Summer Wine

The Phone Call

I didn't expect a phone call from a foreign number on a Thursday Afternoon. Truthfully, I wasn't going to pick it up, but when I noticed that the number was from Sicily, Italy, my heart nearly dropped and I thought of the worse. I hesitantly answered, "hello?". There was muffling in the background, then a voice that I hadn't heard for almost a year spoke up, "Samantha? It's Lauren. Are you busy?" Every bone in my body was telling me to just hang up and pretend like she called the wrong number, but I couldn't find the heart to do so. "Hello? Is anyone there?" My throat instantly got dry and my voice faded, "um yeah, I'm here sorry. what's up?"
Nothing was going to prepare me for what my baby sister, Lauren, was going to say next.

"Well, I wanted to tell you before I told mom and dad; I met someone." She excitedly said.

"Okay? Why are you calling from Sicily? Are you with nonna and nonno (translation: grandma and grandpa)? Can you -" before I could say anymore she shouted, "I'm getting married"

To say I was happy was an overstatement. Lauren always met boys who she "loves" for a 3 week time period until she ends up getting bored and cheats.

"You're quiet. Are you not happy for me?" Lauren asked.

"No, I-I-I'm just really surprised, that's great news!" It was possibly one of the most fake sentences I've said in my life.

"I have been traveling Europe with Eric, you know the guy I was dating-"

"Wait, you're not marrying Eric?" I was extremely confused.

"Can you let me finish? As I was saying, Eric got boring and so I just said it isn't working out. Nonna and nonno still live in Italy so I figured, hey, why not surprise them. As I was traveling to Sicily, I met Lorenzo, and I'm in love. I want to get married. I want it to be in Italy. Nonna and nonno's house, at the vineyard. I want you to come down ASAP and help me plan, I know it might be awkward since I'm younger and you were left at the alter, but I know you'll be a good sport about it." Lauren started rambling and I stopped listening.

My baby sister getting married before me. My baby sister getting married 4 months after I was left at the alter. She wants me to plan a wedding.

"So, you'll fly Saturday night?"

I couldn't grasp my head around the events unfolding, "Lauren, I can't just drop everything in such short notice. I have my apartment in the city. I have bruiser my dog. I can't just leave mom and dad's business unattended."

"Bring the dog. Payments for rent through the phone. I'm sure the business will be fine. Dad can handle it, only you and mom will come early. I have to go, but I'll talk to mom and make sure you get on a plane Saturday morning. Love you" the phone line went silent.

There I was standing on 57th street, frozen.

• • • • • • •

"Dad, did Lauren call you or mom recently?" I asked as we sat outside a small cafe in Brooklyn heights.
"I know she was on the phone with mom the other night, but you know when Lauren calls it means she wants money so I just fell asleep on the couch when she was talking" My dad responded while pulling out a cigarette.
"She's getting married and wants me to go down to Italy-" before I could finish my sentence he flagged down a waiter, "two mimosas quickly" and passed me the cigarette box with a lighter, "you look like you need it"
"What the hell do you mean she's getting married? Poor girl switches boys almost as often as she changes her hair"
I took the mimosa from the table, taking big sips before I proceed on telling him anymore, "she wants me to plan it and come there saturday."