Chapter 5 - THE GRANDMOTHER WITH A PLAN
Carmela Benedetti visited the bakery personally.
She arrived in a dark green coat, carrying a handbag large enough to conceal a small dog.
Rose greeted her nervously.
"Mrs. Benedetti."
"Carmela."
"Of course."
Carmela looked around.
"So this is where the famous lemon pie came from."
"The corrected one or the original?"
Carmela smiled.
"Both."
She ordered coffee and a slice of apple pie.
Then she sat near the window.
Rose joined her.
"I wanted to thank you for considering the memorial dinner," Carmela said.
"It's an honor."
"My husband loved food. He believed you could tell a great deal about a person by how they treated the people who prepared it."
Rose smiled.
"He sounds like my father."
Carmela studied her.
"Luca tells me you've had trouble with Serena."
Rose hesitated.
"I don't want to involve your family."
"My dear, Serena has involved herself."
Carmela placed her fork down.
"She was engaged to my grandson for fourteen months. In that time, she insulted my staff, mocked my friends, and treated every family gathering as a business negotiation."
Rose listened.
"Why did Luca propose?"
"Because he believed marrying her would end a feud between their families."
"Did it?"
"No."
Carmela smiled sadly.
"It nearly started another."
Rose looked toward the kitchen.
"Is Luca really involved in organized crime?"
Carmela did not pretend to misunderstand.
"My grandson inherited a business built by men who confused fear with respect."
"That's not an answer."
"No," Carmela admitted.
"It isn't."
She folded her hands.
"Luca has done things he regrets. Some things he has not yet learned to regret enough."
Rose appreciated the honesty.
"Then why should I trust him?"
"You shouldn't. Not merely because he has been kind to you."
Carmela leaned forward.
"Trust what people do when kindness becomes inconvenient."
The words stayed with Rose.
Before leaving, Carmela gave her a handwritten list of desserts.
Banana cream pie.
Cherry lattice pie.
Chocolate silk.
Lemon meringue.
And one special request.
An old-fashioned walnut tart.
"My husband's favorite," Carmela explained.
Rose nodded.
"I'll make it."
Carmela touched her hand.
"And Rose?"
"Yes?"
"Don't let Serena make you ashamed of taking up space."
Rose looked at her.
Carmela smiled.
"The world is full of people who confuse being thin with being important."
Rose laughed.
May you like
Then, unexpectedly, her eyes filled with tears.
Carmela pretended not to notice.
