Chapter Fifteen
A nthony carried Delilah’s bags in through the second door on the left that Bernard had indicated was the spare room. He lined up her roller, tote, and backpack in the corner and left the room to join them in the kitchen, where Delilah groaned loudly.
“Seriously, I’ve been here five minutes.”
“I am just throwing it out there that teachers in Boise get paid better than anywhere in Idaho,” Natalia said.
“I don’t want to be a teacher. I want to write. I teach because I have to, but the goal is to make enough money writing to support myself eventually.”
“I understand, honey, but very few writers make—”
“Why can’t you just support me?”
Anthony stepped into the kitchen, and both women stopped talking. “Hey, I don’t want to interrupt, but I should probably head out to my family’s holiday.”
Natalia smiled. “Well, thank you for bringing her home.”
“Yeah, no problem. I appreciate that she saved me a ton of money in gas. My truck takes over a hundred to fill up and does not get great gas mileage.”
“You should switch it out for a hybrid SUV,” Bernard said, adjusting his glasses. “Best thing I ever did.”
“Unfortunately, I need the truck for my business.”
“What kind of business are you in?” Bernard asked.
“I run a sports equipment and experience shop called Adventures in Mistletoe with my business partner. We take tourists out hiking, snowmobiling, and quad-riding on trails. We’re working on buying a boat for water sports, but we’ve only been operational for nine months.”
“I bet that does well up there,” Natalia said.
“So far, so good.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Delilah said.
“It was nice to meet you both.” Anthony held out his hand to Bernard and accepted another hug from Natalia. Leia trotted after Delilah and him as they headed for the door, so Anthony squatted down. Leia placed her paws on his knee, standing up on her back legs. She stopped panting as he rubbed her ears. “See you later, Leia.”
She dropped her feet as he stood, and they exited the house side by side, silent for several steps.
“Sorry you had to hear that,” Delilah said.
“Hey, you know all about my family drama. Seems only fair I should get a glimpse of yours.”
“My mom doesn’t see writing as a real job, even though I can pay my bills every month. In her mind, it’s a hobby if you aren’t leaving the house for a certain length of time.” Delilah laughed. “I’d love her to tell that to someone like Stephen King.”
“I’m making it sound simple when I say this, but it’s not her life. Just because she doesn’t think it’s a job doesn’t mean she’s right. You just have to prove her wrong.”
“That’s the goal.” Delilah gave him a saucy grin before adding, “If I were taller, I’d kiss your cheek.”
Anthony leaned down to give her access, whispering in her ear, “If your dad weren’t watching, I’d give you a lot more than that.”
She pressed her lips to his cheek, her mouth trembling with suppressed laughter. “I think you’re going to be a bad influence on me.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, whistling as he rounded the front of her car.
“Let me know when you make it there, okay?”
“I will. See you Sunday?” Anthony asked, leaning on the top of her car, watching her.
“I hope so, since you have my car.”
Anthony chuckled as he climbed into the Subaru. He set up the GPS and connected his phone to her car so he could make hands-free calls. Then Anthony pulled away from the curb, watching her in the mirror until he turned the corner. His first call would be to Pike because he’d called and texted Anthony several times that morning. Guilt ate at him for not telling Pike last night about what had happened between Delilah and himself, but he’d already been tipsy when Anthony arrived at the bar. Anthony couldn’t imagine Pike being receptive to his friend wanting to date Delilah when he was sober, let alone three drinks in.
If Anthony had known she wasn’t interested in Pike anymore, he would have told Pike days ago that he had a thing for her, and Pike would have backed off, but Anthony had thought she was still carrying a torch.
But wanting to clear things up wasn’t the only reason he wanted to talk to his best friend. Anthony was afraid if he was left alone with his thoughts too long, he might chicken out and skip his father’s house for whatever diner was open holidays.
The call went out with rapid beeps, then rang twice.
“Finally. Where have you been?”
“Driving to Boise.”
“Why?” Pike asked.
“I decided to take my old man up on his offer and join them for Thanksgiving.”
“You mean I gotta go to the Winters’ Thanksgiving hungover and alone? Do you know how depressing it is to be the only single guy in a room full of happy couples?”
“Actually, I do, but you won’t be alone. I’m sure Clark’s brother, Sam, will be there.”
“Sam is way too cool for me. I can’t carry on a conversation with that guy.”
“I don’t know what to tell you, bud. I left early this morning. I’m about fifteen minutes from his house.”
“You could have brought me as backup! Someone is going to have to drag your ass out of there if he starts running his mouth again.”
“I hope this is a peace offering, but if not, I’ll leave.”
“We could have gotten a hotel downtown and gone barhopping! Why didn’t you tell me you’d changed your mind?” Pike asked.
“It was a last-minute decision, and I figured you needed to sleep.”
“I did, but I would have been there for you. I know how hard it is seeing your dad.” Pike’s support was like dumping rocks on top of the pile of guilt situated in the pit of his stomach. “Besides my mom called to tell me they were bringing back my sister’s Christmas present to me tomorrow. I have no idea why she needed to wake me up at seven thirty in the morning to tell me that, but she sounded excited about it, which scares me.”
“Why?” Anthony asked.
“My sister is evil, and my mom thinks it’s hilarious.”
“I like your sister.”
“Because the two of you enjoy giving me rations of shit!”
“That’s true. Still, I think you’re worrying over nothing.”
“We’ll see. So, will you be back tonight?” Pikes voice sounded helpful and Anthony cleared his throat, trying to dislodge the lump of guilt.
“I’m not sure. I might get a hotel for the night and drive back tomorrow.”
“Let me know what you decide, or I’ll come looking for you. I can’t run this business without you.”
“I will.”
“It’s funny. Delilah is in Boise this weekend, too. If you see her, talk me up.”
Anthony hated lying to Pike, even by omission, but he didn’t want to have this conversation over the phone.
“Sure thing, man.”
The GPS ordered him to make a left, stating, “You have arrived at your destination.” Anthony drove past the line of cars in front of the large brick house and parallel parked at the corner.
“Sounds like you’re there. Have fun with your brothers, at least. I might stay home and drown myself in pie and whiskey.”
“You’ll have fun with the Winters. Don’t be a sad sack. When you meet the right woman, everything will fall into place.”
“How do you know?” Pike asked.
“Because, like you said, even assholes have soul mates.”
“Fuck you, bro,” Pike laughed. “Later.”
“Later.”
Anthony ended the call and exited the car, hesitating outside the door. He’d texted Grant that he would stop by, but the knot in his stomach grew heavier the closer he got to the front door. It was almost eleven thirty, and the invitation said appetizers started at eleven. He hadn’t wanted to arrive too early and be stuck with his dad and his wife to talk to, but from the look of the street, everyone was already there. He recognized Bradley’s Suburban and was glad this visit would have one bright spot.
Anthony knocked on the door and waited with his hands in his jacket pockets. When the door swung open, Bradley stood in the doorway, grinning.
“Is that my baby bro?”
Anthony held out his arms with a laugh. “The black sheep has arrived.”
“None of that, you boob.” Bradley enveloped Anthony in a tight, backslapping hug. “I miss you, kid.”
“I miss you, too.” Anthony knew he should make more effort to travel north to see Bradley and his family, especially with their mom gone.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Bradley whispered, pulling back. “Audrey insisted we come down and make an appearance but if you’re the black sheep, I’m the odd duck.”
“Maybe that’s why we get along so well.”
“Probably,” Bradley said, throwing his arm around Anthony’s shoulders. He let his brother lead him out of the entryway and into the large recessed living room where Cam, Grant, and Paul sat on a large gray sectional, hollering at the TV. Gregory Russo sat clutching a beer in an oversized recliner, his sour expression glued to the screen. His gray hair was cut short, and although his shoulders were still broad, the round paunch of a beer gut stretched the confines of his gray T-shirt. It was like walking back into one of his childhood memories, only the people were older, and the setting differed.
“Look who decided to join us?” Bradley said, shaking Anthony by the shoulders.
The four men looked his way, but only Grant got up to greet him. “Glad you changed your mind.”
“Thanks,” he said.
“Unca Antney!” a small voice screamed, followed by shoes running across wood floors. Anthony turned in time to catch his five-year-old niece as she launched herself at him.
“Whoa, lil’ bit! You almost took out your uncle’s throat,” Bradley laughed.
“She still might,” Anthony rasped as skinny arms squeezed his neck tight. “Lillianne, Unca can’t breathe.”
She loosened her hold but kept her arms around his neck. “You wanna see my new doll? She looks like me but Mama says I have to take care of her cause she is super ’spensive! She is in with Mama helping cook dinner.”
“Wow, your doll sounds awesome, Lills.”
“She is! You wanna play with her? I didn’t bring another one but Mama says—”
“Bradley, can’t you shush that girl up? We’re trying to watch the game.”
Anthony felt his niece curl into him and he splayed his hand over her protectively. “Come on, Lills, let’s go see this doll of yours.”
Lillianne buried her face in his neck and wailed as he carried her down the hall. Anthony heard Bradley snap, “Real nice, Grandpa.”
Audrey appeared in the hallway with a dark-haired toddler on her hip. Audrey was a tall, full-figured woman with curly blond hair and light brown eyes. She and Bradley had met in college and married shortly after graduation. She was an amazing woman with a kind heart. Even though they only visited a couple of times a year, Audrey had always been good to his mom, and Anthony would always adore her for that alone.
“What happened?” she asked.
“She was telling me about her new doll; some people said she was too loud.”
Audrey’s mouth pinched together. “Do you want me to take her?”
Lillianne’s arms tightened around his neck, and Anthony shook his head. “Nah, I’ve got her. Just point me in the direction of this awesome doll. I heard it can cook.”
“It’s in the kitchen. Come on.” Audrey shot a disgruntled look over Anthony’s shoulder, presumably at her husband.
“Hey, don’t look at me that way. I wasn’t the one who suggested we come.”
Audrey shook her head, leading the way into a spacious kitchen where Anthony’s brothers’ wives sat at the table, scrolling through their phones. Evelyn Russo, his father’s second wife, stood before the oven, pressing buttons. She’d put on some weight since he’d last seen her, and when she turned around and saw him, Anthony noticed her eyes were puffy, and her shoulders were stooped, as if she was carrying the weight of the world.
“Hey, Evelyn,” Anthony said.
Evelyn gave Anthony a tight smile. “Hello, Anthony. I’m glad you could make it.”
Funny, because you don’t sound glad.
“We’re looking for Lill’s doll. Have you seen it?”
Paul’s wife, Melissa, looked up from her phone absently. “I think Celia has it.”
“Why does your daughter have Lillianne’s doll?” Audrey asked.
“I don’t know, because it was left lying around?” The pointy-nosed woman snapped.
Like his older brothers, who were carbon copies of his dad, Anthony wasn’t a fan of his eldest brothers’ wives or their children. Cam and his wife, Whitney, had two boys, seventeen and fifteen, while Paul and Melissa had three children: Max, Ryan, and Celia. If he had to guess, the boys were probably in the back playing on whatever gaming consoles they had packed.
“Maybe you should teach your child not to touch things that don’t belong to her?” Audrey shot back.
“Oh my God, it’s just a doll. She isn’t going to hurt it. Celia,” Melissa hollered.
Celia came back into the room, dragging the doll by the hair. The nine-year-old had her mother’s features, except the smirk on her lips was unsettling.
“Give Lillianne back her doll.”
“Okay.” The girl held the doll up, and Anthony noticed half the hair on the doll’s head was missing. When Lillianne started to turn, Anthony tried to move her out of the room, but when she saw the doll, she let out a bloodcurdling scream. Not only was the doll missing hair, but she was sporting a black mustache, and her eyes were sunk back in the sockets as if someone had shoved their fingers into them.
Audrey gasped and handed her son to Bradley before she marched over and snatched the doll away from the girl. “How could you do this to someone else’s toy?”
“I was playing beauty shop,” Celia said, her chin jutting out.
“What the hell is going on in there?” a booming voice hollered from the other room.
“She was just being a kid,” Melissa said.
“I think she’s old enough to know better,” Bradley said.
“It’s just a doll! Here.” She started tapping on her phone. “I’ll Venmo you. How much?”
“A hundred and twenty-five dollars,” Audrey said.
“For a flipping doll?” Melissa scoffed.
“It’s an American Girl doll,” Audrey gritted out.
Melissa shook her head. “I’m not paying that. Maybe you shouldn’t have brought such an expensive toy if you didn’t want it to get broken.”
“Or we shouldn’t come around people without any consideration for others.” Audrey held her arms out to Lillianne, who forgot all about her favorite uncle for the comfort of her mother’s arms.
“Oh, because you’re so perfect?” Melissa drawled sarcastically.
“I have two toddlers, and yet I was in this kitchen from the moment I arrived, trying to help Evelyn while you two sat on your asses at the table on your phones.”
Evelyn stood helplessly by the stove, hands ringing as Audrey rushed out of the room with her crying daughter.
“At least I don’t have a fat ass!” Whitney yelled after her.
Bradley snarled, “Watch how you talk about my wife.” When his son started crying, he left the room and Anthony started to follow.
“I don’t know why they even come,” Melissa said.
Whitney crossed her arms over her chest, nodding. “I know. No one wants them here.”
Anthony turned slowly and saw Celia playing with a small handheld game. He crossed the room and snatched it out of her hands. “How much was this?”
“Hey, that’s mine!” Celia cried.
“Looks like it’s worth about a hundred bucks.”
“That is her Nintendo Switch,” Melissa screeched. “It is more than a hundred dollars!”
“Seems like a fair trade for Lillianne’s doll and emotional damages.”
Anthony ignored mother’s and daughter’s protests and walked out of the kitchen, disappointed when he saw Bradley and his family putting on their coats by the front door.
He approached them and held out the gaming console. “Melissa wanted you to have this with her apologies.”
Bradley took it with a grin. “You sure that’s what happened?”
“Where are you going?” Gregory Russo finally looked up from the game to ask.
“We’re not staying for dinner,” Bradley said.
Their father got up from the chair and climbed the stairs. “Why the hell not? You drove eight hours to get here.”
“And that was a mistake.”
Suddenly, Evelyn marched out of the kitchen and past them, grabbing her purse and coat off the hooks by the door.
“Now, where are you going?” Gregory asked.
“I’m leaving.”
“What are you talking about?”
Evelyn swirled on her heels and blasted him with a voice full of bitterness. “I’ve wasted thirty years of my life, and I’m not sacrificing another moment. Turkey needs to come out at two. Potatoes must be drained and smashed, and all casseroles are in the fridge with cooking instructions on the top.”
“Evelyn,” their dad shouted, but she was already slamming the door on him.
The rest of their brothers had gathered at the bottom of the living room steps, exchanging wide-eyed expressions.
“That was a twist,” Bradley said.
“What did she mean?” Anthony asked softly, facing his father for the first time since he arrived. “When she said she’d wasted thirty years of her life on you?”
Everyone stood silently while Anthony stared at his father, puzzle pieces snapping into place.
“You son of a bitch.”
Before he realized what he was about to do, he threw a punch that knocked his father backward into Cam and Paul, all three of them ending up on the floor. He shook out his hand, glaring down at Gregory Russo.
“I think that’s our cue to leave,” Bradley said, taking his arm. “Come on, little brother.”