Page 124 of Gratification in Gluttony

“You sure it ain’t serious? Where are you? Gluttony Hospital?”

“Uh-huh. Just give your name at reception. And yes, it ain’t serious. I’m doing okay.”

“Okay, don’t worry about a thing. I’ll be there soon.” Toni sniffed and rubbed his eyes. “Flo, you’re a mama.”

Flo sobbed softly. “You’re an uncle again.”

“Aw, come on, don’t cry. If you cry, then I’m gonna cry,” Toni said, eyes burning as he switched to English so Jude could understand as he said, “I can’t ugly-cry in front of Jude again. He might not love me no more.”

Laughing under his breath, Jude kissed Toni’s shoulder as Flo gasped in his ear. “Oh, Toni. You got your Joob back?”

“It’s Jude,” Toni corrected, cupping Jude’s cheek. “And yeah, I got him back.”

Kissing Toni’s palm, Jude smiled as Flo wailed dramatically on the other end of the line. “That’s so wonderful! Mak, our Toni’s in love. He’s got his Jook back.”

“His name is Jude,” Toni corrected again. “It ain’t that hard, Flo.”

“I haven’t slept in thirty-two hours, and I pushed two babies out of my body, you piece of shit,” she sniveled. “Now get your ass over here. And bring me some crisps.”

“Sweet and spicy, not vinegar,” Toni said, and Flo caterwauled again.

“You remembered!”

“Of course, I remember. Now you rest up. I’ll be there soon.”

“You should bring Joog,” she muttered, still sniffling. “Sal will have a fit, but he can suck a bag of dicks for all I care.”

Chuckling through the emotion strangling him, Toni nodded. “Yeah, okay. We’ll be there soon. Just take it easy, okay?”

“Okay. But hurry, Toni. The babies wanna meet their uncle.”

Toni rang off and wiped his eyes. “Flo had her babies.”

“That’s wonderful,” Jude said, wrapping his arms around Toni’s neck. “Is everyone okay?”

“Yeah, I think so. She wants us to come see.”

“Us? She wants me to come?” Jude released Toni and sat back on his heels. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

With a shrug, Toni climbed out of the bed and grabbed clean clothes from the dresser. “I want you to come with me, but I get it if you wanna just chill here. My family is… a lot. They might be total assholes to you.”

“I’ll come with you if you want me to.” Jude tugged his underwear on, retrieving his packer from the side table and securing it before he pulled on his jeans. “I just don’t want to cause problems.”

Toni finagled a shirt over his head as he scoffed. “Fuck them. Flo invited us, and I want you with me.”

“Okay, then let’s go.” Jude took Toni’s hand and squeezed it. “They can be assholes if they want; I’m not that fragile.”

“That’s right.” Toni framed Jude’s face and kissed him firmly. “You’re hard as nails.”

Together, they took the tram to Gluttony Hospital, and though Toni put on a brave face, nerves cramped his stomach as they walked inside. This time, Toni did not forget to stop at the gift shop, and—Flo’s crisps in hand—he gave his name at reception and got his sister’s room number. They took the lift up several floors, and Toni kissed the back of Jude’s hand as the doors slid open.

“I’m sorry if they’re total bitches to you,” he said as they stepped into the hall. “They might say some offensive shit, or—”

“Toni, you don’t have to apologize for them. I’m here for you, not them.” Jude rubbed his upper arms as he nodded.

“I know, but they’re still my family.”

“Your family is who you choose it to be. Your family is at The Passing Through Cafe. Your family is standing right here in this hallway with you.” Jude swallowed thickly as he cupped Toni’s neck. “And sure, maybe part of your family is also through that door, waiting to meet you for the first time. But the rest? They’re just people you used to know.”

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