The Gift of a Charm Page 24

  Greg smiled. ‘Well, the owner is from Florence. Maybe he knows it. Hold on, let me introduce you.’

  Greg signalled to a man standing across the room in conversation with some of the other guests. He was rather handsome, and he knew it. He sauntered over to us, and I could imagine him quite at home in Florence, wearing tight black jeans or maybe even leather pants.

  ‘Gennaro, meet my parents, Jeff and Cristina Matthews. And you already know Karen. Mom, Dad, this is Gennaro del Vecchio, the owner of the gallery.’

  Gennaro took my hand and placed a kiss upon it. ‘Ah, surely you cannot be Greg’s mother, you look too young … Surely his sister? I will never believe that you birthed this friend of mine.’

  Leave it to an Italian Romeo to talk about ‘birthing’ within mere seconds of meeting a woman. I waved a hand and blushed. ‘Stop, I’m old enough to be your mother.’

  ‘We actually were just talking, about a store that my parents visited in Florence. What was the name of it again, Mom?’

  ‘Corna Fiorentine,’ I said, confirming the name once again. At that Gennaro’s face lit up.

  ‘Well, indeed it is a small world! And of course I know the name well. It is my family’s store!’

  I put a hand over my heart. ‘You’ve got to be kidding! We met your father back in the nineteen seventies – seventy-two to be exact. Giovanni.’

  Gennaro crossed himself. ‘Sadly, my father is with the angels now. My older brother runs the store.’

  ‘Lupo!’ I exclaimed. ‘We met him when we were there. He was this big.’ I placed a hand up to my hip, indicating that the Lupo I had known had been just a child.

  Gennaro laughed. ‘Indeed, this is a wonderful coincidence. Just goes to show you how fate works in strange ways. What are the chances that I buy a piece of work from a man whose parents met my father forty years ago? I say it all the time, all of us, we are all connected to each other. I believe there is a saying about this. What is it now? “Seven degrees of separation”?’

  ‘Six,’ I said, and then, remembering something, I started to pull back my sleeve to show him my charm bracelet, and the Italian corno his father had crafted, but at that moment a young woman walked up and pulled on Gennaro’s elbow.

  ‘Excuse me, Gennaro, you are needed.’

  He held up a finger to her. ‘One moment, Sofia.’ He turned back to us with a smile. ‘I’m sorry, you will have to excuse me. How do you say? “Hold that thought”, I shall return.’ And he quickly walked off.

  I dropped my arm back to my side. ‘I’ll show him later.’ I looked at Jeff and smiled. ‘It’s amazing how things work, isn’t it?’

  ‘Speaking of charms, Mom,’ Greg said quietly. ‘I have something for you.’ He pulled a small pouch out of his pocket and handed it to me. ‘Something to mark this evening.’

  I took the little cloth bag from his hand and opened it, looking inside. ‘Oh goodness. Look at this!’ I dropped the contents into my extended palm and admired the gift. It was a tiny horseshoe. I picked it up and examined it closely, noticing a small engraving on the rear.

  Greg smiled. ‘I had today’s date, six eighteen, engraved on it, and the rest relates to this address. As for the horseshoe … well, I guess that if it weren’t for luck, I might not be here tonight.’

  I smiled, my heart filling with love and pride for my beloved son. ‘Yes, part may be down to luck, but there is true talent there too.’ I smiled fondly at what would become the newest addition to my bracelet. ‘But, Greg, this is your night, not mine.’

  ‘Perhaps, but I know I wouldn’t have had this night if you hadn’t encouraged me, if you hadn’t believed in me. If you hadn’t insisted that I follow my dreams, I don’t know if I would have ever discovered how much I enjoy being behind the camera. Besides, so much of my life is already outlined on that bracelet.’

  At that comment I saw Karen subtly look away, sipping her champagne and glancing elsewhere, as if she paid no heed to the exchange. I knew her opinion on Greg’s photography, though.

  I reached forward and hugged my son, touched by the gesture. ‘I will always believe in you, Greg. Always. No matter what. Give your full heart to whatever you do. It will ensure that you stay rich in happiness. If you have that, then you will always be exactly where you are supposed to be in life.’

  Chapter 26

  First thing the following morning, when she was sure Danny was still asleep, Holly slipped out of the room and dialled Eileen’s number. Her mother picked up on the first ring.

  ‘What’s the matter, pet?’ she asked without saying hello.

  ‘How did you…?’

  Then, shaking her head, she outlined what had happened to Danny. Once she’d reassured Eileen that her grandson was OK and should be home soon, she got to the real purpose of her call, the sudden reappearance of his father.

  At the end of her tale there was a brief silence.

  ‘OK, so, Nick’s back,’ Eileen said eventually. ‘That has to be good for Danny, doesn’t it?’

  Holly took a deep breath. ‘I don’t know, it’s just more—’

  ‘More of what?’ Eileen interrupted softly. ‘More of life? Yes, it’s hard, and I know it’s been tough for you, but some things you just have to let go of. For your own good, and for Danny’s. He needs his dad, irrespective of what you think about him. If Nick wants to see him, let him.’

  Holly stared at the receiver. She thought her mom hated Nick, but now it sounded like she’d forgotten all he’d put them through.

  ‘Oh, Holly, I was the happiest woman in the world when you left him, but I can’t pretend he’s not Danny’s father, and neither can Danny … Just try and let it go.’

  ‘Let it go?’

  ‘Yes, honey, let it go. Your whole life is ahead of you, so why wallow?’

  She realised her mom wasn’t being flippant or dismissive, but was instead being realistic. How could she keep Nick out of Danny’s life? She couldn’t of course – it wasn’t her decision to make.

  ‘You’re right,’ Holly said softly into the phone.

  ‘So you’re sure he’s OK?’ Eileen asked, referring to Danny. ‘What about Christmas? Do you want to just come here instead?’

  Holly groaned inwardly. She’d forgotten all about hosting Christmas dinner in two days’ time. But she knew that it would break Danny’s heart if she changed their plans now (or worse, that he was the cause of it), so she might as well see it through. ‘No, I think they’re letting him out today so it should be fine.’

  ‘Still OK to bring Vera too?’

  Holly grimaced. She really wasn’t in the mood for entertaining strangers, but what could she say so close to the day?

  ‘No problem.’

  ‘Great. I can’t wait to see my grandson – you too. And don’t worry, everything will be OK.’

  Holly nodded, trying to shake any negative thoughts about Nick out of her head. At least Danny would be happy, and maybe it would be good for him.

  OK, so Nick might not have been there, back when she needed him the most, but people changed, didn’t they?

  Saying goodbye to her mother she instinctively reached down for the bracelet on her wrist, and sought out another charm that had arrived mysteriously, not long after Nick had told her he was leaving for California.

  It was a tiny mustard seed enclosed in a glass ball. At first, Holly had no idea what it was, let alone what it was supposed to represent. All the other charms had been so self-explanatory but this one was a real mystery. Until one day she happened across a quote from her old Bible.

  ‘For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’

  The mustard seed signified inner strength.

  Holly figured she might be needing a lot of that in the weeks to come.

  * * *

  ‘Karen, you look lovely!’ smiled Jeff as he reached out to take Karen’s hand and kiss h
er cheek.

  ‘Thank you, Jeff. Merry Christmas to you.’

  ‘And to you, my dear. Son,’ Jeff said, turning to Greg, ‘Merry Christmas.’

  Greg embraced his father. ‘Merry Christmas, Dad.’

  The three took their seats at a cosy table located in the back of the chic and famous restaurant, and Karen looked to the waiter who had shown up to greet them.

  ‘Is it possible to get a black napkin?’ Karen asked, indicating the fact that the white cloth napkin provided would leave lint on her dark pencil skirt.

  ‘Of course, madam,’ the waiter smiled.

  Jeff cleared his throat. ‘I took the liberty of ordering a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. I don’t think it would be Christmas Eve without a little bubbly.’ Jeff turned to Greg. ‘We all know how much your mother loved celebrating with champagne at Christmas.’

  ‘How are you holding up, Dad? Are you OK?’ Greg said with concern in his voice as he patted his father on the arm.

  Jeff smiled somewhat weakly. ‘I’m OK, kid. Making it through. It’s what your mom would want me to do.’

  At that moment, the waiter arrived with the champagne and Karen excused herself to go to the ladies’ room.

  Greg watched Karen get up and move gracefully across the dining room; when she disappeared from sight, he turned quickly to his father.

  ‘Did you bring the ring?’ he asked urgently.

  Jeff’s hand disappeared into his jacket pocket and he extracted a velvet box. ‘Yes, here you go. I found it in your mom’s jewellery box this morning. Open it up. You might have to have it sized after, of course.’

  Greg flipped open the box and smiled. ‘I know.’ He shook his head. ‘Man, it really is a beautiful ring,’ he said, admiring the diamond cluster in an antique gold setting. ‘Thank you, Dad. I appreciate you doing this.’

  ‘I’m glad to. It’s what your mother always wanted. Now put it away before Karen comes back.’

  Greg did as he was told, putting the box in an inner pocket in his coat. Looking back to his father, he asked, ‘Always wanted what? Me proposing to Karen, or using the ring?’

  Jeff’s brow crinkled. ‘What do you mean? Both of course.’

  Greg shrugged. ‘I’m not sure. Maybe I’m imagining things, but I get the impression that she and Mom have never seen eye to eye.’

  ‘Why would you say that?’ Jeff questioned carefully.

  ‘Oh, I don’t know, I suppose that they’re both so different, Mom and Karen. We both know how sentimental Mom’s always been and Karen … well, she’s all business, a straight shooter. I’m sure you know what I mean.’

  Jeff did indeed know what Greg was talking about, but didn’t see the need to expand on it. Not that it mattered now in any case. ‘So is everything all set for the big day?’ he asked, quickly changing the subject.

  Greg smiled proudly. ‘Yep. I was able to get everything confirmed this afternoon. Karen wasn’t feeling well earlier, and while she was holed up in the bedroom, I was able to call Rob and make sure all was in hand. I can’t wait to see her face on Christmas morning when she realises…’ His eyes sparkled with excitement.

  His father smiled. ‘That’s great. Now, better hush, here she comes.’

  Seconds later, Karen resumed her seat at the table and placed her napkin on her lap. She smiled easily at her dinner partners.

  ‘OK, what’d I miss?’

  Greg cleared his throat. ‘Oh nothing much, just catching up on everything.’

  Jeff nodded. ‘I understand you weren’t feeling well earlier, my dear. I hope you’re feeling better now?’ He picked up his flute of champagne.

  Karen picked up her own glass, somewhat gingerly Greg noted. ‘Yes, I’m fine now, just a bit of a headache. I didn’t sleep well last night.’

  ‘Ah yes, I hear you had a client dinner. How did everything go?’

  ‘Oh, just business. Same old same old,’ she said airily. ‘So what are we toasting?’

  ‘Let me offer a toast,’ Jeff said. He raised his glass. ‘We all know that this year has been tough,’ he said, and Greg noticed his father’s eyes shimmering a little. He put a hand on his arm and Jeff gave him a grateful smile. ‘But we all know that if Cristina were here with us now, she’d want us to rejoice in the past, be happy in the present and look forward to the future.’ On this last sentiment, he fixed his gaze squarely on Karen and she provided him with a nervous smile. ‘To Cristina!’ he said, holding his glass up for a toast.

  Greg and Karen chimed in, ‘To Cristina…’

  Setting his glass down, Jeff turned to Greg. ‘Oh, and speaking of your mom, there was something I wanted to ask you. This morning, when I was going through … er … some of your mother’s things –’ he looked at Greg pointedly, who got the reference – ‘I noticed something was missing and I wanted to know if you knew what had happened to it.’

  ‘What is it, Dad?’ Greg asked, leaning forward in concern.

  ‘Your mother’s charm bracelet. It wasn’t in her jewellery box, and I can’t remember the last time I saw her wearing it.’

  Greg frowned and looked away, thinking hard. ‘She, ah,… didn’t have it on before, um…?’ He stuttered nervously and Jeff shook his head.

  ‘No, I thought of that too, and then I realised that I hadn’t seen her wear it for a while. Do you remember when she last had it?’

  Greg thought back. He had countless memories of his mother wearing that bracelet, and the charms provided so many lovely reminders of the past. Hell, much of his family’s life was on that bracelet.

  ‘Well, she definitely had it on at the Met benefit,’ Karen put in quickly. ‘Remember when she won that prize? That beautiful jewelled egg.’ She shook her head enviously. ‘Leave it to Margot Mead to spend thousands of dollars on a charm that was just given away.’

  Greg nodded. ‘Yes, you’re right there. I took the bracelet to Seventh Avenue afterwards myself to have it added for her. But I can’t remember her wearing it after that, can you, Dad?’

  Jeff bit his lip thoughtfully. ‘I have to be honest, I can’t either. Everything was so consuming over the last few months … I’m afraid I wasn’t paying attention to much, other than the way she was feeling or her doctors’ appointments, or well, the fear of losing her.’ His eyes went glassy again. ‘I wasn’t paying attention to those kinds of details. Although I’m sure that she’d have told me if she’d lost it. You and I both know she guarded that bracelet with her life.’

  Feeling worried, Greg thought harder. ‘I know. I remember the last charm I bought for her, that time at the gallery,’ he said sadly. ‘I wish now that I’d given her more of them.’

  Jeff reached across the table and patted his son’s arm. ‘Hey, kid. Really, don’t beat yourself up. I didn’t buy her anything for it recently either. I guess I didn’t think there was much to commemorate in anything that was happening. Even that breast cancer charm, I could never understand why she’d want to carry that around on her wrist. Of course, your mother would say that that was me being foolish and that the sickness was simply part of her life, same as everything else.’ He smiled at the thought. ‘The last charm I bought for her was that “Date to Remember” disc. She promised me she’d be around to honour that this year, but…’ Jeff’s voice thickened and he started to choke up. He looked away as if it would prevent the others from seeing his display of tears. He dabbed his eyes quickly. ‘Sorry about that.’

  Karen reached out to pat his back and Greg smiled at the gesture, his heart filling with happiness at the thought of spending his life with her. ‘It’s OK, Jeff. We know how you are feeling.’

  ‘I guess I thought if I had that sentiment engraved on the charm, it might make it real, give it a better chance of happening. But maybe things don’t quite work that way.’ Jeff pulled out a handkerchief and blew his nose. He returned his gaze to his son and Karen and provided a watery smile.

  Greg smiled but felt broken-hearted, both over his father’s sadness and the fact that this important b
racelet, which was a part of his mother for as long as he could remember (and long before the time he was born) was now missing. Since she’d been pretty much bed-bound for the last six months, save for occasional trips out onto the terrace of the penthouse when she was feeling better, he was sure the bracelet had to be somewhere at home.

  ‘I’m sure it will turn up, Dad. We will just have to look for it, that’s all.’

  ‘I’m sure you’re right, Greg.’ Jeff gave him a half-hearted smile. ‘It can’t have just disappeared. Bracelets don’t get up and walk away on their own, do they?’

  Chapter 27

  ‘And look at how cool this app is, Mom. You can actually access any comic book that’s been made, ever!’ Danny laughed as he shoved his brand-new iPad under Holly’s nose, a Christmas gift from his father.

  She chuckled fondly as Danny grabbed a cinnamon roll with his bad arm (his hand still worked fine) and ran off into the living room with the iPad to discover more new ‘cool apps and stuff’. Even with a broken arm and a banged-up face, Christmas morning at their house had not been compromised in the least.

  Holly had been able to check Danny out of the hospital the previous afternoon, as he had made it through the night without any difficulties. Kate had come over to spend Christmas Eve and to help Holly keep an eye on him, as well as give her a hand with the preparations for Christmas dinner.

  ‘Ah yes, the much-needed comic book app,’ Holly said sardonically. ‘Just what would life be like if we couldn’t access every comic book known to man?’

  ‘Oh stop, you never know, your son might be the next Steve Jobs.’ Kate swatted her with the newspaper, before getting up and going to the coffee-maker.

  ‘Do you want a refill?’ she asked, holding up the fresh pot.

  ‘Please,’ Holly replied a little too eagerly. The stress of the last few days had left her dog-tired. ‘And maybe put a little Bailey’s in it while you’re at it. That sort of thing is allowed on Christmas morning, isn’t it?’

  Kate giggled. ‘I won’t tell if you won’t tell,’ she whispered as she poured some liqueur into the mug. ‘I’m sure Santa does the same thing once he gets back to the North Pole.’