Sean
Of course when had asked Blue to go to the concert, it was because he’d wanted to go with her, but he hadn’t realized just how happy it’d make him when she said yes.
Saturday came, and he whipped through all the things he’d promised he’d do for his grandparents and their neighbors with time to spare. He’d had more than enough time to shower in his grandparent’s guest bedroom upstairs where he often stayed overnight, and to get ready.
He came downstairs to find Nonna sitting at her piano in the music room playing Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 2, her fingers flying over the keys like hummingbird wings over flowers. She looked cute as a button in black slacks and a button-up black and white polka dot shirt—collar up.
She finished, tossing her head as she came to the dramatic conclusion, and as soon as she lifted her fingers, let out a loud whistle and clapped.
Nonna turned to him with a big smile and her face, stood, and went into a dramatic bow.
“Thank you, thank you,” she said.
“Thank you very much.”
In her youth, Nonna had been a concert pianist, though grandpa had once told him that she’d hated it. The touring had taken all of the fun out of it for her.
“Bravo!” hooted.
She swatted the air and came and put her arm around him.
“Not bad for an old lady, huh?”
“You rocked, Nonna.” Nonna smelled so good—like clean laundry and sugar cookies. He loved the fresh laundry scent so much, he never wore cologne and bought fabric softener for his clothes.
She sniggered at the word play and patted his back.
“You’re excited.”
Yeah, he was. Last time he was this excited to go on a date, he’d been in high school. And that had just been to a school dance. No, he was more excited now. Definitely more excited. He liked Blue. A lot.
stepped back from Nonna, spread his arms, and spun around.
“How do I look?”
With dramatic flair, Grandma lifted her hand to her brow and sighed.
“Be still my beating heart.”
“I know, right?” He stuck a pose, holding his chin high and bracing his fists on his hips.
She fanned her face.
“I almost swooned.”
This time it was ’s turn to be dramatic. He pointed a finger at her.
“Don’t tease me. I need to look good for my date.” He picked at the front of his soft cotton t-shirt, pulling it away from his chest.
“Is this my shade of blue?”
Nonna sucked in a gasp.
“I would never tease you.”
She would. And did. Constantly. She was teasiest teaser in the family, and the funniest, and was a hundred percent positive he’d gotten most of his sense of humor from her. Though, grandpa had a pretty good sense of humor too—he was just much drier. Half his childhood couldn’t figure out if grandpa was cracking a joke or not.
When Johnny had broken his arm in high school, Grandpa had shown up frowning and asked what the insert-expletive here had happened—that wasn’t funny. Then there was the time , Johnny, and Axel had exploded a bag of flour in the kitchen trying to make a cake for Nonna’s birthday. Grandpa had come in with a face looking like thunder. Axel, Johnny, and had all about wet themselves before Grandpa had started laughing and tossing handfuls of flour at them. After their flour fight, he’d helped them make a cake—from a store-brand box. It hadn’t been very good, but Nonna had made yummy noises with every bite, and the four of them had felt like they were baking kings.
“You look like your dad, like your grandpa,” Nonna said with all seriousness this time, a gleam in her dark brown eyes as she clasped her hands together in front of her.
“You must really like this girl.”
“She’s the sweetest. And feisty too,” said.
“She’s special. You’ll see what I mean when you meet her.”
“I’m just glad she got you out from under that to-do list of yours so you could go tonight.” She patted his face.
“You’re the oldest twenty-two year old I’ve ever met. You need some fun in your life.”
That wasn’t the first time she’d said something like that to him.
“I know, I know. Just let me grab my cane first.”
Nonna reached for hers beside the piano—she’d gotten a little unsteady on her feet the last few months—and handed it to him.
twirled it in the air like he was in Singing in the Rain, threw his arms out, and did a side shuffle and squeaky spin. Nonna applauded.
“You ready?” Grandpa came up behind them, his deep voice reverberating around the room.
They faced him, and Gramps gave him an appraising look.
“How do I look?” asked.
“You wearing that?” Grandpa asked, blank-faced.
shot his gaze down to his baby blue t-shirt and dark jeans.
“What’s wrong with it?”
Nonna swatted Gramps and rolled her eyes.
“Oh, Don. Stop.”
Grandpa’s face was turning red from holding in his laughter. Okay, maybe he still wasn’t sure when Grandpa was teasing.
“I just need my sweater.” She glanced around, and Grandpa’s face went from smiley to stern in a flash. wondered what that was about.
Grandpa forced a smile.
“You left it by the door earlier. Remember? Said so you wouldn’t forget it?”
Nonna fluffed her hair and took Gramps’ arm—sunshiny as always.
“Right, of course. Shall we?” She signaled to the door.
In the driveway, headed for his Jeep as Grandpa opened Nonna’s door.
“You’re not riding with us?” Gramps asked.
“Nope.” hopped in.
“I have to pick up my date. I’ll meet you there.” He’d thought it over and decided, all things considered—as in basically going on a double date with his grandparents to his brother’s concert—that it’d probably be better not to carpool. He didn’t want to scare Blue away after all.