| Chapter 17: Getting Through Howie walked into his house. He had just gotten back from lunch with Celia again. He was happy that Celia understood, and had become good friends. They went to lunch, dinner, checked out a Latin Music Festival at the Hard Rock Café, and even went to a Florida Marlins baseball game. He was just happy to spend time with someone without any pressure. Sure, the crew would always be his best friends and family, but he felt as if they were always looking out for him, being careful of what to say. He didn’t want to be babied. He wanted to be the same Howie in which people could go to him about their problems. He was going to go meet the rest of the crew to prepare for Laura and Kevin’s wedding present later that night, as they were all hosting their families who were coming in for the wedding from out of state. Being honest with himself, up until now he didn’t really want to go to the wedding. Seeing Kevin and Laura prepare for the rest of their lives was something he wanted with Veronica, but he lost that chance. But lately, he saw the happiness in Kevin’s face and didn’t have contempt, but rather happiness for him. He hadn’t felt this free in a long time. He heard the phone ring and answered it. “Hello?” “Hey Howie.” “Hey Celia. What’s up?” “I know that I just saw you, but there was one question that I forgot to ask you.” “Shoot.” “Where is Laura registered? I completely forgot about the shower tomorrow and I was heading to the mall anyway to get an outfit for the wedding.” “I think at Macys. I heard she was looking in dinnerware especially.” “OK, thanks. I was going there for a dress anyway.” “No problem.” “Bye.” “Bye.” Howie hung up the phone and headed to the shower. ~*~ Howie walked inside as everyone else was talking. “Hey everyone,” he greeted them. “Hey D. What up?” Nick waved. “Nothing much. How’s the family reunions going?” “OK,” said Bianca. “It’s nice to see everyone.” “Yeah, but it’s kinda hard when your mother inspects the dust in every single crack of the house,” Elizabeth laughed. “My mom yelled at me for keeping the toilet seat up,” pouted Brian. Howie laughed as he noticed Lauralee quiet in the corner. “What about you Lau?” She shrugged her shoulders. “Family is family.” Alex gave Howie a look that said, Don’t go there, and he nodded. He probably thought it was hard for her with a guy she didn’t like in her house. “So, let’s get started,” Alex smiled. “We only got two days left.” “Did you work it out with everyone?” Howie asked. “Yup, everything’s set. I called Freddie a couple of days ago and sent him the stuff. He’s gotten everyone together and they’re coming tonight to work out the details,” Lauralee said. “Speaking of which,” she nodded towards Freddie. They all walked over to Freddie and greeted him and the rest of his group. “All we need is to set up and we’re set,” Freddie said. “OK, here we go,” Howie sighed. ~*~ A few hours later, Howie came in exhausted, but happy. The wedding present was all but done. He checked his answering machine. “Hey Howie, its Celia. Just checking in. Call me later.” Checking in? Howie thought. He dialed Celia’s number. “Hello?” “Hey Celia.” “Hey Howie.” “What’s up? You called?” “Oh no big deal. I just wanted to see how your night was.” “Oh. Well, it was nice. We got the wedding present done.” “That’s great. I got Laura and Kevin a place setting. You think that’s enough?” “Plenty. Laura just wants everyone to show up,” Howie laughed. “I also got a new dress for the wedding. I got something light, cause Laura told me the colors.” “OK,” Howie said. Her tone sounded weird. “You OK?” “Yeah I’m fine. I just feel weird about going to this wedding by myself. Laura said I could bring a guest, but…” “Yeah I know, me too. But I’ll tell you what. I promise you a dance at the reception OK?” “OK. Well, I gotta head to bed. Good night.” “Bye.” Howie hung up the phone. “OK what was the point of that conversation?” He shook his head as he headed to the bedroom. ~*~ Lauralee and Alex walked inside the house seeing Catherine and Ursula, Alex’s grandmother, playing cards in the living room. “Hey ladies, whatcha doin’?” Alex asked as he sat on the couch. “Playing cards,” Ursula fanned out her cards. “Bridge?” Lauralee asked. “Nope,” Catherine put her cards on the table. “Straight flush!” Ursula threw her cards down on the table. “Not again!” “I guess not,” Alex smiled. “Gram, you gotta stop hanging around AC,” Lauralee laughed. “Practice makes perfect,” Catherine shuffled the deck. “Another round Ursula?” Ursula shook her head. “Forget it! I’m broke! Actually I should get back home. I’ll see you all tomorrow.” She gave everyone a kiss and left. “So you cleaned my grandmother out, huh Catherine?” Alex laughed. “I can’t help it if I’m good at poker,” Catherine winked. “So how did everything go?” “Perfect. Looks like they’re gonna be really surprised,” Lauralee said. “Hello!” Sandy called as they turned around. “Hey,” Lauralee saw Charlene, Dominic, Jerry and Sandy walking into the living room. “Where did y’all head to?” “We went to Planet Hollywood.” Dominic said as he picked up Angel. “It was so awesome. I never knew there was a restaurant that looked like the Earth.” “And I bought my nieces a ton of T-shirts,” Jerry held up his Planet Hollywood bag. “They’ll be happy to know I saw the outfit Leo wore in Titanic.” Sandy yawned. “Well, I’m hitting the sheets. What about everyone else?” “Me too, if we’re gonna get this house ready by 3 for the shower,” Catherine stretched her arms. “We’re heading to bed too,” Charlene put her hand on Dominic’s shoulder. “Aw, come on Mom! Can’t I stay up for a little while?” Dominic whined. “No, it’s bedtime. You gotta get ready to go out with Alex and Jerry tomorrow.” “OK,” Dominic sighed as the rest of them went upstairs. Lauralee listened as the last door closed. “Two nights down, three more to go.” She flopped on the couch. Alex sat down next to her and put his arm around her shoulder. “You’re doing great honey.” “I’m trying, for you, Laura and Kevin.” “And I thank you for it. Maybe you’ll get a reward for it later.” Lauralee turned to him. “Such as?” Alex shook his head and smiled. “Uh-uh. You have to wait like a good girl.” “OK, but you got me curious.” “All in good time Lau. Hey, how about a Jacuzzi?” “Heaven,” Lauralee followed him to the backyard. Chapter 18 Contents Chapter 16 |