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Soon, we proceed to the dining room table. Michelle sits in a baby seat while the four of us gather around the large wooden slab. After the food is served, Toni leans forward and says, “Amelia, did you get the updated email about the conference call on Friday?”
Ryan quickly turns around and mock frowns.
“No, none of that at the table. Every time we get together you two spend most of the time talking about work. This time we’re going to have a nice family dinner with normal family talk.”
Toni laughs.
“What? Who me? I would never.”
At this we all start laughing.
“Yeah, right, Toni. You can’t wait to have a baby yourself,” I tease. “Then you’ll have free baby models for our children’s clothing line.”
At my words, Toni inhales quickly and shoots a look at my dad. Michael looks just as flustered, and his face is growing red. What is going on with those two?
But Toni gets a hold of herself and sits back with a smile on her face.
“Well, since we can’t talk about work, then tell me about my favorite godchild.”
Reese looks up as he asks wryly, “Isn’t she your only godchild?”
Unfazed, Toni chuckles. “Exactly. That makes her my favorite. Now give me the goods. I feel like I haven’t seen you guys in forever.”
Rolling my eyes, I interrupt, “Antoinette, stop being a brat. Dad’s going to think we don’t love you or something. Dad, don’t listen to her. She was just over last Friday, and Michelle hasn’t changed that much in seven days.”
“Am I still her favorite auntie?” Toni asks in a pretend-wail.
Ryan turns and stares at Toni as he deadpans. “I’m pretty sure you’re her only auntie, so I think your position is secure.”
We all laugh merrily and the dinner continues as usual. But then Ryan mentions in a casual voice. “By the way, Roger Money applied for a job at Burger Heaven, did you know? But we rejected his application on the spot.”
I gasp and look at him.
“You didn’t tell me.”
Reese shrugs.
“It only happened yesterday, sweetheart. And we have no intention of hiring that asshole after what he put you through.”
I take a deep breath and nod.
“But you didn’t have to do that for me. From what I hear, he hasn’t really done anything with his life since graduation. He probably needs the job, to be honest. Was he applying to be a management trainee?”
Reese nods.
“Yeah, but he doesn’t have the aptitude. His grades are terrible, and he has no work experience. At most, he’d be hired to work the griddle in the back.”
I shake my head.
“How the mighty have fallen.”
Toni snorts.
“Roger was never mighty. I always thought he was a twerp, to be honest. But do you know if he’s still with Carmen?”
I shrug.
“I’m not sure, but again it doesn’t really matter one way or another, so I haven’t really asked around. The only reason I even know that he didn’t go to college is because I ran into Mrs. Money at the grocery store the other day.”
Toni looks over with interest.
“How is Mrs. Money, by the way? I haven’t seen her around lately and she must have been devastated to know her son was hooking up with her soon-to-be-stepdaughter.”
Nodding, I answer.
“She seems okay. She’s always been a workaholic, and I don’t think that’s changed. Plus, after that whole thing with Roger and Carmen came out, she called off the wedding. It was just too fucked up. In all of that craziness, she’s the one person I actually feel bad for.”
Dad chimes in.
“Well, I say good riddance to Roger. Clearly, you were the best thing to ever happen to that boy.”
I laugh as Toni, Ryan, and Reese chorus, “Hear, hear!” What did I ever do to deserve such a loving, protective family?
As the meal wraps up, my dad turns to Reese and Ryan. His expression is friendly, and I smile from ear to ear. I’m so glad that their friendship has been repaired. Twenty years is a lot to flush down the drain, and I didn’t want to be the cause of that.
Mike grins at the men and asks, “So, what’s up with the bigger house? I thought you guys loved the old house.”
Reese answers, “Oh we did. Ryan and I lived there for over a decade, but we figured that we could use a bigger place now that we’re a family of four. And if we ever do decide to have another child, everything will be easier with more space.”
Toni turns to stare at me with an excited look on her face.
“Is there something you need to tell your best friend?”
Chuckling at her excitement, I shake my head, “Umm, no crazy girl. We just had Michelle, so how about a breather for my lady parts?”
Dad interrupts.
“Can we please not talk about your lady parts?”
Shaking my head at his mock horror, I giggle.
