A few days later,
The Manning Mansion…
Téa was in the kitchen wrapping up some flan she had prepared. These past
few days had been intense for Trevor and Todd but they had reached a new
understanding between them. While Todd had gotten better over the years
controlling his temper and voicing his concerns, it had hurt him deeply to
hear his son say, “I’m disappointed in you.” But Trevor didn’t back away
from his father’s display of anguish. He hadn’t run out and father and son
were working on their issues. In fact, today, Todd had taken his sons,
Trevor and Tyler, out to a basketball game.
Todd had voiced his worries to her - thinking perhaps it should have been
just him and Trevor but Téa had insisted he include Tyler. It was important
Tyler not feel neglected or unwelcomed. Tyler was a very perceptive boy and
Téa knew Tyler didn’t quite understand what was going on. Tyler was
actually carefree for his age but could and did display a great amount of
sensitivity for the things going on around him. Ever since her trip to NYC
with Tyler, Téa had gotten closer to her youngest son and had come to know
him all over again. In his own way, Tyler had a very unique outlook about
him that instilled in her hope…for the future.
Just then, Terri and Taylor walked in disturbing her intense thoughts.
“Hey Mom…” said Taylor leaning over the bar.
Terri crawled up on a stool and peered over the bar, “Yummm…can I have some
Mommy?”
Téa grinned and gave Terri and Taylor a small piece.
“What’s the occasion Mom?” asked Taylor.
“I’m going to trade some flan for baklava,” grinned Téa.
“Huh?” asked Taylor raising an eyebrow.
“What’s Back-a-la, Mommy?” asked Terri.
“It’s a Greek pastry. I’m going to the Kalariotes store…” started Téa
wrapping up her flan.
“Trying to help Trevor score points with Amy and her family?” grinned
Taylor.
Téa smiled and nodded her head.
Terri giggled, “Can we go out Mommy? Just us? Like how Daddy went out
with Big Tee and Bigger Tee?”
“Sure Terri,” answered Téa.
“Are you feeling okay Mom?” asked Taylor.
Téa rolled her eyes, “Uh-huh…now go get dressed okay…”
The girls rushed out to get their coats on. Téa just smiled after them.
That Afternoon,
The Kalariotes store…
Téa, Taylor, and Terri walked into the Greek specialty store that Amy’s
father ran. Amy was behind the pastry counter helping a customer. As soon
as Amy was done, Téa approached her.
“Hi Amy. How are you?” asked Téa cheerily.
“Hey! Mrs. Manning! It’s good to see you. Hi Taylor. Hey Munchkin!”
grinned Amy wiping her hands on her apron. Her thick, curly hair was
wrapped in a ponytail.
“Hi Amy,” said Taylor.
“Hiya Amy - its girl day’s out…!” beamed Terri.
“Cool. So, how’s Trevor?” asked Amy a bit hesitantly.
“Biggest Tee? He went with Daddy Tee and Big Tee to see a basketball
game,” volunteered Terri.
Taylor rolled her eyes.
“Oh,” said Amy a big disappointed.
“He really does miss you Amy,” added Téa.
“Yeah…well…” said Amy shyly.
“Antigone! Your dress just came in!” bellowed her father’s loud voice from
out back.
“Dress?” asked Taylor.
“There’s a Greek festival next weekend. I’ll be dancing a Cretan folk
dance known as the Pentozalis…” started Amy.
Just then, Ari Kalariotes walked out and wrinkled his brow upon seeing the
Mannings. He walked up behind Amy. Before he could say anything, Téa held
up her gift and smiled, “I’ll trade you some flan for baklava, Mr.
Kalariotes.”
Amy’s father appeared surprised, “You…like baklava Mrs. Manning?”
“You’d be surprised Mr. Kalariotes. Have you ever tried flan?” grinned Téa
playfully.
Terri, Taylor, and Amy looked on, shocked.
“Not really,” admitted Ari.
Téa held out a piece of flan to try. He hesitantly did so and was
surprised to find himself enjoying the taste.
“You are trying to…butter me up…” said Amy’s father in his thick Greek
accent.
“Who me?” asked Téa innocently.
Terri giggled.
“What do you want Mrs. Manning?” asked Amy’s father eyeing her
suspiciously.
“Bluntly? To give my son and his family a chance…” started Téa.
“A chance to what? Ruin my little girl?” he asked.
“Dad!” fussed Amy.
“No - that’s fair. A chance to be friends with Amy and your family,”
finished Téa.
Ari Kalariotes was speechless.
“You’re not Greek…” started Amy’s father.
“So what? That’s an excuse. My family is a unique blend of Latin and
European ancestry…” started Téa.
“Your husband, Mrs. Manning…” began Amy’s father.
“Isn’t perfect, Mr. Kalariotes but I see no reason why he has to keep
paying for his mistakes. He’s a good father to his children - just as I’m
sure you are a good father to yours,” insisted Téa.
Amy felt a bit uncomfortable as she spied her 12-year kid brother watching
them as he picked his teeth with a toothpick from the side entrance of the
store.
“Why are you doing this?” asked Amy’s father crossing his arms.
“Well, somebody has to act like an adult here. My husband isn’t the
easiest guy in the world to like but that’s no excuse to
deny my son in seeing your daughter,” said Téa.
“Maybe Terri and I should wait in the car,” said Taylor grabbing her
sister’s hand. Terri pouted. It was just getting good. Mommy was sticking
it to Mr. Kalariotes. Taylor walked outside with Terri.
“I do not appreciate a stranger coming into my store, preaching to me…”
began Amy’s father.
“Dad!” exclaimed Amy.
“Who’s preaching? I’m making a gesture of friendship from my family to
yours. Are you going to take me up on it or not?” asked Téa.
Ari Kalariotes grew quiet, going over a million things in his mind.
Finally he looked up at Téa.
“You appear to be a nice lady Mrs. Manning,” he remarked.
“You appear to be a bit stubborn and a bit hard headed Mr. Kalariotes but
that’s not stopping me from making this effort,” grinned Téa.
“You’re blunt. And honest,” remarked Amy’s father.
“I don’t know any other way to be. I’m a lawyer,” commented Téa.
Ari Kalariotes reached into the pastry tray and began to wrap up a section
of baklava.
“Dad? What are you doing?” asked Amy.
Ari Kalariotes grinned, “I’m giving Mrs. Manning what she asked for.
However…I’m not sure…”
“You mean it Dad?! Really?! Can I ask Trevor to dance the Pentozalis with
me next week?” asked Amy a bit excited.
Amy’s father looked shocked, “No!”
Amy looked so disappointed.
“I mean…don’t look at me like that. He’s not Greek. He
probably doesn’t know how…” stammered her father.
A warm smile grew on Téa’s face, “Maybe you could teach him Amy? He’ll be
home around seven tonight. Give him a call. If it’s okay with your
father.”
“Can I Dad? Huh? Can I?” begged Amy.
Ari Kalariotes pouted, “Uh…all right but…either me or your mother will
couch you…”
“Great!!” grinned Amy.
Ari Kalariotes handed Téa her baklava.
“Thank you Mr. Kalariotes. This is just the first step in our families
becoming friends. Have a nice day,” said Téa walking out.
Ari Kalariotes just stood as if he had been rolled over with a bowling ball
while Amy just beamed with delight.
TO BE CONTINUED…
