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Tinka tells us about the shock of the insurance for the venue. “I really am going to need all the money. From all of you.” She says, “But I still don’t even have a contract for the venue.”
“Don’t stress yourself about the money, cher,” Danny says, “but what’s going on here? Why has everybody started to close us out?”
Tinka’s head shakes. “Probably Clarkson. That old pig is the head of the Chamber of Commerce.”
Danny says, “Could have been my fault, cher, sorry to say. On the way here I was trying to find you, and I was calling the Chamber of Commerce. I may have put a couple of people’s backs up.”
“A local Chamber of Commerce?” Carmine is clear and firm. “Don’t sweat it.” He’s the real deal. The Italian old-school. “Forget about it. I know the language the Chamber of Commerce will understand. Let me deal with them.”
He puts his hand over Tinka’s. She doesn’t look so sure. But he smiles. “I can front the money for the deposit, but it’s just a shakedown. They’ll have more bullshit behind it.” We all nod. “We should find another venue.”
Danny says, “Why don’t we Why not spruce up and the mansion the kids are living in now?”
Tinka shakes her head as she squeezes her eyes shut. “You haven’t seen that place. It would be like putting glitter on a prison.”
I tell Carmine, “Your mansion would be great. It’s a perfect Christmassy location.”
He smiles. “It would be perfect, but the reception room is the biggest in the house. It’s not big enough for the party.”
I frown, “Sure it is.”
Danny shakes his head. “No, Carmine is right. At a pinch, it could do to serve lunch for twenty well-behaved kids. But not a party for thirty lively children. They’d be packed in like miserable commuters.”
Tinka’s cheeks are pale and drained. “Without a venue,” her head shakes slowly, “I’ve got nothing.”
Carmine sounds serious. “We will all have to go out, try to find somewhere.”
Lunch will have to wait. Mine, at least.
I hate to leave Tinka, but I have to go see someone right away.
A hot kiss with Tinka makes my motor hum. I can’t believe my luck that I found the most fabulous girl. I have to find a way to make this work for her.
Chapter Seventeen
Tinka
It all seems hopeless at this point. With only one more day left, we have no food for the party, hardly any decorations, no caterers, and nowhere to even hold it.
I don’t want to give in to despair, so I ask Carmine if he will pick me up from my apartment in a couple of hours. “I’ll walk there from here.”
He frowns as I touch his hand. “I need the walk. It will help me clear my head.”
I can see that he doesn’t want to let me go. Now I’m beginning to regret my decision to be in charge of this little group. I’m really not up to it.
As I get up, he grips my hand. “Tell me whatever you need.”
In my miserable little apartment, I have the first of the presents that I can be wrapping. It’s just a few stuffed toys, and they won’t be nearly enough if I don’t get some more. But I want to be doing something that I don’t need to think about for a while.
I feel something like a silent howl inside me. It pains me to leave any of my three men right now, and I’m thrilled at my luck, and proud of myself, for pulling my band of heroes together. And last night was so hot. But it could all feel pretty hollow if I get three great men for me, but the kid’s party flops and fails.
That would not leave me feeling good.
On the way home, I call Angela, one of the only kids in the home who has her own phone, to ask if they’re all okay.
She sounds like she’s snuggling down with the phone and smiling. “We missed you today.”
“I missed you, too.” My vision blurs, and I have to blink as I’m walking. “I’m looking forward to the party the day after tomorrow, though. Are you looking forward to Christmas?”
