AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“They’ll come around,” Tony reassures her, though he, too, seems bemused by their intense concentration.
Sitting by my side, I see Andrew lean forward and motion for Alissa to come over with a wave of his hand.
She quits the game and drops the joystick, then comes running toward us.
“Hey Ali,” he whispers to her, “What do you think of Jim and Tom?”
She’s quick to shrug, “I like the games they brought.”
“Just that?” Andrew raises an eyebrow.
Alissa looks at the boys, then looks at Andrew and me. “They are really into their games. They’re fun!” she exclaims.
Andrew chuckles and pulls her closer. “You know what, Ali? I think they’re pretty fun too, but not as fun as you,” he says with a wink.
Alissa giggles and leans into his side, enjoying the attention. “Even more than mommy and you?” she asks, curious.
Andrew smiles warmly. "You're the most fun of all," he says, giving her a playful squeeze and planting a kiss on her cheek.
Dad joins the boys in playing the games, as does Dan after some encouragement from Carla. Mom engages Tony in a conversation about the duties of a Navy admiral, while Mel pauses the gaming session, insisting the boys take a break to eat before they can resume playing.
“How do you like them for cousins, Ali?” Andrew asks Alissa.
"Um..." she responds, uncertainly. "I'm not sure. I've never had cousins before."
“Oh, that’s right!” Andrew looks at me, and I’m not sure if he’s feigning or if it’s a legit surprise at the realization. “Well, they’ve never had cousins before either. And it might not look like it, but they’re really happy to have you around.”
“They are?” she asks, confused.
“Yeah!” he puts her on her feet. “Why don’t you go sit with them for now, I have to talk to your mom. They won’t be around for long…”
My eyebrow raises as he leaves me intrigued with what he needs to talk to me about. He stands and offers his hand, which I take and follow him.
With our drinks on us, he guides me to the deck, where we can watch the lively conversations happening in the living room.
“Your nephews are a blast,” I say with a mouthful of wine. “Poor Mel. She must go crazy with them.”
“They’re quite the rascals, too bad they’re never around,” he says, sentimentally. “Mom didn’t even get to meet the youngest one.”
My expression immediately turns somber, and I hold onto his arm, feeling his own sorrow welling up.
"You don't talk about her much," I remark, aiming for a light tone to avoid pressuring him, yet still conveying my genuine concern.
“I miss her so much,” he says, a sad smile on his lips.
“I bet you were her baby boy, weren’t you?” I gently rub his chest, feeling the well-shaped muscles under his polo shirt. “Youngest child and all?”
He nods, sipping his wine, “She saw me leave Chicago, just a kid full of hopes and dreams, and didn’t get to see that my life has turned out awesome and I wouldn’t be here without her.”
I lean my head on his shoulder and keep on sipping my drink. “I can’t even picture what it would be like to lose one of my parents. And I don’t get along with them all that well,” I giggle nervously. “I think I already had too much wine…”
I leave my glass at the edge of the railing and give my full attention to Andrew. Much to my surprise, he’s crying, but he’s not consumed in sorrow since he’s shedding happy tears and smiling at me. I’m glad they are positive tears, but I have no idea the reason behind them.
“I wish she was here today,” he says, holding my head and then kissing me.
“Oh, you mean because of your retirement party?” I ask, confused.
“Not exactly.” His eyes shine under the moonlight as he takes me by the hand and carries me back into the living room, making one quick stop in the kitchen, where John and Rosetta are eating and talking. “Can you two please join us in the living room?”
