He walked away quickly, knowing that the real bomb hadn’t been dropped yet.
“He’s not opening an office in Chicago, Ma.” I swallowed hard as I looked around the backyard.
Her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?” she asked as she set the drink on the table too hard, making some of the liquid slosh out of the glass.
“I’m going to move here as soon as we get back and I pack up my things.” I leaned back in the chair and out of arm’s reach.
The narrowness of her eyes evaporated as they grew larger than saucers. “Move?” she asked, placing her hand on her chest. “You can’t move.”
“I am.” I crossed my arms over my chest, standing my ground.
Here we go.
I braced myself and waited for her to embarrass the hell out of me in front of my entire family. Big Fran was ready to blow.
“You have nowhere to live,” she argued.
“I’m going to rent Joe’s guesthouse until I find a place.”
“You’re going to leave me all alone in Chicago?”
There was the guilt trip—right on cue.
“Seriously, Ma. You’ve been alone for years. I promise to come visit all the time.” I sighed, knowing that this was going to be a battle.
“Alone,” she whined. “Don’t leave me alone.” She face-planted on the table, one hand on the drink and the other still holding the cigarette.
If I hadn’t been trying to avoid a battle, I’d have laughed. Drunk Ma was funny as hell and kind of cute, although I’d never admit it.
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them again. “You have a bunch of friends. You’ll be fine.”
She sat upright and tapped her cigarette against the ashtray. “If you’re moving here, then so am I,” she said, looking really happy about the situation.
Oh my God.
No.
She was following me.
I wanted to face-plant now, but instead I took it in an entirely different direction.
I looked up toward the starry sky and cursed under my breath before I said, “That’s a great idea, Ma.”
Please, please God, tomorrow when the drinks had worn off, make her see the error of her ways.
If she decided to follow me, she’d at least have Uncle Sal and Auntie Mar to keep her busy and out of my hair. Maybe being around the family would take some of the heat off me.
It could end up being a good thing in the end.
What the hell was I thinking? It was going to be a clusterfuck of awesomeness.
“It’s settled, then.” She stubbed her cigarette out. “When are you going to get married?” she threw at me out of left field.
“I have to find a woman first,” I shot back.
“You’re getting old, baby. Don’t wait too long, or you’ll be alone forever.”
“Hold up, woman.” I held my hand up, shushing her. “Look around. Joe was older when he married. All of my cousins were older than I am now when they found love and settled down.”
