“It’s not that easy,” Angelo says. But I can see it in his eyes; he’s as sick of the shitty, gray winters of the North as I am.
“You guys can sell the bar and open one down here if you need something to do. I’m sure after a week in the sunshine, no one’s going to want to go back.”
“You’re probably right.” Angelo squeezes my hand.
“Your parents are getting older, and before the kids get too old, it’s an easier move.”
Suzy’s practically buzzing in her seat. “Oh my God. That would be the best thing in the world. Imagine all the Sunday dinners and the holidays… What could be more perfect?”
Angelo and I have talked about moving south, giving our kids a better quality of life outside the big city. I’d love our kids to have something I never did—a big family to spoil them and shower them with love.
“It’s something we’ve discussed. I’m sure it won’t take too much convincing to get everyone to move here,” Angelo tells Joe.
I stare out the windows, watching the endless green grass pass by us in a blur and the palm trees swaying in the breeze. There’re no tall buildings and cement for as far as the eye can see like in Chicago.
“It’s really beautiful here,” I say as we get farther away from the airport and more into the country.
“Life is slower here,” Joe says. “I don’t miss the rat race in Chicago.”
“I’ve missed the South,” I say softly, unable to take my eyes off the landscape.
Joe and Angelo talk most of the way home as I stare out the window, thinking about what it would be like to live here, surrounded by the Gallos. I can’t imagine anything better, and I want that for our children.
An hour later, our luggage is dropped off at the hotel, and we’re driving down the driveway to Joe and Suzy’s place. My mouth drops open as soon as I see what looks like a mansion nestled in the woods.
“You live here?” I whisper in disbelief with my face between the two front seats, unable to tear my gaze away from its beauty.
“Yes, living here is so much cheaper than Chicago. You could probably get something like this with how much your place is worth up there.”
There’re lush trees and green grass everywhere surrounding the grand structure that looks like it was plucked from a mountaintop.
“You’ve done well for yourself, cousin,” Angelo says.
I turn to look at him, and I can see the awe on his face as I mouth oh my God. “How many acres do you have?”
“Fifteen and the place next to us is for sale, which I think is about ten acres. And the house is even more spectacular,” Joe says, but the hint isn’t subtle.
“I’m sure everyone is starving and ready for a cold drink,” Suzy says as the SUV comes to a slow stop.
“Sweet tea?” I’m hopeful. Although Chicago is known for their cuisine, the sweet tea there is nothing like the real Southern version.
“Of course.” She giggles. “I fresh brewed some just for you.”
“I’ve died and gone to heaven.” I’m being overdramatic, but I don’t care.
I’m happy as hell to be in the South, in the sun, and among family again.
Everyone’s out of the cars quickly, the kids running around the yard as Aunt Maria and Aunt Fran stand on the front porch, watching over the kids.
“This place is crazy,” Lucio says to us as he grabs Lulu from the car seat and sets her on the ground. “Did they tell you we should move here?”
Angelo nods. “There were words.”
“I think we should do it. We’ll be too old soon to drop everything and head south.”
“But what about the bar?” Angelo asks as we walk up the driveway.
“We can sell the bar.” Lucio shrugs. “Do you really want to be a bartender your entire life?”
