CASPER
“IF YOU
two don’t stop laughing, I’m going to kick you out of here.” Kevin’s mom, Renata, Casper believed her name was, hissed at Kevin’s other mom and one of the aunts, Francesca. Or maybe it was Beatrice. He wasn’t sure. The introductions had been a flurry of voices, hugs, and estrogen.
Noelle laughed louder and gave her wife a peck on the cheek. “No, you won’t, my darling sourpuss. We both have to sign the papers too.”
“Well, then, at least remember we’re not at your salon.” Renata motioned to the two ladies sitting on either side of the head of the table. “These are my colleagues. One of whom is doing us a huge favor.”
“Yes, dear.” Noelle managed to cover her snigger with fingers tipped with alternating red and green nails. The other woman let out one more snorted cackle and then managed to get control, her face reddening at the effort.
Casper glanced at Kevin, who sat beside him. Kevin just grinned apologetically but didn’t seem truly embarrassed.
HE’D SURPRISED
himself. Casper had woken up unusually nervous that morning. The thought of putting down so much of his inheritance and owning part of one of the historic brownstones suddenly seemed more daunting than exciting. There would be no going back. Some of the money would be left, but he knew that if things started to go poorly with the shops, that money would go quickly, if there’d even be any left after paying to get the bakery up and running. If this failed, he very well might have to go back to Colorado Springs.
The thought made his four roommates sound appealing.
Casper left for the loan closing an hour and a half early to stop by the brownstone. Kevin had given him the code to get into the lockbox, and he’d spent the majority of the time wandering the three levels, even ducking down to check the crawl space, which was nearly large enough to be considered another level. His nerves didn’t fade until he shoved all of the previous owner’s furniture to one side, clearing the space where he envisioned the bakery counter. He didn’t even have to squint. He could see it. The curving marble. The silver and crystal stands holding magazine-quality wedding cakes. His wedding cakes. The assorted Edison lightbulbs hanging from different levels across the space.
He wasn’t going to fail. This was meant to be.
They
weren’t going to fail.
KEVIN ELBOWED
him lightly on the arm, drawing Casper’s attention. “Hey, you doing okay?” They’d already signed four different papers, each getting passed down the row of Bivantis and ending with him. Judging from the stack, they had about three thousand to go.
“Yeah.” Casper glanced at Kevin, then paused, really looking at him. Already he was getting used to those brownish olive-green eyes. He wished he could look longer, really take in the detail of their beautiful striations. Being close to Kevin was both comforting and unnerving. He was just so beautiful he didn’t quite seem real. “Uhm, yes. I’m great, actually.”
“Still feeling good about all of this?”
“Completely. We’ve got this!” He meant it. With everything in him. The risk couldn’t be bigger, and yet, in this moment, there seemed to be no risk at all.
“Good. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you jumping on board like this. I couldn’t have done it without you diving in as deep as the rest of us.”
Casper didn’t get a chance to respond, as their buyer’s agent began to explain the next form she was passing around. He couldn’t remember her name, either, though he wished he could. She was one of the real-estate agents who worked with Renata and had waived her commission and fees, saving them well over a hundred grand.
His attention was drawn to the four Bivanti women who lined the table, all signing their financial lives away, entrusting them to Kevin, and now, de facto, him. He picked up on the typical family stresses—Renata quietly criticizing Kevin’s choice of shirt when they’d greeted, Noelle’s eye roll at Renata’s seriousness, small things. Noelle was the odd one out. Pretty, but without the gorgeous skin the three Italian women boasted. Long dark hair with a few streaks of gray. Larger of build, and beautiful in a more motherly way. Renata looked similar to her sisters but was clearly the knockout. Even at whatever age she was, she could have been strolling down the streets of Milan or New York, or at a red-carpet premiere in Hollywood. It was easy to see where Kevin got his looks. More than anything, Casper saw family. He saw love. He saw a beautiful, enmeshed mess. And he was jealous. He couldn’t imagine there being such ease within his own family. His mom and dad would never bicker like Kevin’s family, but this, whatever the Bivantis had, was what he’d been longing for his entire life.
THE LOAN
closing did little to prepare Casper for dinner after. The Bivantis rented out a small dive-looking restaurant in the North End’s Little Italy. Casper, who was never shy around people, nearly had to go to the restroom to hide for a while. Apparently the entire Bivanti family came to celebrate. All five of Kevin’s aunts arrived, as well as some husbands and children who were mostly grown and who brought their children. Even Kevin’s ancient-looking grandmother was there, at the head of one of the longer tables, clearly enjoying her queen-like status. Kevin had told him that the only ones not there were his uncle, Anthony, and Anthony’s husband, Rick. Though Casper wasn’t sure how he could even tell in the throng. When people had been standing, milling about before finding their seats, he kept losing sight of Kevin. They were both short enough that it was hard to find him in a crowd. Even a small one.
By the time everyone was seated, Casper was placed beside Kevin and his aunts and moms. He wasn’t sure he’d ever been touched so much in his life. The hugs, handshakes, back smacks, upper arm squeezes—his body had a tingling, numb sensation. It seemed that if you bought a building with the Bivantis, you became a member of the family.
Casper rather liked the idea.
And the food! Dear God, the food! Casper had never seen the like. Tray after tray of pastas, veal, and fish seemed to come in a never-ending stream from the kitchen. Casper almost wondered if some of the house elves from Hogwarts had taken up residence in the North End.
The quantity was nothing compared to the flavors. The restaurant might look like a dive, but it cooked like a Michelin Star winner. As soon as he managed to clear his plate, one of the aunts piled it full again. Casper had eaten so much that he was in pain. Actual physical pain, and yet the food kept coming. If his fork rested on his plate for more than a minute, someone would ask if he was okay or needed anything and then would scoff when Casper claimed to be full.
It honestly didn’t make any sense. With the exception of one of the aunts, he would almost swear to her being the one named Donna, and a few of the men, there was not an overweight person in the bunch. And yet, they ate. All of them. The entire clan ate. All decked out in what appeared to be their Sunday finest, they ate as if they would never eat again. Casper wondered if perhaps they only ate at special occasions. Like bears foraging for winter, then not eating again until spring. It had to be the only explanation. No way could all these people eat like they did and not each be a thousand pounds.
“Kevin, darling, have some of the piccata.” Without waiting, Renata spooned a thin slice of fried meat onto Kevin’s plate.
Kevin groaned. “Mom, I didn’t have time to go to the gym today, and I’ve already had two platefuls.”
She waved him off, dipping up more sauce to pour over his plate. “Nonsense. One of those was salad. And this is a celebration.”
Kevin looked at his watch, then followed his mother’s directions and began to slice into the food.
“Oh, leave him alone.” Noelle grinned at her son. “Anything you don’t want, Kev, just slide it onto my plate. I’ll happily take care of it for you.”
Renata turned her attention away from the pair. “So, Casper, I’m surprised you didn’t bring a girlfriend along with you tonight.”
“Renata, don’t start that.”
She waved Noelle off, keeping her attention missile focused on Casper. “You’re a very cute man, surely the girls are lining up.”
From the corner of his eye, Casper noticed Kevin drop his head into his hands. “Actually, no. I’m single at the moment. And when I’m not, it’s a boyfriend that I’d bring. Not that they are lined up around the block either.”
“I knew it!” She clapped her hands and angled toward her son, who still wouldn’t look up. “He’s single, Kev. Cute, good glasses, young. And he’ll be around. Too busy with work to get into trouble. Could be a nice change, don’t you think?”
Kevin groaned. “Mother. Seriously?”
Renata gave a coy expression and then tried to look innocent. She failed utterly. “Just a suggestion.”
“You’ll have to forgive my wife, Casper.” Noelle gave Kevin and Casper an apologetic look. “She can be a little….” She seemed to ponder for the correct word.
“A controlling bitch is what she can be,” Donna spoke up from a few seats away.
All the sisters hooted and catcalled their agreement.
Donna continued, “If I have one more new fad diet whispered in my ear by my littlest sister, I’m going to sit on her!”
The laughter of the sisters was nearly overwhelming. Even Renata chuckled along good-naturedly.
“Welcome to the family, Casper.” Donna winked at him. “Stay on her good side.”
More laughter.
Casper glanced over at Kevin, but at some point, he must have slipped away. His chair was empty, a red napkin folded neatly where he’d been seated.
At that moment, the room grew still as if on cue. Casper followed where all the gazes were directed. A handsome man, probably in his fifties, had entered the room. His face was flushed, and he looked nervous.
He actually looked a little like Kevin. At the thought, Casper realized who the man had to be. The uncle who’d not been able to qualify for the loan.
Raising his voice, he addressed his family. “Oh for crying out loud, people. Don’t stop eating on my account.” His gaze searched the room briefly before coming to rest near where Casper was seated. “Renata! Please tell me you saved me some Chianti!”
She raised her glass. “Hurry over! Noelle has nearly drained the place dry!” Casper had noticed that Noelle was the only family member not drinking.
As the uncle made his way over to where they were seated, the room gradually began to buzz with conversation. Though subdued, Casper was certain the quiet would be short-lived.
Noelle stood and pulled an empty chair between Renata and herself, causing everyone to bunch up. She patted the seat. “Get over here, Anthony. Pull up a plate.”
After kissing each of his sisters and Noelle on the cheek, he sat down and immediately began to eat off Renata’s plate. “God, I’m starving. I haven’t been able to eat for days.”
Donna tossed her napkin at him. “Don’t brag. It’s rude.” Her tone was teasing, but the stress was audible behind her forced humor.
Anthony grinned at her, his cheek bulging slightly with the mound of spaghetti he’d just stuffed in.
Before anyone could say anything, Kevin returned and sat down before seeing the new addition.
Casper narrowed his eyes as he saw Kevin’s face. He lowered his voice to not be heard by anyone else but Kevin. “Are you okay?”
Kevin looked at him, startled. “Yes. Why?”
“Your eyes are bloodshot and your face is flushed.”
Kevin’s cheeks grew even redder as he pulled his chair forward, not looking at Casper. “I’m fine. I just rinsed my face off in the restroom. It was getting warm in here.”
“Are you sure?”
Kevin met Casper’s gaze, his eyes flashing. “Yes, I’m fine. Just a migraine. Probably the stress of closing.”
Casper felt oddly guilty at Kevin’s reaction, although he wasn’t really sure why. Before he could apologize, although for what he wasn’t sure, Anthony had grasped Kevin’s hand and pulled his attention away.
“Kev, I’m so sorry I couldn’t help. I hate that I almost ruined this for you. Thank God for your new partner being able to save us all.”
Kevin’s angry tone vanished. “It’s no problem, Uncle Tony. It all worked out.”
Anthony motioned over Kevin’s shoulder. “And is that our savior?”
Kevin leaned back in his chair, clearing the path. “Yes. This is Casper.”
Anthony stuck out his hand, and Casper took it. “I don’t think I’d qualify as a savior. This is helping me just as much as anyone else.”
The look Anthony gave him was so sincere and so pained that it made Casper ache. “Thank you. Seriously.”
Casper just nodded.
The two men held gazes before Renata cut off the moment. “So are you going to tell us or what?”
Noelle clasped her hand over Renata’s. “We don’t need to do this now. Tony hasn’t even had a chance to eat yet. He can tell us when he’s ready.”
“Thanks, Noelle, but it’s okay.” Anthony took a bite of bread, seemingly more for something to do rather than out of any real desire. He didn’t wait to swallow before continuing. “I’d actually like to just get it over with.” As he spoke, he didn’t meet any of his sisters’ faces, just kept staring at his hands, and he twirled spaghetti around his fork. “Turns out, Rick has an addiction and has spent all of our savings and taken out credit cards and maxed them out. We have to take a second mortgage on the house to cover the debts.” His voice cracked and trailed off.
Donna leaned forward, heavy breasts resting on the table, and whispered so only the circle of siblings could hear. “Prostitutes?”
Anthony barked out a laugh. “Jesus, Donna! No, not prostitutes.”
Renata shrugged. “That was my guess too.”
“No.” Anthony smiled and at last began to meet his family’s gazes, even going so far as to include Casper. “I actually kinda wish that was it. I’d understand that. To some degree at least.”
He quit talking once more, and everyone waited with bated breath. Finally Noelle broke the silence. “Well, if you’re going to tell us, Tony, do it!”
Another partial laugh. “Fine. It turns out….” Tony paused, then stuffed the fork of twisted pasta in his mouth. He chewed for a moment, maybe gaining strength. “Rick has a gambling addiction. Mostly online. I guess he’s been getting up in the middle of the night, doing it at work… basically, whenever I wasn’t looking.”