Page 90 of Electric Blue Love
I realized for the first time, Leika was out of the loop with my current life. I’d turned to Bianca instead of her. That made me happy and sad. And it also made me realize how little I’d been there for her since she’d started dating Jeff. I didn’t think she’d minded or even noticed. He’d become her rock. Her world. The same way Bianca was becoming mine.
“Yeah, we talked. I’ll fill you in Friday night.”
She squealed happily in my ear and I pulled the phone away with a grin.
“See you Friday,” she said merrily.
“Later, kid.”
I headed out of the office and grabbed a cab. I stopped by the store Bianca and I had shopped in just two nights ago and picked out the first thing that caught my eye, which was unsurprisingly a crystal platter that Bianca had pointed out as an option for Leika’s engagement party. I had no idea what you bought the woman you hoped would be your girlfriend’s father for his birthday, but Bianca had assured me then “everyone loves crystal”. I wasn’t so sure, but I was trusting her advice wouldn’t steer me wrong.
Outside of the Winters’s house, I shuffled my feet, sweating and nauseous. I knocked and waited, cursing myself for thinking this was a good idea, when Bianca swung open the door.
Her eyes widened in surprise. “Hey.”
She didn’t open the door wide to allow me in but studied me and the gift bag in my hand.
It was Leo that saved me by yelling out from the dining room. “Hey, Court, you made it.”
She looked from Leo to me with a wary grin, but motioned me in. “We were just about to eat. Do you like enchiladas?”
“Love them,” I said with a wink.
Mrs. Winter, stood in the kitchen with Donnie by her side. They were setting dishes and silverware out and the smell of enchiladas and home and love was almost too much.
“Have a seat, Court,” Mr. Winter called from the dining room table. “You want a beer, or I think we have some vodka if you prefer.”
“A beer would be great,” I said as I stressed over which chair I should sit in. Did they have specific chairs they all sat in?
Bianca pulled out a chair on the end and nodded to it. “You want another beer, Dad?”
He lifted his empty in answer and she left me at the table while she moved to the fridge on the far wall of the kitchen.
“Happy birthday, sir,” I said and handed him the gift bag. “I gotta admit, I had no idea what to get so I won’t be offended if you want to return it. Receipt’s in the bag.”
“Call me, Glenn,” he said as he took the bag. “And you didn’t need to do this. We’re just glad you could join us.”
Bianca returned and placed a beer down in front of me and then moved to sit between me and her father, sliding his in front of him while she sat. She watched, looking a little nervous, as he pulled out the crystal platter and turned it over in his hands. She turned and shot me an astonished expression, telling me with a look that she noticed I’d picked something she’d liked. “Well, this is beautiful,” he said as he sat the heavy platter down on the table. “Look at this Lucy. It looks just like the one my mom gave us for our wedding.”
“The one Donnie broke,” Bianca said with a smile and glanced over her shoulder where Donnie stood protectively near his mom.
Mrs. Winter looked out from the kitchen and an endearing look crossed her face. “Oh, it really does. How wonderful.”
“Thank you, Court,” Mr. Winter said while still admiring the crystal.
“You’re welcome.”
Bianca. Somehow, she never ceased to amaze me. And it was no wonder, really, that her family was just as amazing. Maybe I’d avoided other families because I’d been waiting for this one. They welcomed me in so completely, never making me feel like an outsider at all. They laughed and teased, we ate, we sang an awful rendition of Happy Birthday, we ate cake that looked like it had been frosted by one of the boys, but through it all I couldn’t remember a time I’d smiled so much.
Bianca and Leo were washing and drying the dishes as I sat in the living room with Donnie and Glenn. I was actually sad the night was coming to an end and I would have to return to the quiet of my own apartment.
The Yankees were playing the Cardinals and Donnie shouted at the TV as St. Louis scored another run. I just grinned, only half-watching the game. My eyes drifted constantly to Bianca. I had so many things I wanted to say to her. At the bottom of the ninth, when it was clear the Yankees were going to lose, and Glenn was starting to yawn, I finally started to make my excuses.
“I should get going,” I said as I stood. I shook Mr. Winter’s hand, gave Donnie and Leo a small wave, and hugged Mrs. Winter so fiercely she yelped and giggled. “Thanks for having me. Those were the best enchiladas I’ve ever had.” I wanted to tell her it was the bestnightI’d ever had. I was pretty sure she was responsible for this family unit that was so loyal and loving and I wanted her to know how much I admired her. A hug was the best I could give her, and I hoped she understood.
She placed a hand on my cheek and smiled. “Good to see you again, Court.”
I pulled back and found Bianca standing at the door. “I’ll walk you out.”
