Just a Little Sequel by Tracie Puckett Page A

I honestly expected to find dozens of trays filled with his special-recipe appetizers. Most of the food readily available looked like it’d been picked up from the local deli and dumped haphazardly in place. I eyed my cousin as he stood in the corner, blowing up pink balloon after pink balloon. I considered pointing out that there was probably no need to overdo the decorations for such a small affair, but he was keeping his hands busy, and that seemed to be a good thing.
    Charlie came downstairs shortly after Luke and I arrived, and he only nodded once in acknowledgment to both of us.
    The next hour was uncomfortable for so many reasons, and I didn’t really know how to handle my discomfort. Charlie had put together quite a few baby games, and he seemed really chipper about being the big party host. Each time Luke or I cheered because of a correct answer on a quiz or even made our presence known, Charlie would watch us with a distasteful look from the corner of his eye.
    Derek was pleased with everything Charlie and Matt had done to celebrate Zoey’s arrival; he opened each of the gifts with a smile, thanked everyone for their thoughtfulness, and after another hour, he and Zoey went home for some much needed rest. Rebecca and Molly left shortly thereafter. Then Lonnie and Grace. And then Bruno. That just left me and Luke… all alone with Charlie and Matt.
    After a while, no matter how kind and inviting Matt was, it just became too unbearable to stay in the house for another second. Charlie wouldn’t even stay in the same room as us, and I started to feel that we’d long overstayed our welcome.
    “You know,” I said, ten minutes after everyone had left, “maybe we should go.”
    Matt looked up and nodded as if he felt that would probably be best, and Luke and I stood in unison. I walked toward the kitchen, leaving Matt and Luke alone, and stuck my head inside.
    Charlie was standing at the sink, staring out the window into the backyard. He didn’t look up, didn’t flinch. It didn’t seem as if he’d even heard me.
    I took a step into the room and leaned against the doorframe. “I just wanted to say thanks for everything today. We had a great time, and I think Derek really appreciated everything you did for him and Zoey.” Charlie kept silent. “I think Luke and I are going to hit the road now. So…”
    I stood and watched my uncle, still as a marble statue. If he hadn’t taken a sip from his coffee cup a moment later, I would’ve assumed he was paralyzed.
    “I’m sorry,” I finally said, and this time he jumped a little. He must’ve thought that I’d left because I seemed to have taken him by surprise with my apology. I expected to keep talking to his back because he showed no will to face me, but after a minute he finally looked over his shoulder and turned around to meet my stare. His red eyes were sunken a little, and I could see that he’d shed a few tears since he’d excused himself from the living room a little earlier.
    “I didn’t want things to be like this,” I let my gaze fall to the floor. I couldn’t look him in the eye; it was just too much. “I’m really sorry for the things I said, Charlie. It was out of line, and I should’ve never been so cold.” I thought of explaining myself and making a million excuses. You refused to give Luke your blessing. You hurt him. You broke my heart. You’re manipulative and controlling, and I just wanted you to back off for once! Saying those things, no matter how true, would only hurt him more. So I just nodded and looked up again, “I hope that you can forgive me. I really… I just wanted—”
    “I know,” he said, and his voice was raspy and little shaken.
    Again, I nodded.
    “Maybe we can get together soon,” I said. “I’d really like to take you over to the house and show you the place. You’re welcome any time.—”
    “I know.”
    “And Luke,” I swallowed a little harder than before, “he’d love to show you all the things