“Look, I’ve only been at it for a short time; creating such a monster takes years and years of hard work.”
“May I know who didn’t take part in this?”Chris blurts out.
Nobody says a word.
“Thank you, really!”
“Don’t be offended, I should be the one to be offended.It’s my night, and you’re stealing my thunder,” Ian complains.
“It wasn’t my fault.I didn’t even want to say it.It was Nick.He can’t keep his mouth shut for ten seconds,” Chris defends herself.
“This is who I am.Take it or leave it,” Nick says.
“Are you asking us to choose?Because if so…” Ian responds.
“Okay, that’s enough,” Casey says.“It was all planned.Evan handing the glass to Chris, Nick pretending to be surprised… Did you really think it was a coincidence?There are no coincidences in this family.”
Chris turns furiously on Nick.
“The only way to make you say anything is to confront you with the evidence, with your back to the wall,” Nick observes.
“Maybe we should wait for another time, since it’s Ian’s night,” Ryan comments.
“Thank you for noticing!”Ian exclaims.
I laugh as I see Evan get up, the Doctor following him soon after.They walk a few steps away from the table and stop to talk behind a pillar.I want to know what they are saying, but I let them have their privacy, as they should.I see Evan shrug several times while Martin speaks to him gently.Evan lets Martin give him a quick hug before slipping into the room.
I get up too, leaving the O’Connors to their fate.I’ve done my duty; now I have to think about myself.
“Is everything okay?”I ask him.
“I just wanted to make sure it didn’t upset him.”
I nod.
“He’s a grown-up, but it has always been just him.I think it’ll take him some time to take it all in.”
“He is a man.”
“True, but even men need a wingman now and then.”
“You are a wonderful dad.”
“Oh, please.I am a mess.”
I catch the hem of his jacket and tug him closer.
“We are in public, everyone is staring.”
“Do you think I give a damn?”
“Ian is going to complain someone else is stealing his thunder.”
“Fuck Ian.Fuck everybody.”
He smiles, then bites his lower lip.
“Have I told you how fucking good you look in this tux?”
