Free Everything You Need by Melissa Blue

but a woman who might have barely reached Brice’s chin
came was the only one to move forward.
    “You came. Your father was so dour when he came home
last night, I’d thought you’d said no. You know he thinks I’m so
fragile.” She took Brice’s face in her hands. “You’re just as
handsome as I remembered.”
    “You saw me last week.” He smiled at the woman.
    “Your brother and sisters come by every day. Wanting
this, needing that.” She sighed but laid a kiss on his cheek. “It’s
like they are toddlers again.” She patted the same spot she kissed
and finally let him go.
    A smile blossomed on her face when she turned to
Hazel. “You must be the Hazel I’m hearing about. I kept thinking
they were talking about an eye color. She’s so beautiful, so
unique, yada, yada—that’s all I hear about this Hazel. Tony is half
in love with you already.” She put her hand out. “Brice had better
watch it.”
    Hazel took the surprisingly strong hand in hers and
let Brice’s mother pull her closer in a hug that smelled of flour
and basil.
    Hazel took a deep breath and had to bite her lip to
keep the tears at bay. No way in hell could she have stayed away
from this type of mother. Family be damned. The hug lasted way too
short a time for her liking, but she had to let go, finally.
    “I’m Alessandra, but you can call me Alessandra.”
    Hazel laughed. “Is there anything I can do?”
    “Yes, have some wine. I’m sure Brice won’t object.”
Alessandra raised her brows at her son.
    “I’ll leave you with the women folk. I’m sure by the
time they’re done they will have your Social Security number and,
if you don’t hold tight to your glass of wine, your
fingerprints.”
    Brice kissed the top of her forehead and made his way
back out into the mayhem in the living room. Hazel held tight to
her glass and took a liberal sip from it. “Not bad.”
    Alessandra smiled at her. “Nothing but the best in
this family. You’ll learn quickly. Now sit and enjoy.”
    Hazel did as she was asked, keeping her glass of wine
in sight the whole time.
    *****
    Brice didn’t breath easily again until they sat down
at the big table. Most of his relatives had left after pinning
money to Maria, and only the immediate family was left for the
second dinner.
    Hazel leaned against him. What he had expected to be
a few hours’ venture with his family had turned into an all-day
event. Being grilled most of it left him bone tired. No telling
what wringer they had put Hazel through, so he reached for her hand
under the table, and with the other reached for his glass of water.
He wished it was wine, but he had no intentions of being stuck on
the mainland for even one night.
    “Hazel,” his father began, “Hazel, I’m not sure if
you know this, but my son here has neglected to bring any girl home
for a long time.”
    “It’s a little intimidating to meet all of you,
especially during dinner. I’m wondering if I have basil stuck in my
teeth.”
    His father nodded. “Good point. You seem like a very
nice girl. Someone my son wouldn’t normally be interested in.” His
big fist covered the stem of a glass of wine and he turned his gaze
to Brice. “I saw Carmen the other day.”
    Brice let go of her hand in fear he’d crush it. The
sound of utensils scraping against plates quieted. Brice didn’t
take his eyes off his father. He knew what Pops was doing,
reminding him of past mistakes, but why?
    “How is she doing?” He kept his tone even.
    “She’s finally got her life together again. She asked
about you.”
    “Don’t, Joseph.” The steel in his mother’s voice
would normally have stopped whatever silent argument lay between
the two men. But even the air felt different as his father shook
his head and Brice knew this time it would be different.
    “Good to hear she’s doing well.”
    “I mentioned you still hadn’t joined the family
business.”
    “I’m starting my own. I hope you mentioned that,
too.”
    Pops