North Meets South

Story: North Meets South: When World's Collide

Chapter: 11 Crisis

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Mature Readers only due to sexual situations and graphic sexual content

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Tony and Mitch return from their second honeymoon and face a crisis in the Delveccio family, which Mitch is included.

Crisis

As much fun as we had on our vacation, the next morning was not. We arrived in Tampa during the night. We'd packed the night before, even before going to dinner. Like those ever present and inevitable lifeboat drills before really getting into the trip, there was the disembarking. Not fun. It was ordered chaos! It wasn't that it was early, it was early, but we had to clear out of our suite so the ship could get ready for the new passengers to arrive later that day. Then Sasha and the other crew would be doing it all over again with new guests. We were assembled in various parts of the ship. Tony and I were to wait in the theater. Then as our deck was called, we left the ship and then to customs and then got into a waiting taxi that took us to the airport. It was there Tony clicked on his phone. I'd signed up for time and logged into a computer onboard so we could check email and send pictures. Tony used the time to keep in touch with family and a few clients. If you left your phone on, there were roaming charges, unless you signed for their Wi-Fi. But why would we do that? We were on a honeymoon! Another honeymoon, yes, but I didn't want to chat with anyone. Email was better, I thought.

"Hi, Kathy," Tony said into his phone. "Yes, we're heading back. We're at the airport waiting for our flight. I got your emails. How is Dad?" He waited a few seconds as he heard the reply. "His back?" Then he listened again. "Okay...yes, I know he worked hard on the docks for years, I'm sure it did cause problems, but his pain didn't seem like it was in his back. He was holding his chest." He listened again. "I see. Well, keep me informed." Then he chuckled and held the phone to me. "Melissa wants to talk to you."

I smiled at that. "She bypassed you to speak to me?" I took his phone. "Hello, Melissa."

"Those pictures you sent are so totally awesome! I am so jealous!" Melissa claimed. "When are you two coming back to New York?"

"I don't know, I sort of used up my vacation time on this trip."

"Well, come soon. I can't wait to hear everything." Melissa said with all the enthusiasm of a girl now seventeen about to be eighteen. She may be mature with others, but she was so comfortable with us that she almost reverted!

"We'll be glad to." I smiled at Tony. "Don't you want to talk to your uncle?"

"I am!" Melissa said simply. "I hope you got me something more."

There it was. Like every child when a parent, grandparent or family member comes from a trip, the did you bring me anything request.

"Maybe," I said with that tone that said we did, but she knew that without asking.

"Oh! I'm off to college in the fall, maybe I can come to Charleston! Mom and Dad said no to bumming around Europe for a year, but I'd love to see you for the summer. Wouldn't that be awesome?"

"That would be awesome." I chuckled, loving her spirit. "Your other uncle will have to say it's okay. Not to mention your parents."

"Mom and Dad will be fine with it. Let me speak to Uncle Tony."

I handed the phone back to Tony who was shaking his head. Then for the next few minutes, Tony listened with an occasional yes, maybe and we'll see. When he finally got off he grinned at me. "Still think you're not a part of the family?"

I chuckled. "Nope." But I remembered why he called. "What was that about your Dad's back?"

Tony shook his head. "The doctor put him on a medication for his back. He thinks it's because of all that lifting he did on the docks."

"Well, he is the doctor." I knew they weren't all perfect. "Is Papa going to get a second opinion?"

He nodded. "That's what Kathy said. She doesn't think it's just his back. She's taking him, much to Papa's protest, to a specialist in gerontology."

I nodded. "She's a nurse. Trust her."

Tony nodded. "I am."

When we finally got back to the condo, why was I so tired? We'd been on vacation! I collapsed on the sofa, looking all we had brought back. Dirty clothes that needed washing. What a relief it was that all our purchases we had sent by mail or courier, but...I don't know...it's impossible for what clothes you take to simply multiply? That what it looked like had happened. Tony plopped down beside me with a tired sigh.

"I'm beat," Tony said wearily.

I nodded. "I'll unpack tomorrow. We still have a few days before I go back to work on Monday." I said as his arm came around me pulling me close to him. He kissed me and then laid his head against mine.

"Sounds good."

Traveling was exhausting and we fell asleep shortly after sitting down. We didn't even move from the sofa.

But our old routine came back. I did unpack, with Tony's help. I did get the clothes washed and put away. The dress clothes and others that needed dry cleaning sent. Then it was Monday morning.

Walking back into the hotel, I was greeted by those that knew me and welcomed back and then as I went to my office door.

"Hey, this is for employees only," Alan said gruffly from his office door. Then he smiled at me. "Damn! Look at you! I almost didn't recognize you! You're so dark!" He marveled as he came over and held my arms out. "You're so....tan!"

I chuckled as I opened my door. "That's what's supposed to happen when you vacation in the tropics."

Alan nodded as he followed me inside. "That's what I hear." He groused, indicating he would like to know that personally. "Maybe Kent and I can take one of those tropical vacations."

Hearing him talk about the new love of his life was nice. "I take it all is well with you and Kent."

Alan nodded with a little bounce. "Yeah, we're good." Then he lapsed into a memory I knew was a little more than...let's just say things were a lot more passionate for Alan now. "Very good." Then he was back. "We've moved in together. It's nice having someone there.

I nodded chuckling. "I agree."

Alan smiled. "You look really relaxed. So, no problem with that hunky Italian husband of yours?"

I grinned, but I was good with faking expressions. "You mean Tony?" I waved the thought off. "Nah, he caught the eye of our hunky Russian waiter named Sasha and left me for him."

Alan was only shocked a split second, then grinned. "Not possible. He loves you to death!"

I laughed. "You don't believe me."

Alan shook his head. "If it's raining outside, don't tell me angels are pissing on me. That's a bunch of crap! I know you love him. Try a new one. You guys are in this life permanently together!"

A girl I hadn't met that was working the front desk knocked on my door, which was open. "Excuse me, Mr. McKenzie? A florist came by and told me to give you this." She held a single red rose.

I smiled at her. "Thank you..." I read her nameplate on her blouse. "Debbie." I took the rose not even needing to know who or why it was here.

Alan shook his head as Debbie walked back out, probably wondering why I'd gotten a single rose. Then Alan frowned. "I've gotta speak with Kent. This romance between you and Tony has been going on for over two years! I've not gotten so much as one single plant!" He grumbled.

And my come back to reality was done. I had school again. Because it was on my schedule, my being gone for two weeks hadn't interrupted my classes.

Then one evening just into July, I get home as Tony was on the phone, but he didn't sound happy. In fact, you just know when something awful was happening, that feeling you get where your heart sinks and you just know.

"...I see." He said sadly. "He's getting treatment?" He nodded, and of course, whoever he was speaking to didn't know that. "Well, I'll be there soon, but keep me informed. Bye."

I don't pry about anything, but this had the sound of very serious. "Tony?" I said coming and sitting by him on the sofa.

He took a deep breath as his voice almost broke. "Dad has cancer."

I was expecting something, but cancer!? That was like being hit by a rock! "How bad?"

Now tears were coming from Tony's eyes. "It's very bad. It's in his esophagus. The problem is, he's had it so long, its already metastasized to other organs." He shook his head. "Without treatment, he only has a few weeks, with the treatment they've given him maybe a year. He's going to die!" He said in a wail and collapsed into me. He'd only done that once when he spoke of his trauma with the World Trade Center. Now he wept again.

There was nothing to say. No words would make it better. I just held him as he cried. What else could I do?

It was a few minutes later, he suddenly stood. "I've got to go to New York."

I stood beside him. "We'll pack," I said heading for the bedroom.

"Mitch!" Tony said surprised. "We've just came back from vacation. You can't take the time."

That bothered me. "My husband's father is dying. You go, I go!"

He shook his head. "You could lose your job! No matter if your boss understands, will those in control understand? We're not legally married."

"Then I'll quit!" I said firmly. I walked over to Tony. "We vowed never to separate a single night. We will be separated if you go." I raised a hand as he was warming for a protest. "I know! Things will happen in life where we'll have no choice but to separate. This is will be a choice. Papa is sick." I reminded him, I put my arms around Tony. "You're always telling me the money's ours. We have the money. Working is a choice, not a necessity. I like my job, but this is way too important! I'm going!" I said and walked into the bedroom to pack.

I heard Tony follow me, but he grabbed me in a tight embrace. "I love you, Mitch." He said and I could hear him start to cry again. "That you do this..." he separated from me to see my face, "...but tell Alan. Don't just not show up. Don't burn bridges."

I nodded. "I will." I went to the phone and called Alan.

"What's up? You never call." Alan said knowing something was wrong.

"Tony's dad was diagnosed with cancer."

"Oh, shit," Alan said and I heard him sit down with a plop over the phone. "It must be bad for you to call."

"It is. Tony and I will take the next flight to New York. I don't want to leave you high and dry, but I have to go."

Alan was thinking, I could almost see his scrunched face. "I know. The Family Medical Leave policy won't cover a father-in-law of a gay man. It's not a legal marriage."

"I know, but I can't let Tony do this alone, you know that, too!" I took a deep breath. "If you fire me..."

"No!!" Alan said emphatically. "I won't do that." Then I heard him moving on the other side, no doubt pacing. "Okay. You're on leave until further notice."

"Alan, this may be short, it may be long..."

"Don't argue with me!" Alan nearly shouted back. "You're a good manager, but I am the manager in charge! I say! I'll not put anything on your file except you're on leave."

"I could quit." I offered. "I don't want to cause you problems."

"Mitch, I was at the wedding. I saw you marry Tony." He said softly. "If they want to make a case of this, fine, but I know you are. As of now, you're on Family Medical Leave. Okay? If they excuse someone for a domestic partner's parents being sick, then why not us? I make the decisions and I was a witness, so, I'm doing it."

I smiled. "I love you, Alan."

He chuckled. "Sure, I've heard that before, but I know. You take care of Tony. I wish you the best, but you come back!"

I chuckled. "I plan to." Then I turned to Tony. "We're fine. Make an airline reservation. We'll take the first flight out."

Tony smiled at me and kissed me. "You are a Delveccio."

"You're damned right! Andiamo!" I pointed at the closet.

"We're going, we're going!" Tony still smiled as he headed in the closet to pack.

After we got the first flight out of Charleston, this time it was a direct flight to New York. Jet Blue was new but offered flights there now. The prices weren't bad, but we really didn't even look at those.

It was late when we arrived at the Delveccio home. Tony rang the doorbell as he set the suitcases down. He didn't live here, so why shouldn't he?

Kathy opened the door. "Hi, guys." She smiled and hugged both of us. "I'm glad you're here. Maybe you can talk sense into Papa, Tony."

Tony frowned as he and I carried some luggage in. "Why does he need to be?"

She closed the door behind us. "He's saying no to the treatments."

"What!?" Tony asked startled, but so was I.

"Why not?" I asked.

Kathy shrugged. "He says it's his time to die."

"Is he crazy!?" Tony balked and was instantly up the stairs two at a time.

Kathy smiled at me. "I am a little surprised to see you. You just got back from vacation."

"My boss is gay," I said. "You remember Alan at the wedding. He's put me on leave. I offered to quit or even said to fire me..."

Kathy chuckled nodding. "I get it. It's nice to see you, in spite of what's happening. You may want to..."

That's when we heard the voices, and I mean they were loud! All in Italian.

"...cover your ears." Kathy shook her head.

I frowned. "I'm getting used to it." Then smiled. "The shouting anyway." I took Kathy's hand. "How's Mama doing?"

Kathy motioned toward the kitchen. "I have some coffee up, you want some?"

"Sure." I nodded.

"Mama's not taking it well at all," Kathy explained getting the coffee. "Al finally gave her a sedative for her to calm down and sleep." We both looked up when we heard two male voices almost screaming.

"They really do love each other," Kathy said, and I don't know it was to comfort me or herself.

I sipped the coffee and listened as the voices still came angry down the stairs.

Then we heard the... "Fine!" From Tony, the sound of a door slam and the thump of heavy footsteps down the stairs. "Come on, Mitch, we'll check into a hotel."

I have never done this before. I stood. "No, we're not."

"No!?" Tony spun on me. "No!!"

"I'm not leaving." I pointed at Kathy. "She's here. Your Mama needs you both. We're staying."

"Fine. Stay!" He turned to leave again without me.

"Anthony Delveccio! Stop right there!!" I shouted causing him to look at me surprised, but he stopped. "Now, you come back here!"

He walked toward me. His face distorted in his internal pain. "He wants to die! He's not even..."

"And leaving will change what? Listen to me." I said softly.

"He's not even considering getting treatments, he..." Tony began heatedly.

"ZITTO E ASCOLTAMI!!" I shouted for him to shut up and listen even louder which was very much not me. Shocking enough that he stood back a little, even Kathy was a little startled. Putting my hand on Tony's chest softly. "Just take a deep breath." I watched as he did what I asked him to. "Calm down. I know you're in pain. You're hurting and angry, but leaving is not why we came a thousand miles to be here."

"But he won't even talk about getting help! He's going to die!" Tony said softly as tears came down his face.

I nodded. "Leaving will do nothing. Whether we're here or not, he will die. We don't want him to die, but leaving will do nothing. I've just started to get to know him. If it were my father, I'd be angry, too." Then I smiled. "He is my father because of you. I am a Delveccio by marriage." I knew it was going to be hard on Tony. "He will die, which is his decision. We may not like or agree with his choice, we can only try to encourage him to stay longer. In the end, it's his decision." I rubbed my hand down Tony's arm. "I know you. We'll leave and then you'll regret it, then come back, but in the end, we'll be back." I shrugged. "There is no time to waste on regrets and impulsive decisions because you're angry. I just know what will happen." I got closer to Tony. "I'm just cutting out all the stuff in between." I pointed to our luggage. "We'll take the luggage upstairs. We'll stay. This family needs each other. They need you." I shook my head. "I'm not talking about just your father, he needs you, yes, but your Mama needs you here. Your sisters need you here."

Then Kathy sat at the kitchen table and looked at her coffee cup. "Guys, brace yourselves." She said sadly.

Tony and I looked at her. There was more?

"Mama's sick, too." She said sadly.

"What!?" Tony asked in greater horror. "How? What wrong with her?"

Kathy shook her head. "She has cancer, too, only hers is breast cancer."

Tony walked to the table and nearly collapsed into a chair. "How long have you known?"

Kathy looked weakly. "A few weeks." She sighed. "She went to an oncologist, her cancer is treatable, but with her age...." She sipped on her coffee with a shrug.

Tony looked up at the sky for something....Devine intervention or just plain answers. "Oh, God..." he said in a strangled voice as his sorrow grew even more and then just lowered his head to the table in defeat. Then he sat up again. "There's hope for Mama?"

Kathy nodded. "More than Papa, but not much because of her age and it's pretty advanced....you're guess is as good as mine."

I rubbed Tony's back as I sat by him. "I think Papa knew about his condition for a while." I saw Kathy nod. "He might not have had a clue as to what it was, but those few weeks ago, when we were here last, he kept saying he was old. He suspected for a while."

Kathy nodded. "He doesn't know about Mama. She didn't want to tell him." Kathy shrugged again. "She was afraid telling him would just quicken the cancer Papa has. Not that I blame him." Then she looked at Tony firmly. "You get checked, damn it!" She held her head in her hands. "I'm not losing you, too. Cancer with this family is not a matter of if we'll get it. It's more a matter of when. I'm getting checked this month." She looked up and her tired face held tears. "With Dad's achalasia which he passed to you....you're at much greater risk."

I patted Tony. "I'd get it done tomorrow if possible, but he will have it done."

We finally got our things upstairs. Kathy was staying in the room she and her sister shared when they were growing upn No one asked her, but we knew she was staying and so we stayed in Tony's old room.

It was easy to say that Italians were passionate people. This Italian family was certainly that. Tony felt deep feelings about people, me, his sisters and brothers, his son, nieces, and nephews. I saw him slowly get ready to go to bed in the room I found out was his when he was growing up. His parents had not quite left it like my parents had left mine. There were things I knew were Angelo's where he worked on projects and things, but it had things from Tony's past. I'd look at some of those things later. I could tell by looking at him, Tony was emotionally numb. He moved slowly. It was almost if he weren't here as he pulled his clothes off, then sitting on the bed having not gotten everything off and just stopped.

It hurt! He was hurting and I felt the hurt, too, but not nearly as deeply. I couldn't. My father wasn't dying, but I could see the pain on Tony. Both of Tony's parents were dying and his father would die, we just didn't know how soon. I stopped getting ready and walked over. Without a word, I helped him finish getting ready and pushed him down, covering him up. When I was ready, our roles were reversed. I got in behind him and spooned him, putting my arms around him. "I'm here, Tony." His hand came up, took mine and brought it closer to his chest, holding it there.

I don't know if he slept much that night. I didn't. In the morning, I got up as Tony was in the bathroom and went to make the coffee for that morning. I was the first downstairs, so I got things needed to begin breakfast as well as beginning the coffee. This wasn't my kitchen, but I found what was needed. I would have to get some more groceries soon.

"Good morning." I heard behind me. I turned to see Kathleen in her bathrobe. She didn't look as if she slept well even after the sedative she'd been given. "You don't have to do that. I can cook breakfast."

I nodded at her. "Of course, you can, but with a house full of people for Papa, you can take it easy for now." I smiled, trying to keep that I knew her condition off my face. I hugged her. "So, don't worry. I can cook." I assured.

She chuckled. "I'm sure you can." She said as she sat at the table. Her eyes looking at my face and then she smiled. "You know about me."

I nodded. "Kathy told us." Her statement was vague, so I clarified. "About Papa...and you."

Kathleen sighed sadly. "How's Tony taking it?"

"Not well," I told her honestly. "He was furious at Papa, but I know he was equally upset about your condition."

That's when Kathy came in. "Good morning everyone." She smiled and then kissed her mother on the cheek. "Did you sleep last night?"

Kathleen smiled. "Even through most of your father's and brother's raucous." Then she smiled at me. "You handled Tony very well. I had to be dead not to hear it." She chuckled.

I gave a shrugging nod. "Well, he is Italian, but I've learned how best to deal with him."

I began getting some eggs and bacon going.

"Louise is flying in tomorrow," Kathy said as she poured some coffee, held the pot up for her mother, who nodded.

I grinned. "I'll make sure we have plenty of coffee on hand."

Kathy laughed. "It is the drug of choice for Delveccios."

"I'll need a whole pot more just for Tony."

Kathy hugged me. "Thanks for being here." She smiled. "Al will be over later today. David and Melissa will be here, too. The nurses for Hospice will be coming by as well."

Hospice was a terrible thing to hear. It is such a pleasant sounding name, isn't it? Not that they weren't so important, they were. They only came when there was nothing else, but to assist with living, not dying.

"Mama, you'll need to get ready to go," Kathy said to Kathleen. "No arguments. You're starting your treatment today."

Kathleen nodded. "I'm not arguing."

"Is he in a lot of pain?" I asked Kathy.

She shrugged. "Who knows? He had to have felt pain for some time. He just never complains. I'm assuming he is. That's what the Hospice nurses are coming to help with." Then she smiled. "You have a tough job ahead keeping Tony on track."

I dreaded what was coming, but nodded. "For better or worse."

Kathy nodded with a chuckle. "I was a witness to you two vowing that to each other." Then she and I saw Tony come in, looking very rough. He'd not shaved or rested. Not the usual Tony at all.

He put his arms around his mother and hugged her tightly. No words were needed to know what they were saying to each other.

Kathleen smiled at him and then held him back. "I'm sorry we're doing this to you children. You have good people to help you through this." Then she ran a hand over his face. "Just depend on those that love you." She said looking at me. Then she walked off to get ready to go to wherever she was getting her radiation and chemotherapy.

"Hi," I said to Tony who came over. My hand when to his face as his mother's had. I caressed his face. "I've made coffee." He nodded and kissed me. It was a kiss of love, but there was more to it. Need. It was like he was drawing strength from our connection.

"If I don't tell you often later..." Tony said quietly. "I love you. I need you."

I smiled at him. "You have me."

In many ways, Tony was just lost. I could see he was trying to think about what he needed to do was just a little harder for him to grasp what that was right now.

"You need to call Nick." I reminded him.

His face scrunched a little at the thought but nodded. "I'll do it in a few minutes."

I needed to let my own parents know we wouldn't be there for the Fourth of July as we always were. That was tomorrow.

After we got some breakfast, I did go visit with Angelo but left him with Tony mostly. I sighed hating what was happening and the helpless feeling there was nothing I could do.

I was in Tony's world now. I didn't know Queens, but I knew I would learn a lot very quickly. I was determined to do as much as I could. I found out where Kathleen did all her shopping and planned to put in supplies we'd need. The nurses for Angelo came and gave him the needed medications and tended to him. They told Kathy as if her being a master's degree nurse wasn't enough, but she listened about how they gave and when they gave the medications. These were potent narcotics needed for Angelo's pain. Who better to know if he were in pain that someone that knew him? David and Melissa came by, but like me, there wasn't much they could do. I walked about the house, looking at the many items. They took a lot of pictures I found out. Memories were everywhere. I was in Tony's room when I found his collection of high school yearbooks. Notre Dame. The high school near Babylon, not the college. Pulling out the books, I found Tony in them. He was always a very handsome man, even as a teenager. I read some of the comments written by friends he'd gotten there. Some were sort of racy. I even saw pictures of their prom with a picture of Jean and Tony dressed formally. It was shortly while I was doing that I heard Kathy come in after getting her mother settled from her radiation and chemotherapy.

She smiled seeing I was looking through Tony's yearbook. "If you really want to see his past...." She went away briefly and came back with a photo album. "You should see this."

I chuckled as I took it. There they were. Tony, Kathy, and Louise with their parents at a beach, Coney Island and various parts of New York and other places. The nicest picture was Tony about five or six, with Kathy about eight and Louise a budding teenager. He had been a very cute little boy, but I was prejudiced. As big as he was now, it was interesting to see him as the little brother with two bigger sisters.

"Oh, no," Tony said coming into the doorway as he saw what we were doing, he was smiling. "That's embarrassing."

I grinned at him. "Why? You were cute! You still are!"

He came and sat beside me on the bed, Kathy on the other side of me. Then I saw something surprising. Tony had said there was no yard and I had seen what they had. Now I saw a pool in what was their backyard, which was paved now. It was pretty big, the pool. It was one of those above ground pools, but it took up nearly the whole space of their backyard. In it were little Tony, Kathy, Louise and three other children having a really good time. I saw Angelo shouting at someone, his hair a little thicker and darker, but a handsome man. I could see where Tony got his physique from, his father had passed it to his son. I guessed Kathleen was taking the picture.

"Remember that, Tony?" Kathy asked smiling.

Tony nodded smiling as well. "And I remember why."

I looked puzzled. "Is there a story to why?"

Kathy nodded. "Oh, yes."

"Our dear neighbor." Tony began with a smug smile. "One of your people..."

I felt annoyed when he said like that. I was good at faking looks, remember? "My people."

"Non-Italian." Kathy clarified calmly. "One of few in this neighborhood. Here you were either Italian or Jewish. They weren't either."

"Oh." I nodded.

"She and her husband had bought a pool," Tony explained. "She came over one day and told Mama, your children are welcome to come over, but keep it the day before they clean it."

That was odd. "Why that request?" I asked.

Kathy nodded. "According to her because we were too greasy. So, we were welcome the day before it was cleaned to get rid of that oil we supposedly had."

I know I did well faking emotions on my face, but now...I was just just...well...appalled! "She didn't!"

Tony nodded. "She did. She was ignorant enough to not know how insulting that was."

"Of all the stupid....!!" I knew that being ignorant was no excuse, but it always amazed me when I heard it and so blatant!

"She thought we were oily and greasy." Kathy shrugged.

"When Papa heard about it that night...." Tony began with a chuckle.

"Right in the middle of dinner...." Kathy chuckled, too.

"Papa throws down his fork and tells us we're getting a pool!" Tony finished. He was laughing. "I mean right then! Dinner was left unfinished and we went immediately."

Kathy nodded laughing. "I think he even went in debt to get it and not just any pool..."

Tony shook his head laughing. "No....he got the biggest pool, bigger than theirs! It barely fit in our back yard as you can see!" Then he pointed to two of the children. "There are her two sons! In our pool. Invited specifically by Papa. Dad invited another boy who was Jewish!"

"That was nice, but what she said was so...horrible!" I really was mad. "Tell me she's not still next door."

Kathy shook her head. "She died a while back."

I hadn't expected that, but I nodded. "Good. I'd probably go next door and slap her!"

Kathy laughed when I said that. "Papa is a good man. Remember when...the Nelsons moved into the neighborhood?" She asked Tony.

Tony nodded. "They were black!" He smiled wickedly.

"God forbid! There goes the neighborhood." I said sarcastically. "Didn't the KKK have affiliations up here, too?"

Tony nodded. "They do. There were a few neighbors that didn't like it. A man came by with a petition to have them leave."

"No way!" I said in disbelief. "What good would a petition do, it's a free country!"

Tony nodded. "Way!"

Kathy grinned at her brother. "Papa handed the man his petition, walked the few houses down where the family was moving in. Welcomed them to the neighborhood and even helped Mr. Nelson with moving in as the man with petition watched!"

"Not only that, but Mama went and invited the whole family to dinner! That night!" Tony said proudly.

I smiled at the warmth they both had for all their father had done in the past. Angelo didn't just tell his children what they should do, he showed them by example. "That just makes sense. I wish I knew you then."

Tony smiled at me. "You are related to us now! You are a Delveccio!" He shrugged. "Besides, I wasn't gay back then."

Kathy rolled her eyes and I just grabbed him in a kiss.

"Oh, I forgot," I smiled. "You just weren't ready for me, yet."

Tony chuckled. "That was it."

I opened the yearbook again. "I see you were hairy chested back in high school." I pointed to a picture of him getting ready to dive in as he prepared to race on the swim team. "How old were you then?"

Tony smiled. "I had just turned seventeen." He pulled his shirt open a little. "I have more now." His eyebrows waggled.

I chuckled as I ran a couple of fingers in the hairs I could get to. "I know."

Kathy grunted. "He was always showing it off. Wearing those shirts open when not in school uniform. He always wanted to be sexy. He was thirteen when he got his first chest hair, he was so proud!"

Tony chuckled. "And you weren't proud of what you had? I remember many times where the skirt was higher than an inch above the knee." Then he bumped her. "I remember the push-up bras! The nuns were always holding the ruler to her knees and asking her to button her blouse."

She was good at faking expressions. "I don't know what you mean." I was convinced she was innocent. Then she leaned toward me. "Louise got the..." she hefted her breasts.

I loved how they got along! I loved that I was now included in this family. I just wished we weren't here for the reasons we were. I loved the family and now I was loving them even more. The Delveccio children were remembering fondly some memories of childhood and growing up in the north with warmth and feeling all about love. I turned to a picture of Kathleen on the beach.

"You're Mama passed on some good things to you." I smiled pointing at a picture on the beach with Kathleen much younger in a....well, while not quite a bikini, but you saw she had a figure and long black hair. "She's a beautiful woman."

Kathy nodded. "She is." Then she turned to another picture album and went to a page she knew was there. She pointed to a very dressy Kathleen and Angelo. Kathleen was wearing an evening gown and Angelo in a tuxedo. "Remember this, Tony?"

Tony was already remembering as he laughed. "I do. She comes down, does this little spin...."

"Can I get away with it?" Kathy said in a good imitation of her mother, even doing the fluffing of hair I knew was Kathleen.

Then Tony imitated his father perfectly in that gruff voice. "We're late! Get in the car!"

Then Kathy nodded putting her index finger and thumb nearly together. "The things I go through...."

Then Tony said it with her as they went down the well-traveled road. "...to get a little compliment!" He said with her, his fingers doing the same thing. This was something they knew well and was said often.

"God, I wish I had your memories!" I said smiling at them. "I knew your parents were caring and fun to be with, but they sound like really fun characters."

Tony nodded. "They always were!" He smiled kissing me.

Kathy grinned looking at the two of us as our foreheads touched again. "You two just belong together! Anyone with eyes has to see that." She patted Tony and me on the cheek. "But there will be more you'll find out about Kathleen and Angelo Delveccio when Louise gets here tomorrow. Count on it." She rose. "Well, I'm checking on Mama."

"Papa's asleep, but you can look in," Tony said smiling at his sister.

"You have a great family, Tony," I said to him.

He nodded. "I do." Then he kissed me again, a little more intent, but full of love. "To which you're a part of now. There's no turning back."

"I wouldn't if I could." Looking at him, he looked better. "Are you okay?" Then I realized what I'd said. "Well, of course, you're not, but..."

Tony smiled nodding. "I'm okay. It was just all a shock to me, that's all." He sighed. "I wasn't lying when I said I need you."

I ran a hand over his face. "I promised. I will always be here with you." Kissing again tenderly. "I love you, Tony."

He smiled at me. "I know."

We promised someone would stay with Angelo during the night. So, in watches we took turns sitting by his bed. Looking at Angelo, I was looking at Tony. They had the same profile...with a slight variation or two, but they were father and son. It was about three in the morning when Angelo stirred. I was instantly at his side.

"Hi." I greeted Angelo quietly as he tried to focus on me. "It's me, Mitch."

It took a few seconds, but he finally looked at me and smiled as he recognized me. "Mitch, my favorite son."

I smiled at that, but I was thinking it was partly because of the medication, which was pretty damned powerful. "Thank you, Papa. I think Tony is your favorite son."

He chuckled. "No. He's my favorite son because he was born to me. But you..." he said touching my face, "...are a son one of my children brought to this family." Then he grinned. "Don't tell Kathy or Louise, but I like you the best. If you do, I'll deny it."

I smiled. He was coherent. "Al and Mike are nice guys!"

He nodded. "They are, but Tony needs you." He said. "Louise and Kathy love their husbands, but Tony needs you. He loves you. Of that, I know without a shadow of a doubt. Louise and Kathy are very independent and would do well with or without their husbands, but Tony needs you." Then he smiled very comfortably. "I'll tell you why you're my favorite. You call me Papa."

I was surprised by that. "That's who you are."

Angelo nodded. "For several years I was Mr. Delveccio after both Al and Mike married into the family. Later it became Angelo." His hand ran over my face. "You began calling me Papa before you had even said I do in front of everyone." He smiled bigger. "That made me very happy you thought of me like that."

I shrugged. "You didn't seem to mind, so I kept doing it, but Tony did well before me," I argued lightly.

Angelo shook his head. "Not really." He smiled again at me. "I love my son."

I nodded. "I know that."

"He did well financially, but he always had this need." He tried to explain. "By now you've noticed he sometimes isn't that confident."

I remembered the times he had been unsure I'd love him when he got older, his need to get more and have more. "I have, but I assure him all the time, I love him. Not what he's got or how old he is. In fact," I grinned at Angelo. "I'm thinking he's got nothing to worry about where his looks are concerned. He got his good looks from you."

Angelo grinned and rolled his eyes, just like Tony did!

"I'm serious!" I smiled sitting on the bed next to him. "I saw pictures of you at the beach and by the pool...which I heard about. I mean, all of it."

"He told you about that?" Angelo smiled.

"Kathy did. Tony added things." I explained. "You have a lot to proud of, Papa. You've got some great children who love you and Mama very much."

I saw tears form in his eyes. "I hope they always do."

"Believe me when I say, they told me some things...that you did with the pool, the Nelsons...you helped shape who they became." I said touching his hand outside the covers. "They're good people. Now, about you...I saw a very handsome man at the beach with his family. You must have had a lot of ladies."

Angelo laughed when I said that. "To quote Kathleen...there was...."

I smiled and finished with him. "...a long line waiting to get to you." It was a line often spoken by Kathleen.

Then he smiled nodding. "There were a few, but..." he sighed. "It took one look. I saw Kathleen. She was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." He shrugged. "I was in love instantly."

I smiled at that, but I saw he was blushing. That was the sign that all Delveccio men gave when speaking from the heart. "She's an amazing woman."

Angelo nodded. "I've not regretted it one single moment."

I smiled. "Tony's a lot like you in many ways."

Angelo's eyebrows rose. "Is he?"

I nodded. "He's having the hardest time with this. He loves you so much."

Angelo nodded. "I know he'll be fine. He's got you. You'll take care of him." He said confidently. Then I saw his face contort.

"Are you in pain?" I asked.

"A little," Angelo confessed.

"I'll get Kathy." Knowing she would be the one that could give him medication.

Angelo's hand grasped mine. "No, wait." He sighed. "It's okay for now. Just stay a little longer." Then he smiled at me. "How's Kathleen?"

I frowned. "She's in the other room. She should be in here by morning."

Angelo looked out the dark window. "It's late, isn't it?"

I nodded. "A little after three in the morning."

Angelo looked at me. "She's sick, too, isn't she?"

This was not a question I wanted to answer. Kathleen had not wanted to tell him. Who was I to do what she didn't want to have happen? "She's asleep. You can ask her yourself."

Angelo nodded. "That answers my question." He chuckled. "If she was okay, you'd just tell me she's okay. The fact that you dodge the question is telling. I know you can't lie."

"Please don't put me in the middle of this," I begged.

He patted my hand. "Of course not." He sighed again. "Just sit a little while longer with me, okay?"

I took the hand he used to hold mine, raising it to my lips and kissing his hand. "As long as you want me to, Papa."

He did drift off to sleep again. Kathy came in about four in the morning. I told her that he had some pain, but was sleeping now peacefully.

"Louise will be here this afternoon. She'll help." Kathy said patting my arm hugging me. "Go to bed. Be with Tony."

I came back in Tony's bedroom and quietly undressed and then slid in a carefully as I could so I wouldn't wake him. I should have known better. As I lay down, Tony rolled over, his arm around me and his head coming to rest on my chest.

"I need to hear your heartbeat," Tony said sleepily. "I don't sleep well without you."

Inside, that made me feel so good. "You don't want a pillow?"

He shook his head. "Your heartbeat is comforting to me."

One of my arms came around him as the other hand played a little with his hair. "You stay as long as you need to. I'll be here."

Tony sighed as he was finally beginning to rest. "I love you, Mitch."

"I know you do." I kissed the top of his head. "I love you."

"I know." Tony said almost asleep.

Louise arrived after noon and immediately went up to her father's room with little said to anyone. It was the Fourth of July and most of the country was getting ready to celebrate our independence. I had found some things from the grocery stores around there Kathleen got her supplies the day before and was making dinner for the family.

Tony came down in the kitchen where I was working. I glanced at him carefully as he came over, put his arms around me from behind and hugged me, burying his face in my neck.

"How's Papa?" I asked.

"He and Louise are visiting right now," Tony replied. Then he looked at what I was doing. "Are you making lasagna?"

I chuckled. "I am." I pointed to Kathleen's little box of index cards and her many recipes. "I'm following her instructions carefully. I just hope it turns out alright."

"No ricotta." Tony reminded me with a smile.

"I got that." I nodded with a smile. "Why is that?"

"Papa doesn't care for it." Tony shrugged.

"Okay." I chuckled.

Tony turned me around kissing me gently. "You've been great these past few days. I know there's been a lot going on..."

I held my hand up to him. "We're family. I'm not doing what any member of this family wouldn't do. I'll do all I can." I kissed him again. Then pulled back enough to see him better. "What did Nick say?"

"He'll be coming at the end of the week," Tony said. "He'll be at Kathy and Al's."

I nodded. "It could be a while yet. Papa's pretty tough."

Tony nodded. "Nick will come. Stay a while and go back if he needs to. When the time comes, he'll just come back." Tony frowned. "You told your parents."

I nodded. "They understand my place is here. They'll miss all three of us."

Tony nodded and then lay his forehead against mine. "I miss you."

I looked confused a moment, not understanding. "I'm always with you."

Tony grinned, but there was no joy in his smile. "I don't remember ever not making love. I don't remember us ever going this long."

I frowned. "We've been sort of preoccupied, baby."

Tony nodded. "I know, but...I feel....a little disconnected." He shrugged.

"Whenever you feel a need to reconnect, I'm there, but I don't feel disconnected from you," I assured. "You're my husband. I'm part of you. We always will be a part of each other. I wasn't going to demand you have sex. You've got a lot on your mind. We'll be fine. We've got our lives together."

He smiled kissing me. "Thanks." Then he looked at the things strewn over the counter. "Mind if I help?"

I chuckled. "Better to have a real Italian help to make a real Italian dinner."

"You're Italian." Tony smiled kissing me one last time. "Trust me."

"So long you accept you're now Scottish."

Tony grinned. "Deal." Then he cocked his head. "Does that mean I can wear the kilt? I think you'd look good a Roman soldier."

I rolled my eyes. "Sure, you can wear the kilt next time if it fits." I pointed at the Italian bread. "Get the garlic bread ready."

We worked well together. When Melissa and David got there they helped get things together by setting the table and getting things in place. Then Al came. Fireworks were illegal in New York, but there was a display off Staten Island and the Statue of Liberty. We saw it all on TV. Then Al and his children went home with Kathy. Louise was going to help tonight with her father. Kathy had shown all three, me, Tony, and Louise how to give the medication of it was needed for Angelo.

That night Tony was trying to reconnect with me. He tried to make love to me. It was a few minutes before he grunted frustrated and pushed away.

"I can't," He groaned as he rolled away.

I looked at him. This had to be carefully handled. "So that's it?"

Tony was curling up. "I said I can't."

I frowned. "So, we call it quits?"

Tony looked at me surprised. "What?"

I waved at him. "Well, you've rolled away, started to curl up and just stopped. I guess we're done."

"I failed!" Tony said sadly.

I shook my head. "You most certainly have not failed!" I knew what the problem was. It was all the stress he was under. What better way to distract him that bring up other issues while he felt the pressure? Who could do it better than me?

"I can't perform!"

I scowled even more. "Perform!? You love me, don't you?"

"Of course, but..."

"But shit! I'm not somebody that needs to be entertained!" I spat. I almost never cussed like that which shocked him. "I don't need you to perform." I settled back down bringing him to face me. "I love you, damn it! You have got a lot on your plate right now. You want to connect with me, fine, but I can connect with you if you want. The advantage of a relationship like ours is that only one has to be able to love the other. If right now you can't, that's fine. If you don't want to do it at all, fine. Don't give me that shit about performing!"

Tony was open-mouthed, but not saying anything.

"Listen, Tony Delveccio," I said firmly. "I'll tell you again and again as necessary. I married you! I married you because I love you! I don't give a fuck if you can perform or not. I could give a damn about the condo, the clothes or that stupid car! I'd love you if you came to me in dirty jeans and a torn t-shirt! I wouldn't care if you were a garbage man or a mechanic or if you had no job at all! I LOVE YOU!!" I slapped him. Now, understand, it wasn't hard or much force, but it probably stung a little. I meant it to. Not to hurt him, but catch his attention. "Somehow I'm going to get through to you," I said angrily. "Traumatic events will always re-enforce memories, so listen. I LOVE YOU!! Say it!"

"What the..." Tony held his hand to his face where I'd slapped him.

"Say it! Why do I love you?" I asked and yes, I was angry now. I had issues, too. "Do you even know?"

Tony was lost for words. "I...I don't understand."

I nodded. "That's a problem," I said. "I love you because of who you are, not what you are or what you have!" Then I lowered next to him our faces not even an inch apart. "You are the kindest most romantic man I have ever known." I was waving as I said what I needed to Tony. "People are so jealous of me at work their eyes are always green with envy. Do you know why?"

Tony shook his head.

"I get a rose from you every single week. Why?" I smiled. "Because you love me! I know that you do." I smiled. "You are the romantic man I married. You feel things so deeply. The condo, that wonderful trip to Scotland, Rome and the Caribbean were nice. Why?" I watched him shake his head. "Because you were there with me! YOU WERE THERE!!" I shook my head. "You are a brilliant man, but sometimes I can't understand how you can behave so stupidly!" I turned to him. "Hear that? I didn't say you were stupid, you're not stupid at all. You are brilliant! You can turn a dollar into a lot of money. I've seen it. You're gifted so much in brains and looks." I looked at him fiercely. "If you don't understand that, you've called me a liar!"

His eyes grew. "I did not!!"

"Yes, you did." I corrected. "And do, every time these doubts come up in you. I told you what I loved about you and when these things come up. You're calling me a liar!"

Tony rolled his eyes. "I never called you a liar." But now he was grinning.

"So why do I love you?" I demanded. "Tell me." I slapped him lightly again.

"Ow!" He chuckled. "You like me. You love my romantic side. You love me!"

I grinned back. "Bingo! I'll hit you again until I get through your head which at times can be rather thick!" I said feeling the anger in me melt. "I love you, Tony. There's something in you we need to get rid of. You're....like..." I thought quickly. "...a girl with an eating disorder."

"What!?" Tony shook his head in disbelief not understanding how I could see him that way.

"You are!" I nodded. "Whenever she looks in a mirror, all she sees is someone disgusting and fat when everyone else sees her as she truly is. Emaciated and sick to the point of death. You see yourself as this man who is a failure and poor. I told you before having all you do was not what attracted me. You did! I don't give a fuck about the money. Give it to your family or charity, I don't care. We could live in that house or one like it where I was living in when we met. I'd be happy as long as you're there. Stop wearing those designers you know the names of that I can never remember. Wear jeans, clean or dirty and sneakers, I'd love you just as intensely as I do now. You are a wonderful person. Say it!" I pulled his arms up and pinned him down.

Tony was laughing, but not resisting. "I'm a wonderful person!"

I slapped him again. "Believe it, damn it!"

"Shit! I believe it!" Tony grinned holding my hand to keep me from slapping him again. "Please don't hit me again."

I smiled seeing he wasn't hurt, he was laughing. "Don't worry. If I hit too hard, I'm sorry. You can hit me back." Then I grinned. "I'd be glad to kiss whatever you want to make it better. Please believe me and let it sink in good. I love you, Tony."

Tony kissed me longer, more intently. "I really know you do."

Arms just came together naturally. The kiss deepened and became longer as we both pulled the other closer. That body contact was magnificent.

We did connect again. Both of us. It was once again glorious!

I was down making breakfast when Louise came down. She grinned at me leaning on the counter getting her coffee.

"Things got a little heated between you and Tony." It wasn't a question. "I heard most of it."

I nodded smiling. "Did you hear why?"

Louise nodded. "The walls aren't that thick." She grinned as Tony came in the room. "It's about time. Someone needed to get through to Tony."

Tony chuckled rubbing his face where I'd slapped him. "Yes. He got through."

Louise handed him a mug for his coffee. "I hope he did." She kissed Tony on the cheek. "I hope it sticks."

I nodded. "I'll remind him as many times as it takes, don't worry."

Nick came and visited, but returned with his cousin David to their house. Together Tony and I watched Angelo waste away. Kathleen had to tell her husband what was happening because her treatments were rough. She was getting the antibiotics and steroids to prevent an allergic reaction to the chemotherapy. Kathy was keeping up with her mother's treatment as well as her father's. I visited with Angelo every day several times a day, but he loved it when Tony would visit the most. That was as it should be. What alarmed me was how badly Kathleen's treatments were going. She was not responding well at all. She was sick all the time. We had to make her eat anything. As Kathy had said, the problem was Kathleen's age.

It was the second week in July when Tony's phone rang. Seeing it was Kathy, he answered it instantly. "Kathy?" Then he grabbed my hand. "We'll be right there!" He looked up and shouted. "Louise!"

Louise came down the stairs.

"Mom's in critical condition." He said shaking. "She's having a reaction to the chemo Kathy said."

I squeezed Tony's hand, while Louise looked up to her father's room, then back to Tony. "What'll we do? We can't leave him!"

I shoved Tony forward. "I'll stay with Papa. Go! I know how to give the injections and I know how to call 911!" Angelo was DNR, do not resuscitate. If I called it would be to notify the authorities Angelo had died and they would pick him up. It would be more for official reasons.

What happened was the longest few hours I'd ever been through. It was late or really early when Tony came in the room with a sleeping Angelo as I sat trying to read quietly. I had no idea what page I was on or even if there was a plot. When I looked at Tony no one had to tell me. When Tony came into the room slowly, his face said it all. It was a lead brick in my gut.

"Oh, no," I said crying now.

Tony nodded as tears came down as they had before that day. "She died." He said to me as I got up and hugged him tightly.

Kathy came in with Louise, they were both holding each other as they were crying.

"Mama had an anaphylaxis reaction to the chemo," Kathy said as she hugged her sister. "The steroids premedication she was taking didn't help."

"How do we tell Papa?" Louise asked us all.

"You just did," Angelo said sadly and more weakly than I'd ever heard from his bed, but he didn't look unhappy. "I heard the whole thing. In fact, I think God intended for her to go first." He chuckled. "She'll be waiting on me. She's my get into Heaven Advocate to argue my case to let me in." He smiled. "That woman is in Heaven because if she couldn't get in, none of us stand a chance."

"Oh, Papa," Kathy wailed. "I'm so sorry." She said coming to her father's side with Louise.

Angelo just hugged them both as Tony came over. Now, I felt like I was intruding, so I turned to give them time.

"Mitch, where are you going?" Angelo asked which I barely heard. "Go if you want to, but you're a Delveccio, too. The only reason Al and Mike aren't included is they're not here. You are."

I smiled and walked back to his bed sitting beside Tony, my hand on Angelo's still moving chest. "I want to stay, Papa," I said not bothering to wipe the tears I knew were coming down my face. "I love you, Papa." I watched as he smiled and I knew this was the last conversation we would have.

The will to live is great, but there is also the will to die. Angelo just...gave up. It was five days later when Kathy came out of Angelo's room. She didn't run, she didn't cry. She just came downstairs where we were in the kitchen and living room. Mike had flown down from Montreal. Drew and Erin, Marcus and their baby were there. All Delveccio descendants and those married to Delveccios were there. "He's gone."

This time, no one got hysterical. Tony just nodded. "Should I call 911?"

Kathy shook her head. "Al's up there now. He's taking care of that."

Louise handed her grandson to his mother. "Well, we can make some plans now. I'll call St. John's. Get Mama's dress she liked and Papa's suit ready."

I learned later that St. John's was a huge cemetery in Middle Village, Queens. There were a lot of people there. Meaning there was everyone from politics to stage and screen. The Delveccios had a mausoleum there and all their relatives were buried there.

Tony stood up looking at me. "We need to get a suit." He said to me.

"For your father?" I asked. "Louise said..."

"We didn't really pack for this," Tony said. "I meant for us. Dad's is upstairs. Just a nice black suit for us both I think." Then he smiled sadly. "I won't be looking at the designers."

I nodded with a smile, but just patted his chest. "You should be yourself. Just remember I love you and why."

Tony nodded with a kiss to me. "I do."

In many ways, it was better. Okay. I'm not cold, but we were burying two people that loved each other. Who could ask for better? Neither one would have lived too long without the other. I truly believe that was the reason Angelo died so quickly after learning his wife had died. He was in a hurry to see her again. Angelo was not the Mass going Catholic, but Kathleen was. We had the visit from priest a day before Angelo died. The priest sort of looked with wide eyes as Tony answered the door. I don't know where the priest expected Tony would be. Tony directed the priest up to his father's room but told the priest it was too late. His father was no longer awake and would not wake for him. The priest stayed, blessed Angelo and gave him last rites and then prayed with the other Catholics in the house, but Tony and I had Rev. Pat come at that time. She was there and let's just say when she saw the priest, she smiled, but just talked to Tony and me. The priest was still trying to work it out in his head as he left. You could see it. There would have been times I would have enjoyed this, but not now.

As I may have said, I had only been to a Catholic service once or twice in my youth with a friend. What I observed for this... and it was a double funeral. I was just watching in awe. Say what you will, the Catholics pulled out all the stops! The church was decorated very ornately and grand already. The wake was amazing. We, those raised Baptist came to pay respects, but...well. It was nice, but this!? There were hundreds of people that showed up that Angelo or Kathleen touched or both! Men from where Angelo worked on the loading dock, from his Knights of Columbus, Kathleen's friends from groups I lost track of. Make that thousands of lives touched! They literally kept coming. I was told I had to be in the receiving line! That was for the family! Al and Mike were there with their wives and children, I couldn't just not be up there. Nick between his father and me. It was just a few minutes to an hour when Kathy let out this grunt and blew a breath, then walked over to a podium where she stood.

"All right!" Kathy cried loudly. "I'm getting tired of answering the same questions over and over again that none of you are brave enough to ask my brother! That man beside Nick is Mitch McKenzie! He is my brother-in-law! He married my brother Tony!" There were some voices of shock from the people. "Yeah, yeah...I don't care if you think it's right or wrong. He is a part of the Delveccio family! I love him. All of us in the Delveccio family do! We were at the wedding, for crying out loud. No, he was not the one to take Tony from Jean."

"I like Mitch, too!" That's when I saw Jean in the receiving line, but she had not gotten to us yet. "He's a great guy and a wonderful stepfather to Nick as well as a good match for Tony."

"See!? From the woman's mouth!" Kathy waved her hand at what was her ex-sister-in-law. "My mother and father were also at the wedding. In fact, they both gave Tony in marriage to Mitch. Mitch's parents gave their son to Tony. They love Mitch! Get over it!" She yelled to be heard. "You're all good at talking amongst yourselves and spreading rumors. Do it!" Then Kathy stormed down from the podium.

I leaned closer to Tony who was looking less stunned than I was. Tony was not surprised. "Now I understand where Melissa gets her chutzpah."

Tony looked at me and laughed. "Chutzpah, yep. That's the perfect word for it." He kissed me. "You haven't seen the last of it, I'm sure."

Then Kathy was back on the podium. "And another couple of things. He's from the South, raised on a farm and was raised Baptist! He's Italian by marriage! He can speak fluent Italian!"

Tony grinned at me. "Told ya." Then he grinned at me again. "Where'd you learn chutzpah?"

"We don't have people that speak Yiddish in the mountains?" I grinned. "Come on."

Tony looked surprised. "Do you?"

I rolled my eyes. I was a Delveccio. Then I nodded. "I should never piss her off."

Tony nodded his head. "That would probably be for the best."

Then to prove her point Jean came over, bypassed Tony and hugged me! Then she hugged Tony. "I'm sorry they're gone. I really loved Angelo and Kathleen."

I smiled at her. "They were great people and will be missed."

The Delveccios found humor even in the worst of times like now. The interesting part was all the people that kept saying they were sorry Angelo and Kathleen passed. Each time they did, Tony would grin a little but kept his mirth in check. Then someone else did the same thing and this time I turned to Tony.

"Let me in on the joke?"

Tony gave a shrugging nod. "I just keep remembering something Papa would say. When anyone would say that someone passed...he'd go. What did they pass? The bar exam? They died! Say it, their dead!" Tony said with all his father's bluster and indignation. I could imagine his father saying it.

I chuckled. "Looks like I still have a lot to learn about them." I nodded. "I look forward to it."

The Nick moved from between us throwing an arm over both of us. "Okay, Dad, Pop!"

I grinned at him. "Are you're leaving?" I said knowing what he was going to say.

"Yep." He jerked his head to Kathy and Louise. "Me, Drew, and David are going back to the house. Aunt Kathy's house." Then he grinned at me. "That was quite a sensation you've caused Pop!"

Tony smiled. "It was your Aunt Kathy made the scene! Don't blame him or us."

Nick grinned. "That you caused, Dad! How dare you love a guy!" He was grinning the whole time. He kissed me on the cheek. "Love ya, Pop! See you later!"

Tony shook his head. "Remember you're underage still! This isn't a party! So is Melissa!" Tony called as his son disappeared with his cousins. Then he looked at my grinning face. "Well, they are."

"Did that stop you?" I asked.

Tony shook his head. "No, but I'm to tell him as his father."

It was an hour or two later when we arrived back at the house. Tony and I got ready for bed. I watched him carefully.

"How are you holding up?" I asked.

Tony turned and nodded. "It's hard to believe, but...." He nodded again. "I'm good."

I smiled walking over to him. "Your parents didn't want to leave."

Tony nodded. "I know. It was just...hard."

"Well, I'm here for you."

Tony grinned kissing me. "I know. I love you, Mitch."

I smiled kissing him more. "Yeah? Prove it." I pulled him on the bed on top of me.