Page 44 of The Big Daddies of LA

“That’s actually a good question,” Savannah says.

Savannah looks up at me. “Completely understandable,” I say, agreeing with them both. Yet, I don’t offer an answer.

“How old are you?” John asks out of the blue.

Savannah shifts on the couch. “Twenty-one.”

“Twenty-one?” he asks in disbelief. “For chrissake, Nick, she could be your-”

“Daughter. Yeah, I know, but thanks for pointing that out.”

“Well, I never put too much emphasis on age,” my mom says. “The important thing is that you’re both on the same page. A successful marriage relies on mutual respect, the ability to compromise, honesty and, of course, love. I may not have understood that the first time around, but I know now.” She and John share a smile.

“Itwassudden,” Savannah says, “but we just knew. Maybe it should’ve felt strange, but it didn’t.”

When my parents look at me, I just shrug. “When you know, you know.”

“Good news is you got rid of that lousy Margaret,” John says.

“Margo. And, yeah, I dodged a bullet.”

After a few more questions, we walk over to the table to eat. Savannah sits next to me and my mom is on her other side. As we fill our plates with my mom’s cooking, Savannah says, “Nick tells me how much he loves your macaroni and cheese. I’d really like to get the recipe, if that’s okay?”

My mom’s eyes light up. Compliment her cooking and you’ve won her over for life. “Of course. After dinner, I’ll write it down for you.”

“Thank you,” Savannah says.

While my mom chats Savannah up between bites, I’m glad things are going well. They seem to like her and who wouldn’t? Savannah is polite and sweet. I honestly don’t think she has a mean bone in her body. And, her bright attitude and overall happiness is contagious. I used to always get so easily annoyed and snappy. My moodiness was renowned. But, now, nothing is bothering me.

Well, except for Savannah possibly working with Simon LaFleur in Capri.

But, right now, I just sit back, sip my wine and watch Savannah charm my parents. By the end of the meal, she has them wrapped around her finger and they’re laughing and sharing stories like old friends.

We go back into the living room and my mom pulls Savannah over to the couch to sit down next to her. “You should’ve seen him,” my mom says and looks over at me. “He used to wear my blue tights, a red shirt and snow boots. Then, he’d pretend he was Superman and start running around the house saying he was flying.”

“That’s how he tripped and fell down the steps. Broke his front teeth right out,” my stepdad adds and they all laugh. “Took two years until his adult teeth finally came in.”

“I’m glad you all find that story so amusing.”

“You wore your Mom’s tights?” Savannah asks and covers her mouth to stifle the giggles.

“I wanted to be Superman. Leave me alone.” But, the grumpiness in my voice isn’t genuine.

After another hour of humiliating childhood stories about me, I stand up and stretch. “That’s about all my ego can take,” I say. “Besides, we have to get back and let the dog out.”

“Dog?” John echoes in disbelief.

“You got a dog?” my mom asks, voice full of wonder.

Shit.I see her eyes glisten with tears. “Yes, Mom,” I say and pull her in for a goodbye hug. God, I hate when she cries. “I’m on my way to being domesticated.”

She hugs me tightly and then, under her breath, says, “Grandma would be so happy.”

Yeah, I have a feeling that my feisty, eccentric Grandma would’ve loved Savannah just as much as they do.

“Be good to her, Nick,” my mom whispers. “And, get to work on some grandchildren for me.”

Oh, Lord.I say goodbye, take Savannah’s hand and pull her out of there before they name our first born without me.

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