“That’s because she’s in your heart, sweetheart.”
“My heart?” Tate whispers and glances down, pressing her hands to her chest. “She’s inside me?” Her little lips part as her mouth hangs open.
“You’ll always carry her with you. And maybe someday your daddy will find someone else. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
Tate nods with her hand still over her heart.
“But when he does, your mommy will always be with you.”
“Always?”
“Always.”
I wipe away my tears and plaster on a smile before pushing open the door, trying to lighten the mood. “Where're my monsters?” I call out, stalking into the room like I’m going to tickle them.
“Auntie Nee. Auntie Nee,” Tate calls out, running across the room and practically leaping into my arms.
I hug her tightly, running my hand down her back in soft, slow strokes. “Hey, doll. I missed you so much,” I whisper in her ear. “I love you.”
“Love you too, Auntie Nee.”
Delilah stares at me and smiles before taking a deep breath, probably happy for the rescue. The conversation was getting heavy even for a seasoned pro like Delilah.
“Dinner,” Ma calls out, saving us from having to dive deeper into the conversation.
“Who’s hungry?”
Brax screeches loudly, trying to scramble out of Delilah’s arms before she has a chance to stand. She lets him go, and he’s out the door before Tate’s feet can touch the floor.
“Thank you,” Delilah says to me as we follow the kids down the hallway toward the dining room. “I was starting to lose it.”
“You did well, Dee. I couldn’t have handled that conversation like you did.”
“Oh, please. You’re a natural,” she reassures me, and I know she’s just being nice.
While I love my niece and nephew, I’d never call myself overly maternal. I want kids someday, but I’m not sure if I could ever be as good of a mother as mine was to us.
“Sit, sit,” my father says and stands as we enter the room. I’m almost surprised he’s here on time because lately he’s been missing more than he’s been present. “The food’s getting cold.”
Pop’s a little more enthusiastic than he usually is, and we’re all thinking the same thing as we glance at each other around the table. He’s about to drop something big on us. Lately, it hasn’t been anything good.
I slide into the chair, making faces at Angelo because I figure he knows what’s going on.
“This smells delicious, Ma,” Vinnie says as my mother scoops out a giant helping onto his plate.
“I know it’s your favorite, baby.” Ma hands the casserole across the table, letting the rest of us get our own food instead of babying us like she always does Vinnie.
This dish are everybody’s favorite because it’s the only thing she can cook that’s actually edible. She’s been known to mess up the easiest recipes. But this one, she’s mastered, and it’s perfect every time.
“Can you give me the recipe? I’d like to make it for the guys in my frat.”
“It’s easy. Just throw sausage, potatoes, and peppers in a pan with a full bottle of wine, red or white, along with some water. Then stick everything in the oven, covered, of course, and let it cook for a few hours until the sausage is tender.”
“I don’t think even I could mess it up,” he says and smiles.
My father pulls out my mother’s chair and waits for her to sit before he finally decides to tell us what has him flying high. “So, I know you kids think I’m up to my old ways.”
There’s a collective grumble from around the table because there’s no thinking necessary. My dad has barely been around the last month, heading off to God knows where to do who the fuck even knows with him.
