Page 59 of Vince
Within seconds, I have it under control, and we’re back to eating our meal—business as usual. When Sydney squeezes my thigh under the table in appreciation of my quick reflexes, I realize this might be so normal for her.
After dinner, Sydney asks if we have the ingredients for no-bake cookies and to Julia’s delight, we do. As I clean up the kitchen, she and Julia set in to making dessert. Jules is right up to the counter with her on her trusty stool, helping her measure the ingredients to add to the pan.
Since it’s essentially boiling the ingredients, Julia waits patiently as Sydney stirs the gooey concoction to perfection. The smell alone could put someone into a sugar-induced coma—but my mouth salivates in anticipation for finally getting to taste their efforts.
They’ve prepared the counter with waxed paper, and Sydney’s as patient as ever as she lets Jules use two spoons to drop dollops of the melted goodness out to harden. When I think I won’t get caught, I reach over and snag a warm cookie to taste test. But of course, Jules notices and swats me away.
“Get out of here, Unks. Can’t you see we’re cookin’ here?”
“But it tastes so good!!!” I draw out, feigning my impending doom if I don’t get a taste right this instant.
“If you don’t scat,” Sydney warns playfully, “there will be no cookies for you.”
Jutting out my lower lip, I pretend to pout. “But you said Jules gets to lick the bowl. Aren’t I essentially doing that?”
“Not. The. Same. Unks. Go do something.” She shoos me like a pesky fly then points to the living room. “Go watch a show with Momma or something.”
“Okay, sassy pants. I can take the hint.” But I glance at Syd, ensuring she’s okay with Jules if I do what she asks.
Syd looks apologetic, but there’s a hint of a smile to let me know she’s okay with this. I can take the hint. So, without another word, I go into the living room to hang with Vanessa, until I’m allowed back into the kitchen.
“She kicked you out, eh?” Vanessa giggles quiet enough for just me to hear.
“Yep. Apparently, tasting as we bake isnotan option.”
“Sounds rough. Are you sure Sydney’s okay with her in there? I would’ve stayed, but I took that phone call, then just found myself sitting on this couch and can’t get the motivation to get back up.”
“I’m pretty sure Sydney is just fine,” I say, patting her on the shoulder as I pass to the couch. But I really take a closer look at Van as I sprawl across the couch. “You need to take time for yourself, Van. You’ve been burning the candle at both ends lately, and you don’t need to.”
Van sighs hard enough to blow the few strands of blond hair away from her face. “I know… I’ve just been helping out when they’re short staffed.”
“That’s not always your responsibility,” I remind her. “We don’t need the extra money. We’re fine with your regular shifts.”
We were each left a trust fund, but we can’t draw on it until we’re twenty-five. We had college funds available to us, which cover almost everything—but no one expected us having to factor medical insurance into our monthly bills, so that takes up the rest of our monthly allotments. We made the choice to sell our family home because it was just too painful to think of returning without Mom and Dad. Besides, it allowed us to purchase this home free and clear—with money left over for unexpected expenses. We don’t have to work—but we choose to.
“Yeah, but you know me… if someone needs help, and I can, I always offer. It’s not that bad. Now that the tournament is over, it should slow down a bit.” She stifles a yawn, and a grimace forms on my face. She’s exhausted and needs a break.
“Why don’t you get your things done for tomorrow, and I’ll handle bedtime with Jules? I highly doubt you’ll make it past her bedtime if you don’t.” I stare at her pointedly until she realizes I’m not budging.
She yawns heavily, but still asks, “Are you sure?”
“Van, you look like you’re gonna pass out at any moment,” I point out but then tell her what she needs to hear. “I’ll have Jules come say good night before bed. But if you’re sleeping, we’ll blow a kiss from the door.”
Slowly, she rises from the couch and comes to hug me. “Thanks, Vinnie. I love you.”
“Love you, too, Van.” When I pull away, I point to her room. “Go get some rest. I’ve got things covered tonight.”
“I know… I know…” Another yawn comes, and she doesn’t even attempt to hide it. God, she must be exhausted. “Night.”
“Night, Vanny.”
Watching her walk in almost a zombie-like state to the hall, I do my best to chuckle.What is it with the stubborn women in my life?
Flipping on the TV, I settle into the couch. Nothing holds my interest as I’d rather be in the kitchen with the sexy redhead and my niece. But since I’ve been exiled, I do my best to find something to pass the time.
Eventually, I settle on an episode ofCash Cab, as I love trivia games, and it won’t matter if I get interrupted. Dad always liked trivia games, and it wore off onto me. As I quietly answer the questions as they’re displayed, I realize just how much I’ve missed this show. After Dad died, I steered clear of shows like these, but lately I find myself able to enjoy them. This must be a rerun, as the series was cancelled, but I still love it all the same.
When the host, Ben Bailey, asks, “Do any parks in New York City come close to the size of Central Park—when referring to acreage?”
