Chapter 3
He parked outside the school, leaned on his car and waited. When the bell rang all the children ran out and last of all came Annie followed by two women.
''Good afternoon, Miss Penny, Miss Amanda!'', she said and ran towards her uncle.
''Bye, Annie!'', they said both laughing as they approached.
''You must be Annie's teachers'', Andy guessed.
''Yes. Are you her father?'', Amanda asked.
''No, Annie is my niece, my sister's daughter. Andy Patton. Nice to meet you''. After the introductions, Penny congratulated him for Annie.
''She is a marvelous girl!'', she said smiling and Annie looked at her in the same way. Andy noticed the fondness between them immediately.
''It's true. We are all proud of her. Let's not make your mother wait'', he said turning to her and they headed to Heather's office.
''Very handsome man, right?'', Amanda said pulling back her light brown hair.
''Who?'', Penny asked.
''He, who just left. Who else? Annie's uncle''.
''I guess…'', she said shyly and then the two friends planned their Saturday night.
''Lunch is ready'', Andy announced bringing the incredible sweet smelling dishes to the table.
''Mmm… The lasagne look delicious'', Heather said grabbing the fork while Annie had already begun eating. ''I had the day filled with appointments and haven't eaten anything''.
''Too much work?'', her brother asked.
''Yes. It takes a lot for a marriage to work, you see. Couples deal with a lot of problems''. Andy took a slice of bread avoiding to mention Dean.
''True. It's difficult for a marriage to succeed'', was all he said.
''Will you ever marry, uncle?''
''Me?'', Andy laughed. ''I don't think so''.
''Why?'', the girl insisted.
''Annie! It isn't polite to pry'', Heather scolded her causing the little girl to look down sadly at her plate.
''It's okay'', Andy said and turned to his niece holding her small hand. ''Baby, like mum said, marriage is not easy. For it to succeed, I should first find the right partner''.
''Who is the right partner?''
''I can't explain it…'', he said drinking from his glass and at the same time searching for the right words. ''It's… I don't know. I believe that if I saw her, I would know''.
''And when will you find her?'', Annie asked again. He opened his mouth and then closed it again. She had caught him off guard. He had never thought about this and now he was not sure how to answer. Nevertheless, Annie did not allow him much time to think. ''Why don't you marry Miss Penny?''
''Who?'', Andy exclaimed.
''Miss Penny. She is very nice and pretty. I'd like her to become my aunt'', Annie said smiling, content with her idea but Andy looked desperately at his sister.
''You wanted to continue this conversation'', she said. ''Now, explain to her why you won't marry Miss Penny!''. Andy, realizing he was alone in this, took a deep breath and pursed his lips. ' What is this? ', he thought. Annie had never asked about marriage or relationships and suddenly, not only she wanted him to get married but she had also found the bride already!
''Annie, it's not so simple. Before two people get married, they should know each other well and I know nothing about Miss Penny and neither does she about me''.
''I know her and I like her a lot''.
''But I don't'', Andy said trying to end this annoying conversation. ''So, to make it clear: I do not intend to get married to Miss Penny nor anyone else. Which means that there is no reason for this wedding talk anymore''.
''Alright, Andy, there is no need to get upset'', Heather said angrily. The frightened look on Annie's face mellowed him and he kneeled next to her.
''Forgive me for shouting, baby'', he apologized with a kiss. ''Will you give me a hug?''. Annie looked at him and wrapped her tiny hands around his neck. Andy smiled and sat her on his lap. ''Why don't you tell us about your day at school?'', he asked changing the subject and relieving the tension from before.