The Boss

Yesterday morning (very early, not yet dawn) receive call from the Contessa. She is at the hospital. She is not crying, but her voice quivers a bit, the Boss, she says has died. Tell her she is very brave for and that I will be right there. The rest of the day spent helping the Contessa make funeral arrangements. Boss's family involved too, but extremely poorly behaved--brother and sister of the boss have a shouting match about Who Is Going to Get the Motherwell Prints--at the funeral home. The funeral home people--who must be used to such acting out--pretend to be busy with filing (know precisely what this is covering up and what will be discussed when we all leave.)The Contessa says simply and in a low dejected voice, I really miss him, which has the effect of immediately shutting the siblings up. But see them shooting each other murderous looks for rest of afternoon and when at the Boss's apartment see the sister eyeing the china collection and licking her lips. Wake set for tonight with funeral tomorrow morning. As do not know what else to do lose all sense and offer to cater party. (Contessa's financial situation precarious as always; Brother and Sister also famously down and out.) Brother, Sister, and the Contssa all thank me and say that I am a Saint. This prevents me from backing out of offer. Would simply hire somebody else to do it for me, but quick peek at bank account shows that this is not possible. Try to get Dave to come up town to help, but he is busy. Second call, placed to Libby, is more successful. Libby says she will be right up, What should she Bring? Tell her that I will meet her at Citarella--we will buy most things (cheeses, baugettes, smoked fishes, sliced meats, mustard, pickles adn olives, pate) and make a few simple things. Libby has me tell her list over the telephone. Hear the clack clack of keyboard strokes. Libby impressive but frightening in store. She races around as though at Belmont--at one point could swear that hear her snort and paw at the linoleum--ticking items off list with different colored pencils. (She keeps these in her purse?) I go around store pcking up assorted other items that have not made it onto the list. Libby red in the face at this. Hear her repeating to herself under her breath, it's ok, it's ok. Back at the apartment, the Contessa and the brother and sister are on couch weeping. Libby asks firmly, Who Wants Tea? The contessa sniffles, she Hates tea, but she would like some coffee. Make coffee and then jump into food preparation for the expected crowds.