When Jesse picks me up, he’s changed into a black suit with a white shirt and no tie.
“Gorgeous, as always,” he says as he holds the car door open for me.
I slide into the passenger seat. “Few things feel as good as a fresh set of highlights.”
“I can think of a few,” he teases as he turns the car on.
We drive up the winding hilltop and through the gates of Villa Russo. The attendant is at my door as Jesse gets out of the driver’s side.
When we’re inside, my uncles are on us like tonight’s occasion is in our honor.
“There’s our girl.” Uncle Joey is the first to hug me while another uncle shakes Jesse’s hand. I’m surprised they knew we were coming.
Uncle Enzo puts his hands up in the air like he’s being arrested. “Careful. The Fed is in the house. Cut your wires and hide your weapons,” he jokes, and everyone laughs.
My aunts are all full of lovely words about how pretty I look and ask about my new place in Maryland. A few want to know why there isn’t a ring on my finger. I try not to act uncomfortable as I explain that we’re not in a rush while Jesse approaches my uncle Frankie and shakes his hand. They’re chattering in light conversation while my aunt is chatting in my ear about how old I’m getting and if I want to start a family.
Sienna is at my rescue, pulling me up to the bar. “Damn, girl, I missed you like crazy. You’ve been home for an entire day, and I’m only seeing you now!”
I laugh as I slide onto my stool. “I had things to do. Plus, we have all day tomorrow. You’re coming to the barbecue at my parents’, right?”
“Of course. The entire family. This is like one crazy, long celebration.”
“I know,” I say with a smile. It’s an exciting time.
A bartender walks up and gives Sienna her usual. I haven’t been here in a while, so he doesn’t know me or what I’d like.
“She’ll take a Moscow mule. Use the fresh-squeezed lime juice, not the bottled stuff,” Jesse says as he slides an arm onto the back of my chair.
Sienna shimmies her shoulders. “I knew you two would end up together. You’re like the perfect couple. I’m so envious. Jesse, do you have any hot cop friends? I badly need a hook-up.”
He laughs. “You think your father would be okay with that? I mean, he has a hard enough time, looking me in the eyes, when I come around.”
She sways her head from side to side. “Yeah, probably not. He really hates your guts, but he totally respects you. I heard him say that once. He won’t tell you that though.”
“I have a feeling. He has a way with words, your father,” Jesse says.
I also know he’s considering how Uncle Frankie has welcomed him into the family over the past two years as a big step up.
Letting Jesse be in the room with the people he cares about the most and shaking his hand is acceptance enough for the two of them.
“All right, everybody, shut your mouths because he’s coming in!” Uncle Joey announces, and we look to the door.
My father walks in, and we all yell, “Surprise!” making him put his hands to his head in surprise.
Yesterday, he was released from prison. My mother was there to pick him up, and tonight, we are here to celebrate his return.
I saw him once a month while he was away. Sometimes, I brought Jesse, and other times, I went alone. I liked having my dad all to myself. The visits weren’t easy. I cried through the first two and ate my way through fifty dollars in vending machine snacks during the next two. But then it became our new normal. One I knew had a nearing end.
My father makes his way through everyone in the room, hugging and kissing and telling stories. I watch as he basks in the glory of seeing his family again.
While my father has done wrong, I respect him so much more now that he’s atoned for his crimes. He stood up for what was right and gave Jesse and me the future we deserved. I know not everyone in this room understands why he did it, but they value it.
As Dad sees me standing here by the bar, he comes up and places two big kisses on my cheeks.
“My Amelia,” he says with a crinkle to his eyes. “You know, I’m still so very proud of you. Don’t you ever forget that.”
I roll my eyes and give him a hug. “I’m so happy you’re home.”
He keeps his arm around me and then calls Gia in to get on the other side.
“Drinks! We need drinks all around!” he calls out, and the bartenders start pouring shots of Sambuca to be dispersed to whoever doesn’t have a cocktail in hand.
“You can put a man in a cell, and it can suck the life out of him.” Some people make sad groans in the room, and he motions toward them. “No, really. It’s a sad and ugly place, but I’ll tell you this. When a man has a family like this—a wonderful wife and two great daughters—to come home to, it opens up those walls tenfold. All I had to do was close my eyes and think about my girls or about having a cigar with my brothers or eating some of Joanne’s lasagna or dancing here at Villa Russo on New Year’s Eve, and I wasn’t there anymore. I might not have been with you, but you were with me. My family. All of you. Thank
