Chapter Thirty-Two
Sam
The next morning, it’s time to face the music with the ’rents. Holding hands on the sidewalk, we pause at their front door.
“You sure you want to do this?” Face pale, Suds glances around, no doubt hoping for a dozen ninja terrorists to delay our arrival.
“I suppose we could just say we died. Wait, I already did.” Taking a deep breath, I knock and open the door.
My mom, who I haven’t seen since the Sunday before Biermann’s death, takes me into her arms and hugs me so tight, I can’t move.
When finished, she wipes her eyes. “Don’t you ever, ever, do that again, Samantha Jane.”
She points her finger at my husband. “And you? You should know better.”
“I’m so sorry, ma’am. There didn’t seem to be any other possibilities.”
My Italian mom embraces him next. “Next time, call me. I can give you any number of superior options. Now, come in, everyone wants to see you.”
I whisper in his ear as we enter purgatory. “What she actually means is everyone wants to give us shit.”
My oldest cousin Rose lives up to my expectations. Glaring, she gives me the middle finger.
“I knew you weren’t dead.” Mia slaps her sister’s hand down and Suds grins.
“How did you figure it out?”
The younger and holier of the two shrugs. “God told me.”
“A direct line. I’ll keep it in mind.” He holds a straight face as Rose rolls her eyes and hands us both a glass of wine.
In the dining room, Nonna struggles to get up, so I set my stemware down and rush over to give her a hug.
“Pensavo fossi morto.”Her old eyes water.
“No gram, I’m not dead. It was all a mistake.Sbaglio, sbaglio.Tutto posto.It’s all good.” In part English, part Italian, I explain what happened. By the time I’m done, I’m ready for more wine and Rose looks less pissed.
“Good to have you home.” My dad smiles at me and glowers at my spouse.
The party isn’t complete without my Uncle Vinny who arrives just in time to miss the second retelling. “Yo, Sammy. Good to see you alive and well.”
His two oldest boys grab beers out of the fridge as my other cousin Joey walks in with Kimmy. Mia takes his baby, we all sit, then Mama places a huge plate of antipasto in the center of the table.
“Where were you?” My Uncle Vinny has to shout to be heard over at least a dozen other conversations.
“Out west. Suds owns a small place in Nevada.” I help myself to hot peppers, cheese, and some pepperoni.
Vincent narrows his gaze. “Near the ski resorts?”
My partner stops talking to Joey and helps me out with my lies. “Yup.”
“Snowboard or skis?” He’s testing but my husband knows better than to give my uncle leverage to use against us.
“Both.” Under the table, he squeezes my knee but he needn’t worry. Someday we may need a place to hide and my mother’s brother is the last person I’d want to know.
Vinny has a snaky smile he uses each time he busts balls. “I heard you met my old friend, Little Tony.”
Joey raises his brows and everyone seated around the table directs their gaze at me.
