The next weeks pass by in gentle procession, and we begin adapting to life with the Wilsons. Emaye has a job at the local food mart in the day and works the night shift at the gas station down the street four times a week. She wakes me up every night as she climbs into bed, but every morning, she is up before us in the kitchen singing her song and fixing our breakfast/lunches.
No word from Bapi, but slowly, I begin to let the events that once brought me so much grief fade away to the back of my mind. I focus on my grades and helping out around the house; we have chores now, but they quickly become times for Bobby to educate us on cars and argue with Scrappy, who is forever causing trouble.
"Wake up, my daughters, today is the day!" Emaye sings, flipping on the light.
"It's Saturday, Emaye," Nandita whines.
"Saturday---two weeks before prom. Now, get up and get dressed! Call your friends so that we can go!"
Yawning, I saunter to the bathroom with my sister behind me. As we join everyone at the breakfast table, Scrappy circles us like a shark.
"Scrappy, get away!" Uncle Marty groans. "Good morning, girls."
"Good morning."
Uncle Marty glares at his son. "Boy, where are your manners? I don't care about no attitude."
"Good morning."
"What's wrong with you, bubu?" I ask, sitting next to him.
"I have to go dress shopping with you because Daddy is watching basketball with some old buddies," Bobby mutters. "No kids allowed."
"Sorry, bud, I need my guy day. Haven't seen my boys in years. This is going to be WILD!" He deposits his dishes in the sink, kissing his wife on the cheek. "I got dish duty. You gals get going."
"Alright, let's load up," Ms. Brenda cheers. "Bye, honey. You and Scraps have fun."
As we pile into the Wilsons' SUV to ride to the city, Nandita and I text Julie, Danica, Paige, and Saunders to meet us at the gown shop. I'm surprised to see Saunders arrive with Rizzo---toting his clear camera around his neck, of course.
"We were at the library," Saunders explains. "His dad says he needs more social time."
"I really don't want to be here."
"Nice to see you again, Gianrico," Emaye greets bemusedly. "Maybe you can keep Bobby company until lunch. He doesn't want to be here either."
"Great, another guy. This may not be so bad after all." Bobby offers his hand, and Rizzo frowns at him.
I laugh. "Rizzo, this is Bubu, our little brother. Bubu, this is my friend, Rizzo."
"Only my friends call me--"
"Trust me, you will become FAST friends, Rizzo."
Rizzo takes a deep breath, sitting on the bench with Bobby. After everyone is acquainted, we bombard the dresses. My first dress is pink and fluffy.
"Blech, you look like a wannabe Barbie, sissy." Bobby sticks out his tongue and begins to barf.
"I would have to agree." Saunders steps out in a golden yellow dress with pink flowers along the skirt of the dress.
"Booo!!!" Bobby and Rizzo give her a thumbs-down, though Rizzo snaps photos as each of us models our first picks.
After another hour of trying on dresses, we finally narrow down the choices until we are all standing with our chosen dresses on. Rizzo snaps yet another round of pictures.
Emaye cups her hands over her mouth. "You look so gorgeous, my babies." Rizzo snaps in the background.
"You ALL are stunning."
"I'll say, Brenda," Julie agrees, and we all curtsy for Rizzo's next round of pictures.
As Emaye helps me unzip the dress standing in front of the dressing room mirror, I grip her hands. "Emaye...the price tag---there's no way that we can afford--"
"Please, I have been working extra shifts for you and your sister so that I can give you the prom of your dreams."
"Emaye, what do you mean?" Nandita lifts her hair so that I can unzip her dress. "No way. We are barely scraping up enough---"
"Please, I got this. Get your dresses, and let's go to lunch, ishi?"
"Ishi," we answer back. [amharic for okay]
As we leave the dress store, Bobby bounces back to his old self.
"Mama, Rizzo invited me to the circus when he starts doing his photography project for doctor class. Can we go?!"
"Ummm...if it's okay with Rizzo's parents, I guess."
"Padre Gui says I need to make more friends, so yes, that should be fine."
"Good, we'll set it up."
"I won't start until the end of the semester."
Danica squeals. "I just LOVE---LOVE---LOVE the circus. Are we all invited, Rizzo?"
"Uhhh..." Rizzo begins running his fingers through his hair.
"Danica, maybe we should just plan for the prom right now---circus later, yeah?"
Danica shrugs and struts down the side walk in her stilettos. "You're right, Maddie." She flips her blonde hair. "I am going to ROCK the prom."
"We all are." Paige purses her lips.
We have lunch at a burger joint suggested by Julie. I must admit it is some of the best food I've ever had, and when we're done, I kinda wish I could rewind the clocks. The sweet pickles make the burger taste faintly sweet while retaining a nicely grilled residue.
"Emaye, can the girls come back to the house to study?"
Emaye looks at Ms. Brenda, who shrugs. "Sure, I don't see why not. Martin and the guys are in the 'man-cave', and it'll be nice to have some girls around for a change. We can work on your hairstyles and jewelry, huh?"
"Blech!" Bobby complains.
"Oh, Bobby, can go to your room and watch cartoons."
"Can someone please go with me to pick out my tux?" Rizzo cuts in.
We all glance at one another, taken aback by his sudden outburst.
"Saunders? Maddie? Please? It's not far from here."
I raise my eyebrows.
"Sure, I will text Daddy."
"Emaye?"
"Oh yes, I know where he is talking about. It's not far from the food mart. Have fun, Madhuri. Text me when you get there and when I need to pick you up."
"Good, let's go! Padre Gui is going to meet us at the prom store." He bounds to the bus stop.
"He is so sweet," Ms. Brenda notes.
"And way cool," Nandita agrees. "Have fun, Maddie!"
We take the bus downtown to "Prom King, Queens, and More," where Mr. Giuseppe and his mother await. She introduces herself as Senora Carina---Ms. C for short.
"Nonna, these are my friends, Madhuri and Saunders."
"We have heard so much about you from our boy. I'm sure you have discovered he is quite unique..." She nods to Rizzo snapping pictures our meeting his grandmother.
"Nice to meet you again, Mr. Gui."
"Just Gui is fine, ladies." He clears his throat. "Rizzo, that'll be enough. I need you to focus on the task at hand. Now, what color were you thinking. Do you have a date, perhaps?"
"No, Padre, I am the photographer, and I do not know about colors."
"I'm thinking my Rizzo should wear blue, to bring out his eyes. A nice black tux with a white, old-time English dress shirt as what his grandfather would wear---God rest the soul of my beloved Emory. Rizzo, you look so much like him."
Rizzo snaps a picture of his grandmother mid-memory, and I sneak a peak over his shoulder just as the camera freezes the moment---it is perfect---her hands clasped together and her deep brown eyes filled with love at the memory of her late husband.
"Emory is my grandfather. He was an Englishmen."
"Really?!" Saunders exclaims. "My great grandfather on Daddy's side was also an Englishman! His family came here when he was seventeen, they did," she informs in an old English accent.
Rizzo laughs.
"What about you, Maddie?" Saunders fixes me with a curious stare. "Do you have English blood too?"
"Uh...my mother is Ethiopian. My bapi is half Bengali. He was raised in America by my grandmother, and so...that's what I am." I shrug. "No English."
"Wow! And you mother is sooo gorgeous, by the way."
"Thanks, Saun."
Rizzo fixes me with his deep, meaningful blue stare. Letting his hand brush mine, he murmurs, "YOU are gorgeous."
I am unprepared for the snap of the camera as I stare awkwardly into those captivating baby blues. He chuckles, revealing the picture---a very confused brown-skinned girl with her slender index fingers twiddling together.
"Delete?"
"No, uh...it's lovely. I..."
"Gianrico---" Gui scolds in Italian, ushering him through the door.
"Giuseppe---" more Italian from Ms. C.
Saunders raises her eyebrows at me, and we both burst with laughter. When we enter, Gui lets Rizzo choose what suit colors he wants. Rizzo agrees on an ice blue bow-tie from his grandmother, but he insists on a green suit.
"Rizzo, tesoro, that does not match at all."
Rizzo sighs with frustration. "But I LIKE it!"
"Then maybe we should settle on a green tie?" Mrs. C searches through the bow-ties for the right shade of green.
"No! I said no! I PROMISED you I would do the blue one."
"Rizzo," Gui murmurs. "One, two, three..."
Rizzo's runs his fingers through his curls. "One, two, three..."
"Eyes on me." As Rizzo meets his gaze, Gui asks, "Now what is it with the green suit?"
Rizzo takes a deep breath. "Green is my favorite color, but I want to make Nonna happy too. Besides, everyone wears those color suits: silver, black, blue...green is different...because I am different."
I stare at the suits and then back at Rizzo. Going to the sock display, I grab a pair of green socks along with a green boutonniere. "Rizzo, how about green socks and a green boutonniere? After all, EVERYONE always rants how your socks have to match your suit or tux. How different would you be with a black tux, green socks..."
"And a green shirt?" Saunders holds up a crisp spring green shirt.
"Nonna, what about grandfather's shirt?"
"Rizzo, I'm happy if you're happy. You are going to be the most handsome young man there...and your uniqueness is what makes you beautiful, Rizzo." Rizzo still appears hesitant. "Besides, I'm sure it's a little too big for you. Why not attend your first prom in modern-ware? You can have your grandfather's shirt on your wedding day."
Rizzo frowns. "Who would marry me?"
His grandmother puts her wrinkles hands on his shoulders. "Only the most fortunate girl in the whole world, Gianrico Balistreri, capisci?"
"Capisce."
When Rizzo returns to the dressing room, Gui releases a deep breath. "I thought that was going to be crazy. Thanks, everyone."
"He's getting older, Giuseppe, and he will be able to handle more." Ms C. turns to her son. "You are doing a remarkable job with him."
"Yeah, Gui, Rizzo is sooo delightful."
Suddenly, I catch sight of Jayanand enter with Don Won, Demarcus, Roman, Richard, Erica, and Nina, the head cheerleader.
"Heeyyy, Jay!" Saunders bounces over to them.
I grin as my betrothed saunters toward me. "Hey, Tigger-girl. Hey, rajakumari. Didn't expect to see you here."
"Rizzo invited us," I explain, introducing his family.
"Rizzo has mentioned you," Gui replies. "You are Maddie's betrothed?"
"Boyfriend is fine." Jayanand shakes his hand. "Where is my new buddy, anyway?"
I notice Demarcus and Don Won fidget uneasily as Rizzo rejoins us. However, Rizzo barely gives them a second glance. "Padre?"
"So perfect!" Ms. C preens Rizzo's suit and fixes his curls. "You're so grown-up, Gianrico."
"Yes, Rizzo, totally." Saunders bounces over to help straighten his boutonniere.
Gui stands silently, one hand in his blue-jean pocket as he leans against the wall.
"Padre, cosa ne pinsi?"
"Perfezionare, mio figlio. Just perfect." I think I see him wipe a tear, but he quickly straightens, clearing his throat---perhaps trying to still his emotions so he doesn't alarm Rizzo. "alright, get changed so we can pay for it."
Rizzo nods.
"You look fly as a kite," Richard commends good-naturedly.
"Agreed." Jayanand takes my hand. "If you're done here, you want to join us?"
"Jayy, come on!" Erica calls as she and Nina survey the dresses.
"She whines more than she talks," Roman grumbles, and I laugh.
"Hey, i'm hoping to make Erica my date, so shut it!" Richard whispers.
"As if you stand a chance," Roman jokes.
"A man can dream. She accepted my invitation to come prom shopping together."
"And she's going to reject your promposal."
"Well, then, I'll just ask Nina. One of them will have pity on me!"
I roll my eyes. "Yeah, sure I'll come. I can tell this is going to be an event. Saun, see you and Rizzo tomorrow." She waves ecstatically at me. "Thank you so much, Ms. C and Gui, for having me."
"Our pleasure. Rizzo really enjoys hanging out with you two," Ms. C replies."It's been good for him."
Intertwining our fingers, Jayanand and I head to the back of the store to watch Erica and Nina try on prom dresses first. We sit on the bench with our fingers entangled---my head on his shoulder, "How you been, rajakumari? I know I ask you everyday, but I just worry about you."
"Things are getting better, rajah."
"Anything i can do for you?"
I lean my forehead into the firmness of his well-muscled bicep, taking in the warmth of his familiar cologne. "Just be here."
"Well, you know I can do that." He kisses my forehead.
ns 172.71.254.189da2