best Montepulciano and some garlic knots.”
I keep my fake smile plastered.
“Of course. I will be right back with that.”
As I walk out of the room, I glance up to find Izzy giving me a pitiful look from the hostess stand. I gesture my head to the side station and make my way there.
“What the hell, Iz?” I hiss at her while keeping my voice low.
“I told him that the only table I had was in Mia’s section, but he said he wanted you specifically. What did you want me to do?”
I scoff at her. “Tell him no.”
Her face pales. “You can’t tell Bastiano Catalini no. Are you crazy? Well obviously, you are as evident by your behavior last week and the continued behavior now.”
“Just get back to work. I have to go entertain the mafia king”
I walk away without waiting for her response. It’s not really her fault, but I am irritated anyways. I didn’t want to deal with this tonight. I know she is right though. Most people wouldn’t speak to him that way. Maybe she’s right. Maybe I have a death wish.
I holler to Eddie to get me garlic knots as I go to the wine cellar and look through the wines. I feel like he is testing me. Montepulciano is not really the name of a wine, but is more about the grape used to make the wine. My eyes search through until I find the bottle I am looking for.
1985 Avignonesi Vin Santo L'Occhio di Pernice. $450 dollars a bottle, but after his show last week, he can afford it.
I hurry upstairs and grab two orders of garlic knots Eddie prepared and set them on a serving tray. I set the two bottles on top as well as 4 wine glasses as I hustle out of the kitchen.
I hear Eddie yell after me.
“Table 15 order is up!”
I don’t respond. I have learned not to let these men wait, even though I think it could be good for them. I am passing Mia as I am about to enter the party room.
“Mia. Please deliver table 15 for me. Love you.”
I don’t wait for a response as I rush by her. As I approach the table, I find the men laughing as they chat. They seem more relaxed than the last dinner I served. I walk up to the table and set the two plates of knots down first. Then I set a glass in front of each man. I then set both bottles of wine on the table as I set my tray aside. I move to open them, but Giovanni stops me.
