Upon arriving at the house, and getting settled in. Tony and Kerry are changing clothes, to get more comfortable. Post changing, Kerry checks her phone decides to check in with their dog sitter Stacey. She's elated to know Josie is doing well. And Stacey advises Josie is enjoying her play time with Stacey's dog. She took them both to the doggy spa earlier in the day, and they will be going to the beach tomorrow. An image that makes Kerry grin with delight.
Kerry thanks her again for watching Josie. And when the call ends, Stacey sends her some pics of Josie and Stacey's dog bandit, dressed in turkey and pilgrim costumes. Which makes her chuckle so loud, Tony asks, "What's so funny lady?"
After she catches her breath, she says, "Look babe. Isn't this the cutest?" He peers down at the phone and agrees instantly. As he replies, "Yeah, that is pretty cute. Josie is having a blast it seems." She nods as she responds, "Yes. It appears to be the case. I'm glad she's having a good time. I feel bad not being able to bring her."
He rubs her back as she leans against him, as he says, "I know love. But, you know it's for the best. With your aunt's allergies to dogs and Josie's anxiety with flying. It was best she stay at home. At least she's being taken care of and having fun though."
She nods as she says, "I know you're right. I just can't wait to get back to her. You know?" He kisses her on the forehead as he replies, "Agreed. I miss her too." She looks up at him sweetly, adoring his response, and they share a sweet kiss. Which is interrupted by his phone vibrating.
They both take a breath, as the kiss breaks. Not liking the interruption. He looks at his phone and realizes he has some missed calls. She notices his expression, and asks, "What's wrong babe?"
He replies, "I have a few missed calls." She replies, "Yeah I had a few too. I saw Judy called, but she texted and said no rush for a call back. Any calls from the family? Or is it business?"
He sighs as he replies, "Looks like Jane and Harvey called." She sighs as she asks, "Do you want to call him back?" He hears the strain in her voice, and looks at her as he says,"Yes. But not right now. Let's finish hanging out with the family. That cobbler has got my name on it."
She smiles at him, loving his response. They share another kiss, and proceed to their family duties. But as they leave the room, he asks, "Why didn't you ask me if I wanted to call Jane back?" She giggles as she replies, "Is that a trick question? When do you ever want to call her back?"
He smiles at her as he says, "Point well taken my love." She nods as she replies, "Thank you. Besides, if she was worthy of a call back you'd know. Because Liz or the girls would've called too by now." He agrees as he adds, "That's true, Liz did call earlier. But she was just checking in on her way to the house."
Understanding there was no rush to call anybody back, they put Isa to bed. And they join the other adults sitting in the living room eating pie and drinking coffee before bed.
Between bites of pie, curiously, Michelle asks a question that's been on her mind since they left the rink. As she refills Kerry's cup of coffee, she asks, "So Kerry, what do you think is going to happen since you both were spotted tonight?" You could hear a rat pee on cotton. But Kerry doesn't hesitate as she replies, "I think a few people will talk about what they think they saw, and in a New York minute be on to something else, like preparing to go shopping tomorrow on black Friday."
Everyone chuckles, as Valerie nods in agreement saying, "Great point sweetie." Everyone agrees with the sentiment. New Yorkers' have a rather short attention span in general. Plus, seeing celebs out and about is nothing new. There's always some notable person walking the streets.
The group conversation lasts a tad bit longer, with them discussing tomorrow's traditional festivities. It's tradition for the ladies to go out black Friday shopping, and the men to cook brunch for their return, as well as assist with putting up the Christmas Tree. With a solid schedule and menu in place, they play a few hands of spades and then call it a night.
With it now being about 11:30pm eastern time; Tony opts to give his family a call to check on their holiday. With his lady love cuddled up next to him, as they lye in bed; they call Liz's phone. She answers as she says, "Well hello brother dear. So nice of you to call back, albeit later than when i called you."
He smiles as he responds, "Sorry sis. We were hanging out with the family, and i didn't have my phone. I noticed your text though, and it said not an emergency."
She smiles as she replies, "True. But I had to bust your chops anyway. Where's my girl?" Kerry grins as she responds, "I'm here lady. How are you?" Liz grins too as she replies, "I'm doing quite well, and feeling pretty good." It's then they both realize the holiday cocktails are flowing. They smile in unison and look at each other, loving how calm and cool she sounds.
He asks, "How's dad? It sounds quiet where you are. Are you still at the house?" She replies, "Yes I'm still at the house. I'm just upstairs changing clothes; we are about to play board games. Dad's doing well. He's had a great day today. His feisty demeanor is in rare form, let me tell you, and I love it."
Tony's curiosity is peaked, so he asks, "What happened for that to come out?" Liz could kick herself. She promised to keep this quiet. But, there's no getting around it now. The silence makes Tony ask, "Are you there sis?" She replies, "Yeah i'm here. I just realized i just put my foot in my mouth." Kerry adds, "Well, you'd might as well spill it now."
She agrees, as she says, "Okay. Promise me you won't get mad and won't don't freak out." Not liking the sound of what they both heard, but knowing they have to agree in order to hear what's going on. They bite the bullet, as Tony replies, "Okay. Not freaking out and so far, we are not mad. What's going on?"
She takes a breath as she explains, "Jane came over earlier today to see dad and visit with the family. And, things were surprisingly calm and cool. She seemed relaxed and for a minute, it seemed like a good visit." They wait with baited breath, as she continues.
"Until she made a remark about Kerry selfishly taking you away from the family during the holidays, especially while dad's health is in question."
Both Tony and Kerry share a look as Tony says, "What? You can't be serious." She replies, "I am as serious as a heart attack brother. I couldn't believe she did that in front of dad myself. Mind you it was only her and him in the room at the time. And I guess she thought he was too feeble to respond. But, she couldn't have been more wrong."
Tony's tone flares a bit as he replies, "She's gone way too far with this shit! Putting dad in a position to respond to such insensitive remarks is unacceptable. Why didn't you call me Liz?" She sighs as she responds, "Call you for what? What exactly could you have done to make a difference in what she did?"
He is about to respond. But Kerry touches his chest, and he looks at her as she calmly responds, "She's right T. There was nothing you or anybody else could've done to stop her. She made the remark thinking she'd go unchecked. And from where i think this is going, she got the shock of her life, when things turned out differently. Am I right Liz?"
"She replies, "Yes. You're absolutely right Ker. Brother you know if i thought calling you was necessary. I would've done it. But it wasn't. Because first, dad swore me and the girls to secrecy. And, to be fair. He shut her down so well. I don't think either of us could've done any better." He hears her, and relaxes for a moment, understanding it was handled. Kerry sees him in thought, and takes advantage of the pause, as she asks, "So what did he say?"
Liz responds, "he plainly told her that while he appreciates her concern for his health, and her stopping by. She needs to know that both of you had his blessing, to be in NYC. And her selfishly criticizing you two will not be tolerated at all, especially not in his presence. So he suggested she get over herself, and either keep her negative comments to her self, or leave. It's her choice. But she's not going to ruin the holiday cheer we're all experiencing by being spiteful and rude."
Kerry had to admit, she appreciated her father in laws check mate play, indeed. As she says, "Well damn, he left no stone unturned with that read. Did he?" Liz grins as she responds, "Right. He let her know her bullshit isn't welcome. I only wish the girls hadn't witnessed any of it."