“Sneak!”
“I don’t want Sonny’s Dad to disappear, Uncle Gus.”
“He won’t,” Nick said. “Gus’s job is to tell me stuff I don’t want to hear. He needed to point out our Phil Salvatore problem. With everyone else out of the picture, I believe we can simply ignore Phil. I’m glad you didn’t get behind in your schoolwork. I’ll talk to Dimah today and make sure we’re okay for the Washington trip. Chaperones for the dance arrive at 2:30, so I’ll make sure I’m there in plenty of time for the big show.”
“It only lasts until four. We could go get some ice cream afterward with Sonny. I don’t know if his parents will be there or not.”
“You can ask him. I’ll have my writing and workout done for the day before the dance, so you and I can go even if Sonny can’t. We’ll bring your Mom home something she wants too.”
“Okay, but I already know what Mom wants. Pick out something with the most chocolate and calories, double it, and she’ll be fine.”
“You are so lucky I don’t rat you out. You might not be so lucky with blabbermouth Payaso.”
Jean stopped in mid stride. “What happened to what goes on the walk to school, stays on the walk to school?”
Gus smiled at Jean’s hands on hips pose of annoyance as she waited for his response. “This is getting to be like walking a thirty year old to school, Nick. Don’t worry, your secrets are safe with blabbermouth Payaso. Don’t be surprised if your Mom tricks it out of Muerto. He’s an easy target.”
Nick bowed his head, scuffing at the sidewalk with his shoe. “I’m so weak.”
“Perhaps a few stories about the young Moms eyeballing the famous author would make for good dinner conversation too,” Jean replied.
“You little wart. That’s blackmail!”
Jean giggled and skipped ahead with Deke again.
“I’ve created a monster.”
“I won’t pretend to know kids, but I believe they get worse when they hit their teens.”
“Gee, thanks for that happy thought, Payaso.”
“That’s Blabbermouth Payaso to you.”
“I stand corrected.”
*
Nick walked Jean to her classroom. Dimah Kader waited outside the classroom to greet her students and a few of the parents. She seemed glad to see Nick and Jean. After a quick wave hello, Jean skipped inside to where Nick saw Sonny Salvatore.
“I’m happy to see you are both well and safe. I heard many rumors about bombs, gunmen, and your family going into hiding. Mr. Salvatore seemed to know quite a bit of what actually was happening. I believe he questioned the police as to your safety.”
Yeah, I’ll bet he did. “That was thoughtful of him. We did have trouble, but it’s over now, and we want to make sure Jean stays ahead in her studies before our trip to Washington.”
“I’m certain she will be fine. I saw your name on the chaperone list. It is nice you can come today. It should be fun. Will your wife be coming along?”
“No, she’s a bit uneasy about some events because of her pregnancy being so far along. I’ll be taking movies though. I guess I’ll see you there.” Nick turned to leave, but Dimah grabbed his arm.
“Nick, I want to speak with you, possibly at the dance where we’ll have more time. My cousin from New Jersey will be visiting on her next vacation. She wants to escape our family’s primitive and violent clutches as I did. My separation from the family out here has been an angry topic in the East.”
Uh oh. “I’ll be happy to talk with you about it, but won’t your fiancé be coming home soon?”
Dimah grabbed Nick’s hands in hers excitedly. “Yes… that is the other subject I wish to speak with you about. I wish to have a small wedding, but there will be close to fifty people there. I…I have nothing to do with my family anymore. Would you consider giving me away at the wedding, Nick?”
“You really don’t have anyone else, Dimah? I mean… I’d be honored, but-”
“Oh thank you, Nick. I am so blessed to have a friend like you! I will talk with you more this afternoon.” Dimah gave his hands a firm shake, and turned into her classroom.
Wonderful. Wait until Rachel hears about this… and Gus. I just got rolled.
*
“You did what?”
Gus laughed while watching the Rachel hands on hips show as she reacted to Nick’s update on the Dimah Kader wedding.