“It’snothing. I just … I don’t know. I just wish they’d lighten up a little.”
“Who?”I gestured toward the back of the house. Mom nodded immediately, knowingexactly who I was referring to. “Well, you can’t really blame your sisters forbeing a little worried.”
“Aboutwhat, though?”
Momsighed, shame touching her cheeks with a hint of pink. “Andrea, they showed methat picture.”
Ireleased the spoon, letting it hit the side of the plastic bowl. “Oh, great.That’s wonderful.”
“They’rejust looking out for you, you know that.”
“Yeah,I get it, but you can’t hold an old picture against someone for the rest oftheir life, Mom. People change. I mean, you’re really gonna tell me he seemslike a freakin’ drug addict to you?”
Shelet go of the knife and rubbed her fingertips against her forehead. “No, hedoesn’t. But, honey, people relapse. They—”
“You’reforgetting what I do for a living, Mom. Iknow,” I snapped heatedly. “Isee that shit regularly. You don’t have to tell me.”
Mom’seyes clouded with sympathy as she reached out to rest her hand on my arm. “I’mnot attacking him. IsaidI like him. I’m just explaining how I can seewhy your sisters might be a little more hesitant to trust him, that’s all.There’s nothing wrong with being aware.”
Senseand clarity washed away my initial defensive reaction, and I nodded, taking adeep breath. “I just wish they’d stop giving him nasty looks. Like, they canwatch out for me without being completely judgmental.”
“That,I can agree with,” Mom said, picking up the knife and resuming her chopping.
Momentslater, Vinnie entered the kitchen and demanded to know what he could do tohelp. Mom gestured toward the vegetables on the island and asked if he couldmanage a garden salad. He scoffed and pretended to roll up his invisiblesleeves.
“CanI manage a salad,” he snickered, shaking his head. “Mrs. Bennett, I have beenchopping and peeling since before I could spell my own name.”
Hethen made himself at home, reaching for another cutting board and a knife fromthe counter. I resumed stirring the salad, periodically glancing over myshoulder at him, just to watch him work. He was quick with a knife, and tookthe job seriously, slicing cucumbers and carrots with meticulous care. I lovedseeing him there, in his sleeveless shirt and with all his tattoos, adding a badasscontrast to my parents’ clean, country kitchen. I caught myself thinking, as Iwatched him work,that’s my boyfriend, and I could feel my cheeks setaflame with butterflies and emotion.
Tomy surprise, Jamie wandered in at one point, to inspect the new guy in my life.She stood beside him and looked up with wondrous intrigue. I wanted to ask himif he could feel her there, and if he had any clue that there was someone elsein the room. But then, I remembered, he still had no idea about the things I coulddo, so I kept my mouth shut, feeling more than a little sad that I held so muchshame in something I couldn’t help.
Whenwe had finished our work and the food was ready to be served, Mom carried thesalad outside, leaving us alone to clean up and wash our hands. Vinnie glancedat me to offer a small, adoring smile and said, “I like your mom. She’s cool.”
“Yeah,she’s okay.”
“She’sa lot cooler than most moms would be, if they knew the shit I’ve done.”
“Shedoesn’t—”
“Andy,I heard you’s talkin’ in here.”
Embarrassmentcurled around my neck, heating my skin. “What? How?”
Helaughed. “The bathroom’s right around the corner and, sweetheart, I ain’tdeaf.”
Ipressed my lips together and took a deep breath, releasing the guilt on myexhale. “I’m sorry.”
“No,it’s fine. I mean, really, I can’t expect that people are just gonna put thatshit on the back burner. I gotta earn their trust, I get it.” He shrugged,stuffing his hands into his pockets. “I’m not even sure my own dad trusts mecompletely, so I can’t expect your family to jump on board when they’ve barelymet me.”
Fromthe corner of my eye, I saw Jamie. I saw her hands clasped against her chestand her smile, and I smiled back. She liked him, she approved, and that feltmore important than getting the thumbs-up from my sisters.
***
Mysisters might not have instantly fallen in love with Vinnie, but their kidscertainly did. While at five, three, and two, they were pretty easilyimpressed, I was stunned by how easily Vinnie took to them. Walker had found apermanent spot in Vinnie’s lap, while Clarke and Jordan busied themselves byadmiring his tattoos. I sat back in silent speculation, watching and wonderingwhat the old woman behind him was thinking.
“You’rereally good with kids,” Willa commented, carrying a tray of watermelon wedgesto the table.
Vinniegrinned, bouncing the toddler on his knee. “I lived with my sister’s kids upuntil a few years ago.”
