“That’s the truth. One time, Mary brought home a boyfriend from college. What was his name? Aston or something like that.”
“Colin,” Mary said. She looked at Jake. “It didn’t last.”
“Ha! It lasted exactly one night!” Tony said.
“I’ll never forget it,” Christine said. “So, this kid, Colin, he’d never been to Staten Island, or even to an Italian American house. He came all dressed up. Even wore a tie! Poor kid was so uptight, too. But polite. Very polite. Anyway, our family likes to talk, and we talk loudly. He thought we were all fighting and got so upset that he locked himself in the guest bathroom! My mother had to go coax him out of there.”
The Russos laughed at the memory. “We never saw that kid again,” Tony said.
“My family can be brutal on anyone I bring home.” Mary remembered feeling sorry for Colin. They had mutually ghosted each other after that night.
“I bet I could handle it,” Jake said, nudging Mary’s knee under the table.
She pressed her leg firmly back against his and held it there, grateful for his support under her mother’s scrutiny.
“I think you’d be a good match for my brothers. They could use a challenge.” She smiled at him then took a not-so-dainty bite of the steamed corn she’d scooped onto her plate.
Tony and Christine nudged each other under the table, too. They looked at each other, a wordless question asked between them: Is she seeing him?
“You’d be welcome anytime. It’s a shame you live so far away, we’d love to have you over,” Christine said.
“Thank you. I’d be honored to visit. Maybe one day I’ll get over there to see the Big Apple for myself.” Jake pressed his leg harder against Mary’s.
“Do you plan on staying here forever?” Christine tried to sound casual, but Mary knew that her mother was digging for clues on whether they were a serious item. Mary listened to his answer, because she wasn’t so sure either.
“Oh yes, ma’am. There’s no place I’d want to raise a family other than right here in Cedar Falls. To me, it’s the best place to grow up. It’s safe. Good schools. Family still matters a lot. And I love my work, fishing and hunting, and, most of all, the Packers. I can’t imagine ever leaving.”
“Well, I’m happy for you that you know what you want in life,” Christine said, looking at her daughter and nodding. Her eyes said, “Yes, he’s gorgeous and wonderful, but you’re not leaving your family so don’t get any bright ideas.” Mary smiled back tightly.
“Packers will be good again this year,” Tony said, jumping at the chance to get Christine off the young man’s case. He could tell his daughter liked Jake, and he didn’t want to upset her. He’d have to talk his wife down later. “Are you one of the shareholders? I’ve always said that it was cool how the fans get to own the team. Can’t imagine that’d ever work for the Jets. The fans would declare bankruptcy after one season. There’s always this massive buildup and then they’re a complete letdown. I mean, they even tried to make Aaron Rodgers a thing. Ashamed to say I bought into it at first.”
“Yeah, he was a hero of mine for many years, but no longer. He’s kind of dead to us. But I don’t have any shares. My chief does, though,” Jake said. “Since he was a kid. Offers us his seats from time to time. Did you see we have this great new defensive lineman that’s come on this year? Kid out of Alabama.”
As the guys started talking about sports, Mary said, “Ma, let me show you the chickens.”
“I can see the chickens from here.”
“But let’s see them close up, Ma.” Mary took her mother’s elbow and steered her away from the table. She wanted a word.
Chapter 50
Why did you jump on Jake like that?” Mary steered her mom away from the guests and over toward the chicken coop.
“Carissima, I didn’t jump on him. But tell me what’s really going on. Are youdatinghim?” She plowed on, knowing the answer. “Whatever it is, I can tell you’re not just friends. Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Youdidjump on him. And Ididn’thide anything... I just didn’t tell you.”
“So, what... are you in love with him?”
“Ma! No! I mean, I don’t think so. I don’t know. Maybe?” Mary was uncharacteristically flustered. “I guess I haven’t let myself think about it too much. Why can’t you just let me be young and free before I have to make so many big decisions?”
Christine put an arm around her daughter.
“Maria Theresa, your father and I want what’s best for you. We were happy you had this little adventure with Dot and Harper. But we know you. You’re going to want to raise your children near your family, and making everything more complicated doesn’t make sense.” Christine sighed heavily, breathing out the worry she always had for her kids. “Look, Mary, I know he’s good looking, charming, fun, strong... I mean, believe me I get it. The guy’s hot.”
“Ma!”
“I haveeyes, Mary. And he has a lovely family. But you heard him. He said he’sneverleavinghere. And would you want to leave us, to move here, to be a... farmer’s wife?”