Page 17 of Nothing Even Matters
“If you’re showing up with me, my family already know what’s up,” Eli replied, “you wouldn’t come over for no reason.”
~~~~~
Nicola’s heart was overjoyed.
Her eleven grandchildren were present, along with most of her sons and their spouses. The only holdouts were Eli and she hoped, Faith. She extended an invitation to David and Amy, and they accepted after they had church services.
Now, she was just waiting for Eli and Faith.
When Amy approached her about the plan to put the couple back together, Nicola was skeptical. She knew how difficult both could be and she wondered if Amy just led her to a firing squad. Still, she went along with it. Faith and Eli had too much history to completely disregard each other like they had been. And they still loved each other very much, despite how they acted.
“You look nervous, Ma.” The oldest son, Nick, commented. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” Nicola brushed a lock of brown hair out of her face, “just waiting on Eli. He should be arriving soon.”
“Is he bringing a special guest?” The second oldest, Kieran, asked.
Kieran’s wife, Tiana, gasped. “Is Faye coming?”
“Faye’s coming?” Nick’s wife, Zerrin, added. “When?”
“Faye’s coming?” Joey’s wife, Zoe, chimed in. “She’s back in town? She broke up with her baller?”
“They broke up?” Tiana gasped.
“And see that’s how rumors get started!” Joey pointed out. “No one said anything about anyone breaking up or coming over.”
“Well, your brother isn’t here, but Faith’s parents are,” Zoe retorted. “And they confirmed she came in last night and dropped Faith off over at Eli’s apartment.”
“She spent the night there!” Tiana gasped again.
“That’s a new development,” Nick was surprised himself. “Can’t say I didn’t see it coming, though.”
“What do you mean?” Zerrin asked. “I thought Eli didn’t care.”
“All he did was care,” Kieran chimed in, “he cared more than he showed. It was only a matter of time before he would forgive her.”
“They’ve been together since they were 17,” their stepfather, Arturo, added, “that’s sixteen years of history between them. They’re not going anywhere.”
“Shit, I might as well get fitted for another tux for their wedding soon.” Tony commented.
The doorbell rang and Nathan rushed over to open it. Behind it were his parents together, and smiling. “Daddy! Mommy!” He hugged them both and let them inside. “Everybody! Mommy and Daddy are here!”
The D’Amatos rushed out and greeted Eli and Faith as they entered. Faith received hugs from each brother and held onto Tony a bit longer to whisper to him. “Don’t give up on Kris. She’s just as stubborn as me. Go see her today.”
Tony pulled back and Faith nodded. “Please?” She repeated.
Tony slightly shrugged. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Faith was about to ask Nicola if she needed any help but her sisters pulled her away to a bedroom and closed the door behind them.
“And I hope they stay in there!” Joey held up his beer.
“So,” Nick handed Eli a cold beer, “everything cool between you two now?”
Eli took a long pull from his beer. “I don’t know.” His brothers and father led them to another room where the table was set up for a poker game. Eli took his spot while Nick dealt cards. “We talked a lot but things aren’t completely resolved. There’s still the issue with her fiancée. She has to break up with him.”
“I doubt he’ll be heartbroken,” Kieran checked his cards.
