Patrice Greenwood - Wisteria Tearoom 03 - An Aria of Omens Read Free

about that right now. I needed quiet, and privacy, for that.
    Aunt Nat and Manny came out of the parlor, Nat in a light blue cotton dress with a full skirt and puffed sleeves, complemented by a necklace of bird fetishes, the ensemble slightly fiesta-looking. Manny wore a jacket and bolo tie over light trousers. They both grinned at me.
    “I see Thomas has sprung our surprise,” said Nat.
    I hugged her, burbling thanks. “I can’t wait! I haven’t tailgated in years.”
    “Not even at a football game?” inquired Mr. Solano, all innocence.
    I shook my head, smiling. “Not a football fan.”
    “How un-American. To be honest, I’m not either.”
    By this time, most of the guests had left, and Vi and Wendy came out to join us in the hall. Vi went straight up to Mr. Solano.
    “Thank you so much for coming.”
    He smiled. “I wouldn’t have missed it. You were in fine voice.”
    She grinned, pink with pleasure. “Thank you.”
    Rhonda Benning and my girlfriend Gina ambled out together. Gina, her dress a white print splashed with big sunflowers, complemented by a gauzy, white, broad-brimmed hat, caught me in a big, Italian hug.
    “What a lovely event! Congratulations!”
    “Thank you, but the kudos go to Julio, and to Vi for being the pièce de résistance.”
    “Oh, yes!” Gina turned to Vi. “I loved what you sang, although I half-expected something from La Traviata .”
    “Well, I turned out to be a mezzo-soprano, much to my mother’s dismay.”
    “Not true!” said Rhonda in mock indignation. She smiled with pride, and I saw the same laughing light in her eyes that so often shone in her daughter’s. Rhonda was darker than Vi, and not quite as tall, but the bones of their faces were the same.
    Vi introduced her mother to Mr. Solano, and while they were chatting, Mr. Ingraham came up to me to say goodbye. “I’ll call you about the details for Tosca .”
    “Yes, do. And I meant it about the cakes—I’d be glad to bring some.”
    “Let me look at my menu, but I have a feeling I’ll be taking you up on that.”
    Nat and Manny left with him, and I slipped into the parlor. The last of the guests were departing. I thanked them for coming and walked them out, passing Iz in the doorway. She had a large tray for collecting china, a signal that the party was over.
    Vi and her mother, Gina, Wendy, and Mr. Solano were all that were left. As I joined them, I saw Julio hovering a little way down the hall, a pastry box in his hands, watching Vi.
    “Mr. Solano,” I said, “is this your second season at Santa Fe or your third?”
    “Fourth, actually. My first role was Escamillo in Carmen, nine years ago, early in my career.”
    Julio slipped up and touched Vi’s elbow, drawing her away. From the corner of my eye I saw him give her the box. They exchanged whispered words.
    “I don’t think I saw that,” I said. “I must have gone to something else that year.”
    “My performance was not terribly memorable, but it was my first time in Santa Fe, and I was absolutely hooked. I would have come back every summer if I could.”
    “Well, I’m glad you’re here this year.”
    “As am I.”
    Vi rejoined us. Julio had disappeared again. Mr. Solano looked Vi up and down.
    “Well, fledgling. Back to the salt mines?”
    She nodded, then turned to me. “Thanks so much, Ellen!”
    “Thank you. We’re the ones who benefitted.”
    “So did she,” said Mr. Solano. “It’s good for her to sing out.”
    “You forgot to mention the apprentice showcase,” Wendy said to Vi.
    “Oh! Well, I’ll be doing Serse again.”
    “I’d love to hear it again,” I said. “The apprentice concerts are always delightful. I can mention them in the tearoom’s newsletter, if you like.”
    “Yes, thanks!” Vi said. “I’ll send you all the details.”
    Hugs and farewells, and she was off, with her mother and Mr. Solano in attendance. I glanced into the parlor, where Iz had already loaded her tray. I knew if I tried to help her