Announcement
“What's that on your finger?” Elias demanded, pointing.
Alberto kept shuffling his dominoes. “Engagement ring. You know what those are.”
“Smartass. I mean, what? Why?”
“Who?”
“Yeah! Who!”
“Juliana.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I love her,” Alberto said. “I've been seeing her for two years, Elias, you know this.”
“Didn't seem like two years,” Elias said, glaring at Alberto's ring. “Why didn't you invite me?”
Alberto rolled his eyes. “We didn't exactly throw an engagement party. And you and she don't exactly like each-other. I didn't want it to be a big thing.”
“Well, you could have told me. Hey, little brother, I'm getting married, let's go get cigars and get smashed on tequila!”
Alberto raised his eyebrows incredulously. “You don't drink!”
“I could!”
“I wasn't keeping a secret from you—”
“Then why didn't you—”
“Because I knew you'd make a huge stink about it, like you're doing right now!”'
Elias slammed his fist on the table. “I am not making a stink!”
Alberto raised his eyebrow at him. “You're going to flip over the dominoes.”
Elias settled his hands in his lap. Took a long, angry pull on his cigarette. “I didn't think you'd marry someone who hates me.”
“She doesn't hate you.”
“You just said she doesn't like me! You said it!”
“That doesn't mean she—Elias, please. I need you two to make an effort. I love her. She's smart and kind and down-to-earth and—really she's a bit like you. I really think you could be friends. Please. Be kind to her.”
Elias glared at him. “I will if she does.”
“She will.”
“Fine. You ready to deal?”
“Sure.” Alberto slid out seven dominoes to each of them, slid the rest to the side of the table. “Just because I'm getting married doesn't mean I stop being your brother,” Alberto said.
“I know that,” Elias snapped, standing up his dominoes to look at them. “Stop acting like I'm so sensitive.”