Free Down to Business (Business Series) by J.C. Alexander Page B

the kitchen, would ya? I wanna finish watching Jeopardy,” Uncle Tommy said, settling down into the reclining chair with a groan.
    I sat down on the sofa across from him and clamped my hands between my thighs, unsure of what to do. I looked over and watched Vinny open and close the cupboards in search of something.
    “Don’t you have real plates around here?” he asked.
    “No, only the styrofoam ones. I broke a dish and they took away all my dinnerware. Your Aunt Mare is rollin’ in her grave. Those were our good wedding china! The filthy sons of bitches. Your mother never shoulda put me in this prison. They treat me like a god damn infant. Excuse my language, Sweetheart.” He added, looking at me.
    “It’s okay.” I smiled and glanced over my shoulder at Vinny again. “Did you need help with anything?”
    “You want to set up those tray tables?” he said, pointing to the stack of TV trays in the corner. I was already up and moving before he finished his sentence. I set up Uncle Tommy’s tray first, then our two in front of the sofa.
    Vinny brought his uncle’s meatball sub to him, then he carried over two heaping plates of spaghetti with two meatballs and garlic bread for us.
    We settled into our spots before I picked up my plastic fork and rolled one of the meatballs to the side. Vinny looked over at me with lofted brows, as if to silently ask if I was doing okay. I smiled back at him and began turning some spaghetti on my fork.
    He grinned knowingly. “I knew you’d give in.”
    I laughed in response and bumped him with my elbow. “I couldn’t resist, it smells too good.”
    “The answer is Grand Teton Mountains!” Uncle Tommy shouted at the TV. “This guy is an idiot! Why do they always have morons on this show?”
    I bit down on my inner cheeks to keep myself from laughing. I could imagine Uncle Tommy and my grandmother watching Jeopardy together. It would feel like Monday night football, but with Alex Trebek.
    I carefully turned my first bite of spaghetti on my fork and lifted it, making sure it wasn’t going to catch my chin. It was a perfect spool. Carefully, I inserted it into my mouth and the flavors I had been craving made my taste buds explode in garlic and tomato happiness.
    “So, you two kids in love or what?”
    I half gasped and laughed at the question. In the process, I sucked a spaghetti noodle down my throat and started to choke.
    I blushed and coughed, covering my mouth with my hands, trying to get the noodle free.
    “No, we’re just friends Uncle Tommy.”
    I coughed a little harder, but it didn’t help.
    “Autumn, you okay?” Vinny asked with concern.
    My eyes watered and I nodded, coughing out an apology. Vinny’s palm met my back with a few firm pats and finally the evil spaghetti slid down my throat.
    “Thanks…” I rasped, overcome with humiliation.
    “Let me get you some water,” Vinny said, hopping up and hurrying to the kitchen.
    I heard a soft squeaking noise and looked over at Uncle Tommy to find him in complete hysterics. “Ah, Jesus Christ, I’m so sorry. Please excuse me, I find choking hysterical. It’s the look, yanno? Your face gets all red…” he reached to his neck and choked himself until his face turned crimson, sticking his tongue out for effect.
    I just stared at him, unsure if I should laugh or be offended.
    Vinny returned with my cup of water and glared. “Uncle Tommy, Jesus. Just eat your food and shut up.”He looked at me and frowned. “Sorry Autumn. I told you he’s a little nuts.”
    I looked back at Uncle Tommy who was still chortling in amusement and dabbing his eyes with his napkin. I couldn’t help but laugh a little. I’m sure I did look pretty funny.
    The rest of the meal went by without much incident, with me trying not to spill sauce on myself or choke to death, and Uncle Tommy criticizing the Jeopardy contestants along with almost every commercial that came on.
    After we finished eating, I cleaned up the plates while Vinny