came over for breakfast. Later, the kids watched TV while the adults played cards. It was just the kind of day Marisa needed. A time to spend with her family, to relax and have a good time with the people she loved most.
They discussed names for the new baby. It started out as a serious discussion and they suggested names like John and Mary. Eventually, as they tried to top each other, they were tossing out names like Heathcliffe and Hildegarde. It felt good to laugh.
They ordered pizza for lunch, and then went out for ice cream.
Back at home, Barbara put Danny down for a nap. Mike Junior and Nikki went to play on the computer. Mindy went into the bedroom to play with her Barbies. When the kids were all settled in other rooms, the questions started.
"So," her father asked, "what does Grigori do for a living?"
"He's a magician."
"A magician!" her mother exclaimed. "Really? I've never known a magician."
"Does he do children's parties?" Barbara asked.
"I don't think so."
"I've never heard of him," Mike remarked. "Does he use a stage name?"
"I don't know."
"You don't?"
Marisa shrugged. "I just assumed he used his own name. He hasn't been in this country very long. He's from Italy."
"You're not moving to Italy, are you?" Marge asked.
"No. Well, I don't think so. We never discussed it."
"I thought he'd be coming by today," Mike said.
"He had some last-minute errands of his own to run."
"I think he's pretty," Nikki said. She sat on the arm of the sofa beside Marisa. "Is he really a magician? Would he do some tricks for us?"
"I don't know, sweetie; you'll have to ask him. I thought you were playing "Doom" with Mike."
"He's hogging the computer. Is Grigori coming over later? I like him."
"Me too."
"You're not going to quit your job, are you?"
"No, Dad, why?"
"Well..."
"Well, what?"
"Well, can he support you? I mean, he doesn't seem to be working."
"He's got money, Dad. He just bought a big old house up in the hills. And who do you think bought my car? I certainly couldn't afford it. Not on my salary."
"I don't mean to upset you, honey, but you haven't known this guy very long. He seems nice enough, but there's something about him. I don't know what it is. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I think you ought to hang on to your job until... well, you know."
"Jack, Marty's a big girl now," Marge said. "She knows what she's doing."
"Thanks, Mom."
"You're welcome, Marty." Marge toyed with her necklace a moment. "Still, your Dad makes good sense."
"He always has," Marisa said. "I'm gonna get a Coke."
"Can I have one?" Nikki asked.
"Sure, sweetie."
Marisa went into the kitchen and pressed her forehead against the refrigerator door. She couldn't blame her parents for worrying about her. She had doubts, too. Marriage was a big step. She didn't want to be one of those women who changed husbands as often as they changed their shoes. She wanted it to be forever.
"Forever," she muttered. That was funny. Grigori really could give her forever, if she wanted it.
"You okay?"
Marisa straightened up and opened the door to the fridge. "I'm fine, Mike." She pulled out two cans of Coke. "Do you want anything?"
"No. Don't let Dad get to ya. He's just, you know, being a dad."
"I know." She closed the door, and then turned to face her brother. "It's all right."
"Well, you looked a little upset."
Marisa shook her head. "I'm not, really."
"Dad's right about one thing, though. You haven't known Grigori very long. Why the sudden rush to get married? I mean, you've waited this long."
"Not you, too!"
"Hey, I'm not criticizing, I'm just asking."
"I love him and I want to marry him. Why is that so hard to believe? Just because it took you and Barb two years to decide to get married doesn't mean it has to take me that long, too. Mom and Dad knew each other less than a year when they got married."
"I know, but - " Mike placed his hands on her shoulders. "Dad's right about something else, too. There is something strange about Grigori. He's different somehow."
"Mike, just drop it, okay? I know what I'm doing."
He squeezed her shoulders. "I know you do. We just love you, sis, that's all."
"I know." Their love was like a blanket, usually warm and welcome, but sometimes it smothered her.
Grigori arrived at sundown. Marisa was in the kitchen with her mother and Barbara, trying to decide what to do about dinner, when the