A Mother's Love

Parker heard the familiar knock on the bakery door that signaled the arrival of Vera and Dolly his counter ladies. These two ladies have work at bakery ever since it was opened by Angie some thirty odd years ago. Parker unlocked the bakery’s door and the ladies stepped in out of the cold morning air into the warmth of the bakery. “Good morning Parker.” both ladies said at the same time. “The morning rush should start shortly ladies, so put on your best smiles. The coffee is ready and the pastry is fresh. So let’s go to work on this wondrous day.” replied Parker. “You da boss.” they both replied with a giggle in their voice.

Vera and Dolly have been friends since they were kids in school. Vera was a short stout lady of Italian decent with salt and pepper hair. Dolly was a bit taller than Vera and on the thin side with light brown hair and streaks of gray in it. Dolly was of Irish decent. Vera married Dolly’s brother Jack and though looking quite Italian had a last name of O’Brien. While Dolly who looked as Irish as the Blarney Stone had a last name Russano. Together they were quite a pair to see. Totally opposite of each other in looks and attitude, but together made the world a little more exciting to behold. They both took a new clean white bakers apron from the shelf and put it on and went right to work. The morning rush was about to start and they’d all want their coffee and breakfast items served up hot, quick and with a smile.

The bell on the bakery door signaled that someone had entered and the rush was starting to begin. Both ladies turn to see which regular customer it was and to greet them with a cheerful good morning. To their surprise it was not one of the regulars but a rather large man in a fine black pin stripe suit. By large I do not mean tall but rather wide. He was immaculate in his appearance. Not a hair out of place and clean shaven with well manicured hands. In one of his hands he was carrying a black brief case. The briefcase had three gold letters on the side which were probably the initials of the man’s name. The letters were G, E. and M. The man walked up to the counter and with a pleasant smile and deep voice asked to talk to Angie. Very politely Vera asked what business the man had with Angie. The man still smiling said, “It’s a personal matter miss, but I assure you Angie called me to meet him here today. So if you can find it in that sweet little heart of yours to tell him that Gaetano is here to see him please.” He then reached over the counter and touched Vera’s face softly with the back of his hand and said, “Belladonna.” Vera blushed and turned away and went into the back of the shop to get Angie.

Angie came out of the back room of the bakery wiping his hands clean with his apron followed by Vera who was still blushing. “Hey Gaetano, glad you could come so soon. Vera, get a coffee and some cannolis for Gaetano.” Vera still blushing asked Gaetano how he liked his coffee and he replied, “Hot and sweet like I like my woman and cream please, belladonna. Vera even blushed more as she turned to get the coffee. Angie led Gaetano over to a table in the corner of the bakery and pulled out the chair and asked Gaetano to sit. Gaetano thanked him and put his briefcase on the table and sat in the chair. Angie took the seat to the right of his guest and sat down. The ladies put a pot of coffee on the table with cups, sugar, and cream and a plate of about a dozen cannolis. Gaetano thanked the ladies and blew a kiss to Vera and winked at Dolly. Both ladies blushed and giggled and went off behind the counter and whispered to each other how charming Gaetano was. This did not go unnoticed by Angie and he smiled to his friend and said, “You still know how to charm da ladies.” Gaetano replied, “Each lady is like a flower. Their aroma is sweet and they bring beauty to the world. But like a flower once it is picked its beauty and scent will soon fade. So enjoy them all, but never pick just one. That is why I never married my old friend; I want to enjoy them all.” With that said he reached over to his briefcase and undid the latches and opened it. He took a stack of papers from it and laid it in front of Angie. He pointed at the stack and said, “This is the paperwork that needs the signatures and information. Have them filled out and then return the documents to me. Everything will be in order and appear perfectly legal within twenty four hours after I received the completed documentation. I have already received your payment we negotiated, and I have greased the gears of the political machine to get the paperwork through. The child will be listed as coming from an Italian orphanage in Naples Italy adopted by American parents. That way the adoption will not show up in any inquires for children adopted with American births. Each pages is highlighted were information or signatures are needed. If there are any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me. Gaetano then reached over and grabbed the plate of cannolis and started to enjoy a fine tasting cannoli.

Angie watched as his friend consumed the whole plate of cannolis. Angie love to watch as people consumed his pastries. It made him feel that he was bringing happiness to the world through his work. To Gaetano the next best thing to ladies for happiness was Angie’s cannolis. He ate them slowly savoring each sweet tasting morsel for as long as possible then washed it down with some good hot and sweet coffee. When the last morsel of the cannolis was consumed Gaetano picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth and hand clean, closed his briefcase and stood up. He thanked Angie for the wondrous morning meal and shook his friends hand and said, “Hope to see you later in the day with the completed documents and it are always a pleasure doing business with you.” With that he turned and blew another kiss at Vera and winked at Dolly. Bowing he said, “Ladies it has been my pleasure to behold your beauty and elegance.” He placed a ten dollar bill beneath the plate that held the cannolis, shook Angie’s hand again and left the bakery. Both ladies giggled behind the counter and Angie smiled at them.