STAND 31

“Howard you cannot do that” Lara says walking right behind him “he’s hurt and you’re just pushing him further down”
“He just needs to be reasonable! And he also needs to understand there’s nothing he can do or say that will make me change my mind now. Fuck! His stupid ultimatum! It’s the last time I respected it. From now on it’s gonna be the other way around. She’s coming along and if he feels uncomfortable I’ll get him a gift card at blockbuster so he won’t get too bored spending his nights home alone!”
“You have been friends for so long…”
“Don’t you think I know that? Do you have any suggestion? Because I’m lost”
“Give him time”
“And what am I supposed to do in the meantime?”
“Doug…”
He smiles faintly and takes her hand “come with me, I need to show you something”. They find a quiet spot, away from the crowd and the noise. He takes a little box out “open it”
She does it and looks at the two shining keys inside “Oh my god Doug…” and looks at him “this is so moving…”
“Are you making a pun La?” and he laughs
“May I remind you you’re already happily married and we have three beautiful children who very much need their mother?” Gary says pretending to be pissed. “Let me see it” and takes the box from his wife’s hand. “You’re asking her to move in with you? The crisis management class you took finally paid off! I bet Jay is gonna be head over hills! Did you come up with this brilliant idea all by yourself or your imaginary mental monkey friend suggested it?”
“Give it back Gaz! Don’t you have some photographer to suck up so they’ll work some photoshop magic to make you thinner and younger?” Howard mocks him.
“And let you hide in a dark corner with my woman? You must be drunk already! I’m happy for you but please let me break the news. I’ve heard of scourgers more tactful than you”
“Give it back Gaz” Howard commands
“I’m not done, a Miss Piggy key chain?” and laughs
“You don’t understand. You’re done though”
“No I’m not”
“Wanna bet?” and grabs his ear squeezing it
“Hurts, hurts, hurts”
“Keys”
“Take them” and places it on Howard’s palm. He lets go of him. “Doug where did you learn it? It’s bloody painful!”
“Titti taught me, she’s one cunning wimp”
Gary gently rubs his ear “so are you sure? This is a big step. I know someone…don’t quite remember his name… what was it honey? Harrison…Henry…”
“I think it was Howard babe” she says to her husband smiling.
“Right! Howard! Well this friend of ours would describe her as high maintenance… marriage, children, commitments of all sorts, grocery shopping and nights spent in front of the telly…” and smirks.
Howard smiles.
“Oh my god… this is so romantic, and all because of me! I’m a genius, a luuuvvvvvvv genius, the queen of matchmaking!” Lara whispers
Howard sees Maddi and Mark walking towards them and hides the keys in his pocket “Maddi’s approaching. Not a word. She would tell her in no time and I want it to be a surprise”
Maddi and Mark walk towards them. “So what’s up? You look guilty, what did you this time?” Mark says
“Nothing!” Gary says and Howard rolls his eyes mouthing ‘moron’.
“Too fast and too straight forward! Gary, what are you hiding from me?”
Maddi gives him a gentle squeeze so he adds “from us, I mean”
“Nothing, I swear”
“Why swearing if there’s nothing to hide?”
Lara starts laughing. Gary is the worst liar in the whole world and it will take Mark probably a couple of seconds to make him confess not only Howard’s plan but also his credit card pin number and the combination of the safe in the house. So she decides to change the topic “Maddi you’re glowing! Is there something you’re not telling us?” and raises her eyebrow.
Mark almost chokes on his drink “there’s nothing we’re not telling you” and feels very uncomfortable so it’s his turn to say “why don’t we reach the others and have something else to drink?”

I look towards the other end of the street and I see James coming our direction. I was so surprised when he accepted my invitation. I would have never guessed he’s a Star Wars fan too. Looking at him outside the office I must say he’s really cute. Not my type but still. Sam gets closer to me “is it him?”
“Yep”
“He’s short”
“So what? Nelle botti piccole ci sta il vino buono”
“I have no idea what you just said”
“The most precious wine is kept in the smallest barrels. Italian wisdom for you Mrs. Donald”
“If you say so” she whispers “so how come you’re dating my brother and not Mark?”
*smart* “because Maddi would kill me”
James stops in front of us, he looks smashing. It’s like all the dust covering him during the day has magically disappeared. He smiles at me and I introduce him to Sam.
I have her sitting between us so James will have to talk to her. I don’t think he needs any encouragement though, his eyes never cease to follow Sam’s every movement. We’re waiting for the movie to begin and there are lots of people wearing Jedi costumes or trying to give believable impressions of the different characters. That is the moment when James turns to us and he becomes C-3PO “Oh, yes, that's much better... Something's not right, because now I can't see. Oh, oh, yes, that's much better. Wait... wait. Oh, my. What have you done? I'm BACKWARDS. You flea-bitten furball. Only an overgrown mop-head like you would be stupid enough to...”
Sam looks at him and bursts into a fit of laughter and caresses her hair. *yes!* my brain is screaming! Loud, excessive laughter and hair stroking have one meaning only, she likes him. The lights in the theater go off, we can hear some last minute whispers and then the music fills the air.
I’m not really watching the movie, I sit back and think of Howard. And since it’s my family duty I also check on his sister. She’s not watching the movie either. I can hear her whispering to James and he laughs softly. It’s incredible how different he is when not at work. Their giggles become so loud the man sitting in front of us turns back and shushes them. As a result they giggle some more. I can feel the force running through my body. I rule! They look perfect together. Sam is such a free spirit, James is probably the one who can tame her.
When the first movie ends I look at them “I think I’m going back home. I’m really tired. I hope you don’t mind”
They both answer together “notatall”
I smile “I’ll see you tomorrow Sam. Have a nice evening James” and I leave the theatre. I check my watch, it’s only midnight. I don’t want to go back to an empty house so I start walking.

When I open the door to Howard’s house is almost 2. I place my keys on the little table by the door and I hear voices outside.
I walk by the window, I know it’s Sam and James. They are face to face. I smile at myself and at them, there’s nothing more precious than a first kiss. I take off my coat and tiptoe to the bedroom.

"It was nice” Sam says softly.
“Yes it was” he adds, “I don’t think there’s any chance I’ll ever forget the bearded man dressed up as princess Leia”. They both laugh for a split second and then silence stretches between them. James looks at her and circles her waist with one arm, getting so close their knees bumps into each other’s. His other hand runs through her hair, goose bumps on her skin. "I would like to see you again” he says, the look on his face is intense and warm. She nods and a mischievous spark lights in his hazel eyes. "Sweet dreams Sam"His lips are smooth, and warm; his kiss hesitant at first. When he brushes his tongue against Sam’s teeth their kiss turns into something demanding, provoking, and forceful. Sam almost forgets to breathe. His grip around her waist tightens, their kiss deepens. She plunges her hands into his brown hair, moaning through the kiss.
Their eyes lock “I’ll call you tomorrow” he says. “I’ll be waiting by the phone” she answers.

I close the door of our bedroom behind me. It’s pitch dark. I get undressed and slide under the duvet snuggling against Howard.
After a couple of minutes he mumbles “Cold feet”.
“Were you pretending to be asleep?” I tease him
“Stay away from me, you make me shiver”
I giggle “I thought it was supposed to be a good thing” and I intertwine my legs into his.
He hugs me in the dark “you’re always so cold. Are we positive you’re not some kind of new alien breed trying to take over planet earth?”
“Who knows? I thought ‘dangerous’ was your middle name Mr. Bond” and I kiss him deeply.
He breaks our kiss “I’m sorry to inform you we no longer offer our shagging menu at this time of the night” and laughs softly, his sexy little laugh that makes my heart stop every time.
I lick his lips, sliding my tongue into his mouth “that is so unfortunate…could you make an exception? I’m one of your most dedicate customers…” I whisper.
“I get it” and he sighs “as usual, I’m expected to do all the work around here” and rolls on top of me. “Are you naked already?” he asks me surprised.
“Though I could save some time” I tease him.

I open my eyes feeling a strong pressure over my chest. I rub my forehead and I find it difficult to breath. My mind takes a few moments to realize where I am and what’s wrong. Something is pressing against my lungs and I cannot move. I stretch my neck to see what’s going on and it’s Howard, sound asleep, his body almost curled over mine, his arms stretched and his head on the mattress. *how can you sleep? It must the most uncomfortable position ever. And then I will have to hear him complaining about his back pain*. I try to move him but he mumbles some incoherent word and intertwines his legs with mine. *we’re becoming a bloody freak show, it will take me forever to free myself*
“Howard” I call him. Nothing. “Howard” I repeat. Still nothing so I start tickling him. An amused expression appears on his face. He tries not to laugh and keeps his eyes shut “stop it immediately or there will be consequences” he warns me with his husky voice.
“Can’t breath…” as a result he literally rolls over me “Howard…god you’re squashing me”
He cups my face and smile “morning love”
“Morning to you too” and we kiss. “Could you now get off me?”
“If I recall correctly you were not complaining last night” and gently bites his way along my neck.
I giggle “I was just being polite”
“REALLY?” and start tickling me
I try to kick him “STOP IT! I MEAN IT! CAN’T STAND IT!” and I laugh out loud “HOWARD I SWEAR! IF YOU DON’T STOP I’LL NEVER GIVE YOU ANOTHER ...” but he places a hand on my mouth “shushhhhhh…my sister…”
I snort, “your sister?” I whisper “what do you think? I bet she...”
He shouts me up with another kiss “some things are better left unsaid love”.
I raise my eyebrow “you are delusional but I forgive you if you bring me breakfast in bed”
He buries his face between my breasts “just a minute…”
I run my fingers through his hair “I’m starving…I had no dinner last night…please…”
He looks at me, his chin resting on my chest “so, let me get this straight. If I go downstairs and fix you the best breakfast you have ever had, does it mean I get to play afterwards?”
“If my breakfast is really really good…”
“It will be”
“With pancakes”
“Deal!”
“And orange juice, fresh orange juice”
He smiles and plants a wet kiss on my belly and gets off the bed. I look at him heading to the door “you might want to put something on before going into the kitchen love…what if your precious sister has never seen a naked man?”
He smacks his forehead “I knew I was forgetting something” and throws a pillow at me “smarty pants!”


Howard is making coffee when Sam enters the kitchen. “Morning big brother! Isn’t life wonderful?” and kisses him on the cheek.
He looks at her and smiles “yes it is. Making pancakes, would you like some?”
“Chocolate chip?”
“Your favorite”
“Yes please” and hands him a plate. “And tell Titti I bought her a t-shirt last night. We had a blast”
Howard places two pancakes on her plate “coffee too?”
“Thanks” and kiss him again
“You need to tell me what the two of you did last night… you are both in an excellent mood. Should I be worried?”
Sam giggles “you tell me…”
“What do you mean?” he asks, his back to his sister, placing the little box with the keys on the tray.
“She left after the first movie, she said she was tired but it was painfully clear she couldn’t be away from you another minute”
He drops the cup he was holding and turns around “what did you just say?”
The sound of the glass smashing against the floor makes her jump. “She left at midnight. She came here to you…” and from the look on his brother’s face understands something is really really wrong “didn’t she?”
“And I’m down here making her breakfast!” gets the tray and throws it against the wall. The plate and the glass smash against it breaking into million pieces. Orange juice drips on the light blue painting.
“Howard what…”
“She came back at 2! At 2! If she wasn’t with you, who was she with?”
“Shit” she hisses “I’m sure there’s a good explanation…”
“Yes, there is. I’m a fucking moron!” and storms out of the kitchen and runs up the stairs jumping two steps at the time.
“TITTI! TITTI!” he yells
I’m cuddling under the duvet, enjoying such a quiet morning when I hear him. I sit on the bed trying to understand what is going on when he slams the door open. He’s furious. He’s standing by the frame door, his hands on both sides of it. He’s so tall he almost covers my entire view.
“I WANT YOU OUT OF HERE! NOW!”
“What?” and I tuck my hair behind my hair.
“YOU HEARD ME! OUT!” and takes the duvet off the bed tossing it to the other side of the room. Looks at me and throws me the clothes I was wearing the day before. He’s breathing deep “now you get dressed, collect your shit and I want you out of my house and my life in less than 5 minutes”
“I’m not going anywhere if you don’t tell me what’s going on!”