Part 14 (2/2)
”What the f.u.c.k!” Izzy yelled.
Yep, there it is. ”She wanted to let me spend time with my family without her today. She's resting since we got home late last night. I didn't want to overwhelm her.”
”We're not overwhelming. We're loveable,” Suzy said, hiccupping as she sc.r.a.ped her plate clean.
”She's not used to a family like ours.”
”What type would that be?” Pop asked, crooking an eyebrow at me.
”Pop, she has no one. No parents. No one. So yeah, we'd be overwhelming.”
Ma gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. ”No one?” she asked, shaking her head.
”I couldn't leave her behind. I love her too much. She kept me sane.”
”She can take all the time in the world, baby.”
”Thanks, Ma.” I smiled, hoping it was over, but I'd thought wrong.
”What's her name?” Joe asked.
”Angel.” I smiled, happy that I'd used the right name.
”Angel sounds tough. We could use another tough chick around this table.”
”b.i.t.c.h be trippin',” Anthony mumbled, and was quickly slapped in the back of the head by Joe. ”Ma, you're going to let him treat me like that? He's. .h.i.t me at least twice at the table.”
”Yeah, honey. You deserved it, though.” She smiled.
”What's Angel do?” Suzy asked, taking a sip of water.
”She's going to go to school,” I blurted out, because for f.u.c.k's sake, we hadn't even discussed her plans.
”I can't believe they let you bring her with you, son. Isn't that risky?” Pop said, eyeing me with curiosity.
”Yeah. They declined my request to speak with her. I quit on the spot and went to her. She came with me blindly, Pop. She has no one on this earth but me. How could I not bring her with me?”
”Do you love her?” Ma asked, her devilish smile reaching her eyes.
”Yes,” I replied, shocked at how easy I could spill my guts to my family.
”You can't go wrong by following your heart, Thomas. You've always been a good judge of character. If you think she's the one and worth the risk, I'll trust in your decision.” Her smile grew wider. ”Plus, that means more babies!”
”Jesus,” I groaned. ”Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Ma. One step at a time.”
”Bring her next time. I really want to meet her.”
I nodded, hoping that she'd be ready to face the group next weekend.
”But we'll wait.”
”Wait for what?” Mike asked as he and Mia walked back in and took their seats. Their faces were flushed, like they'd just had a good workout.
”Work things out?” Suzy asked, giggling and shooting Mia a look.
”We've agreed to disagree,” Mike answered, and cleared his throat.
”I'm sure you did.” Suzy chortled, unable to control herself.
Mia just blushed, keeping her eyes downcast as she picked up her fork and began to eat again. ”I'm famished,” she said between bites.
”I'm sure you worked up quite an appet.i.te,” Joe responded, and as soon as the words left his mouth, Suzy hit him in the chest. He didn't budge, but he stared at her hand like it was a bothersome fly. ”Sugar, hit me again and see what happens.”
”That right there is s.e.xy,” she said, batting her eyelashes before hauling off and punching him in the shoulder.
He caught her wrist, holding it in front of his body. ”I warned ya.”
”I'm getting tired, Joey. Will you help me lie down upstairs?” she asked, a small grin on her lips.
”I'll be right back. Let me help Suzy upstairs.”
Everyone smiled at each other, knowing that was bulls.h.i.+t. Those two were going to be doing the nasty in my parents' house and they didn't seem fazed.
As they walked out of the room, I looked at my ma. ”You're okay with that?” I asked, motioning toward the lovebirds climbing the steps.
”I remember being pregnant quite fondly, actually. So yes, I'm okay with it.” She turned to my father and smiled, grabbing his hand and giving it a squeeze.
”Bleh,” Izzy said. ”I swear to G.o.d, every time I come here, you two have to talk about s.e.x. I can't get the vision out of my head.”
”Baby girl, how do you think you got here?” Pop asked, staring at Izzy.
”I don't need a reminder. The mental image is disturbing. You're lucky I'm not a nun.”
”They'd kick your a.s.s out,” James howled, slapping the table with his hand.
”Shut up,” she hissed.
”Say it again and I'll help you lie down,” he replied, the corner of his lips twitching.
”Everyone needs to stop talking about s.e.x. Jesus,” I croaked, wanting to bang my head on the table. ”Dinner talk sure has changed around here.”
”Yes, baby. Life changes.” Ma looked at me with sadness in her eyes.
I felt her comment. Although it was innocent, it cut me deeply. She had no idea exactly how I felt, but there was so much truth to her statement. Life had changed. The Gallos had continued, grown, and evolved. I'd f.u.c.king missed it all.
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