I follow them out the door, Luca hot on my heels. “Where are you staying?”
Frowning in his direction, I shake my head, opening the door to my SUV. “Bye, Luca.” I get in and shut the door before he can say anything, turning over the engine and backing out of the lot as he waves. I kind of feel like an ass for being rude to him, but I don’t have the patience today. I’ll plan time to see him later in the week, but right now, I need to get other things in order.
My sister is playing in the yard when I pull up, her long dark braid swinging around her shoulders as she runs from my dog, head thrown back with a delighted squeal when he catches up to her and the ball in her hand. I smile, watching them, sitting in the cab until she notices me.
She’s on me before I’m all the way out of the cab, Duke patiently sitting behind her for his turn. “Jessie! I didn’t know you’d be coming by! Mamma didn’t say anything.”
Now that she’s closer, I can see she’s missing a few more teeth than the last time I saw her as she flashes a gummy smile. “She doesn’t know. Want to help me surprise her?”
She claps in place, head bobbing at my suggestion. “Yes! I’ll pretend I skinned my knee! She’ll be so scared.”
Laughing, I nod toward her bike, and she takes off, pulling it onto the grass before she situates herself underneath it. I pat my leg for Duke while I wait for her to finish scheming, dropping to my heels to rub his ears. “Did you miss me?” His tail thumps against the drive in response, and I grab his chin to kiss his nose. “I missed you, too.”
I stand just as Rosa starts yelling, throwing me a gapped tooth smile in between her bellows. I can’t help but laugh, covering my smile with my hand as Mamma comes bustling out the door in a huff, completely oblivious to me standing in her drive as she barrels toward my now giggling sister in the grass.
Upon realizing my sister is joking, my mamma reaches down and smacks the top of her head, clucking as she shakes her head. “Cosa ho detto? Eh? Che cosa ho detto delle tue battute?” What have I said? Eh? What have I said about your jokes?
Laughing at my sister’s expense, I start toward my huffing mamma. “Mamma, leave Rosa alone, I encouraged her.”
Her eyes snap up to mine at my voice, her frown quickly turning into a brilliant smile. She holds her arms out for me, and I hug her, laughing again when she squeezes me a little too hard. “Sei un marmocchio. Ma sono felice che tu sia a casa, figlio mio.” You are a brat. But I am glad you’re home Son. She lets me go, giving me a mocking scowl. “Hai intenzione di provare a prendere il mio cane?” You going to try and take my dog?
“He is my dog, Mamma. You were just watching him for me while I was gone.”
She clucks, heading for the door while I help my sister from the grass. “He likes me better.” She says it in English this time, her heavily accented voice making the words sound even more dramatic. She rarely speaks in English, choosing to use her native language instead.
“Mamma feeds him people food all the time.” Rosa whispers loudly as we follow her inside, and I laugh at Mamma’s responding scoff.
“I was wondering why he looked a little chubby.” I say, eyeing Rosa with a conspiratorial smile as we get to the kitchen.
“Oh, he is not. He is healthy. If he is fat, I am fat. We eat the same thing.” She raises her brow in challenge, hands on her hips.
“He’s so fat!” yells Rosa, cackling as Mamma swings a spatula at her.
Also chuckling, I grab Rosa and pull her backward before she takes a bop to the head. “Rosa is just kidding, Mamma. You are the perfect size. So is Duke.” I tickle Rosa’s sides, plopping her onto a kitchen stool. “Your birthday is coming up, how old will you be? Four?”
She huffs at me, arms crossing over her chest. “Four! I am not going to be four.”
I smile, tapping my chin like I’m thinking especially hard. “Oh, that’s right!” snapping my fingers, I point at her. “You will be six.”
“Jessie!” she yells, kicking at my knee with her barefoot.
“I’m kidding! I know you’ll be five.” I laugh as she tries to kick me again, rubbing my arm after Mamma smacks me with her spatula.
“Quit teasing her.”
“Just making up for all the time I’ve missed Mamma.” She rolls her eyes, going back to her cooking. “Have you already figured out what you want for your ninth birthday?” I ask Rosa, whose eyes are still playfully narrowed on me.
“Yes. I have.” She says, hopping from the stool. “I want a pony, but Papa said no. He did say I could have a pony at my party, though.”
I nod, her papa, my stepdad doesn’t often tell her no, but I can see how getting a pony would be a little overboard. “Well, that will be fun. Will all the cousins be coming?” I ask Mamma, watching Rosa’s head bob in answer as well.
“Let me know when you are planning it. I’m staying at my place now.”
“For good?” asks Rosa, sneaking a carrot off the counter by Mamma.
“For good. I have business here to take care of.” Mamma's eyes shift my way, a question in her gaze. I smile
