Thank you for reading my story. If you've not yet read the first three chapters, please do so now. This is very important. Please enjoy and remember this is fiction.
Chapter 4
I love tasty Italian dishes when they're yours.
Enduring Legacy Video Services was fully licensed and Layla found a small old house near the Maryland state line to rent for the studio. It was only a mile from the campus. Every available moment was spent preparing the three rooms that would be used as sets. Eric was very handy with carpentry projects, hanging drapes and re-modeling the bathrooms. Cliff came to help several times. He converted the living room into an office and meeting room.
She purchased two new Canon camcorders like the one she had. Having three of the same model would help the editing go much smoother. Julia and Susanna were thoroughly trained to use the Canons and had fun practicing with them.
Julia brought her grandmother Victoria to the studio one Sunday and convinced her to record a legacy video for the family and Julia's future descendants. They asked grandma to sit in an overstuffed armchair and answer a list of questions that Julia had prepared. Julia was in an identical chair a few feet away with several nice plants and some of Julia's paintings on the wall behind grandma. All three camcorders were on tripods with one focused on Julia and two on Victoria.
Grandma really got into it and talked for almost two hours about growing up during the Great Depression, WWII and all the challenges of being a woman in a man's world. She had an interesting viewpoint on many of the major events of her day such as the assassinations of President Kennedy and Martin Luther King and the Vietnam War. Julia sat fascinated by what her grandma had to say and the wisdom this woman passed on. Once Victoria learned to ignore the cameras, she did what came naturally... talk and talk. Each time she seemed to slow down, Julia would ask another question and that started a new round of reminiscing and opinionating. Layla and Julia regretted having to cut it off but they had another commitment and Victoria needed to be back at the assisted living facility in time for dinner with her boyfriend. After this session, Layla was convinced more than ever that there was a market for this type of video service.
****
The next morning, Layla's cell phone rang.
"Hello."
"Good morning, is this Layla?"
"Who's this?"
"My name is Ben and I'm a Theta Chi brother of David and Cliff."
"Oh, hi Ben. Yes, this is Layla."
"I understand from David that you shot and edited the video."
"Which video was that?" Layla liked doing this to guys.
"Uh, uh. You know. THE Video."
"Is this the one with the two beautiful women?"
"Yes, yes that's it."
"Did you like it?"
"Wow, I'd say. Would you consider doing one for me?"
"Just by yourself?"
"No, with a lady friend of mine."
"Well, we can talk about it. I have a new studio just opening about a mile from campus. Could you and your lady friend meet with me to discuss what you want?"
"That'd be fine."
They made an appointment for early the next evening.
****
Over dinner, Layla and her sisters discussed Ben's call and the appointment. Susanna decided to participate and help with the list of questions and the discussion of the contract terms. They wouldn't know until the appointment exactly what Ben and his girl expected. Susanna's ideas and suggestions would be critical since she was the real professional.
Layla called her parents from her bedroom later that night. It had been a couple of weeks since they'd talked and she felt guilty for not yet telling them about Eric. She loved her parents very much but dreaded telling them he wasn't Catholic and wasn't Italian and already had a child.
"Hello mom."
"Hey sweet. I've been thinking about you and wondering why you haven't called."
"I'm sorry. I've been so busy with school and things. How's papa?"
"He's doing fine. Staying busy with the shops. You're coming up for Thanksgiving, I hope."
"Of course. I'd like to bring a couple of guests if you don't mind."
"There's always room for two more. Who are they?"
"I've met the most wonderful man."
"LAYLA! Oh my goodness, that's wonderful news! Tell me all about him."
"His name is Eric. He's a student here and will be graduating in the spring, like I am. He was in the Army for several years and is working part-time as a paramedic here in Newark. I really, really like him, mom."
"Your dad and Leonardo will like that he was in the Army. They still tell each other war stories. Who's the other person you want to bring?"
"His four-year old daughter, Amy."
"Oh."
"He was married before he joined the Army but his wife was killed in an auto accident three years ago. Wait until you meet Amy. She is precious, mom."
"How much older is he?"
"He's 24."
"Oh, well that's no big deal. You coming up Thanksgiving morning?"
"Yes, I think so. Eric and Amy live in Bucks County near New Hope so we'll probably spend the night there and come down that morning. I'm sure there will be a houseful as usual."
"Yes, but Antonio's family will be at Lydia's parents in New Jersey this year. They take turns, as you know."
"I'll bring some appetizers and the cranberry relish I always make, if that's okay."
"I'm counting on it. I'm really happy for you, Layla."
"I am too. I've never been happier, in fact."
"Sounds like it. So this is really serious?"
"Mom, I can't stop thinking about him. He's unlike anyone else I've met. How did you feel when you dated papa?"
"Sweetheart, that was a long time ago. But he was also in my mind all the time and I remember how every little thing he did for me was so special. Your dad's a romantic, as you know, and that thrill of being with him is still special today."
"You two have had a lovely marriage with five kids, and thirteen grandkids. I want that happiness."
"You'll have it, Layla. I look forward to meeting Eric and Amy."
"Thanks mom. I'll call you next week to firm up everything. Give papa my love."
"I will. I love you, Layla."
"Love you too, mom. Bye."
She lay there following the call with thoughts rushing through her mind. She was concerned that Eric wouldn't fit in with her family. Her mom had said all the right words but her dad and brothers might be tougher to convince. His WASP heritage was very different than the olive skinned Italian Catholics of her family. Being in the Army would help since both her dad and brother had served. Her biggest concern was her brothers' criminal justice enterprise and how best to keep that hidden. Fortunately, they had several legitimate businesses to deflect prying eyes.
Layla never told her mom about the rape and it was obvious that her brothers had kept it a secret as well. She hoped Eric would never find out.
****
As planned, Eric came for breakfast and to take a nap before his 11:00 class. Layla's first class was at 10:30. After a meal of French toast and scrapple, he helped Julia and Layla clean the kitchen before calling Amy.
