Free Say Ye by Celia Juliano

peppers, carrots, salami, olives, and mushrooms to the living room as Lita and Sophia started on dinner. They sliced bread and poured olive oil into little dishes, fanned slices of fresh mozzarella and heirloom tomatoes on a platter and sprinkled them with basil leaves from the garden, all the while chatting about Sophia’s various jobs, from bookkeeping at DeGrazia Distribution to heading church committees, and her in laws, the D’Angelos, who Lita would meet next Sunday. They hadn’t wanted to overwhelm her this first time.
    Voices followed the clunk of car doors and Gianni and Joe entered, Carlo and Uncle Enzo close behind. They all greeted each other with hellos and hugs and Lita settled into her new comfortable warm feeling. This was her family.
    “Joe, Gianni, how about some help with the ‘queing?” Carlo asked as he picked up a pan of marinated chicken. He kissed Sophia, who stood at the sink washing and drying romaine lettuce for Caesar Salad. Gianni and Joe looked at each other, as if waiting for something.
    “Go help your uncle,” Uncle Enzo said to Gianni, who smiled at Lita before he shrugged and walked out. He had Lorenzo’s smile, a little sexy and mischievous. Lita turned and got down the wooden salad bowl.
    “Need help with anything?” Joe asked her.
    Uncle Enzo walked into the foyer to answer the doorbell’s peal, muted under the talk and laughter echoing in from the back yard.
    “There’s a bowl of pasta salad in the fridge you could take out.”
    “So, Grandpa Enzo says you like cooking?” Joe pulled out the salad and stood waiting for her to lead the way.
    “I do. What about you? Have any hobbies?”
    “I wouldn’t call cooking for this family a hobby.” They laughed. “Work keeps me busy. Otherwise, movies, concerts, clubs, and all that. Just the usual. Been to the beach yet this summer?” He followed her into the dining room to set the food out.
    “Only once last month. It’s not really hot enough unless you go down to Santa Cruz or something. I don’t have a car, so I don’t go that far.”
    “I could take you if you want,” he said as they reentered the kitchen.
    Lita faced him. He smiled at her, his dad’s smile, kind and open. Nothing of Lorenzo in him.
    “If you have time, thanks.” Maybe here, with these people, she could learn to truly trust.
    “Sure,” he said.
    They turned then to greet Vincente and his grandpop Vittorio, Uncle Enzo’s older brother, and, a few minutes later, Celeste and her family. Soon Lita was surrounded, chatting and laughing with Joe, Gianni, Vincente, and the D’Angelo boys. Joe remained friendly, Gianni was a flirt, Vincente strong and observant, Frankie D’Angelo a tease, and his younger brother Michael sweet. She liked being surrounded by men, good men who made her feel secure and comfortable.
    The doorbell rang again. She peeked between Vincente and Michael’s shoulders. It was only Janice and an attractive man, maybe in his early forties, wearing a gorgeous grey suit, like Danny Kaye’s in “White Christmas.” Lita watched as they greeted everyone, wondering at the slight frowns of Uncle Enzo and Vittorio.
    “Break it up, fellas,” Janice said, pushing Gianni. “You look like Lita’s personal entourage. She the little princess?”
    Lita crossed her arms, her mind spinning.
    “Better a princess than an old--” Gianni said.
    “Rhymes with witch?” Janice’s friend said.
    They laughed, except Lita, Michael, and Vincente. Michael and Vincente walked away while Janice introduced Lita to her friend, Paolo Francis.
    “Princess, meet the Queen,” Janice finished before chuckling. Paolo tweaked her ear.
    “I love your suit,” Lita said. Since she couldn’t think of a witty remark, she ignored Janice’s comment.
    “Thanks, Nordstrom. I work there as a buyer. Your dress is fabulous,” he said, fingering the blue linen. Lita smiled.
    “Oh lord. Come on, nephews,” Janice said to Joe and Gianni. “Fashion divas. Show me