Page 101 of Patrick

CHAPTER 28

TRICK

We pull up to my house and it looks like we’re last to pull into the driveway. Mom wasn’t kidding when she said everyone would be here. I open Fifi’s door and hold her hand as she gets out of the car.

“Who’s this?” she says as another car rolls to a stop in front of the house.

Connor and Carmela get out, surprising us both. Fifi runs to hug her sister and Connor gives me a one-armed bro-hug. I swallow down the lump in my throat. Said lump must be made of lead, like the others I’ve swallowed this morning, as it drops, adding to the pile bottoming out my stomach.

“Everyone is here.” I state the obvious for no reason as Connor glances at all the cars in the driveway, then at me.

“Nice shiner.”

I grunt a response.

Fifi squeezes my arm and we head to the door, falling behind Connor and Carmela, we’re the last inside.

Dad’s eyes are the first I meet with mine and I hold the stern glare, tensing against the censure without looking away, as if I need the test of my strength in order to go on.

Since I don’t collapse to the floor or run back out the door, I figure I have what it takes to state my business and fall on my sword—while simultaneously standing my ground. Tricky.

I’m up to it.

People murmur greetings. No one mentions my black eye, though my younger brothers look curious.

Everyone acknowledging Fifi without accusation. That’s a good sign.

I stand at the head of the kitchen table opposite where Dad stands. Fifi stands next to me. Everyone else is sitting except Connor and Carmela who stand behind us. Dad darts a glare in Connor’s direction, relieving me temporarily of the pariah status.

When he returns his attention to me, I nod. I reach for Fifi’s hand and hold on tight, then look each and every one of my family members in the eye, starting with Pops.

“I have a few things to say and I’d appreciate it if you’d listen to everything before you… comment.”

Dad nods. Mom gives me a small sad smile. Pops growls.

I inhale a long breath. Returning my eyes to meet Dad’s, I don’t look anywhere else, unwilling to take in what my siblings will think. Not now. Not yet.

“I’m sorry for lying and keeping secrets from you about seeing Sofia.” I take a breath and add in a strong sure voice, “This doesn’t mean I’m going to stop seeing Fifi.”

“I see. Is that all?”

“No. I won’t be working on the boat this summer, or at the market.”

Dad raises his brow and the others look up at me, puzzled. I suppose that went without saying since Dad wouldn’t let me work in the family business now that I’ve excommunicated myself, but I see it as affirming my independence.

“I can’t stand the smell of fish. It nauseates me. I’ve puke at least once every day I’ve worked with fish.”

Kathleen puts a hand to her heart, looking horrified and sad. Rory nods in empathy as if he knows first-hand how I feel. Shit.

“You should have said something.” Dad’s voice is rough.

I nod, but I know it wouldn’t have mattered. He wouldn’t have let me off the hook. He’d have told me to breathe through my mouth or some such shit.

He turns his attention to Sofia. “What do you have to say for yourself, young lady?”

A strong knock at the kitchen door, bordering on a bang, stops Fifi from responding. Kathleen shuffles quickly to the back door, halting Dad in his tracks with a pleading look to let her answer the door.

We all watch as she pulls open the back door to the kitchen and in walks Leo Rossi and his wife, Marie. She squeezes past him, rushing to Fifi’s side to give her a big hug.