Chapter 8: La Famiglia

Sal called out, “Mama’s going to sing, everyone!” A smattering of applause met this announcement, and the family poured into the function hall. Richie found himself sitting with Julianna’s father and brothers at the table closest to the stage.

A hush fell over the family as Julianna sat at the piano. She looked at her mother. “Puccini?” she asked.

“Yes, but of course,” her mother answered, channeling her inner diva.

Julianna smiled, and played the opening bars of Vissi d’arte, the aria from Tosca that brought her parents together all those long years ago.

When Teresa started to sing, Richie’s heart skipped a beat. I can see how Riley was put under her spell, he thought. He listened to the words of the aria. He closed his eyes briefly; Teresa’s voice and Julianna’s music washing over him, putting him at peace. He opened his eyes to see Julianna watching him. She smiled, then turned her concentration back to the piano.

At the conclusion of the song, the whole family, including Richie, gave a standing ovation. Teresa bowed dramatically, smiling. “Grazie, mi famiglia. Now, Julianna and her brothers will play something for you, then we shall feast! Riley, come help me in the kitchen.” She swept from the stage, with a love-struck Riley trailing in her wake.

Julianna’s brothers grumbled about having to sing for their supper, but knew better than to back-talk their mama. Julianna rolled her eyes at Richie, and looked to her family. “What should we sing?” There were all kinds of requests, from church hymns to Broadway show tunes, to opera. “Ok, ok,” Julianna said, laughing. “Should have known better than to ask you. I’ll pick.”

She started playing a tinkling tune on the piano. Her brothers joined in; Sal on drums, Gianni with his trumpet, and Nicky joined Julianna on the piano bench. Richie noticed that nobody picked up either of the guitars that were looking so forlorn on the stage. He smiled and said, “I know this one, can I join in?”

Sal cheered. “Of course you can. I’ll bet that’s why Nicky didn’t pick up his Strat over there.”

Once Richie was settled, and had joined them in their intro, Julianna started to sing.

Would you like to swing on a star
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And be better off than you are
Or would you rather be a mule?

Nicky sang the next verse; then the two were switching between harmonizing, and singing the verses solo. They made funny faces and silly gestures, drawing the younger cousins into the song. The harmony was pure and amazing. Richie found himself smiling and laughing at their antics. By the time they got to the end of the song, most everyone was singing along, Richie included.

And all the monkeys aren't in the zoo
Every day you meet quite a few
So you see it's all up to you
You can be better than you are
You could be swingin' on a star

Julianna laughed, “Big finish, everyone!” They belted out the final line, Broadway style.

You could be swingin' on a star!

Julianna traded hugs and pecks with her brothers and Richie. “That was fun,” she said. “Richie, thanks for playing along. Don’t know if you realized it, but you just made my cousins and nieces over there,” she gestured to a group of high-school aged girls, who were whispering and pointing, “the most popular kids in their schools. You do know they won’t keep this to themselves, right?”

“That’s alright. No worries.” His eyes twinkled with laughter, recalling how one of the girls was sneaking pictures of them playing. He raised his voice slightly. “Hey, anyone have a camera?”

The girl who was taking pictures blushed, and answered, “I do.”

Richie looked at Julianna and winked. “I’d love it if you’d let me take a picture with you guys -- I can show my daughter, who’s about your age, that her old man is still cool.”

The girls all looked at each other, then at Julianna. She smiled. “Maddie, give me your camera; I’ll take the pictures.”

Richie spent several minutes posing with the girls, making them all smile. His banter put them at ease, and soon they were all mugging for the camera, and laughing together. Taking the camera back from her cousin, Maddie said to Richie, “Now one of you with Julianna, please.”

Richie looked at Julianna, who just shrugged. “OK, Maddie,” he said, “but only if you promise to send copies to Julianna so I can have one.”

He moved to Julianna and put his arm around her waist, pulling her roughly to him. She turned, smiling to make some smart remark about not damaging the merchandise, but got lost in the look on his face. The flash of Maddie’s camera startled them, and had them laughing. “We weren’t ready, brat,” Julianna said. They posed and smiled for the girl, who took several more pictures.