Sam’s brows furrowed as she worked the shell of another nut. “Then what’s with sad the face you been sporting since I got here? You look like I just ran over your cat.” She popped the nut into her mouth and watched as Cara sighed. Sam’s eyes followed hers as she glanced at the door that led into the living room. The door remained closed and Cara turned her gaze back to Sam.
“It’s just any time I bring up us getting married your brother changes the subject.” She blew out a breath and Sam could see the weight of her words, lift from her shoulders. “I feel like I imagined Jake asking me to marry him.” She said as she twirled her engagement ring around her finger.
Sam’s eyes widened at Cara’s admission. She had no idea that she had been feeling this way or that Jake had been avoiding the topic of their wedding. She was convinced that there was nothing her brother wanted more, than to have Cara as his wife. She reached for her hand and softly squeezed it reassuringly.
“Cara, my brother is head over heels in love with you. And we all know Jake doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want too, if he didn’t want to marry you then, he wouldn’t have asked you. He’s most likely been nervous about finding a bone marrow match.” She smiled at her. “Since that’s been cleared up have you brought up the wedding?”
She shook her head and glanced over at Deb. She was sitting at the counter, preoccupied on the phone with the hospital. She turned back to Sam.
“I just hope he knows that I’m not looking for a big wedding.” She nodded towards the book of dresses. “That’s all fine and everything but after all that we’ve been through, it doesn’t matter to me. I want to be his wife, and vow to be by his side through the good and the bad.”
“So you want to elope?” Sam asked her, and she couldn’t help but wonder, now that she heard what Cara’s version was, what Jake’s was.
She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter how it happens, as long as it does.” She stared at Sam for a moment and then laughed. “I sound like a Bridezilla.”
Sam smiled. “No you don’t. If I ever get married, I’ll probably define Bridezilla.” They laughed and then Deb turned towards them.
“Can one of you stir the pot? If I burn that pot of sauce your father will divorce me and take the house.” She said as she covered the mouthpiece of the phone.
Sam laughed and stood up and went over to the stove. She took the wooden spoon and stirred the gravy that was cooking for the last four hours.
Cara came up alongside her with another pot. She turned around and focused on Deb. “Should I boil the water for the pasta?”
Deb nodded. “Yes, I’ve been on hold for a half an hour. I’m trying to schedule my son Jake Lanza’s bone marrow transplant. Yes of course we have a donor. Don’t you have his file?”
Sam sighed as she listened to her mother. She didn’t know where the woman got her patience. The kitchen door swung open and the boisterous noise of men filled the room.
“When the hell is dinner going to be done? It’s Sunday, we should’ve eaten two hours ago.” Joe bellowed as he rummaged towards the refrigerator. He pulled out a chilled bottle of wine and block of provolone cheese. Sam bit back her chuckle as she eyed the hunk of cheese. Jake walked up behind Cara and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“What are you guys doing?” He leaned over her shoulder and sniffed at Deb’s sauce. “Christ that smells amazing.”
“Your mom’s on the phone with the hospital.” Cara informed him, signaling him to lower his voice. Joe turned around as the cork to his wine bottle busted free.
He looked at his wife. “Everything okay?”
Deb nodded and waved her hand, letting him know in their own language she had it under control.
The back door opened at that time, and another four bodies straggled in for Deb’s Sunday dinner. Luke was carrying Ava on top of his shoulders, and bent his knees so they would clear the door frame. Leah followed him, her hands full of boxed goods from the bakery. Lastly, Nick stepped through the door, one arm full of three loaves of bread the other carrying a six pack of beer. He kicked the door closed with the heel of his sneaker and Joe hurried to him.
“Here son, let me relieve you of all those carbohydrates.” Joe said with an expression of concern as he grabbed the bread from Nick. “There take a load off.” He said as broke the heel off of one of the loaves of bread. .