#Anthony Annett

[copela4692]

Cathonomics & Integral Ecology - Treating People and the Environment with Inherent Dignity

Timestamps: 00:00:00 Introductions Part 1 – the 10 Principles of Catholic Social Teaching 00:04:55 – 1. the Common Good 00:06:55 – 2. Integral Human Development 00:07:55 – 3. Integral Ecology 00:09:05 – 4. Solidarity 00:10:07 – 5. Subsidiarity 00:11:47 – 6. Reciprocity & Gratuitousness 00:13:25 – 7. the Universal Destination of Goods 00:14:34 – 8. the Preferential Option for the Poor 00:15:37 –…

[weclassybouquetfun]

Are we still meant to believe that TED LASSO isn't ending when the cast essentially eulogizes their characters for Emmy magazine?

Brendan saying "ta" to London.

The others

[mariocki]

New Scotland Yard: Perfect in Every Way (1.9, LWT, 1972)

"You come here and you tell me my... dear man is dead. Your friend is dead, a good man - a good man, that's what they always tell me - you come here and you say he's dead, and, and 'Who did it? Oh, we must find out who did it, we're all good policemen!'... You're ruthless. Like he was."

"You don't mean that."

"Oh, he was a good man, wasn't he? Well, that's just what he wasn't. He was never allowed to be, he was a policeman! A perfect officer of the law, morning, afternoon, evening and night. Sometimes he wouldn't speak to me for weeks, we - we lived a terrible, terrible life."

[dannyreviews]

Cinema Legends Over 100 Years Old Still Alive (as of 1/1/2024)

A few days late here, but here are the century old survivors of film in 2024.

Norman Spencer - producer (b. 1914) + 8/16/2024

María Cristina Camilo - actress (b. 1918)

Adriana Sivieri - actress (b. 1918)

Caren Marsh - dancer, actress (b. 1919)

Betty Brodel - singer, actress (b. 1919) + 3/3/2024

June Spencer - actress (b. 1919)

Maj-Britt Håkansson - actress (b. 1919)

Arnold Yarrow - actor (b. 1920)

Juan Mariné - cinematographer (b. 1920)

Robert Marcy - actor (b. 1920) + 9/8/2024

Francis Rigaud - director (b. 1920)

Fioretta Dolfi - actress (b. 1920)

Patricia Wright - actress (b. 1921)

Jack Rader - actor (b. 1921)

Beulah Garrick - actress (b. 1921)

Barbra Fuller - actress (b. 1921) + 5/15/2024

Edgar Morin - director, screenwriter, philosopher (b. 1921)

Elisabeth Kirby - actress (b. 1921)

Elizabeth Kelly - actress (b. 1921)

Georg Stefan Troller - director, screenwriter (b. 1921)

Ray Lawler - playwright, screenwriter (b. 1921) + 7/27/2024

Joe Caroff - film poster artist (b. 1921)

Ray Anthony - musician, actor (b. 1922)

Micheline Presle - actress (b. 1922) + 2/21/2024

Janis Paige - actress (b. 1922) + 6/3/2024

Jacqueline White - actress (b. 1922)

Annette Warren - singer, actress (b. 1922)

Helen Colvig - costume designer (b. 1922)

Sara Luzita - dancer, actress (b. 1922)

Annabel Maule - actress (b. 1922)

George Morrison - director (b. 1922)

Stella Greka - singer, actress (b. 1922)

Bess Meisler - actress (b. 1922)

Aram Boyajian - editor, producer, director (b. 1922)

Virginia Fleener - animator (b. 1922)

Manos Zacharias - director (b. 1922)

Vincent Ball - actor (b. 1923)

Ralph Senensky - director (b. 1923)

Johnny Pate - film composer (b. 1923)

Phil Nimmons - film composer (b. 1923)

Vera Linnecar - director, animator (b. 1923)

Enid Wizig - animator (b. 1923)

Jozef Hen - screenwriter, director (b. 1923)

Kim Yaroshevskaya - actress (b. 1923)

Ruth Geller - actress (b. 1923)

Paul Harding - actor (b. 1923)

David D. Osborn - screenwriter (b. 1923)

David Lawton - actor (b. 1923)

Adeline Leonard Seakwood - production coordinator (b. 1923)

[milliondollarbaby87]

Longlists, 2024 EE BAFTA Film Awards

The following films will advance to the nominating stage of voting. This is the initial longlisting round. Round Two voting, to determine the nominations, opens today at 18.00 GMT to BAFTA’s voting members and will close on Friday 12 January 2024. The nominations for the 2024 EE BAFTA Film Awards will be announced on Thursday 18 January and the ceremony will take place on Sunday 18…

[oceanusborealis]

Ted Lasso: So Long, Farewell and Season 3 – TV Review

TL;DR – Builds upon everything that made the series great by focussing on the character development of every kind   ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 5 out of 5. Disclosure – I paid for the Apple TV+ service that viewed this episode. Ted Lasso Review – If there has been one consistent feature over the last few years of that evert the 2020s has been so far, it has been the joy that has come from Ted Lasso. I…

[jazzdailyblog]

Exploring the Musical Depths of Marilyn Crispell

Introduction: Marilyn Crispell is a pianist whose name is synonymous with innovative, boundary-pushing jazz. Born seventy-seven years ago today on March 30, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Crispell’s journey into the world of jazz started early in her life. Showing a remarkable affinity for music, she began taking classical piano lessons at the age of seven. Her introduction to…

[watchingalotofmovies]

The Baker

The Baker    [trailer]

A hitman has second thoughts about his career and seeks refuge from his boss by finding work as a baker in a rural Welsh village.

Entertaining, but not as funny as I remembered. Though it does have a very memorable "sex scene" in the kitchen.

That the rival assassin is in love with the Baker is mainly amusing because he's played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. Otherwise it feels a bit awkward.

Overall it's a nice little movie. Mostly harmless, but still charming with some lovable, odd characters.

[themarvellousmichaelbryant]

Michael Bryant played Toby Musgrave in The Family Dance at the Criterion Theatre, London in 1976.

[studiob487]

SHOOTING STARS (1927)

Director: Anthony Asquith and A.V. Bramble

Cast: Annette Benson, Brian Aherne, Donald Calthrop

An actress wants to leave her leading man for the comedian.

Technically my first silent film. This was such a gorgeously repaired copy too. I decided to dive into this one because I really liked Brian Aherne's other talkie movies. When I saw some clips from this they were hypnotizing, dramatic, and stark - I had to give this one a watch.

What I didn't see on clips were just as gorgeous. Like when Mae (played by Annette Benson) meets Andy (played by Donald Calthrop) at his place. What you don't say with cards or words is depicted visually. It's so dark and moody since this is a secret affair, and you want to remind the viewers that this relationship only happens because of the lying and sneaking.

The "ragdoll" scene had me cracking up but hey, old movies for you. Get over that and you are able to appreciate the drama in the shots following. The intense shadows amplify the gravity of Mae's actions. The composition in them would make for awesome reference.

I like that this affair wasn't the girl going for the hunk (or the "alpha" in today's vernacular, lol). Kind of reversal of expectations. She got the superstar, the handsome heart-throb actor. It's the guy she's supposed to want and marry but he bores the shit out of her, and she goes for the struggling comedian for some excitement.

This one is recommended if you want to get an idea of what it's like behind the scenes of a 1920s studio. The biggest thing that pops up in my head the reveal of the mat painting.

Didn't know this until recently but the movie credit went to veteran filmmaker A.V. Bramble but it's acknowledged that this was Anthony Asquith's directorial debut as he wrote the original story, along with his hands in a bunch of other things to create this film.

[jeridandridge]

Only Girl

You go on a Schemmenti family vacation and have a very important question for Melissa.

As soon as the plane touches down in Italy your anxiety sky rockets. In a jewelry shop 45 minutes away from the hotel you’re staying in, the engagement ring you bought for Melissa sits. Thanks to her cousin Joey you were able to find the most perfect ring and order it so you could propose early on the vacation.

You can’t help but lean over kissing your girlfriends cheek. “You’re so cute.” You giggle looking at her beaming smile.

“I’m so happy.” She squeezes your hand.

In the airport everyone grabs their luggage and Joey gives you a discreet thumbs up after checking his phone.

It takes two cars to get everyone to the hotel, you with Joey, his kids, and Annette in one car while Melissa, her nana, Uncle Tommy, his sons, and Kristen riding in another.

“Take a load off, y/n.” Joey laughs. “We’re not even at the hotel yet.”

“I know I know.” You nod. “I figure if I freak out now while in a separate car I’ll be fine the rest of the day.” You laugh nervously.

“Wait what’s going on?” Joeys son Anthony chimes in.

You twist in your seat looking back at the kid. You’d grown close to Melissa’s family over the past two years, especially Anthony. “I’m asking Mel to marry me.” You smile.

“No way!” Bianca, joeys daughter smiles from the back.

“Way.” You laugh. “So I need you guys to keep it quiet until dinner tomorrow night.”

In the other car as you all get closer to the hotel, Melissa’s nanna, Maria, sits grilling her granddaughter.

“Cara, when are you going to ask that girl to marry you?”

“Nanna!”

“What? It’s a good question!” She defends with a shrug.

“Nanna, we’ve talked about it but we’re in no rush. She knows how I feel about it.”

“You should bag her before she runs off.” Kristen grumbles. Maria reaches over to smack her other granddaughter.

“Careful, Kristen don’t make me knock those fake nails off a ya.” Melissa glares.

Family vacation is off to a great start.

At the hotel everyone gathers their things and files into the gorgeous lobby. You couldn’t stop looking around, the curved architecture of the ceiling holding you in a trance.

“Tesoro,” Melissa laughs reaching for your hand, “Ready to see our room?”

“Yeah, this place is beautiful. It’s not like the tourist traps I thought I’d see.” You smile following her to the elevators.

“They built it in the ‘60s, it was a hot spot for artists.” Melissa informs you with bright eyes. You can’t help but smile at the redhead as she goes into the history of the hotel.

You look at the cage style doors pushing them open when you reach the floor. “We’re in 1201.” Melissa reads off the card.

You feel a giddy excitement as you walk down the hall, your hand finding the small of Melissa’s back when she opens the door. “I think it’s time for wine on the balcony.” You grin kissing her shoulder.

“You read my mind.”

Unpacking your bags for the almost two week stay you pull out an evening dress for the balcony and dinner later that night.

When Melissa changes you let out a whistle when you see her red dress. The sight of your girlfriend smirking at you in a gorgeous room over looking the water with the sound of the waves crashing have you in a euphoric state. it couldn’t get much better than this. “Now I’m really in Heaven.”

“Sweet talker.” Melissa comes over wrapping her arms around you resting her head on your shoulder as you get out of your jeans and tshirt. Turning your head you meet her lips in a soft kiss, getting lost in her hold on you.

“If we start something now we’ll never make it to dinner tonight.” You smile resting your head against hers.

“I’d skip a meal just for you.”

You let out a giggle resting your hand on top of hers before moving to step into your floral dress. “We can’t do that, I don’t wanna piss your nanna off.”

“I hate when you’re right.” She teases letting go of you. “I’ll get the wine.”

Slipping into your dress you adjust your hair and opt to go barefoot up the one step to the private balcony that overlooks the sand and water. Melissa hands you a glass before pulling you onto her lap in one of the chairs. Smiling like an idiot you wrap your arm around her neck pulling her into searing kiss with a hum.

Breaking away you rest your forehead against hers. “There’s no where else I’d rather be than right here.” You whisper.

Melissa beams, warmth radiating through her chest. You were so special to her and she was so happy to share this family trip with you. She strokes your cheek with her thumb meeting your eyes.

“I love you, angel.”

In that moment you realize that your decision to propose on this trip was the best idea you’ve ever had.

“I love you.” You grin clinking your wine glass against hers.

You two sit in comfortable silence together, sipping your wine and stealing kisses as you watch the sun dip into the waves below. When the bottle of wine is polished off your phone chimes, a text from Joey letting you know that he made it back from the jewelry shop.

“What’s Joey sayin?”

Your eyes go wide and immediately turn the phone off. “He said the car is almost here.” You smile recovering easily.

In a few minutes you and Melissa get to the lobby where Maria is talking to the concierge and everyone else is hanging around. You squeeze Melissa’s hand jogging over to where Joey and Anthony are waiting.

“Hey, y/n! I got it right here.” Joey says quietly.

“Perfect! Perfect, I think I’m gonna do it tonight. After dinner. I can’t wait anymore.” You beam.

Anthony jumps up squeezing your arm. “Do it!”

“Okay, okay,” you laugh, “keep it chill remember?” You say quietly, discreetly taking the ring box from Joey.

“Pockets!” You beam turning in your dress heading over to Melissa and Kristen.

“There’s the only person on the planet that can stand my sister.”

You smile wrapping your arm around Melissa’s waist. “You know Kristen, I’m having such a good time even your D - attitude isn’t gonna bother me.”

“Ha! Alright, Melissa. I like this one.” She points at you before going to Maria.

“Wow, it only took two years.” You roll your eyes when Melissa starts to laugh.

“Cmon, hon. You don’t have to sit by the wicked witch of the east coast.”

Not long later you’re seated with everyone on a gorgeous patio with wine in hand. Everyone’s laughing and having a good time and you couldn’t be happier sitting across from your love. Giving her a wink as you sip your wine you pay attention to uncle Tommy sitting next to you.

“Hey, Joey and Annette let me in on your plan. I’m really excited for you two.” He smiles.

“Thank you, Tommy.” You give him a grateful nod. “I just need to ask Maria for her permission and I’ll be set.”

Tommy looks at you with a smile of approval patting your shoulder. “Going for the head of the family, I like it. I’ll get Melissa out on the dance floor with the kids after dinner that way you can talk to Ma.”

“You’re the best, Tommy.” You smile patting his arm.

“No no, Melissa cut the hair off my doll first THEN I drew on her face in permanent marker.” Kristen explains through a laugh.

“You girls made my blood pressure go up.” Maria laughs along with the table.

You catch Melissa’s eyes across the table giving her a warm smile just before Anthony and Bianca come up to her. “Mel, come dance with us!” They drag her out to the stone walkway where a few others are dancing to the classic Italian guitar.

While Melissa goes off to dance with the kids you make your way over to the other side of the table, your hand over the tin box in your pocket.

“Maria, can I speak to you for a sec?” You beam.

“Of course, cara ragazza. Are you having a good time?”

“Absolutely! It’s beautiful and I’m so happy to be here with all of you.”

Kristen rolls her eyes downing her wine. “Out with it, pipsqueak.”

You shoot her a glare you reserve just for her, almost a frenemy type situation between you two since you started dating Melissa.

Maria takes your hands ignoring her other granddaughter.

“Maria, I love Melissa and your family and I would really like to have your blessing so I can ask her to marry me.”

The older woman’s eyes well up as she squeezes your hands pulling you into a bone crushing hug. For such a small woman you felt like she could break you.

“My dear girl, yes you have my blessing.” She smiles holding onto your shoulders when she pulls back. “I’ve never seen my grand baby so happy. Not since she was a cosa giovane. I see how you look at her and how you treat her. She’s deserved someone like you for a long time.” She all but weeps wiping her eyes.

Listening to Nannas words you look out to the dance floor seeing Melissa laugh and spin with her young cousins, the fairy lights from the patio making everything look like a dream.

“I’m lucky to have her. Thank you, Nanna.” You smile hugging the woman again.

“I’m too old for that!” Melissa laughs coming back to the table. “Nanna, are you okay?” She asks, smile immediately falling.

The older redhead waves her off drying her eyes. “I was having a nice heart to heart with y/n is all. Nothing to worry about.

You smile at the redhead, Maria winking at you.

You’re extremely excited now, still nervous but grateful to have the blessing from the most important person in Melissa’s family. For the rest of the evening you relax enjoying everyone’s company.

“Baby, let’s go down by the water for a bit.” You suggest wrapping your arm with Mel as you two get out of the car.

“Yeah? Wanna walk in the sand like a mushy couple?” She beams at you.

“Exactly.” You grin. Looking over your shoulder Joey gives you a thumbs up before you two break away from the group heading out the back to the beach.

Full from dinner and more wine, you hold Melissa’s hand as you two walk barefoot in the sand down to the glistening shoreline.

“God look at that moon.” You beam wrapping your arm around her waist. The ring box in your pocket sits against your thigh as you two walk across the cool sand, practically burning a hole in the fabric.

“It’s the perfect night.”

You hum pulling her closer. “I think it could be even better.”

She gives you a curious look and before she can say anything else you’re kneeling in front of her pulling the ring out of your pocket. Melissa looks at you with a gasp, her eyes going to the gold band that holds a green sapphire surrounded by other diamonds. It was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen, and it was now hers.

“Mel, I want the movie nights, family dinners, parties, the vacations, and the opportunity to introduce you as my wife. I wanna spend the rest of my life with you.” You smile with tears in your eyes. “Marry me?”

Melissa beams through her own happy tears pulling you up and wrapping her arms around your neck.

“Yes! A million times yes, Tesoro.” She laughs holding you tight. You keep your hand on her lower back and the other holds the ring box as she cries into your hair. For a moment, time freezes and it’s just you two and the water.

“Hell yeah!!” You hear whoops and hollers from up the beach causing you and Melissa to separate just enough to look over to see your entire group, and most importantly Maria crying tears of joy. Even Kristen gives a thumbs up your way.

You can’t help but laugh seeing Tommy and Joey smoking cigars in celebration.

“You think they’re happy?” You tease your fiancé keeping your arm around her.

“I think so.” She laughs holding her hand up for you. “Do I gotta put it on myself?”

Biting your lip you take the ring out and shove the box back in your pocket before sliding the band onto her finger.

“Beautiful. It matches your eyes.” You beam bringing the back of her hand to your lips. Bringing both of her hands to your cheeks she pulls you in close.

“I love you, Tesoro.” She whispers pulling you into the most loving kiss you’ve ever experienced.

“Did she say yes?!” Anthony yells making you laugh against Melissa’s lips before she pulls away with the biggest smile you’ve ever seen.

“Yeah I did, kid!

—————

Melissa’s ring

[copela4692]

Cathonomics & Integral Ecology - Treating People and the Environment with Inherent Dignity

Cathonomics & Integral Ecology – treating people and the environment with inherent dignity –  Faith & Reason lecture – March 30th, 2023  *NOTE: this event had to be rescheduled due to severe winter weather. The event will now be virtual and take place on March 30th. Description:   “The main tenets of socialism, community of goods, must be utterly rejected, since it only injures those who it…

[marmakar]

Hello, everyone! I noticed that my profile on this social network lacks information about my OCs (original characters), and I don't post my old art or gifted arts. Let's fix that!

Meet Reckless. I call it a project, but it's less than that. It features 8 main characters and several supporting ones.

LORE

The lore revolves around the criminal underworld, with Sylvester Collins as the main character. Sylvester crossed his old, almost defunct mafia by stealing compromising documents and going on the run. He was picked up by Wade Travis in his trailer, and they grew close. They were being watched by Yakuza boss Asami Yano, who needed those documents to completely dismantle the mafia and take control. She offered Sylvester a job, and to prove his loyalty, he had to rescue Berta Vanzetti from the clutches of his own father, Anthony Vanzetti (formerly a Don), and his men. Berta and Anthony have a terrible relationship, and Berta is a friend of Asami's. In the end, Berta handled the situation herself.

Due to the ensuing shootout, they urgently needed a lawyer. Sylvester suddenly remembers his old childhood friend Ronald William King after seeing his lawyer advertisement on a street banner. Their relationship is extremely strained; they had a falling out and haven't spoken since. Ronald then sent his younger sister Annette King to watch over them and see who Sylvester was involved with. Annette is a junior police officer who knows about the mafia groups through her friend Sophie Scarlett (real name Sofia Belova), who works undercover for the FBI, investigating crimes among mafia groups and bosses. She often poses as an office worker or reporter.

Asami also owns a cabaret club where Daniel Harris works part-time as a bartender and also as an underground doctor. After meeting Ronald, Daniel became a secretary in his office.

Originally, they were OCs for GTA, but eventually, they evolved into their own lore. The project is somewhat on hold, but sometimes I just enjoy drawing characters from it.

I will make more posts with arts using the tags :)

[mariocki]

The Saint: The House on Dragon's Rock (6.9, ITC, 1968)

"It's a monster from another planet. All them satellites tampering with nature."

"Don't talk so daft, man."

"Same again, Dylan."

"It's, um... it's lycanthropy."

"Duw, there's a lovely word. What's it mean, then?"

[multimilfs]

Melissa Schemmenti x Fem!Reader: What if I say I'm not like the others? 

Summary: There's a lot you know about Melissa Schemmenti, but not so much that you understand. And when insecurities bubble over into your relationship, it just might equal disaster.

A/N: I've been writing this all week and editing over the past few days. When I watched the most recent episode... I knew I had to get this posted, since it fits a little with the familial theme. But anyway Lisa Ann Walter owns my heart, please enjoy!!!

Tag List: @ghostsunderstoodmysoul @multifandomfix @escapetodreamworld

Warning(s): None

There’s a lot you know about Melissa Schemmenti. 

You know she takes her coffee with enough sugar to be illegal and her liquor neat and how she melts when she hears the kids call her ‘Miss Schemmenti’ even after years of teaching. You know her favorite meal is Veal Siciliana from Scanicchios, but how she’ll never set foot in the restaurant after Joe used it to propose their divorce. 

You know she’s not a hard woman to learn, but she can be impossible to understand. 

So when the door to her cousin Annette’s house opens and Melissa’s face loses a shade of warmth, you know she’s putting on an act, but you don’t know why; Besides her blackmailer of a sister, Annette has always been the one she’s fondest of. 

“There she is!” Annette exclaims, grabbing you in a bone-crushing hug like she didn’t threaten you over the dinner table at last week's family dinner, “Mel didn’t know if you’d be able to make it.” 

“Good to see you too, Annette.” Melissa deadpans. 

You shoot Melissa a look, “I wouldn’t miss dinner for anything.” 

“Good, good. Come inside before the food gets cold.” 

You’re ushered into the house and surrounded in the typical chaos of the Schemmenti family. Annette takes the branzino from your hands and whisks it away to the kitchen. Uncle Anthony and his wife Lorraine are at the dining table, halfway through a bottle of wine, laughing at something one of the surrounding cousins said. 

Against the wall behind them Uncle Tomas watches the room with a keen eye. He’s arguably the most intense of her family members. The first time you’d met the man, Melissa had introduced him as Stickman; the man was a lawyer, you learned, and a damn good one. He was well connected and could get anything to stick if it’d help his case. That evening, when Melissa was distracted, he assured you he’d do the same to you if you hurt his niece. You had steered clear of him for a while after that. 

Annette’s husband Nico comes around the corner, doing his Greek roots proud as he enthusiastically kisses both of your cheeks. Annette scowls, but she’s long since given up on trying to break him of the habit—after 10 years there isn’t much she can do. 

Bundled up in his arms is their daughter Sophia. Everytime you remember how tiny she used to be compared to now, tears spring to your eyes. 

“There’s my favorite girl,” You coo, taking her out of Nico’s arms, “I missed you so much. Have you been behaving for your parents?” 

She stares up in adoration while Annette and Nico smile. Melissa hangs back, hands stuffed in her pockets as she takes in the room. You try to catch her eyes, but she’s determined to look anywhere else. 

“She’s been a nightmare this week. First she was sick and then when she was better, she’d refuse to sleep,” Annette throws her hands up, “I can’t figure it out.” 

“You think she’d want a break from you two.” Melissa says. 

Her cousin glares, delivering a harsh punch to her arm. The barely-there grin that was on Melissa’s mouth falls and she stiffens, puffing up, pulling her arm back to deliver an undoubtedly worse blow. You place your hand on her arm and step between them. 

It clearly ruffles her feathers that you’re stepping in, but she says nothing. Her arm drops and she levels a glare at Annette instead. You bounce Sophia, sharing a look with Nico. 

“Sweetheart, how close are we to eating? Would you like help setting the table?” Nico asks. 

“You sit down, I’ll help her out,” Melissa interrupts, pressing a kiss to your cheek and brushing past you. 

You blink and she’s moving towards the kitchen, shoving Annette ahead. A pointed stare burns into your face as you focus on the baby in your arms. Her original eager face has turned sleepy the longer you bounce her. Moving her to your other arm, you make the mistake of locking eyes with Nico. 

“It isn’t my business…” 

“We’re fine, Nico. She’s just had a long week.” 

It’s a simple enough answer and it’s a true one. Melissa has been overwhelmed. You choose not to mention that the only time her behavior changes is inside this house. She may love her family and value them to no end, but lately she hasn’t been acting like herself around them, and you feel yourself being pushed away for a few hours every week. 

You don’t talk about it—why would you? The second you’re back in the car, everything is normal. It doesn’t affect your relationship. All you want is to understand why it’s happening. 

“Seems she’s having many of those.” 

Glaring at Nico is second nature. He doesn’t apologize, only shrugging as if to say I’m only speaking the truth. Luckily, he drops the conversation, and you stand in mostly-comfortable silence watching Melissa and Annette move around from afar.  

—

“So, have you found a ring yet?” 

“Knock it off already,” Melissa growls, staring into the simmering sauce on the stove, “I’ve said all I needed to about that.” 

“You didn’t say much, actually.” 

“She doesn't want to marry me, Annette.” 

“How would you know if you haven’t asked her?” 

The murmur of voices from the dining and living rooms filter in. Melissa looks up and watches you, Sophia bouncing in your arms while her Aunts, Uncles, and cousins pull you snugly into their conversations. Her eyes are pained. 

She wants to commit the scene to memory, discreetly pull out her phone and snap a picture of the room so it won’t fade away. It had never been like this before. No matter how much Joe meant to her, members of her family had never warmed to him, and he’d remained firmly on the outside. 

Now you stand holding the youngest Schemmenti in her cousin’s home, laughing and talking easily with family members who’d have sooner taken Joe out than let him share their table. 

“I just—I know, alright? I’m not going to tie her down.” 

“Look at me,” Annette demands and Melissa does, “That girl wouldn’t be here if she didn’t want to be tied down. Now either you make her a Schemmenti or stop stringing her along.” 

“That isn’t what I’m doing.” 

“Okay, Mel.” 

It’s a bad sign that Annette has stopped fighting; whatever Melissa says, she is firmly wrong on this, and her cousin has proved her point. Her stomach turns. She isn’t against marrying again, despite what everyone thinks. 

It’s just complicated. 

The two cousins put the finishing touches on dinner in silence; Melissa mulling over her thoughts and Annette brooding beside her. They make quite the pair with their fiery locks and matching frowns, but they make one hell of a meal. 

Every now and again Melissa will glance your way. The baby never once leaves your grasp but you move around the room with her. Her cousin Lisa coos at the sleeping girl between bouts of conversation with you, making Melissa smile. She knows you’d bring Sophia home with you if you ever got the chance. And though it pains her to think about the lost sleep and headaches, she wouldn’t mind. 

Their lavish spread is set on the table—and any flat surface, really—when Melissa makes her way back to you. She’s lost her appetite for the time being, craving only your closeness, which shouldn’t relieve her as much as it does. But when she grabs two chairs, Great Aunt Katherine flags you down first and insists that you sit to her right tonight. 

Offering a sheepish smile, you steal a quick kiss, “I’m sorry, honey. We’ll share dessert?” 

“Sure.” Melissa nods.

Uncle Tomas takes up the seat saved at Melissa’s side, raising an eyebrow at the lack of a plate. You shoot concerned glances from the other end of the table. Ignoring both, Melissa shoves her hands back in her pockets, leaning back to observe the room. 

No one tries to bother her for once. She’s free to brood and take in the room on her own time, zoning in and out when her thoughts pull her in. 

The sound of Sophia crying breaks her focus. 

Everyone around the table looks at you as you murmur, rubbing her back and rocking. Annette is the first to move and grab a bottle. It’s rare that Sophia cries with you, almost like you’re her personal Xanax, but not even you are a balm for an empty stomach. 

Flustered, you send Melissa a pleading look over the baby’s head. She’s up in an instant and taking the now-warm bottle from her cousin. Nodding her head to the hallway where the nursery is, she rubs a hand down your back as you pass, turning towards her family. 

“Might help to get away from all your loud mouths.” Melissa throws behind her. 

A few choice comments are thrown after her but she ignores them, making a beeline for the nursery. She can still hear you and Sophia from outside as she slips in and closes the door. Holding out the bottle, she wraps her free arm around you. 

“Thank you,” It’s a bit of a hassle to get Sophia latched onto the bottle, but eventually she deems it good enough, and her whines stop. You let out a long breath,“I was a little on-edge having everyone stare at me.” 

Melissa’s lips press a kiss to your temple, saying I got you. You lean into her and smile as you imagine how the scene must look. You wonder if Melissa thinks of it as fondly as you do. She’s never said much on the subject of kids, but sometimes you think she feels like she’s missing out. 

Turning your neck to look at her, you stiffen at the brief pain you can see on her face, and drop the whole idea. If she wanted this, she’d tell you… right? 

“What’s going on, Melissa?” You ask softly still.

“Nothin’, sweetheart.” She smiles, “Just a little tired, that’s all.” 

You know by the way her smile doesn’t reach her eyes that she’s lying. 

Instead of calling her on it, you nod, and lean up to steal a kiss. It doesn’t feel the way it usually does and you try to brush it off; once we’re out of the house, you think, it’ll be normal again. 

But when you leave that night with arms full of tupperware, it doesn’t go back to normal. Melissa is too quiet and reserved and god, she won’t even touch you. She drives home with both hands firmly on the wheel. 

The music is on but you refuse to hear any of the lyrics and when you recognize the street you’re on, something in you goes cold. You stare blankly at houses that pass and try to will away the feeling of impending doom. 

“Where are we going?” You ask and it doesn’t sound like you. 

“I’m taking you home.” 

Something snaps then. You don’t know why, or what triggers it, but you whip your head to face her. Home, she says, like you don’t have space reserved in her closet. Home, like you don’t know her kitchen better than your own anymore. 

“Pull over.” 

Her eyes widen, “What? Are you insane?” 

“Melissa Schemmenti, pull the damn car over!” 

Your voice is too loud in the car and you hate the way it cracks, but she listens. Try as you might, the dam of tears is starting to overflow as she stops a few blocks from your place. It takes everything in you to look at her. 

When you see the look on her face and the tears in her own eyes, you know. 

You know, but you ask anyway, “What is going on?” 

Melissa opens her mouth, then closes it, swallowing hard. She closes her eyes and shakes her head before looking back at you. Her own tears are gone and you hate her for shoving her feelings down. You hate her for making this easier on herself when it’s so hard for you. 

“I realized that I… I’ve been giving you the wrong idea. About this, us.” 

“What are you talking about?” 

“Look, you’re the date-to-marry type, you know? But you need to know you’ve got options. I want you to know that and—and you don’t need to feel like you should tie yourself down just because we’ve been together a while.” 

She’s grasping at straws. You know that, she knows that, but back to the same old story—you don’t know why. 

“Is this—are you breaking up with me?” You whisper.

“Annette said—“

“Annette told you to do this?” 

“No! Sweetheart, I just mean that I want you to know you have options. You’re beautiful and anyone would be lucky to have you.” 

“Don’t pretend you’re doing this for me. I am—I was happy.” Your throat is closing up, words choking you, “I’m going to go. Call me when you’re done being an idiot.” 

Her usual Italian fury is buried under heartache. When you get out of the car and slam the door behind you, she just watches and follows—at a distance—to make sure you get home safe. She doesn’t get out. She doesn’t yell or run after you. As soon as she knows you’re safe, she drives home, focused more on the tears that’d poured from your eyes than the insult from your lips. 

——

When Annette flings open the door a week later, her smile falters seeing Melissa by herself. She looks up and down the block to see if maybe you’re trailing behind. 

“Where is she?” Annette asks. Seeing the look on Melissa’s face, she’s flooded with rage, “What did you do?” 

“I stopped stringing her along, like you said.” 

Melissa doesn’t sound like herself, though she’s trying hard to. She doesn’t look like herself either. Her eyes are puffy and her makeup is smeared. 

“You idiot!” 

And Annette is flying at her, screaming in Italian and throwing her hands around a little too close to Melissa for her liking. It’s a good sign she hasn’t taken her earrings out. Annette is speaking so fast she can hardly understand and at some point she starts yelling back. Melissa does take out her earrings. They’re shoved in her pocket and she’s winding up when the door opens and Uncle Tomas steps onto the porch, folding his arms over his chest. 

“Annette. Inside.” He says in a tone that leaves no room for argument. 

She huffs, but moves. Melissa makes an effort to follow and slip inside but her Uncle steps in front of the door after Annette’s gone. She meets his eyes and mirrors his position, crossing her arms over her chest. 

“Stickman.” She nods. 

“What are you doing, kid?” 

“Trying to come over for family dinner. That a crime now?” 

“You know that’s not what I mean.” 

Stickman has seen her at her boldest, even her dumbest, but she still withers when he stares at her long enough. She hates that her desire to fight back vanishes. No one should have that power over her, but she doesn’t fight, not when it comes to him. She respects him too much to spit in his face like that. 

“It wasn’t going to work. She has a world of opportunity still, but me? I’m set where I am. Why keep her from the opportunities she has?” Melissa shrugs. 

He shakes his head, “Kid, you know why I never liked Joe?” 

“Because he wasn’t Italian.” 

“No,” He laughs, “because he was a good guy, but he wasn’t good enough. Not for you. Of course, he loved you, so we let him stick around—but he wasn’t family. Family you kill for. Joe loved you, but he wouldn’t have killed for you.” 

“And you think she would?” Melissa asked quietly. 

“Yeah, I do.” 

Melissa had never thought about you as the violent type. You were always keeping her out of trouble, stopping her from getting into fights, stepping in between her and whoever had pissed her off… but maybe it wasn’t like that. She remembers how you glare when you step in and it dawns on her; maybe you weren’t holding her back… maybe you were trying to take on the fight yourself. 

She had grown used to biting her tongue and taking a step back while Joe talked his way out of scuffles, all charming smiles and charisma. In a few minutes he’d undo all of Melissa’s damage and deal it back to her. The humiliation hurt more than any punch. But this—this steals the breath from Melissa’s lungs, her chest feeling like too-small tupperware for her heart. 

“What does that have to do with her future?” Melissa asks. 

“She knows you, kid. And she knows herself. Yeah, she’s got opportunities, but an opportunity doesn’t equal happiness. Let her choose what makes her happy instead of trying to choose for her.” 

She nods. A harsh hand is rubbed over her face. 

“I’ve really messed it up, huh?” 

Tomas unfolds his arms and places his hands on her shoulders, looking her in the eye. She tries to ignore the feeling of being a little girl again after her first bad fight with her Mom, trying and failing not to cry about just how unfair it is that nobody paid attention beyond yelling at her. She never understood how he had all the answers. Even now, she still doesn’t. 

“If you got yourself into it, you can get yourself out of it.” He says. 

Melissa breaks more traffic laws than she can count on her way to your place, but she doesn’t get caught, so she figures it's worth it. But when she steps onto your porch, she’s filled with apprehension. Hurting someone is so much easier than making them feel better. 

A soft curse leaves her lips and she forces herself to knock on the door. When you open it and stand in the doorway with arms crossed over your chest, she grimaces in place of a smile. 

You’ve definitely seen better days, but you’ve at least tried to hold it together. Your eyes are red, but your makeup is impeccable. The pain in your eyes doesn’t go away and her chest aches; she put it there, she knows, and kicks herself for it. 

“Hey, sweetheart.” Melissa says lamely. 

Glaring, you raise an eyebrow, “Done being an idiot?” 

“Yeah, yeah I am,” Her smile is pained and she’s rocking back and forth on her feet, but she’s trying, “I’m sorry for how I acted.” 

“What was going through your head?” 

A sigh escapes Melissa’s lips and her breathing is shaky. You want to reach out and comfort her, but hold yourself back. You deserve to know why last week happened, why you were miserable when things had been going so well. 

“When Joe suggested we get a divorce, he said he thought we were ‘holding each other back,’” Melissa says, trying to laugh even though her eyes are glassy, “but I… I’d been so content with him, with everything. I guess I thought that if I was happy, it meant I was holding you back too.”

A tear falls from her eye and you step forward, wiping the tear away. You put your hands on either side of her face and smile a watery smile. 

“How could you hold me back? Loving you is the greatest opportunity I’ve ever had.” You whisper. 

For the first time since knowing her, Melissa looks small. She looks at you with teary eyes like she can’t believe a word coming out of your mouth. Under all the bravado she’s just as sensitive as anyone and for a minute you forgot that.

You know so much about her that sometimes it makes your head hurt; how she loves the smell of cigarettes because everyone around her smoked as a child, how the first woman she dated was the same one that repoed her car, and how under everything she was a just that scared little girl who wanted to be loved. The rough and tumble kid turned into a resourceful woman, but her wounds never left, and now they were staring you in the face. 

“I’m not Joe, okay?” You say, after stealing a quick kiss, “You’re not a pit stop for me, you’re the destination.”

“God, you sound like Janine.” 

Melissa shakes her head, but she’s smiling all the same, looking at you like she does after those sappy romance movies she pretends not to like. And she pushes forward and kisses you, holding onto you with a tight grip and kissing you like she’s worried it’ll never happen again, as if it’s the last time, and she’s making excuses to keep you with her for a few more minutes. 

It makes your head spin how your anger just… dissolves. A week of hearing nothing from Melissa had been devastating, only to slowly morph into an ugly anger that you let fuel you, and now it’s gone. You’re wrapped up in Melissa Schemmenti and all too happy to forget the way you wanted to slash her tires two hours ago. 

“Honey?” Melissa says. 

You blink and look at her, her head tilted to the side, eyes looking you over. She must have said your name a few times. 

You’re dying to kiss her again just as much as you’re itching to scream at her. When did you let yourself become so head over heels for this woman? It grips at you and you want to grab her, telling her that she’s the most infuriating person you know and that you never want anyone else. 

“If you ever do that to me again I’ll take a crowbar to your car windows.” Comes out instead and your own eyes widen as she laughs. 

“Noted,” Melissa grins, “Now, will you come to dinner? Annette nearly killed me when she didn’t see you.” 

“Would have served you right.” You huff, but throw your shoes on and grab your keys, joining her on the porch. 

Her hands settle on your hips as you��re locking the door and you pause—interesting way to get me to family dinner, you think. When her lips press kisses to your neck, you let it happen. What is one missed dinner? You love Annette and the family, but none of them are Melissa and her skilled mouth.

All of it stops the second you lean back against her. 

“Still got it.” Melissa murmurs. 

“You’re playing a dangerous game, Schemmenti.” 

“I’m from South Philly, gorgeous, danger is second nature.” She pats your hip and steps back, “But I’ll make it up to you later.” 

“Maybe I’ll get revenge on you first.” 

Her eyebrow lifts in time with the corner of her mouth. She nods once, saying nothing as you finish locking the door and walks you to the car, opening the passenger door to steal a kiss before shutting it. 

And this time when Annette opens the front door, she smiles, and Melissa’s earrings stay in. You’re pulled into a hug so tight you question how much Annette’s been holding back; her threats hold a little more weight now. 

Nico greets you with the customary kiss on your cheek and passes Sophia to you without prompting. She’s half asleep, but still finds the energy to curl a little hand in your shirt. 

Stepping inside with a nervous smile, you’re greeted with nods and an overjoyed Cousin Rocco, “Finally! Annette said you two ran into some trouble, you get it taken care of?” 

The last part is aimed at Melissa, who nods. Rocco crosses himself and mutters a quick prayer in Italian. Tomas is the only one who looks at you like he knows and you wonder how much he got his niece to spill. But he looks behind you, where Melissa’s standing, and nods his head towards the back porch. 

A hand slides over your hip and warm breath moves over your ear as she passes, muttering, “Be right back.” 

You’re pulled into the kitchen in her place, Annette dancing around and putting what little mobility you have to help set the food up. Both of you freeze for an instant when she jostles you and Sophia whimpers, your eyes locking with Annette’s in horror. She settles in the same beat. From then on, Annette takes care when moving around you. 

Melissa catches the interaction through the back door and grins when you meet her eyes, a sheepish smile on your face. 

It feels like only a moment and the table is being set, but Melissa and Uncle Tomas are still out on the back porch. Both are facing away from you with Tomas surrounded by smoke and motioning with his hands in a way that reminds you of the redhead. She’s nodding along with whatever he’s saying, throwing her head back in a full-body laugh. 

Tomas stubs out his cigar when you knock on the window and motion them inside. He says something you can’t read on his lips, but it makes Melissa shake her head. Her eyes meet yours and you’re overwhelmed by the emotion in them. 

“Good talk?” You ask. 

“I’d say so,” Tomas nods, closing the door as soon as Melissa steps inside, “Hardly a dull moment with that one.” 

“Back at ya, Stickman.” 

The man weaves his way through the throng of Schemmenti’s to pack a plate. You and Melissa stay by the door, watching the chaos unfold. When you lean into her, you sneak a kiss to the corner of her mouth. Her lips twitch. 

“You look good with a kid in your arms.” 

Blinking, you say slowly, “Thank you.” 

“Anytime, honey.” 

When she smiles, there’s a twinkle in her eye. And once again you find yourself trying to understand why she’s looking at you the way she is. You find yourself not minding so much though—Maybe there’s nothing wrong with being a little oblivious. 

There’s a lot you know about Melissa Schemmenti. How she smiles and softens her voice in the presence of kids, how she can only listen to jazz when she cooks, and how she loves getting her hands dirty. You look forward to understanding her one day, too. 

[mcu-and-buckybarnes-things]

I seldom watch awards ceremonies but today somehow I just put SAG Awards on as background while cleaning my room, and I’m glad I did so because RDJ just openly acknowledged Val in his acceptance speech:

James Spader, Anthony Michael Hall, Mel Gibson, Whoopi Goldberg, Woody Harrelson, Holly Hunter, Kenneth Branagh, Jodie Foster, Annette Bening, Val Kilmer, Jamie Foxx... Susan Downey. Now why have I added my wife's name to this list of otherwise super talented artists I've learned so much from up close? It's because for 22 years she has flawlessly portrayed a sane and rational individual who is happily married to an actor.

Also glad to hear Robert Redford’s name dropped and see his face in the Barbra Streisand tribute😊