“Closure is a myth,” he said. After a beat, he added, “How would I do that?”
“Most of us use words, Satan. You could just say you wish you could be closer. That you don’t know how to get past feeling like that lonely little boy who was sent off to school. You could tell them that you missed them. That you wished you had more chances to connect with them. That you’ve been overcompensating by throwing money around and staying one step removed because you’re scared they’ll?—”
“Okay, that’s enough. Forget I asked. Just…just come along. I’ll tell them you were in town for business and I decided to bring you.”
“I am in town for business. I’m on the clock and have been since I left my house.”
He eyed the cookies, suddenly understanding the phrase eating your feelings. “Let’s go, then. You’re expensive.”
“Worth every cent,” she said, and he did not disagree.
An hour later, they were all seated around the giant dining room table in his parents’ house. Everyone had gone a little crazy when they saw her, practically trampling him to hug her. “I didn’t know you were coming!” Lark said, wiping away tears of joy at seeing her sister, though surely, it had been a matter of days since they last got together.
“Oh, my God, I love your dress!” Sofia had exclaimed, prying them apart for her own hug. His parents greeted her warmly, and then, finally, his mother hugged him and patted his cheek, Dante had brought him a beer, which Lorenzo didn’t want. He was already sweating.
“The great man deigns to visit,” Izzy said, and Lorenzo ignored her, as he always did when he sensed he’d be the butt of a joke. Sofia came over, William on her hip. “Say hello to Uncle Lorenzo, honey,” she said, prying the child’s arms off her neck to pass him.
“Hello, William,” Lorenzo said, taking the reluctant boy. William screamed, then pitched himself backward, writhing, until Lorenzo put him down. William ran to his father and clutched his legs, sobbing as if Lorenzo had just bitten the head off a kitten.
“I think he hates me,” Lorenzo observed.
“He doesn’t hate you,” Sofia said.
“I hate Lowenzo,” William sobbed. “Make him go.”
Now the food was served, wine was flowing (water for him) and the noise was deafening. Winnie was not being at all useful, just eating and talking to his family and getting them all to like her more than they already did.
“Brother, what stick is up your ass today?” Dante asked, his tone pleasant. “You’ve barely said a word.”
“Yeah, Lorenzo. Why so quiet?” Izzy asked.
“Oh. I…” He looked at Winnie, who gave a nearly imperceptible nod. “I’m just tired,” he said. It was a cop-out, but the thought of talking about feelings made him feel a little ill.
“Poor Dr. Satan,” Izzy said. “Work is hell, I gather? See what I did there? Satan? Hell?”
“Leave him alone,” Mom said. “He works so hard.”
“I also work hard, Ma,” Izzy said. “Harder, because I’m a nurse.”
“Excuse me, I’m a teacher,” Sofia said. “I have twenty-nine children in my class this year, and they’re all feral.”
“Yet they worship you,” said Henry. “Queen of the feral children.”
“Sorry,” Dante said. “My wife is an ER doctor, busy sewing severed limbs back onto people.” That wasn’t true, Lorenzo knew, because obviously an orthopedic surgeon would do that. “Meanwhile,” his brother continued, “I run into burning buildings and rescue babies and puppies, so I think we can agree that I win.”
“All you kids work hard,” Dad said. “You get it from your mother, who spent all day in the kitchen making this for you.”
“It’s amazing, Ma,” Dante said. “Thank you.”
Talk turned to their mother’s cooking and talent. Lorenzo looked pointedly at Winnie. See? he wanted to say. I told you this wouldn’t work.
“Actually, Lorenzo, why don’t you…tell them that…thing?” Winnie suggested.
“What thing?” he growled. In other words, no.
“Are you two getting married?” his mother gasped.
“We are not, Mrs. Santini, but thank you for the joy in your voice just then.” Winnie took a bite of eggplant and widened her eyes at him.
