The welcome home party for my brother became more of a family reunion, with cousins from New York popping in and my mom inviting some of her relatives from Italy. My father didn’t like a lot of people at our estate, but he couldn’t argue with my mom when she wanted something.
Cora stood off with a few of her coworkers and Anissa, laughing with the kids near the pool. Vincenzo stood with some chick he’d invited who wasn’t his girlfriend but friends with one of our mom’s close friends.
My mom came up to me. “How long are you going to stand in the same place?”
“Just scoping out the scene.”
“Why don’t I believe you? You look like someone who doesn"t trust large groups and wants to protect his family.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because your father is the same way,” she said, pointing to
