162 - From A Table Away

Carol wasted no time telling her arrogant, drunk son what an ass he was for speaking to his wife like he had and in her delicate condition. Her only concern now was to find Ariana and make sure she was okay. The poor girl had enough on her plate. She didn’t need his added bullshit. 
Turning the doorknob, the brass bell above the door chimed as she stepped into the dimly lit bistro. Off in the back corner, she spotted Ariana sitting at one of the checkered tablecloth tables. She was on the phone, laughing, actually. Surprisingly, after what just taken place a few moments ago. Acknowledging the approaching waiter, Carol briefly spoke to him, then made her way towards the back. 

 

Holding up her index finger, Ariana smiled as Carol pulled away the empty chair across from her. Carol fiddled with her napkin and listened as her daughter-in-law finished up her conversation. She assumed it was Cara or Max on the other end, because Ari was speaking French. 

 

“Morning Carol. I’ve already ordered. Would you like something to eat?”

 

 “Ari, honey. Are you okay?”

 

“Yes. I’m fine.”

 

Carol reached across the table to stop her restless hands. “Sweetie, you didn’t sound fine a little while ago.”

 

“Really, Carol. I’m okay.”

 

“I expected to find you in here, upset.”

 

“Trust me. I'm mad. Can't you see the steam coming from my ears?" both women laughed, "But, I won’t give him the satisfaction.”

 

“I want you to know, I told him in so many words how wrong he was, one hundred percent wrong and had no right speaking to you like that.”

 

“No, he did not.” Ariana placed her elbows on the table and folder her hands in front of her. “Can I talk openly with you?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“Being his mother, you are well versed in how Jon can be a major asshole sometimes. I’ve seen a lot over the years too, but the one thing he knows, I won’t put up with it. Now, this isn’t the first time we have fought and most likely won’t be the last, but his words hurt more this time.”

 

“I’m sure they hurt before, too.”

 

“Yes, but it was different this time.”

 

“You’re married now and carrying his child.”

 

“I guess so. Nevertheless, I have Lily to look out for. I will deal with him at a later date.”

 

“That a girl. Protecting your own. You will make a fantastic mother.”

 

Ariana smiled at her mother-in-law’s comments. Knowing how close a family they were, she didn’t expect her to side with her. Not with Jon being her first born. Not having a maternal figure in her life anymore, it was nice having Carol on her side. 

 

“So, was that Cara? Is she coming for a visit?"

 

“No,” Ari pointed to the phone, “It was a colleague I used to work with.”

 

"I just assumed it was her you were talking to."

 

‘Cara is off traveling with her boyfriend. That was Jack. He is looking for someone to do some work.”

 

“Here in Italy?”

 

“Canada. We both trained under my father. He and a few others I worked with are over in Germany, working the U2 tour. There was some minor accident, and they are down one crew member. I haven’t spoken with him since my grandmother passed and he thought I might be interested in working.” 

 

“I’m assuming you told him no?” Carol joked.

 

"Of course. I gave him a few names of people I knew who might be interested."

 

As they ate their breakfast, Ariana tried to ignore the insistent ringing and/or dinging from her phone. From the distinctive sounds, she knew it was Jon, but she still had no desire to talk to him. After the fifth time, she sent him a text telling him in so many words to leave her alone, then she turned her phone completely off. Time wise it was late in Jersey and she hoped he would get the picture and go sleep it off. 

 

After breakfast, Carol and Ariana met up with Nicole and together they spent the afternoon strolling slowly around the quaint little town square. Not having been out since she and Jon took their walk down memory lane, Ariana took them to a few of her favorite spots. It was nowhere near the extensive sightseeing as she and Jon, just a few local spots; cafés, shops and the town’s farmer’s market. A few times she caught herself stopping just in time before she divulged too much. Carol was aware of why this little town was important to her, but she didn't need her doctor to know why. 

 

It didn't take too long for her to start feeling tired and not wanting to do overdo it too much; they returned home for a little riposo - Italian for siesta. They had made plans to head back to Carmela's for dinner, but they all agreed to have something brought to them instead. Excusing herself, Ariana retired to her room. She undressed into a pair of yoga pants and one of Jon's shirts she'd asked him to leave for her. Pulling the neck up over her nose, she inhaled his scent. 

 

Why did he have to be such an ass? 

 

♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱

 

By the time Ariana woke, the night had fallen, and the room’s only light came from the street lamps outside. Turning the switch on the bedside lamp, she reached for her bag and dug out her phone. After they left the restaurant, she never turned it on again. She was positive she would have a few messages from Jon. Powering it up. She waited until she could swipe the screen and check. Low and behold, she was right. She had a couple of voice mails and a half dozen new texts. All from him. Not wanting to hear his voice just yet, she tapped the message icon to read them.

 

[4:30pm] Jon: We need to finish talking.

 

[5:05pm] Jon: Will you answer your phone?

 

[5:37pm] Jon: I know you’re reading these. Talk to me.

 

[5:42pm] Jon: Jumping in the shower. Please say something. 

 

[6:05pm] Jon: You’re just being stubborn. Pick up the damn phone.

 

[6:15pm] Jon: I'm heading into a conference soon. My phone will be on. 

 

[7:15pm] Jon: I'm going to be unreachable for a bit. Then stadium party. But you know that. I love you. 

 

Exhaling, Ariana tossed her phone onto the bed. All that and not one I'm sorry. Maybe if she ignored him longer, he would get the picture. He wasn't a stupid man, well, not most times. Straightening her disheveled clothes, she emerged from her room. Nicole was sitting at the dining room table while Carol walked the floor with a phone attached to her ear. It was pretty obvious who she was talking to and from the way things sounded; he wasn't in a better mood. Good for him, she thought. He deserved to suffer a little. She nodded no to Carol as she pointed to the phone, then made herself a dish from the array of aluminum trays, and she listened.

 

Carol reiterated over and over that Ariana didn't want to talk to him just yet and that he should give her the space she needed. She could hear him yelling and could make out most of everything he was saying.  

He still thought he was right, and she was wrong. Typical of him. When she heard him tell his mother that she was stubborn and that she only cared about herself, she lost it. Pushing her chair away from the table, her fingers waved for Carol to give her the phone.

 

"You, of all people, know and understand how much this baby means to me. To suggest I would put her in danger is asinine. So, when you get your head out of your ass and realize that, then maybe we can talk. Till then don't bother."