When I hung up the phone, I returned to the house.
Aurelia was still on the couch. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah.” I sat beside her, placing my arm around her shoulders. “She wants me to stay over there the night before the wedding. Says she wants to spend time with me before my entire life becomes about you two, even though it already is.”
“Aww, that’s sweet.”
“So you don’t mind?”
“Of course not,” she said as she hooked her arm through mine. “I love that idea.”
“You’ll be okay here on your own?”
“I’m sure Beatrice will sleep over with the boys.” She petted Medusa on the head. “And I’ve got my girl.”
“All right. I’ll miss you, though.”
She smiled as she continued to pet Medusa. “We have the rest of our lives, Constantine. And hopefully eternity too ...”
With my bag over my shoulder, I arrived at my mother’s house.
She was over the moon to see me, squeezing me tightly and pinching my cheeks before she kissed me, like I was home for the holidays after being gone for six months.
I put my stuff in the spare bedroom, then joined her in the kitchen.
The counters were covered in cutting boards and ingredients, a pot of water already simmering on the stove.
“Handle the tomatoes and the garlic while I take care of the beef,” she instructed, like we were at work.
“All right, boss.” I washed my hands, grating the garlic and then the lemon zest before I washed and peeled the tomatoes.
She worked on the other vegetables, then put the beef in one of the preheated pans. “Nervous?”
“About?” I asked as I continued to peel the tomatoes in the big bowl.
“Getting married tomorrow.”
“Oh.” I smirked. “Nope. Not even a little bit.”
She worked beside me at the counter, a smile on her face. “She’s lovely, Con. I’m glad you found her.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“Boy or girl, whatever child she gives you will be beautiful.”
“I know. Especially if it’s a girl.”
“What are you hoping for?” she asked.
“Girl—all the way.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. The idea of raising a boy doesn’t sound appealing to me.”
“Why?”
I didn’t get into it with her, wanting to keep the conversation light. “Because men ain’t shit.”
