Mangino was standing at the kitchen counter when the doorbell rang. “Coming,” she yelled as she was walking to the door. She continued, “Wesley, get off your computer, we have company,”
“Ok,” he said.
Kate opened the door, “Hi, Jim,” she said with a big smile. “Did you have trouble finding the place?”
“No, it was easy. Wow, this is a nice place.”
“Yeah. It’s not big, but it’s clean. I can’t believe California real estate, it’s so expensive.”
“What did this cost? Was it a million dollars?”
“A million two, she said humbly.”
“Well, they must pay you more than they pay me.”
“I got the money from my husband’s life insurance policy.”
“Oh, yeah,” he hesitated, “I’m sorry.”
\
“No, it’s alright. Come on in. Let me show you the kitchen and the back porch. You know, where you’ll be cooking the food.” She smiled.
The kitchen was immaculate. It had white marble countertops and high ceilings. It was spacious and felt even larger because of the high ceilings. “I just took the chicken out of the fridge. It’s been marinating all night.”
Finally, Wesley walked into the room. “Hi,” he said, eager to meet his new e-gamer friend.
“Hi,” said Chanello. Jim walked up to him and shook his hand.
Kate said, “Jim, this is my son Wesley. Wesley, this is my partner, Jim Chanello.”
“Hi, nice to meet you,” said Wesley.
“You, too,” said Chanello. He continued, “are you ready to have some fun today?”
“Yeah.”
“Why don’t you guys go heat up the grill and I’ll bring the chicken out,” said Kate.
Wesley walked out of the double glass door and Jim followed him. Kate was standing at the counter watching Wesley and Jim talking. They seemed to be enjoying themselves. Eventually she brought the chicken out and explained to the guys that she was going back in to prepare the garam masala sauce, a popular Indian dish that she loved.
During lunch, everyone seemed to enjoy the food and conversation. Chanello asked Wesley if he had a girlfriend. He said no, but there were a lot of pretty girls at school and one he liked a little. Jim told Wesley to always be nice.
After lunch, Kate, Wesley, and Jim piled everything next to the kitchen sink to be cleaned later. Then, they got in Jim’s truck and went to the park. They played basketball, threw a football and a baseball, and had fun. At the end of the afternoon, they went to an ice cream stand. She knew Wesley was excited. This was the part of the day he had been waiting for. It was time to go play e-games. Kate was proud of Wesley. At home, she thought he might press the issue, but he remained patient throughout the day.
When they got home, Chanello and Wesley went to the living room to play e-games, while Mangino went out to the deck to clean the grill. She came back in to watch them play. Chanello was obviously very good, and she could tell Wesley was getting frustrated. After he smacked the controller she just looked at him. His eyes had those same burning candles in them. “No Wesley,” she said forcefully. At the same time Chanello screeched with pain and dropped his controller! “My hand got this severe pain, like when a bee stings you!”
“I’ll get some ice,” Mangino said.
"It's alight. I don't need any. It wasn't a real sting." After about ten minutes Chanello felt better and Mangino went back into the kitchen. The guys quickly blew off what had just happened and were laughing and having fun. They kept congratulating each other and saying, “good shot.” Mangino’s nerves were shot however, and she kept knocking things over when grabbing them as she cleaned up. She didn’t fully understand what was going on with Wesley.
"It's like there is some supernatural force around him," she thoughht.
After she finished cleaning up the kitchen, she walked into the living room. The had just finished playing and she absolutely loved the look on Wesley’s face. He simply looked at peace. It was a look she hadn’t seen in a long time, probably since his father was still around. Chanello probably let him win after what had just transpired. They finished their drinks and engaged in small talk for fifteen minutes. All good things must come to an end, though, and Jim Chanello had to leave. Wesley had gone into his room and Kate walked Jim to the door. When they were saying goodbye, Jim stuck out his hand for a handshake. Kate responded, but was a little disappointed. She really wouldn’t have minded a hug or even….a kiss. But it was a great day and who knew where it would lead in the future.