Box of Crackers - 12. Chapter 12

Dinner was something I missed being away from home. We didn’t just eat, we talked through dinner. “This reminds me of dinner at Mom and Dad’s place. There was always a lot of food and the best part was the talking that we did while we ate.”

“Yes, that was nice. By the time dinner was over, we knew what everyone did and was going to do. I tried to continue that tradition here. After you left, dinner wasn’t the same, there was no talking except Paul’s ranting. For a while, it got so bad, I was eating at Don’s house.”

“I really can’t fault Paul. Because of his ranting at your house, I got to spend a lot of time with Evie. That was some of my best memories.” Looking at Evie and Don, you could see and almost feel the love they had. I wonder if they could see the love Jimmy and I had.

“Don, tomorrow Jimmy is going to cook for us, so you don’t want to be late.” The evening proved to me that I still had my family.

“Evie, Jimmy would like to go to the grocery store. Where is the super market?”

“I’ll show you Uncle Pete.”

“You really want to ride in my car don’t you.”

“Yep, but I can help you at the store, I’ll pack for you.”

“Ok, get in the car, Bobby, Jimmy and I are going to the grocery store, where’s Butch.”

“He’s with Donnie, I think they where going to go to a park to play ball.” “

That gives you a choice, we can drop you off at the park or you can go shopping with us?”

“Come shopping with us.”

“Ok, Alex.”=

The four of us headed off to the grocery store. Jimmy knew what he wanted and we more or less followed him around. I should say I followed him around, Alex and Bobby had their own shopping agenda.

“Jimmy, what are you planning on cooking?”

“I thought I would make chicken parmigiana over pasta. I’ll make a salad with my dad’s dressing and garlic rolls.”

“You better make a lot of rolls, I know a few guys who’ll want to make salad sandwiches.”

We occasionally saw the boys, when they dumped some snacks in the basket. Checked out, the boys did pack the bags, loaded the car and we were on our way back to Evie’s.

“There’s Donnie and Butch, the game must be over. Toot your horn Dad.”

As soon as they saw us, we had to stop and pick them up. “A little crowed back there?”

“We’ll manage Uncle Pete.” Jimmy turned around and Bobby was sitting on Donnie’s lap.

“Jimmy, what are you making for dinner?”

“It’s a surprise.”

Lunch was mostly leftovers supplemented with sandwiches. Jimmy started to prep for dinner and I wisely stayed away. Evie would ever once in a while check to make sure Jimmy had everything he needed, that was her excuse.

“Pete, you want to run over to Mom’s?”

“Evie, I don’t want to get into any confrontations. I feel very good about coming here and seeing you and the kids. I don’t want to spoil my mood or time getting into one of dad’s attitudes or mom’s standoffish.”

“They know you’re here and I’d expect they’d like to see you.”

“I’m not sure I’d agree with you.”

“Why don’t I call them and ask them to dinner tonight?” “

I’d be surprised if they came. But go ahead. I know the boys would like to see their new grandparents. To be honest, I’d like to see their reaction to the boys.”

When Evie went to call our folks, I went into he kitchen. “Jimmy, make plenty there will be two more for dinner tonight. Evie is going to invite my parents. They may not come, but at least if they do, we’ll be covered. Do you need more of anything, I could run to the store?”

“No, we’ll be okay. I planned on making more than we’d need. I thought the leftovers would make a good lunch. I can always add more pasta for lunch, if we need it. But I need something that only you can give me.” I knew what he wanted, I love looking into his eyes when I’m ready to give him a kiss. Now I don’t give him one of those touch and go kisses, I held that kiss for as long as I could.

“Pete” I broke our kiss. “Mom and dad said they’d come, I told them six for dinner, is that ok?”

“Yes, that’s ok, I’ll have dinner ready at that time.”

“Jimmy, have you thought about desserts?”

“Yes, I have that covered as well. In fact you can help me.” He gave me a bowl, a package of apples, peaches and strawberries. I was told to cut the fruit up into small cubes. He took an apple, peeled it and showed me the size of the cubes.

While I cut up the fruit, I wondered what kind of desert he was going to make. I knew it would be good, but I was curious. He just went ahead with his prep, I’d get a smile every once in a while. Alex came in to see what was happening, Jimmy put him to work doing dishes.

He started it, “I think that was Bobby calling me,I better go and see what he wants.”

“No one called him, he didn’t want to wash those pots and pans.”

“Don’t worry, he’ll volunteer to help clean up or he’ll not get any dessert.”

I wasn’t sure exactly how dinner would turn out that evening. I didn’t worry about the food but I was concerned about how Mom and Dad where going to react to Jimmy and the boys.

“Pete, if you could watch the sauce, I want to get a shower and dress for dinner.”

As I was stirring the sauce Evie came in, “Pete, why don’t you go and get dressed, I’ll watch Jimmy’s sauce.”

“Thanks Evie. It won’t take long.”

Jimmy was getting dressed when I hit the shower. A quick kiss and I went to take my shower. As soon as I left the bathroom, I called Bobby and Butch to get ready for dinner. Dressed, I came down stairs and found Mom and Dad sitting in the living room. They must have arrived while I was showering since I didn’t hear their car.

I went to give my mom a kiss on the cheek. I thought she was going to stand but she didn’t so I leaned over and kiss her cheek. She just smiled, a smile she used when she was being polite, not the kind of smile one would give a loved one. That kiss and reaction, set the mood for the night. I said hello to my dad and he shook my extended hand. Before I had a chance to say anything, Evie came in with a tray of canapés that Jimmy had prepared. She asked Dad if he wanted anything to drink, he took a beer, Mom asked for a glass of iced tea.

Just then the boys came downstairs followed by Alex. “Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet my sons Bobby and Butch.” Bobby and Butch respectfully said hello and waited for some sort of recognition. Mom and Dad looked at them and then gave them the smile, took a drink of their drinks and sat back. I looked at Evie then Alex rose to the challenge.

“Hi Grandmother, Grandfather, I have two new cousins.”

Mom and dad gave Alex a hug.

”Grandmother, don’t you want to hug Bobby and Butch, they are your grandsons as well?”

Leave it to that scamp, Mom and Dad became very uncomfortable, “Of course dear.”

I watched as Mom made an effort to hug Bobby, Butch looked at me and walked to the kitchen. As soon as Mom let go of Bobby, he joined Butch. I just looked at them, then Evie and I joined my family in the kitchen. I don’t know exactly what happened in the living room. I had two boys in my arms. “Jimmy, our family will eat here in the kitchen. I was hoping things changed but I guess they won’t.” Jimmy began to set the table for the four of us.

“Uncle Pete, aren’t you going to eat with us in the dining room?”

“No, Alex, I’ll not allow them to insult my kids. You go ahead and eat with them. We’ll be ok.”

Alex went into the living room and soon Evie was in the kitchen. “Pete, what’s going on?”

“Look Evie, you tried but they still don’t want anything to do with me or my family. I’ll not subject my kids to that kind of treatment. They have a had rough life without being treated rudely by them. You and your family can eat in the dining room, mine will eat here.”

I could see the hurt and anger in Evie’s eyes. “Come on boys ,let’s go outside.”

Jimmy looked at me, “Jimmy, go ahead and serve the dinner. When everything calms down, let us know and we’ll come back.”

The boys and I walked away from the house and headed down the street. Soon I heard, “Uncle Pete wait for me,” Alex was heading in our direction.

We stopped, when he caught up to us, “Where are you gong Uncle Pete?”

“We were going for a little walk before dinner. Why aren’t your back at the house eating dinner?”

“Aunt Evie and Uncle Don are talking to your mom and dad. I didn’t want to stay and hear what they were saying.”

As I glanced back at the house, I saw Donnie coming our way. We waited for him to catch up,

“Mom said for you to come back, Grandmother and Grandfather have left.”

“Well, boys I guess we can go back and have one of Jimmy’s dinners.”

When we got back, Jimmy was in the kitchen and as soon as he saw me he grabbed me into a hug and a kiss. Then he grabbed the boys and did the same thing. Alex asked hm where was his hug and kiss. Jimmy grabbed him, hugged him and kissed him. Bobby and Butch laughed at the funny faces Alex made when Jimmy kissed him. But I also saw a slight smile on Alex’s face.

Evie and Don came into the kitchen. She grabbed me and started to cry. “I’m so sorry Pete. I just don’t understand them. It wasn’t right the way they treated your kids.”

“It’s ok Evie. I really didn’t expect much. I just didn’t want my kids to feel rejected. They have been rejected enough in their lives. I was hoping for a grandparents love. I guess it was asking too much.”

“Evie dinner is ready. If we wait too long the food will be over cooked.”

That last comment started everyone into the dining room. Jimmy brought platters of food and set them in the middle of the table. Don looked, a big smile was on his face as the aroma of the food hit his nose. Alex not to be undone, “Let’s eat, this is too good to just look at it.”

Jimmy out did himself, dinner was beyond compare. “Jimmy this is delicious. I don’t think we’ll ever enjoy eating at another Italian restaurant. You’re a lucky man Pete.”