Page 54 of Vince
Sydney
The last thingI expected when I woke up this morning was to spend the entire day with Vince’s family. But they welcome me with ease. Julia’s easy to like and as I soon find out, so is her mom.
Julia hadn’t wanted to leave her friend’s house when we got there, and I could tell from the car she was giving Vince a hard time. I couldn’t hear her words, but her reluctance to leave was almost comical. She smiled and waved goodbye to her friend but as soon as it was the two of them, her body drooped, and she walked defeatedly to the car.
Her foul mood changed the minute she spotted me in the car.
Instantly, her face morphed from sad to excited in a nanosecond. I would’ve laughed aloud if I didn’t know better.
She practically ran to the Jeep squealing with delight. You would’ve thought Vince brought her a new puppy, she was so excited. I’m not that exciting—trust me. But to a kid, who am I to complain.
Vince handles Julia like a pro. He cooks us lunch with ease—though I am still stuffed from breakfast, I can barely eat anything. Then we play card games until she asks to draw.
Apparently, Vince’s hidden talent is drawing carton caricatures. He can whip them out and tell stories on the fly like no other I’ve seen before. He claims he’s just fooling around, but it feels like there’s more story there than he’s willing to admit with Julia in the room.
After we finish drawing, Julia jumps up like popcorn in a kettle on high. “Unks, let’s go for a ride.”
“On your bike?” Vince asks for clarification.
Julia rolls her eyes and shakes her head. Duh… isn’t heard, but I swear if she were a bit older, it would accompany her expression as she juts out her chin adorably. “You know I can’t drive a car… I just learned to ride my bike… and I’m still in a car seat.”
“Okay, Miss Priss. Let’s ask Sydney if she even wants to go before you just demand a bike ride. She can ride your mom’s bike if she’s interested, but we’re not going to pressure her either. So, you’ll have to accept her decision—and no arguments. Got it?”
“Yes, Unks.” She lowers her head then looks to me expectantly.
I can tell she’s trying not to pressure me, but I’m not about to let her down either. “Sounds good… if you’re sure your mom won’t mind.”
I look to Vanessa who arrived not too long ago for assurance. There’s no way I’m taking her limited time away from spending it with Julia.
“I’d love nothing more than to take a shower and work on a paper I have due this week. You’re more than welcome to use my helmet and bike.” Then conspiratorially, she whispers, “Thanks a million, Vinnie. I owe you big time,” as she hugs him briefly.
“No problem, Van. It’s what I’m here for.” Vince shrugs it off as he focuses his attention on Julia. “Get ready to go, squirt. Syd and I’ll be out in the garage in a minute.”
Julia rushes down the hall as if she’s trying to qualify for the Olympics, and we all laugh at her antics.
“Seriously, Sydney. Thanks. You’re like her new best friend. I hope you don’t mind spending the day with her.”
Spending the day with Julia means spending the day with Vince in his element. It’s a no brainer. But there’s no way I’m admitting that. “It’s no problem, really. She’s adorable, and I’ve enjoyed my time with her.”
“Feel free to go for alongride. I’mreallybehind on my paper, and I could use the kid-free distraction for a bit. I should’ve gotten more done yesterday, and I’m regretting the me time I took while she was away last night. I watched an adult movie and everything.” The way she tries to play it off makes me realize just what I take for granted as a single co-ed. I can’t imagine being a single parent, while trying to go to school.
“Let’s go, or she’ll leave without us.” Vince’s tone is teasing, but I’m sure there’s some hidden truth as well. Julia’s quite independent.
We end up on a paved walking path that leads to a local park. There’s a lap around a soccer field Julia rides with ease for the better part of an hour. After making countless circles around the soccer field, Vince and I take a break on a bench and watch her zoom round and round several more times. The girl’s like the Energizer bunny when it comes to riding that bike.
Now that I’ve spent time with his family, I finally have the courage to ask, “So, what happened to Julia’s father?”
Vince’s expression goes from carefree to a grimace in an instant, and I instantly regret my question.
Shit. That’s what I get for being nosey.
Vince’s tone remains indifferent when he speaks, “The short version is that he didn’t want anything to do with being a dad. I know he was in high school, but it’s totally his loss. Julia’s one of the most amazing people I know. The even shorter version to this complicated story is Dad ensured he signed his rights away so he can’t change his mind about things either. In doing so, Vanessa’s on her own when it comes to being responsible for Julia. But she’s never been alone. We’ve supported her from day one, and Julia’s been the biggest blessing.”
He watches her wistfully for a few minutes in silence, and my walls crack open for him even further. He loves her without a doubt. He and Vanessa have a bond only twins share. I love that he considers Julia a blessing for himself as well; it makes my heart squeeze with a rush of emotion.
Gah… all the feels with knowing this man.
When he reaches for my hand to intertwine his fingers in mine, I squeeze his hand once, afraid to let my emotion rush out. I have no idea why, but the way he said that makes me think of Grams… but in a happy way. It’s weird, I know—grief hits at the strangest of times.
