Page 9 of Family Ties and Alibis

The food arrived hot and fresh, and while the family grazed, they chatted about the upcoming Thanksgiving feast, Paulie and Gina’s arrival, followed by Carlita’s and Pete’s businesses.

Tony dipped his jumbo shrimp in cocktail sauce and took a big bite. “Mercedes and I are making bets on when Ma and Pete are finally going to retire.”

“You’ve been talking about it for a while now,” Vinnie said. “I keep thinking one of these days you’ll pull the trigger.”

Carlita playfully prodded her husband. “Now that you mention it, we’ve picked a date.”

All eyes turned to the couple.

“I’m guessing next spring.”

“Nope.” Pete shook his head.

“In the fall?” Tony asked.

“Not even close.”

“You’re gonna be like Dernice and me and start the year off with a big bang,” Luigi teased.

“Bingo.”

Tony’s jaw dropped. “You and Pete are retiring in January?”

“We are,” Pete confirmed. “Your mother has finally agreed to hang up her business hats and embark on several epic travel adventures.”

“Congrats, Mr. and Mrs. T,” Luigi said.

Everyone started talking at once, peppering them with questions about their plans for travel and details about the milestone event.

A brief pause ensued while the server, now accompanied by an assistant, cleared the appetizer dishes and began taking dinner orders.

Carlita was the last to order, having a hard time deciding between the center-cut filet mignon or crab cakes. She finally settled on the crab cakes and a side of garlic mashed potatoes.

Baskets of bread and whipped butter arrived. Already starting to feel full from sampling the appetizers, she nibbled on a piece of bread before setting it aside to save room for the crab cakes.

The entrees arrived, and Carlita dug into her meal, letting the others carry the conversation while she sat back and savored the moment. She was with family…her family, for the holidays.

Francesca’s loud, nasal voice rang out. “Hang on. I’m wondering something.”

The others grew quiet.

“You keep talking about this wedding between Luigi and Darlice.”

“Dernice,” Vinnie corrected.

Francesca waved dismissively. “Whatever. Does this mean you’ll be in Savannah for New Year’s Eve?”

“We will,” he replied. “Luigi asked me to be his best man.”

Brittney got a deer-in-the-headlights look on her face. “I…uh. Yes, I suppose we will.”

“What about me?” Francesca’s lower lip trembled. “I suppose I could spend it with Tommy.”

Carlita kept quiet, reminding herself it wasn’t her place to comment. Clearly, the woman wasn’t thrilled with the idea of her daughter and grandson traveling to Savannah.

Francesca began whining about being left alone and how it wasn’t fair.

Throwing caution to the wind, Carlita blurted out, “Your daughter is a Garlucci now.”