by S. Van Horne
“It’s nice to meet you, Len,” his dad says.
“Oh Len, we have heard a lot about you. Please call me Gio and this lug nut, Tony. You’re always welcome here,” Gio says as she walks over and hugs me to death.
Movement to my left causes me to glance over and see the twins from school earlier standing up from the table.
“Holy shit! Papa! Mamma! This is the girl we were standing up for,” Carlo exclaims.
“Mouths!” their Mom yells out, anger from earlier still simmering under the surface.
“What do you mean standing up for?” yells my brother, looking at me.
“Um…” I murmur out wishing I was anywhere but here right now.
My brother can be a hot head when it comes to me. I was hoping he wouldn’t find out about what happened, but the cat is out of the bag now.
“This is the girl you guys got into a fight over?” his dad asks.
“Okay, um… I don’t know what happened because I ended up leaving the cafeteria, remember?”
“After you left we ended up telling them that it isn’t right to bully people. Of course this led to John saying that he didn’t care and said more things that weren’t nice. Papa, you taught us to stand up for what we believe in. I didn’t like that they were bullying her and honestly, what John was saying wasn’t something that any woman should have to hear. So we ended up getting into a fight with him over this. Did you have any other problems with them during the rest of the day?” Carlo asks me.
“Um, yes and no. Katy and her friends are mean, but nobody else said anything. I have a saying that I use all the time… it’s one more time,” I tell him and glance at Nicoli, “What it means is that whatever anyone says can’t be worse than being one time more than that.”
“So if I say you’re awesome that makes me better?” Dante says with a sexy smirk that I want to slap off.
“No, that’s when I’d say I know, and I’m one more time.” I stick out my tongue, which causes him to laugh.
That sound causes me to feel something I don’t understand. I decide quickly that it has to be my hormones messing with my mind. I need to get away from him so I can figure all this out.
“Well, I made it clear that I won’t be friends with someone like that,” Nicoli tells all of us.
“I agree with you, bro. Len, sorry we didn’t get a chance to talk more over lunch,” says Carlo.
“Well, we wanted to introduce her to the twins and see if they’d walk her to and from school. With practice starting up, her madre wants her walked home to make sure she’s safe. Neil and I have practice right after school but the twins can get her home and back to practice before we can. So, I thought they’d be perfect. Connie said she’d be calling later to make sure it’s alright,” Dante says.
“Thanks for letting us know and for asking if it’s ok. I’ll talk with her madre and then with the twins. Now, your padre and I have a few more things to work out with the twins if you three would like to go into the living room,” Gio states and turns back to the twins who both look down at their feet avoiding the glare coming from their mom.
“Um, Neil, can we head out? I’m supposed to be home when Pops gets there.”
“Right and I’m sure you want to call your posse,” he says, laughing. “Okay, Carlo and Nicoli, we’ll see you in the morning when you get Squirt. Come on, Dante, we have plays to go over.”
Back at the house, I make a call to the girls. I tell them all about my day, the twins, and the hottie who’s now my brother’s friend.
Three
LEN
Four years later….
“Squirt, did you miss me?” I turn around at Kansas City International and see my brother walking towards me. I run and jump into his arms.
“It’s time for you to watch me walk across the stage, big brother!” I say, laughing as he whirls me around.
“I still can’t believe you’re graduating two years early. What the heck?” Putting me down, he looks at me with a smirk. “You know that makes you a huge nerd.”
“You know you’re the bigger nerd,” I giggle out and then before he can say it I shout out, “One more time!”
“Stop teasing your sister and give me some love,” our grandma, or as everyone calls her OPG says, opening her arms up.
“Sorry, OPG, but she is a big nerd.”
“Again, one more time, big brother.”
My parents come and give me a big hug.
“Your Pops and I are so proud of you, Len. And we have a present for you,” Mom says.
“Really? What is it?” I ask them, pulling away.
Right before the start of my freshman year, my grandpa passed away. I ended up moving back to Missouri to live with OPG so she wouldn’t be alone. I’ve always been a grandma’s girl. I named her OPG when I couldn’t figure out why she was only called Grandma when other kids called theirs with two names like Grandma Allen or Grandma Tina. So I asked her and she said, “I’m just Old Plain Grandma.” So that’s what I called her for years. I shortened it to OPG. At first I was the only one to call her it, but now everyone does.
Since it was just the two of us, I ended up pouring myself even more into my learning. I busted my butt for years to graduate high school early. I start at UMKC in a month. I’m going to become the doctor I always wanted to be. Since my brother graduated three weeks ago, in Washington, my parents are moving back home to Kansas City. I’m beyond thrilled to have my family back home.
“Look behind us,” my pops says, shaking me out of my thoughts.
They step aside, and I look up to see the De Luca family. I didn’t get a chance to see them when I was in Washington for Neil and Dante’s graduation. OPG and I drove up there, since she doesn’t fly, and we got into town an hour before the ceremony started. Once Neil’s name was called she was tired, so we drove back to my parents’ house and took a nap. My parents woke me up when they got home telling us that the De Luca’s gave Neil a trip to Italy with them for a graduation present. I was heartbroken that I wasn’t going to see them and my brother before we had to leave, but I was excited for my brother.
Screaming, I run to the twins, who are still two of my best friends next to Ashley and Julia. Jumping into Nicoli’s open arms, I hug him. Giving him a smacking kiss on the lips.
“I’m so glad you guys came to see me graduate! How long are you in town? You know the girls are going to shit bricks when they see you!”
I jump down and jump up into Carlo’s arms, hugging and kissing him too.
After I moved back, the boys always came to visit me for two weeks during the summer breaks. At first, OPG wasn’t too sure about them being under the same roof as me, but once she saw they didn’t want in my pants and our relationship was that of siblings, she ended up adopting them into the family. We have pretty much combined our families so to speak, however the only one I haven’t ever been able to view like a brother is Dante.
“We’re so proud and excited for you, Len!” Mamma Gio exclaims, hugging me close. “We have some exciting news to share with you.”
“What’s your news?”
“Congrats, Len, I knew you were the smartest of the five,” Papa Tony states then gives me a hug and a kiss on my cheek.
“Papa, that isn’t nice. Just because we’re going to wait two more years doesn’t mean shit,” Nicoli says, laughing
“Mouth, Nicoli!” Mamma Gio yells at him
“The news is that they’re moving here as well. Dante’s finishing up some stuff for the family, which is why he’s not here. But he’ll be here towards the end of the month. Exciting, huh?” Neil says, pulling me into his side then smiles down at me.
“Oh my God! That’s awesome! You will be in school with the girls!” I say, jumping up and down.
“Okay, enough. Where are we eating, Len? We’re starving,” Pops says, then grabs my hand and walks towards baggage claim.
I glance at the twins and we scream at the
same time, “Gates N Sons!”
Graduation was awesome. My face was beet red, but it was so worth it. My family and the De Lucas were loud. Their excuse was, you only graduate high school once. I’m not looking forward to hearing how bad it’ll be at my college graduation. OPG and I moved in last week with Mom and Pops. Once we got her house on the market she ended up moving into the in-law suite. This makes me extremely happy having her so close to me, as I can’t imagine my life without her. She’s my rock.
Walking down the hallway to my room, I hear Neil on the phone. I come to a stop when I hear Dante’s voice. I was going to walk away because I didn’t want to eavesdrop on my brother’s conversation, but then again he shouldn’t have had it on speaker phone if he didn’t want people to overhear.
“So, three more days and I’m there, man. I’m so ready. What’s the plan?” Dante’s voice sounds through the speaker.
“Well, I have a party lined up for you. Women galore to choose from. Are we going to share or just getting a girl each?”
“Let’s play it by ear when we get there. The twins are coming too. I already told them. Just don’t let Len know; I don’t want her following us,” Dante says.
I don’t hear how my brother responds because there is roaring in my ears and the tears start. My heart hurts at the thought that he doesn’t want me around. He hasn’t seen me in four years. He doesn’t know that I lost the braces, that I wear contacts instead of glasses, and I’m no longer fat.
I’m pulled out of thoughts by what my brother says next. The words feel like they’re going to choke the life out of me.
“Better let the twins know not to tell her, and she won’t be following us around much. She starts college next week, and we’re leaving for training soon. I talked to the recruiter. He said we report in about two weeks. Once you get here, we’ll finish signing up. We need to break the news to our families. They aren’t going to be happy, but we’re going to be kick ass Navy Seals!”
I drop to my knees, slump against the wall, and let the tears pour down my face. How am I going to deal with my brother leaving to join the military, much less become a Navy Seal? I don’t hear the rest of the conversation and have no clue how long I sit there. I’m so lost in my thoughts of possibly losing my brother and the guy that I have deep feelings for that I don’t hear Neil walk out of his room.
“Squirt, what’s wrong?” Neil kneels before me, concern on his face.
“N… Navy Seals?” I stutter.
Understanding flashes over his face before he drops down next to me.
“Aw, Squirt, I wish you hadn’t heard that. Please know I’m doing this because I want to be a part of something bigger than me. I want to serve my country. I want to be a better person. I promise to be safe, and I’ll always contact you when I can. Please don’t say anything yet,” he says, holding me close and rocking gently.
I can’t say anything. All I can do is cry in my brother’s arms.
DANTE
“For those of you staying, the weather in Kansas City is eighty-seven with a heat index of ninety-three degrees Fahrenheit. Thank you for flying with us today.” The voice sounds through the planes intercom.
I’ve never been so happy to be anywhere as I unclick my belt and stretch. I’ve missed my family, and I feel bad for missing Len’s graduation. Grabbing my bag, I walk off the plane and into the airport waiting area. I spot the twins who wave and scream my name.
“About time you got here,” Papa says and pulls me into a hug.
“I’m tired and hungry. Let’s get out of here.”
I hug Mamma quickly before walking out of the airport.
“Where are we going to eat? Can we go to that BBQ place you all couldn’t stop talking about?” I ask Mamma then climb into the car.
“Gates N Sons? That’s where we were planning. The Shields are meeting us there,” Papa says as he backs out of the parking space.
“Great.” I grin. “I can’t wait to see Momma Connie, Pops, Neil, and Len. I have her graduation gift in my carry on.”
“Oh, Len won’t be there. She has her introduction at UMKC. She may join us about forty-five minutes into dinner. If not there, then she’ll join us at the house,” Papa explains as he pulls onto the highway.
About forty-five minutes later, we’re pulling into the restaurant. I get out of the car, and I hear my name being called out. I look up and spot Neil walking towards us.
“Glad you finally got your ugly ass here,” he says then pulls me into a hug and claps me on my back.
“Neil, mouth,” Mamma scolds as she hugs him.
I look behind Neil and see that his whole family, minus Len, is here, including his grandmother, whom I’ve never met. She doesn’t fly and this is my first time here. The one time she was in Washington, for Neil’s graduation, she left before I could meet her. So, I haven’t had the honor of meeting her.
“Momma Connie, Pops. I’m glad to see you both.”
I walk over and give them both hugs.
“It’s good to see you too, son. Dante this is my mom, May. Mom, this is Dante,” Pops tells the older woman next to him.
“Oh my, you are a good looking young man. It’s nice to meet you.” Len’s grandmother looks me up and down.
“You too, ma’am.”
“Don’t call me that. I don’t run a whore house. Ms. May will be just fine unless I tell you otherwise.”
Laughing, Neil steps up alongside me and whispers, “We told you she is very picky on what she’s called.”
We head into the restaurant, and I notice that it is different than most. You order your food, you’re handed your drink, then go to the next line. There, you get a tray with your food, and then you go and find a spot to sit. We’re talking when I look over at the door and see this hot blonde walk in. She’s wearing a little strapless dress that hits right above her knees. She has on high heels that make her smooth sun-kissed legs look miles long. I continue my upward journey and stop when I get to her face, I see the most amazing smile. Her eyes are covered in sunglasses and her hair is hanging down in loose waves that kiss where her small but full breast are. Damn, this girl’s hot! She starts to walk our way and is met halfway by Nicoli and Carlo who both give her a kiss and a hug. I feel this tug in my chest at seeing this, but I don’t understand why.
“Squirt, get over here and tell us about that introduction thing you went to.”
I’m still trying to understand the slight jealousy that I feel when the twins finally let her go and move out of my way. I can see she took off her glasses. She looks right at me and my breath is gone. Holy shit, I feel that tug deep in my gut, and I’m not sure what it is. She has changed, and I barely recognize her.
“Dante, is that you? I’m so glad you’re here. Sucks you had to miss my graduation,” she starts walking over.
“Hey Len, good to see you too.” I smile and force myself to get my shit together. “Oh, here’s your present. I hope you like it. I didn’t know what to get you.” I reach into my pocket and pull out the small package.
“Thanks, Dante. You didn’t have to get me anything,” she says, smiling at me.
She stays where she is and opens her gift. She stills for a brief moment then looks up with tears in her eyes, and I’m scared for a second thinking she doesn’t like the gift.
“This is beautiful. Thank you, Dante. Can you help me put it on?”
I nod and she turns. I stand and reach for the necklace so I can place it on her. It is fourteen karat gold and has her name on it.
“You’re welcome,” I say as I clip the chain. Turning, she gives me another hug, a kiss on my cheek, and then goes to sit between the twins.
“So, I got my class list…” I listen to her as she tells us all about her evening.
The music is blasting through the house as we make our way to the patio, beers in hand.
“Where are the twins?” Neil asks, taking a seat on the love seat.
“No clue. They found a girl and went into a room. You know how they are.”
I let out a laugh then I take a seat and take a sip of my beer.
“So, are you planning on getting a girl tonight?”
“That’s the plan,” I tell him, but honestly I haven’t been able to get Len off my mind since I saw her.
“We leave in a week. We telling everyone tomorrow?” I ask Neil trying to get my mind off of her.
“Um, about that. Squirt knows. When we were talking last week she overheard. She’s taking it hard. She’ll be writing to us. Promise me you will be nice and write back. I know you don’t like her, but please do this for me.”
“Who said I didn’t like her?”
“You said you didn’t want her following us around. That you thought she was annoying. So I assumed you didn’t like her. Anyway, do I have your word?”
“Yeah, no worries.”
“Cool, I’m off to find a girl. See ya later.” He walks over to a redhead and starts to strike up a conversation with her.
I look out over the deck lost in thought about a blue-eyed, blonde-hair beauty and what exactly these feelings I’m having for her are.
“I’m going to miss you so much. Call and write. Promise me,” Mamma says crying into my shoulder.
“Mamma, I promise. Let me say goodbye to Papa and the others. I have to go.” I pull away and go and tell my Papa, Nicoli, Carlo, Momma Connie, and Pops goodbye.
I save the best for last.
“Okay Len. Be safe, do good in school, and you better write me. I want care packages, too. If I’m with your brother that means I’m stuck seeing his goodies and I don’t want to share,” I tell her with a laugh as I hug her goodbye.
I glance over, and I see that Neil is giving hugs to my family.
“You know I will. Make sure you write back,” she says with tears running down her face.
God, she’s so beautiful. Holding her like this feels right. I notice nobody is watching us, so I quickly place a chaste kiss on her lips. I feel a zap of lighting that goes straight to my dick, and I’m harder than I’ve ever been before. How the hell am I going to walk away from this? Startled, I pull back, look down at her, and see she has a look of bliss on her face. I know she feels it too, but I’m struck with fear of what could happen if I don’t make it back from a mission. Also, she’s only sixteen and our families are so intertwined. No matter how much I want to figure out these feelings that I’m having, I can’t do that to her and so with that thought I turn and load onto the bus without another word.
