Page 183 of Before We're More Than Friends
“I miss you, too,” Arielle, who already had tears running down her cheeks, said.
“Girls.” Dad broke out of the hug, his own eyes watering. “I miss you, too. You both look beautiful.”
Arielle wiped her tears away. “It’d be better if I didn’t ruin my makeup all the time.”
“That’s why I didn’t wear much today,” I said with a small smile. “You should’ve gotten the memo.”
Arielle rolled her eyes.
“I don’t want to make you cry anymore.” Dad bit his lip as his gaze met Mom’s. “I never did.”
“Manny,” Mom said, her eyes full of longing. She went up to Dad and gave him a small hug.
“Patsy,” Dad said as he rubbed her back. “I’m so sorry about what happened. I?—”
“It happened,” Mom said. “But I’m going to get better. I’m sure of it this time.” She traced a finger along his uniform before the officer who stood at the wall narrowed his eyes at her. She cleared her throat. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing you again.”
“I’ve been looking forward to this, too.” Dad smiled as he took Mom in. As always, she was glammed up with a full face of makeup, a floral blouse, and jewelry in every place she could fit it. She was the Patsy Vermont everyone knew.
“What about me?” Nonno asked. “I’m here, too.”
Dad laughed. “Hello, Alessio.” He gave Nonno a hug with a pat on the back. “This wasn’t the place I wanted to see you again.”
Nonno chuckled. “You think?”
“Not my proudest moment.” Dad broke out of the hug and brushed his hair, which had grown longer. A few strands of gray peeked out. “I’m sorry that I’ve done this to your family.”
Nonno sighed. “I have it in me to forgive you. I know you still love Patricia and the beautiful girls.”
“Patricia,” Dad murmured to himself.
Mom waved. “That’s me.”
“I know that.” Dad laughed. “I just haven’t heard someone call you that in years.”
“You’re the one who gave me my nickname,” Mom said in a flirty voice. “And my new last name.”
A smile broke out on my face as the tension in the room faded. For a moment, I was grateful that the four people I loved and shared blood with were here with me.
We started talking about how things had been. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the exciting. When we got to the part about Battle of the Bands, everything about Dad lit up again.
“I’m so proud of you girls for winning.” He brushed his fingers against mine. “My stars.”
My cheeks warmed. “Thank you, Dad.”
“And!” Arielle said, her voice high-pitched. “Raina gave herboyfrienda gift.”
Dad’s lips pursed. “I hope this gift was appropriate.”
“Dad!” Now my cheeks warmed for a different reason.
He laughed. “What was the gift then?”
“She got Dallas a kitten!” Arielle exclaimed with a smile on her face. “Her name is Sunshine. And guess what Dallas gave her?”
“A make-out session in the shelter’s break room?”
“Dad!” I yelled loud enough for the people around us to give us funny looks. I shrank in my seat. He wasn’t wrong aboutthatanswer, but I’d keep that between me and Dallas. “He gave me Sunshine’s sister, Moonlight. She’s adorable.”
