The Angels Sing

By Anna del C. Dye

Will this white Christmas bring Angels singing or a Silent night?

Tragedy strikes billionaires Mario and Beth Tuzzini and the Santa projects may be the only thing that can help them overcome it.
Scott and Angie, Mario’s daughter, had a hard time when their Santa’s project couldn’t start. An innocent mistake put them on the mayor’s black list as the children pay when one of them is almost killed?
Things aren’t always joyful in The Angels Sing and many things must happen before they can share a Merry day together. The Angels Sing is the standalone book four of the depression era series the Other Santa.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anna del C. Dye
• Release date: Mar 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215933831

Anna del C. Dye

Anna was born in the extreme South along some famous beaches. She grew up with four other siblings being placed in the middle. Her mother died when she was six and she found a new mother in her husband’s mother and loves her dearly. She accredits her mother-in-law with teaching her many things in life.The green eyed, brown haired author moved north to marry her husband Rodney and has resided in Utah since then. Her husband, a native of Idaho, met her in her hometown. They fell in love and she came to Utah on Christmas Eve to be married two weeks later. They are the parents of three princes and a princess.Early on in her life she showed an affinity for sewing and took classes that rewarded her with the opportunities of doing costuming for the cast of four musicals, which she enjoyed immensely. She is fluent in both English and Spanish and understands some Portuguese.Some of Anna’s writing recognitions:She received the Editor’s Choice Award from the International Library of Poetry and had her article entitled A New American Mother published by Desert Saints Magazine. Her short story entitled Amerine—Fairy Princess wan an award in the Oquirrh chapter contest and was published by Kalkion Magazine. Other articles about family and relationship have been published frequently in the MOMS CLUB® of Salt Lake Valley-West.

Book preview

Chapter One

The Never-Ending Pain

Daddy, what happened? Grandad called me and we came as fast as we could.

Angie and her husband of two weeks had received news that Angie’s father was on his way to the hospital. Mr. Tuzzini Sr. had reached them at city hall where Scott had an interview with the city council.

It’s the baby, sweet girl. Beth has lost our baby.

No, Daddy, I’m so sorry.

How is she doing, Mario?

I don’t know, Scott. It doesn’t feel good to have to wait for someone else to tell me.

It would drive me insane if it happened to me, sir.

Daddy…, did she overdo it during our wedding…? I…

No, Angie, don’t blame yourselves for this. Your wedding has nothing to do with it. She has had some discomfort for a few days, though I just found out yesterday. I’m afraid that she tried to diagnose herself on account that I’m her husband.

He hugged her and made all her worries leave. She would have never forgiven herself if it was her fault that Beth had lost their baby.

She had some signs of bleeding yesterday and last night it got worse. I put her to bed. Rest, I thought, would do the trick. However, this morning it didn’t stop. On the contrary, we spent the night making trips to the bathroom. She had a high fever this morning and I brought her here. Father was in his driveway when I went by his house. He saw me and I told him I was taking Beth to the hospital.

He is also worried and couldn’t tell us more as we hurried here, said Scott.

Thank you for coming. I can use company.

Mr. Tuzzini?

That is me, doctor. How is my wife?

She is doing all right given the circumstances.

I’m a nurse, so is she, as is my daughter, doctor. You don’t have to sugarcoat any of it on our account.

Very well. By the look of it, Mrs. Tuzzini had an infection brewing for a couple of weeks. I believe the baby died a week or so ago and her body chose today to expel it.

An infection, doctor? How?

What happened two weeks ago, Mr. Tuzzini?

Angie looked for refuge in Scott’s protecting arms. That was how long they had been married.

She went for her appointment at the doctor’s office and all went well.

Mr. Tuzzini, I don’t want to speak ill of my profession, however, there are still doctors that don’t take good hygiene to heart. She could have been infected in the office visit.

Mario sat hard on the chair closest to him and Angie ran to hug him.

No, it can’t be. He stood up in one jump, startling Angie. You could be onto something. Her doctor was late because he was finishing an emergency surgery. Did you tell my wife your suspicions?

No, I’ll leave it to your discretion. I’m so sorry, for your loss, Mr. Tuzzini. You may go see her. She took it very hard when I told her about the baby … most women do. May I suggest that you focus on her now. She needs you. Discussing what caused her to lose the baby won’t do a thing for her. Let me warn you, if you are set on revenge, your marriage will suffer. I’ve seen it happen too many times.

I appreciate your council, doctor.

Daddy, what will you do?

Go see my wife, sweetie. She needs me and I her. We’ll get through somehow.

I’ll do all I can to help you both, Daddy.

We may need time alone after you reassure her that you care. A long trip may be what the doctor orders for us.

That sounds like a plan, Daddy. Let us know when she is ready to see us.

Thank you, Angie.

Will you let us know if you need us and keep us posted about your travel plans?

I will, Scott. I need a hug, sweetie. I’m spent and I can’t see my sweetheart like this.

Angie held onto her father as if his life depended on it. He set his head over hers and she heard him sniffle.

*****

Two weeks after the baby’s loss, in Beth’s sunny bedroom, Nadine placed the last item in her suitcase. Mario’s car was almost ready to go where it awaited in the driveway.

Beth, you may not know this. Nadine’s eyes focused faraway on the distant, naked trees. I lost two babies before Scott and two after. It broke my heart at first, but after I had Scott, he helped me deal with the loss. I’m afraid that life goes on, sweet lady, with or without us feeling like it. She looked at Beth’s young and slim figure and smiled encouragingly.

Thank you for telling me this, Nadine. I too have experienced this before…. As a nurse, you see it in your work. The difference is that now I know how it feels.

Please concentrate on what you do have and give thanks for those blessings every time you want to cry.

I do have a wonderful husband and all of you, don’t I?

That you do. She patted her hand encouragingly. And do remember that he also lost his baby.

A most needed reminder, Nadine. I appreciate all you have done for me these past weeks.

It may feel like the end, though I assure you that it’s only the beginning for you and Mario. You both have wonderful lives to live and many people to bless.

Later in the car, on their way out of town, Beth looked at Mario while he drove and blessed the day he had come into her life.

Is everything all right, sweetheart?

Yes, Nadine just reminded me that you and I became a family when we married and it is all right to enjoy ourselves alone for a time.

I agree.

Mario, do you remember what you did in Angie’s mother’s situation? His shoulders tensed and his hands clenched tighter on the wheel. I… She couldn’t continue as the thought that Mario might kill their doctor made her heart split in two. She needed to know what Mario had on his mind. That possible answer was eating her from the inside out.

No, my sweet Beth. I will never take the law in my hands again. He reached for her hand. If I learned anything with that experience it’s that it didn’t a change a thing. I was miserable without Tanya and she existed without her past to help her cope. Besides, Tom told me that we are all humans and bound to make mistakes, and that to forgive is a commandment.

Thank you. I’m afraid I did worry too much about it and I didn’t know what to do.

Please, sweetheart, never keep your questions from me. Next time, ask me at the first chance. It won’t do to have you worry without a cause. Besides, I did promise never to lie to you, remember…? I mean it.

Yes, you did, my love. I’m so sorry, I felt so helpless. I couldn’t tell what was wrong with me, and I was too embarrassed to have you check me out. If I had, our baby might be alive now. Her shoulders shook and Mario stopped the car to hold her in his arms. The morning was sunny, though her thoughts felt cold and sad.

I don’t think so, sweetheart. Though, I understand it’s a step of the mourning process to blame oneself. I too blamed myself for not being in tune enough to have noticed your discomfort.

You did? You must be right, Mario. It would have never occurred to me to blame you.

Nor do I blame you, my dearest Beth.

His lips over hers let her know that it might take time, yet they would be all right together.

After a comfortable silence, Mario, said Beth, Tom told me that when we look too much at our insides, we can’t see much other than despair. But when we look all about us, we can always find someone who is having a worse time than us. That is what helps us go through our trials, focusing on others.

They both sat with their thoughts for a moment.

I know it to be true, my husband. When mother passed, helping the people of Osage is what kept me going. When the hospital in Osage wouldn’t permit me to stay, I moved to Jere after I heard they had closed the clinic there. It would have been too painful with too many things to remind me of mother back in Charleston.

Beth, would you like to take a walk in that park? I see a small pond there.

The sunshine would do us both good. Though, she already knew he was her sunbeam.

They got down and, hand in hand, walked up the path to the pond in silence without hurry. Not many souls were there, since at eleven in the morning most people would be otherwise occupied.

Beth, before we left, I asked an investigator to look into your doctor.

Beth stopped as cold blood rushed to her chest. She didn’t like what the silence did in her mind so she stated, I thought you said…

I did and I promise I won’t do anything wrong, sweetheart. I was curious if this was neglect or a human error. I’ll be all right with either, I assure you. Although, if he has caused this pain to others, I’ll ask the investigator to make a report to the medical authorities. If it was an error, I, want to see if we can help so no one else has to go through this as we did.

Thank you, Mario. I can live with that.

I didn’t want to have a secret from you. He kissed her forehead. I’ll never disappoint you that way, nor treat another’s life so carelessly.

She understood. He held her and it felt comfortable and loving. After their long, warm embrace, Beth saw something move to her left side. She repositioned her head on Mario’s chest to see better. Three little ones uneasily advanced toward them, hidden behind a shrub.

Mario, there are three children behind those bushes … can you see them?

Mario turned.

Yes, they seem young to be alone in the park. Do you think we should talk to them?

Let’s sit over there to see if an adult will come to get them.

Something is amiss, Beth. They aren’t wearing warm clothes, neither do they have shoes for January weather.

The sun of this cold day makes the little boy’s skin look dark and his eyes too. He is coming towards us, perhaps we can talk to him.

His scrawny, long body seemed disproportioned to her. The massive curly black hair that covered his head looked as though it hadn’t touched water for weeks. She could see dry leaves and who know what else hidden in there.

When he saw them looking at him, he lost his nerve and turned to leave.

Hi there, Beth said, before he moved away from them. Can we help you?

He turned his dark eyes back to them to glance between the couple for a moment and they didn’t hurry him.

You have something ta eat? My sisters is hungry.

Chapter Two

The Perpetrator

I’m sorry, but we don’t. We could find a place and get us something, don’t you think so, Mario?

Absolutely, sweetheart. Though, we aren’t very familiar with this town. Do you know where we can find food?

On that street is a woman … she makes bread, the boy pointed behind them.

Why don’t you get your sisters and I’ll go get us some food?

The boy didn’t move, though his two little sisters came running toward him.

I tell ya to stay there.

We are hungry. The older of the two looked pretty, though, the dirt on her face didn’t let it shine through.

White people aren’t always nice, the boy answered.

Mario looked back at the park on his way to the next street. He heard Beth say, You have nothing to fear from me. I have a blanket in the car. Why don’t I go get it and you wait for me here?

The poor souls had to be destitute since the boy was the only one wearing anything that resembled clothes. A battered shirt and pants too small to cover his long legs made up his attire. His little sisters wore thin nightdresses and Mario could swear that was all that covered them from the cold nights.

Pardon me. I understand someone on this street sells bread?

Yes, mister, I do. I only have two baguettes left.

That will do. Do you know where I can find something to make sandwiches with?

I have goat cheese from my own animal. It’s fresh.

That will be splendid, ma’am. Do you have enough to fill both baguettes?

Yes, give me a moment and I’ll have them ready.

Mario waited at the door while the forty-something woman went inside her house and closed the door behind her.

Pardon me, miss. I wonder if you have seen three colored children near the pond? Mario asked a younger woman who had come by while he waited.

Yes, they are there most days.

Days…? Do you mean to tell me that no one has taken pity on them and offered a warm jacket to keep winter away?

The woman cast her eyes down and walked hurriedly away from him. The door opened and he turned.

Here mister. It’s fifty cents.

Thank you, ma’am. Have a good day. Mario took the bread and left quickly.

The woman called out to him that she didn’t have change for a dollar, but he kept on going.

By the time he made it back to the children, Beth had brought the thermos Nadine had placed in the car for them. The children were covered by the blanket that seemed to drown their small, thin bodies.

Mario, I was telling the children that they can keep the blanket.

Might as well, young man. Now you and I are going to have a talk, man to man, while you eat.

The woman had cut the bread in sections and Mario silently thanked her for her insight. He gave a piece to each one of the children.

Look Daniel, it has cheese.

I wove cheese, the little one added with her mouth full.

Here, sip the chocolate. Be careful, it is quite warm. Beth let them drink from the lid of the thermos.

That’s yummy, the older of the two girls added. We ware cold.

Can you tell us your names and what ages you are? Mario kept an eye on the boy.

I’m Daniel, I am seven. This is Marna, she is five.

I’m Sana, she put three fingers up and show him.

Can you tell us where your parents are?

Pa left to find job. Ma went to clean a house and never came back.

How long have you been alone, Daniel?

Don’t kno’, miss.

Listen, our car is over there. Could we talk inside it? It’s a lot warmer than here.

I, never been in a car ’fore, Sana murmured.

He shook his head in the negative and said, We can’t, Sana. Mom won’t know where to fin’ us if we don’ stay in the park.

You can see the park from the car, Daniel. If she comes, you won’t miss her.

Ye sure, mister?

Sure, come to see for yourself.

The little group walked toward the car and Daniel keep looking backwards to make sure he didn’t lose view of the park.

That blanket is a bit big for your hands, isn’t it? Let me put it on the chair and you can sit on it. There you are, now snuggle if you want.

I’ll get the car running so we can be warm, sweetheart. Mario let Beth deal with the children as she surely knew what she was doing. She seemed to have forgotten their pain for a while, and he wouldn’t do anything to break the magic of the moment.

Can you see the park, Daniel?

Yes, mister. Thanks.

Did your mom say to wait for her there?

There is cardboard. It keeps the cold off. By that big tree, there, mister.

Mom sold our shoes fer food, Marna said. But it’s all gone and we hungry.

Wa haven’t eat fer days, Sana lifted her little arm to the ceiling to make her point.

Beth eyed Mario and he could read the outrage in her eyes.

Beth, do you think it’ll be all right if I leave you with the children for a while? I need to make some inquiries.

Would it be all right with all of you?

Sure, miss, but if ma comes, we have ta go with her.

You just tell me where she is and I’ll get her for you, Daniel, Beth answered.

Daniel, do you know your mom’s name?

Bea Simms, mister.

He left them secure in the car and Mario asked a passerby where the police station was. He directed his steps toward it.

The small office showed a room with two policemen sitting on a couple of mismatched chairs in front of a desk. Behind them lay a closed room and by the back door a telephone.

What can I do fer you, mister?

I’m looking for a woman named Bea Simms.

What ye want with her…? Are ye another complainer?

What do you mean by complainer?

She was caught stealing four days ago and she is in here waiting fer the judge.

Four days had the little ones been on their own. It seemed a knife found a bed in his heart so much did the suffering of the children pain him.

I want to see her.

You can’t until the judge talks te her. He doesn’t like women like her.

Women like what, exactly?

The judge is a God-fearing man and doesn’t like thieves in our town.

So you and he have judged Mrs. Simms to be ungodly without a trial…. Do you believe God will hold either of you blameless for that?

Who are you and why do you question my beliefs? A man in his late fifties had entered and stood at the door.

Mario Tuzzini, attorney at law. And I find it ungodly to have proclaimed a woman guilty without a trial. Or is it that how you conduct law in this town?

Judge Famer is my name and no, I follow the law, Mr. Tuzzini.

Then, I demand to see Mrs. Simms. She has rights and you have taken them away by not letting her lawyer talk with her.

But she is colored, judge.

Last time I checked, the law is equal to all, no matter color, constable. Mario’s body felt hot with outrage. Perhaps you need to read your manual again?

He is right constable, open the door for him. You and I will chat after your visit, Mr. Lawyer.

I’ll be right here, your honor.

Mario didn’t realize the trouble he could have set himself up for before the judge, especially if he took the case.

Mrs. Simms, I’m Mario Tuzzini and will represent you before the judge.

I have no money fer ya. Besides, they made up their minds already. If ye want to help me, go to the pond and look fer my children. I’ve been here four days and they must be cold and scared without me.

Your children are the reason I’m here, Mrs. Simms. They are warm and waiting for you to come and get them. My wife is with them.

Ye have a wife…? No matter, I can’t pay you.

I require no payment, Mrs. Simms. Now, why don’t you tell me what happened that you ended up in here? The look of mistrust and the time she took to make up her mind took Mario by surprise.

I went to wash clothes fer a woman named Fernand. She left me with her husband and he tried to attack me. When I screamed a policeman came into the house. The man told him I was stealing in his house. He is white and the policeman believe him, not me.

Did they look in your clothes before they brought you here?

Yes…, they found nothing. I’m not a thief. I’m a God-fearing woman and do not steal is a commandment.

Did they ever ask the wife to corroborate your story?

I don’t know.

All right. Let me sort this out so you can be with your children, Mrs. Simms. They miss you.

After he closed the door behind himself most perturbed by the woman’s declaration, Mario didn’t notice a man by the door until her heard, Mister…

The man motioned for Mario to come closer. Intrigued by him, he approached.

I’m good at finding out things in this here town. I know many things ye may want…, fer a price.

I don’t pay for falsehoods, so if it is that what you are selling, I’m not interested.

I’m not. I know the man who accused that colored woman. It isn’t the first time he has attacked other women. Is that som’thing ye’ll pay for?

If it is the truth, yes, it is. Can you find the other women for me? You’ll get your part when this is all over.

The man nodded and left.

Mario turned to find the judge watching him from a chair behind a desk. His eyes shared no clues as to what he thought of Mario. He hoped the judge would be fair and that he wouldn’t hold his insolence against his new client.

Judge Famer, I’m at your disposition.

Very well. Let’s get something hot and we’ll talk.

The judge pointed away from the police precinct and they crossed the street. A small room built from mismatched planks with two empty tables sat in front of a small house.

Judge Famer, welcome. The special, sir?

Yes, Bert. Don’t forget my warm drink.

Never, sir. It’s already on the fire. Boy, get fresh bread for our illustrious guest. Will he need anything?

The judge glanced at Mario and he shook his head no. I will bring my wife a bit later for lunch, if that is all right.

Most all right, sir.

Now, tell me about you. I don’t recall any lawyer by the name of Tuzzini in these parts, though the name tickles the edge of my mind.

I’m passing by Benison, sir. I just happened to hear about Mrs. Simms misfortune and wanted to aid her. My home is in Kirkwood.

The judge’s expression changed as if he remembered something. Did you live in Kirkwood some ten years ago?

Mario looked lost for a second. How would he know that?

Yes, my daughter and I did.

I thought so. I remember hearing of you. Mostly praises and a few occasional grunts from those found guilty because of the thorough investigations you did in your cases. You haven’t been back for a long time, from what I heard. Where have you been?

My daughter and I have been around the country helping less fortunate folks to survive their toils in life. It has been rewarding, but now we have returned to our home.

Where is your daughter? She was what, ten, eleven or so, wasn’t she?

Back in Kirkwood. She is married now…, for, well, about a month.

You were a widower, weren’t you?

Angie’s mother died when she was five, sir. However, I got married last April too. My wife is here in town with me.

I would love to meet her after this case is taken care of. I’m pleased to get a chance to see you in action, Mr. Tuzzini. Shall we set time for 3:00 p.m.?

Mario nodded.

By the way, I think you’ll need this…

The judge signed two papers. One to the effect that Simon Fernand and his wife needed to be at the precinct at 3:00 p.m. and handed them to Mario.

Thank you. I’ll look forward to it. Mario stood and left just as the judge’s food arrived at his table.

On his way to the car, Mario discovered the man who offered