When he had filled his plate, Giancarlo made his way back past the pool over to the grassy part of the yard, where some of the men and children were playing bocce. He had just settled down onto a lawn chair to watch them while he ate when he saw Celeste coming over to him, a bottle of beer in hand. Beside her walked a woman he had never before seen, but to whom he was quite certain he was about to be introduced. She was not an unattractive woman by any means, but just the same, as the two drew nearer, Giancarlo gave a barely audible groan. For a few brief moments, he had hoped against reason that perhaps on this day he might have been spared this dreary ritual. Such was obviously not to be the case, for Celeste looked quite determined. He put his plate aside and stood.

“Giancarlo, we’re so glad you came,” said Celeste, beaming a smile as she handed him his drink. She made no pretense about her intentions, but got straight to the point. “I wanted you to meet a friend of mine. Giancarlo, this is Ann.”

Inwardly Giancarlo sighed, but the proprieties had to be observed.

“Hello, Ann,” he said, forcing a smile. “Happy Fourth of July.”

“So, what did you think of Ann?” asked Anthony a few hours later.

They were alone together in the backyard, chatting while Anthony closed up the grill. Evening had fallen, and the rest of the guests had made their way to the front of the house with their blankets and chairs. The front lawn offered a perfect view of the fireworks display, scheduled to go off at nine from the town park a few streets over. Everyone was anxious to secure a comfortable spot on the grass before the first rocket went up. It wouldn’t be long.