Joanna

28

Joanna

"Hey momma," I answered my phone that had rung "Hi baby, busy today,?" "Just with the girls, what's up?"

"We're gonna bbq at the beach today," they were always going to the beach. "Wondering if you and the girls wanted to come."

I glanced at the twins seeing them being their own types of bored. Emilia hung off the couch wiggling her fingers while Elena laid on the floor staring at the fan. "Hey guys," they turned to me "Wanna go to the beach?"

-

"Hi Jojo!!" the twins greeted my bubba "Hey! Did junior come?"

I shook my head "no not today," "aw,"

We sat under a tent my family had already got set up with a blanket. I hopped on my dad's back while he was bent over the cooler "SuP PoPS," I made sure to emphasize the 'S' and 'P' loudly in his ear.

"I should body slam yo ass right now," he mumbled grabbing my arm and faking as if he was gonna throw me forward off his shoulder "NO!" 

I got off and he gave me a big hug. I turned to the girls "these are Mathias's girls," I motioned to the girls who waved "hi guys," he greeted "hello, I know your nonno," using their grandfather's nickname "you know nonno?!" "Of course, he's only like my....best friend,"

They gushed and ran over "oh yeah?! What's nonnos favorite color?!" Elena challenged my father "Red,"

"Food?" "All of it,"

Jojo came over standing next to my dad and I only just noticed how much they looked like each other. They even stood the same-

"Beer?" My dad asked motioning to the cooler "yeah!" Jojo giggled think he was a little clown "What?" My dad asked slapping the back of his head. "Don't do that to my baby!" My mom shouted coming over giving my dad his own slap.

"I can't drink, I'm working."

"Anna-bear" I heard Joseph from behind me "Hosephh." "Drink with me brother," he slurred in my ear before burping in my face"Ugh- God yo breath smells!" I snapped "shut up," he squinted his eyes at me "grow up," I chirped back.

He gasped at the twins "Hi!" "Hello," "Hi Hoseph," Elena had repeated the name I called him making me choke on air. "I'm joey!" He pouted "and Joanna is FIrEd!"

"Shut your face," I grumbled seeing him actually attempt to close his face by squeezing it with his hand. The kids laughed at his behavior and I rolled my eyes "You're not even gonna smoke?"

I slapped his shoulder "can you not talk about drugs in front of the kids?"

"They'll try them sooner or late-"

I slapped the back of his head one good time "Nah," he mumbled and started chasing me around the tent to the sand, and a soon as he was close enough to reach me he shoved me into the water nearby. "Joanna!!" "Anna!" The babies came over screaming "are you okay?!"

"MY PHONE JOEY!" I screamed as I patted my back pocket pulling out my poor phone that wouldn't turn on. I saw him snickering running back to the tent "I'ma go buy beer!" He shouted running in the direction of the parking lot-

For the rest of the day, I was phoneless until we came home 8ish.  I got the girls bathed and made them some dinner before letting them watch their father's TV. "I'ma be right back," I told them putting Tito on the bed.

I went over to my room and took a shower then cleaned up downstairs a bit.

The doorbell rang as I finished up doing the dishes. "Hello?" I had answered when I opened the door, I was met with Quince standing sheepishly "Oh hey," I mumbled, "how'd you get past the gate?"

"I told the person I was here for you..."

"What's up Quin?" "I'm sorry- I look like a creep right now. I just wanted to check in on you because you weren't picking up-and it had me worried."

"My brother shoved me in the water today at the beach and I think my phone is no longer with us. Sorry for worrying you,"

He laughed softly and nodded "well, good. I'm glad you're okay."

I nodded and gave him a small smile "Thank you for checking in," My sentence was interrupted by a distant buzz then Mathias car pull up before he get out. "I'll see you," Quin began to back away "Thanks again,"

The air became tight for some reason as the two men passed each other on the walkway to the door.

Mathias

che diavolo era questo.

(What the hell was this?)

I felt him brush against my shoulder and I blew a scoff as I stepped closer to Joanna. "Welcome home," She told me and I motioned for her to walk inside the house before me then I began to shut the door behind us looking at that Quince already faced in our direction.

I let a smile ghost my lips before slamming it a little roughly.

"I'm sorry about that Mathias- He came over to check-"

"You don't need to explain yourself. You live here and trust quince-"

"Don't be stupid, this is your house! I'd never do something like that and I'd feel more comfortable asking permission."

"Alright if that's what you want to do,"

"I do." She shot back quickly.

Joanna

"I'm gonna head to my room," "The girls are there waiting and, I made extra dinner on the stove if you'd like some later."

"I'd like that."