The Gilmore-Grey Union

By Michael Weyer

POV: Peter

I remember a while ago complaining to Amy and Mom about how often they seemed to cut me out of the loop on things. From Amy's divorce to Vincent leaving town to that whole stalker business, I always seem the last to know about things in this family.

Now I'm wishing they'd kept that up.

I was on my lunch break when Amy called and gave me the news. It was good she caught me at the beginning as it gave me an hour to calm down and try to sort things through. I cannot believe Vincent could do this. I always knew he was irresponsible but this is taking it to a whole new level.

I could excuse the first marriage, he was in love with the woman and was afraid of losing her to cancer. I get it, it's even noble in a way. I do wish he'd given us all some warning first but Vincent always did things his way.

But this…marrying a girl while drunk….I just can't believe he'd do something this idiotic.

I've been mulling it over before making the call. I know he's already had an earful from Amy and Mom, which should be more than enough. But in a situation like this, I think a brotherly talk is more than called for.

"Hello?"

"Vincent, it's Peter."

I hear him sigh. "I assume you've heard."

"Yeah, I have."

"Listen, Peter, if this is another ass-chewing, save it. I've got the first licks from Amy and Mom and I'm sure they're sharpening the knives for when I get back. I want to enjoy my days as a whole man while I can."

"Vincent…look…I'm having a hard time dealing with this."

"That makes two of us."

"Look, Vincent, I know we've had our problems but you're still my brother and I still love you. I actually pretty much have to. So I just want to make sure you can…handle this."

"I don't know how we're handling it yet, Peter. Rory's upstairs with her boyfriend…"

"Wait a minute, boyfriend!" I yell.

"Yeah, he came in after I talked to Amy and Mom. And if you tell them about this before I do, I will make you hurt."

I let that go as I continue. "What kind of girl is she, anyway?"

"Well, we haven't had a lot of time to talk. At least, not that I can remember. In fact, I can't remember all that much which might be a blessing."

"But from what you've seen so far?"

"She's…well, she's smart and she seems to have a sense of humor. She loved my book."

"I thought you said she was smart." Cheap but I can't resist.

"I get the feeling she's been having some troubles and I can't…well, I can't just dump this right now. I have no idea what we're doing next but I at least want to get to know this girl a little."

"Well, she is your wife so that's probably a good thing." I pause before speaking. "Is she pretty?"

He pauses himself. "She's…well, yeah. Beautiful, in fact, if she got cleaned up a bit."

I can't help but smile. "You like her?"

"Oh, Peter, come on, don't even…"

"Hey, I'm not saying I approve and you have to stick with it. I just want to…well, see if your judgment of women is better drunk than sober."

"Are you giving me marital advice?" The sarcasm is evident.

"Okay, I get it." I brush at my beard. "Listen, I know you're dealing with a lot right now. Just…if you need to talk to someone…give me a call, ok?"

"So…you're on my side?"

"Until Mom and Amy say otherwise. Then you're on your own. I'm not suicidal."

He actually laughs at that and I feel a bit better. "Thanks, Peter. I'd better go see if she's still with her boyfriend so we can talk. I'll call soon."

"Later, Vincent." I hang up and sit back at my desk. I can't shake a nagging feeling that there was something his voice when he talked about this girl, the way he said her name, like she was something more special than a one-night stand.

I shake the thoughts aside as I try to imagine Mom and Amy's reaction to the boyfriend news. I take back what I thought earlier. Ignorance really is bliss.