He had planned to wait until New Year’s Eve to propose, but the ring was beginning to burn a hole in his proverbial pocket. Ben had set a high bar on how to do a proposal though, and he’d planned a romantic New Year’s Eve proposal. He just hoped he could hold out that long.
Kay spoke with the nursing staff to let them know that caroling was back on at one o’clock in the activity room. Joey and Pauli arrived and Kay put them, Jake, Jamie, and Gabe to work breaking down the lunch tables and loading them on a cart in the hall while she and Jess set up folding chairs to make room for the other residents. She really hadn’t expected the families to stick around for the caroling, but now, word was out that the servers were in fact Gabe Greer and Jessica Lane, and that they were leading the caroling, no one was going anywhere.
There was an announcement over the PA system advising the residents and nursing staff about the caroling and the room was quickly filling up. Gabe had found a book of Christmas songs in the piano bench and had started warming up, checking to see how badly the old piano was out of tune. He handed the book to Jess.
“Pick out a dozen or so and decide what order you want to do them in. After you’ve decided, I’ll ask Kay if she can make copies so the singers have the lyrics.”
Kay went to the activity director’s office and came back carrying copies of the songs and seven Santa hats. She held them out to her volunteer singers and kept the last one for herself.
Promptly at one o’clock, she stood in front of the crowd, “The Leawood Lyrical Choir had to cancel, but the volunteers who helped serve lunch have offered to stay and do caroling. We have Gabriel Greer on the piano with Jessica Lane and friends singing.” The room erupted into applause as Gabe began playing I’ll be Home for Christmas.
The concert continued with residents singing along to most of the traditional Christmas carols. Gabe encouraged Jess to end the concert with Santa Baby and she reluctantly complied. “Greer, you owe me big time for this!” She whispered before turning to the audience with a smile as she began singing.
Midway through the song, Jess had seen one of the nursing staff standing in the back recording the impromptu concert with her smart phone and had nodded toward Gabe. They both knew the video would hit the internet before they made it home and they knew they were going to have to call their agents and PR people to give them the heads-up.
Gabe, who had closed more than one concert, stood and smiled. “You’ve been an amazing audience. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and we hope you all have a very Merry Christmas.”
He stood and motioned toward his fellow singers. Everyone held hands and bowed. They walked toward the doors, Gabe and Jess stopping to shake a few hands as they left.
As they walked into the parking lot, Jamie said he’d catch a ride with Jake leaving Jess and Gabe in the rental SUV sandwiched between Jake’s Silverado and the Bellini twins in Pauli’s BMW in the parade toward the Bellini’s house.
Jess had paired her phone to the blue tooth in Gabe’s rented SUV earlier and was surprised when it rang. She clicked to answer, and was assaulted by a barrage of Italian curse words, peppered with words she understood. She’d learned Italian using Rosetta Stone and it wasn’t big on curse words.
As soon as she realized Joey had butt dialed her, she muted her phone.
“Who the hell does that punk ass think he is anyway?” Gabe quickly translated.
“Gabe Greer, Jessica Lane and friends, my ass. Volunteering to sing at the home, what’s he going for anyway sainthood?” Gabe continued translating.
Jess slapped her right hand into her left. “Gabe. Basta!”
He was stunned as he looked at her. “And exactly when did you learn Italian?”
“Would you stop already? I’m trying to listen here.” She replied.
“And why the (something) did she bring him home for Thanksgiving? Who the (something) is he to her anyway?” Joey said.
“I learned 2 years ago using Rosetta Stone. It’s not big on the curse words, so there are some things I’m missing in translation.”
Joey was driving Pauli’s BMW and they were right behind Gabe and Jess. Gabe was looking in the rearview mirror watching Joey throw his tantrum. It took all of the will power Jess had not to turn around and look at him, but she knew if she did, he’d wonder why she was looking at him, and that he’d finally figure out he’d butt dialed her.
Gabe smiled, “The word you’re not getting is fuck. Pull down the vanity mirror so you can catch the whole show.”
Jess pulled down the mirror. “What has gotten into him anyway?”
Gabe looked at her. “He thinks there’s something going on between us and he’s jealous. I told you when I saw that trumpet charm he left for you that it was for the archangel Gabriel who blew the trumpet to call all of the angels and that it was Joey’s way of marking his territory.”
Jess looked at him. “Okay, fine, I get that, but Gabe, you and I are just friends.”
Gabe shook his head. “He doesn’t know that.”
“But Gabe, you’re gay.”
Gabe flashed his eyes at her, “I can’t believe you just said that out loud.”
Hell, he couldn’t believe she thought it. A few weeks ago, she’d walked in on him and a friend. They were actually writing lyrics to a new song, and they’d stopped the minute they realized she was in the room; but Jess had jumped to the conclusion that they were gay and in love and she had told Gabe she’d keep his secret. He knew he needed to set the record straight; they had a long overseas flight in a couple of days and a long time together in a villa after that. He’d find the right time.
She laughed. “And I thought he was just being distant. Oh, and speaking of secrets, only Joey knows I speak Italian and I’d like to keep it that way. I keep your secret; you keep mine. Deal?”
Joey’s voice came over the blue tooth again, “What the hell does a guy need to do to get her attention anyway?”
“Well, I was buying her shoes.” Pauli replied
“I am not buying her any damn shoes!”
Gabe looked at Jess. “What, the whole family buys you shoes?”
Jess narrowed her eyes at him, “If that were true Joey would be buying me shoes. We have a long flight Monday, I’ll tell you all about the shoe buying, who, what, when and why, then.”
Gabe had pulled into the driveway and before Jess could get out of the car, Joey appeared at her door. He tapped on the window.
“I’ll leave you to it.” Gabe said as he pressed the unlock button and opened his door. He got out of the SUV and walked to the house without turning back.
Chapter 20
Shortly after Lane and Ben got home, the dinner guests began descending. Dante and Teadora arrived bringing traditional Italian antipasti including Bruschetta, Prosciutto e melone, and Crostino. Soon Uncle Vinnie and his wife Elena came bringing traditional desserts Cassata siciliana and cannolo siciliano. The Kellys soon arrived bringing two each of pumpkin, apple, and cherry pies along with a cheesecake. Meg carried a bag containing whipping cream (un-whipped) and ice cream. Uncle Sal arrived and sent Ben to retrieve a case of wine recently arrived from the family vineyard in Palermo. Tony who had called earlier asking if he could bring a date showed up with Ben’s ex-girlfriend Liza Conrad and some Italian breads.
Lane had pulled out the tablecloth and napkins from the butler’s pantry and arranged the table before they’d gone to Sunset House. She’d written beautiful calligraphy place cards for each place. Ben had pulled a table from the basement and draped it with a tablecloth to use as a buffet. As the guests arrived with their contributions, they placed their offerings of appetizers on the buffet where plates and silverware waited. They put desserts on the kitchen table.