Chapter 8

The F.B.I. arrests of Elliot Stainsby, Conrad Blyer, and Aaron Mahon were not front-page news. It made the news alright, but set back behind two other stories that took precedence. A destructive tornado in Texas and Oklahoma was the lead, and a navy jet crashing near the heavily populated Sheepshead Bay district attracted a lot more attention. There had been no mention of Stanton Mellows in the story. He had not been charged.

Tony had been called by reporters at the restaurant several times and he had given the stock answer. He was unable to discuss anything before the trial was held. He would not be granting any interviews. Luckily for him, it seemed to work. Within a couple of days, he wasn't receiving any more calls. That would change when the trial started, but that was almost a year in the future by the sound of things.

The Marinos couldn't have picked a worse time to move into their new home. December! Cold, rain, sleet, wind. The former owners had vacated the premises earlier that last week of the November, right after Thanksgiving. Nina had arranged for the movers to pack and deliver their household goods from Westport the following week.

The Nantucket house had been listed in early November and they already had competing bids for more than the listed price. Tony just smiled and said "sit tight." There was no rush. The Westport house had a serious offer standing for just below the asking price that their agent was suggesting they accept. Tony wanted to hold out for another week and he and Nina promised the agent they would decide then.

The pieces were falling into place. The children, however, were not pleased. Moving during the school year was bad enough. Losing their friends was worse.

"The children are having a hard time with this move, Tony," Nina said over dinner one evening. "I wish we could have delayed it for them until the school year was done. That would have made it easier, particularly on Nadia."

Tony nodded, acknowledging the difficulty Nina was having. The sale of the houses, the move, and now the kids. "I know there is a lot of pressure on you, Nina. You're handling it very well, but I want to take that pressure off.

"I hesitate to suggest this ... but ... what if the kids were converted to live-in status? If there was room, they could stay at the school with the other 'live-ins' and be near their friends. We could have them come to the city on weekends and holidays. It would just be for the rest of the school year," Tony suggested cautiously. "I know you wanted no part of live-in when we chose the private school in the first place. But the situation has changed. It would only be for a half-year."

Nina sat staring at the wall, lost in thought. Tony remained silent, waiting for her response.

"I'm willing to talk to them about it," she said at length. "You know I'm not keen on them living elsewhere. But ... I think ... to be fair ... I'll talk to them. At least it gives them a choice."

Tony smiled. He reached for her hand and squeezed it gently as she turned to him. There was nothing more to be said.

Nadia, and especially Jared, were excited with the prospect of becoming "live-ins." It was made clear that this would only be for the balance of this school year, and then they would be moving to the city permanently. That they had a choice surprised the two. Jared jumped at it right away without giving it any thought. A number of his friends were already living at the school. To him it was an easy decision.

Nadia was more thoughtful.

"I was thinking how empty this house was when Dad wasn't here. I know how important he is to you Mom. I feel the same way. I'm not sure, but ... I'll give it a try. If I can't handle living there, I can pick up my last semester in New York if I have to."

Nina contacted the school and found there was still some space available. She went to the school to discuss the arrangements and within a week, the two Marino offspring were officially registered as "live-ins."

Nina told Tony how much she would miss her children. They had helped keep her sane when Tony was missing. They were the anchor for their Westport home. Now, that home was gone and she would have to manage by herself for a few months. Mrs. Martinez had found employment with Nina's neighborhood friend, Brenda McCauley. Nina said she was confident that Maria would be happy in the new household.

And so, by the second week of December, Tony and Nina were living in their new home in the Bronx. Nina spent the days unpacking and organizing, arranging and then rearranging. Tony would come home and find the living room furniture moved on more than one occasion. It was a sign that Nina wasn't settled yet. She talked often of missing the children, despite the fact that they saw them almost every weekend.

They decided to keep one of their cars, Nina's. It was a late-model Lexus. The townhouse came with a two-car garage, but one would be enough for their needs. Tony would take a bus or a cab to work and not have to worry about parking. Nina could take the parkway to Yonkers or Mount Vernon for shopping. She would not, however, attempt to drive in Manhattan.

By February, they were established in their new home and becoming accustomed to their new lifestyle. Nina was happy to have Tony in the mornings before he left for the market. She adapted to his being gone until after nine in the evening. She had given herself a little task on Tony's behalf. She was looking for a site for the Bistro that Tony wanted to create.

Magda and Martin had become regular visitors. They were now a couple and Magda had quietly told Nina that he might be "the one." Martin, for his part, confessed to Tony he was still in limbo, unable to comprehend what he was doing in company with a beautiful, successful woman like Magda. He was now officially retired, although he kept in touch with his former colleagues at the precinct.

Magda was introducing him into the world of professional photography and he was enjoying working with her and Emil. He spent some considerable time examining the connection between photography and security. Cameras were commonplace now in every commercial establishment and he talked to Magda more than once about combining his knowledge of security with photography.

The children were adapting to their new accommodations at school. They complained about the food when they were home, but other than that, they were happy. Nadia had decided to stick it out until June, although she missed her parents, particularly her father. Their report cards indicated they were doing OK with their schoolwork. Nothing spectacular, but at least keeping up passing grades.

Nina had settled into a routine. She was rediscovering her old "stomping grounds" one district at a time. She was waiting for a break in the weather to meet more of her new neighbors, but everyone seemed friendly enough and she had made herself known to her immediate neighbors, both of whom were older than Tony and her.

She was already investigating schools for Nadia and Jared. Nadia would be entering her last year of high school while Jared would be entering grade nine. She expressed surprise to Tony that they were growing up so fast and would be gone in a few years. She wondered aloud about the life she and Tony would have then.

Tony was absorbed in Amnesia! for the time being. He was helping Erik Carver develop into a head cook. The young African-American was a good student and just needed the self confidence to take on a kitchen of his own. At twenty four, he was engaged to a lovely young girl he had been dating since high school. They were waiting for his next raise to get married. Tony had shared with him his plans for a new restaurant. Erik may just inherit Amnesia!

Tony had also talked to Mr. Leung about his plans, including the share swap with the new location, if it was successful. Mr. Leung gave it some thought and then agreed with the proposal. He always had the option to bail out if it didn't look viable, but Mr. Leung also said Tony's business sense was very good and he trusted his judgement. Tony had made Amnesia! a bigger success than he ever expected and Mr. Leung was grateful.

Muriel would have her choice; working at the new bistro or at Amnesia! She needed some relief from the long hours at the Bamboo Terrace. She would be sixty-three soon. Mr. Leung had plenty of young cooks to take over for her now. She wanted a change, and she was delighted with the prospect of sharing a kitchen with Tony once more. She announced she would be more than satisfied with an assistant cook's role.

David Polikoff was working part-time at Amnesia! After school he filled in with Erik when Tony was away, and was a regular full time on Saturdays. He would finish his culinary courses later this spring and would be looking for a permanent job. The prospect of the new restaurant that Tony had proposed might be his opportunity. He made no secret of wanting to work with him and hoped he would get the opportunity.

David had a girlfriend now. Debbie Simmons was also a student at the culinary school. They had been teamed together early on and both got on well. She was a lively, blonde-haired young woman. A bit plump, but still very attractive. David loved her sense of humor, even when things weren't going well. She kept him from going off when he burned something, or a dish didn't turn out the way it was supposed to.

-0-

Tony had time to reflect on his new life now. He was unhappy with himself for ever thinking that Nina could be unfaithful. These past months had been all the proof that he would ever need that she was totally devoted to him. She didn't hesitate for a moment in giving up the luxuries of their former life to see him happy. He wondered again at how he could have been so selfish and arrogant in his previous life.

His memory was almost completely restored now. Almost. There were still gaps and missing pieces, but he now knew what kind of animal he was in his previous existence. He wanted no part of that life any more. His new life and his new friends were far more important to him. There may be pieces of his past that he did not recall, but there would be no amnesia when it came to Major Tom, Muriel, Martin, or a host of others that had resurrected him. They gave without thought of reward. He would not forget them.

Some of what he remembered from his past he'd just as soon forget again. He hadn't been a saint. He was just as vulnerable to cheating as the next man. He had easily fallen prey to the old saw: If some is good, more is better. But today ... today, he was a better man. One who could look himself in the mirror and not flinch at the sight.

-0-

Tony had a visitor one afternoon at Amnesia! He had been sitting at a small table with his usual iced tea and the morning paper when a woman approached. Tony looked up and began to stand as she came near.

"Are you Tony Milano?" she asked.

"That's me," he smiled. She was an attractive woman in her early forties.