Izzy grabs a plate, trying to keep her eyes off Gigi, but she’s smiling. “We’re just so happy. Today was such a big day for you.”
“Bigger than you know,” Gigi says as she grabs more quiches, placing them in the palm of the same hand that slapped Keith right across his face.
That little bastard deserved everything she gave him. He deserved worse, actually. If Joe would’ve heard the names that boy called his daughter, Keith wouldn’t still be breathing.
Gigi stares at her mother. “Ma, you’re freaking me out.”
Suzy grabs her daughter and hugs her tight. “I’m just so proud of you, Gigi. So, so proud.”
Gigi hugs her back with one arm because her other hand still has the quiches. “It’s only high school graduation, Ma. It’s not that big of a deal. It’s not like I cured cancer or anything.”
Suzy’s eyes glisten in the sunlight as she pulls away. “I know.” Her face contorts into a painful smile as she tries to hold back the tears.
“Let’s go check out the dessert table, kid,” Izzy says and starts to usher Gigi away. “Your mother needs some time to compose herself.”
“She’s always a little crazy, Auntie.” Gigi laughs and pops another quiche into her mouth.
“Was I that bad?” Suzy asks me.
I shrug. “No. You weren’t bad. I would’ve been worse.” I haven’t moved or spoken much, still shell-shocked from everything that happened.
“Mommy. Mommy.” Tate runs across the yard, holding a cupcake in each hand. “They have cupcakes here.” She smiles, holding them up to show me.
“Don’t eat too many, baby, or you’ll get a tummy ache,” I tell her.
She shakes her head. “I promise,” she lies.
This girl is like a bottomless pit, and I know no matter what she says, the food’s going to win out over her will.
“I’m going to show Daddy.” And like that, she’s off to the other side of the yard.
“Enjoy this age,” Suzy tells me, blotting the tears away from her eyes. “Soon she’ll be kicking her own Keith in the balls.”
I stare at her for a moment before bursting into laughter. I can see it. One hundred percent can I see that cupcake-loving little girl kneeing some asshole right in his crotch for treating her badly.
Little girls learn how they’re supposed to be loved from their father. With the way Angelo is with Tate, I have no doubt she’ll know her worth and won’t put up with any man’s shit, especially a low-life loser life Keith.
“As long as she learns to fight like Gigi, I think everything will turn out just fine,” I tell Suzy and interlock our arms. “I think we could both use a glass of wine.” I smile.
She laughs. “Today is a day to celebrate. My little girl is single and finished with high school.”
“Now it’s time for college.”
Suzy stops walking. “Oh God, I don’t even want to think of her with college boys.”
“Sweetheart, I think she can handle herself just fine. She had all these men—” I wave my other hand around the yard “—showing her how to protect herself, and she has a good head on her shoulders. I think she’ll do just fine at college.”
Suzy nods and finally takes a step. “You’re right. My girl can really kick some butt, huh?”
“She’s a Gallo.” I smile.
That means something. It means more than I ever knew when I first started dating Angelo. They aren’t just a family. They’re a way of being.
Proud.
Strong.
Defiant.
