Beyond the Deal

Lucia put down the knife, wiped her hands, and rounded the counter. “There’s my beautiful girl,” she cooed to her daughter.

“She’s gotten big,” Rocco commented, staring down at the swaddled bundle.

“You would know that if you visited more often,” Lucia volleyed back, and I got the distinct impression this was an old argument.

“You know how busy I am.”

She stroked the baby’s head. “I know.”

Rocco l