Page 74 of Alfie: Part Two

“No! I’m in my robe!”

Eh, decent enough.

I opened it carefully, just a few inches, and saw she was covered up.

She glared at me, busy brushing her hair. “Your father told me ten minutes ago. Ten minutes! That is how long it takes to remove the plastic from this stupid thing.” She gestured at the boot brace thing. “Why are you dressed like that?”

“Because this is the dress code for tonight.” I walked over to her and gently took away the hairbrush.Don’t think about the video, don’t think about the video. “Come on. You’re good to go.”

She scoffed but didn’t protest too much when I ushered her out. “What are you talking about?”

West met us in the hallway with a smile. “Hi, Giulia. I’m just gonna go change.”

“Nonna, look!” Ellie beamed in the doorway to the living room, and she’d donned her latest kitten pajamas. “Trip has trains on his. Auntie Luna sent them to us.”

“I want to eat while it’s warm, please!” Trip announced.

Mom peered farther in and saw the coffee table. It was packed with the takeout we’d brought.

“What is this?” she whispered thickly.

I kissed the top of her head. “Thanksgiving in PJs—and you choose the movie as long as it doesn’t require subtitles.”

Dad extended a hand to her. “Come on, honey. I’ve got your blankets and everythin’ here.”

Mom swallowed hard and glanced up at me. “But you ordered dinner.”

“Fuck it. It was never gonna be as good as your food anyway,” I murmured.

Her eyes became glassy, and I helped her over to Dad, who assisted her to her seat in the left corner of the couch. Trip and Ellie took up the middle space, and the right corner became mine.

When West joined us, he went for the other chair.

I kept an eye on Mom as Ellie spoke loudly over everyone, claiming all the onion rings—of which I had ordered twenty—and West and I prepared plates for the kids. Dad filled a plate for Ma?—

“Dad, that burger has no pickles.” I pointed. It was Mom’s.

“Ketchuuuup!”

“Princess, lower your voice.”

“Can we watchMinions?”

“Nonna’s choosing, champ.”

“I’mma steal all the onion rings?—”

“No, Daddy!”

“For the love of God, Alfie.” West shot me a look. Always with the looks!

I snickered and threw a couple fries into my mouth.

Dad looked real content, sitting in his recliner, scarfing down a slice of pizza, and Mom—she was looking at me, and she had a small smile on her face.

“Thank you,mijo,” she mouthed.

I smiled back. “It was West’s idea.”

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