Page 24 of Remember That Time

It was working for me.

"Just tell us when you're ready, Gianni. Your parents will fuss a bit, but they will take it well. Same as your brothers."

I glanced at my grandmother with wide eyes.

How did she know?

Did she know?

"Nonna—"

"You think I can't tell, boy?"Nonnalet out a very unlady-like snort. "These eyes of mine may be old, but they still work."

Well, spit.

"You didn't tell anyone, did you?" Even if I had flown out here to break the news to my family, I wanted to do this in my own time.

I still needed a few more minutes.

"It's not my news to share, Gianni. It's yours."

"Nonna, I—" I swallowed tightly, my throat feeling as if it was seconds from closing up. "Mother and Father are going to flip." I didn't even want to think about how my brothers would receive the news. "I don't know who the father is."

This time, it was my grandmother who turned wide eyes to me.

"I went to a party and had a little too much to drink. I know I slept with someone, but I don't remember who it was."

"Well, that does put a different slant on things, but I still think your parents will take it okay. I take it you've decided to keep the baby?"

"What baby?" my mother asked as she walked into the room.

Every ounce of blood drained from my face as I looked up at her.

"What are the two of you gabbing about in here?" she asked.

"Uh..." I glanced at Nonna again.

She was no help.

"Mother, I have something I need to discuss with you, but I want to wait until the others are here." Might as well get allthe yelling done at one time. "Do you know when they might be back?"

"Your father and brothers went to grab breakfast for everyone," Delinda replied. "There is this delightful little bakery about two blocks away. Henry introduced it to me. They make the most fabulous breakfast pastries."

Yeah, I had no interest in that. Not only had I thrown up this morning, but I seriously doubted I could get anything to settle in my stomach right now anyway.

I might even go throw up again.

When the front door opened and my father and brothers walked in, I was pretty damn sure I was going to throw up again. I pressed my hand to my stomach and swallowed, trying not to.

"Here,Niptino." Nonna handed him a small piece of candy. "This is made with ginger. It will help settle your stomach."

I'd try anything.

I popped the candy into my mouth and started sucking on it. Surprisingly, after a few minutes, my stomach did start to settle. I leaned closed to Nonna and whispered, "I need to know where you got these."

I needed like a million of them.

"I have some in my purse. I'll send you some more when I get home."

---