Heather grinned. “We’re going to be her sisters-in-law.”
They filed into the row behind us.
“I see,” the judge said. “You can all sit.”
“Do you mind if we stand?” Vince, the eldest, asked. “We’d like to watch everything carefully.”
A flash of a smile lifted the judge’s lips. “All right, you may stand.”
The door opened again. “You have more kids?” he asked Yara.
“Oh, no, just seven,” Yara said, nodding at Violet.
I turned to see my Nonna and Papa Albertini move into the room.
“Grandparents, I take it?” the judge asked.
“Yes,” Violet said, her voice thick.
The judge lifted a hand. “Hey, Enzio. Hey, Elda.”
“Hey, Judge,” my papa said, his voice booming. “Great game the other day.”
“Thanks. I was definitely on.”
They stepped into the pew on the other side of the boys.
The door opened again, and Wanda Versaccio hurried inside, her hair a curly mess like usual. “Hey, Judge,” she said.
“Hi, Wanda.” The judge shook his head. “You’re not involved with this case. Violet saw a different psychiatrist, who is not part of the Albertini family.”
Wanda smoothed her hair back into some semblance of order. “I know, Judge. I still wrote a nice letter.”
“I read it. Your penmanship was excellent,” the judge returned.
“I thought I should be here since I’m family, not because I’m a shrink.” She sat over by my grandparents.
More aunts and uncles and cousins started filing in. Violet’s eyes widened. “There are a lot of people here.”
I paused at seeing my Nana and Bampa O’Shea move inside with my sisters, followed by my parents. “It looks like the O’Shea family is here as well, Judge. We do have a lot of picnics together.”
“Hi, Judge.” Nana O’Shea waved. “How are you feeling? Is your knee any better?”
“Hi, Fiona,” the judge answered. “Yes, the salve has worked wonderfully. I really appreciate it.”
She filed into a pew with my sisters following her. “I’m so glad to hear that.”
“Who are you two?” the judge asked.
Tessa cleared her throat. “We’re Anna’s sisters, which means we’re Violet’s cousins.”
He frowned. “Ah, didn’t you sell me my house?”
“Hi, Judge,” Donna said. “Someone else from my firm did, but I probably saw you in the office. How are you enjoying it? I thought the columns out front were lovely.”
“Yeah, I like the columns,” the judge said dryly.
The door opened again, and I knew who it was without looking. I could feel Aiden’s presence.
