One Life: Episode 7 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT (last page)
babyblue1387:
Sorry for the delay, but holidays, novels and food seem to be taking up a bit too much time!
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The next month, John jr. celebrated his 18th birthday. His father started working for Sal Monella. Lauren had calmed down quite a bit, but her brother and father still found her behavior abnormal. The month wasn't a happy one.
There was a sudden influx of income. John was being paid twice; once by Sal and again by Father Anatoli. John didn't want to go wild and start spending everything he earned. Still, he couldn't help splurging for his children. Little presents seemed to cheer them up a lot. Besides, their life had started to resemble normalcy again, even if they didn't wholly approve of the way their lives were going. Working for Sal was just like working at his old legal job. The kids seemed to be enjoying their new school. John joined the basketball team, Lauren became a cheerleader again. Maybe things weren't so bad after all. Sal was a decent boss, and his wife made some of the best cookies he'd ever tasted.
John jr., however, saw fit to remind his father that anything could go wrong at any moment. In his eyes, something did.
"I don't like it when Lauren talks to him."
"He's not harming her, is he?"
"Well, no, but that's not what bothers me."
"Then what is?"
"He's Sal's son! He's the son of a mob boss, and he's got his eye on my little sister!"
"See, that's the problem with you, Jay! You don't know what you're talking about!"
Both Johns turned to see a fuming Lauren in the kitchen doorway. Father looked down in shame at having been caught gossiping about his daughter. Son did not back down.
"Not know what I'm talking about? Are you blind? Or maybe you're just deaf. If he's not making passes at you, then tell me what it really is because from where I stand, it looks like there's be some serious flirting going on!"
"Flirting?! So what, I can't talk to guys in the hallway, now?"
"Not this one."
"So should I bring all the guys I talk to home for your inspection? Would you like to do a background check?"
"Don't be unreasonable!"
"Unreasonable? Ha! You're the one who's trying to dictate who I can and can't talk to!"
"Don't pull that crap--"
"You're not my father. Dad, tell him I can talk to whoever I want. I'm not a little kid anymore. I can make my own decisions."
Caught in a rather difficult situation, John could only mumble. If he agreed with Lauren, he would make his son angry, destroy their fragile relationship, and make it ok for his little girl to talk to the mob boss's son. If he agreed with John, he risked sending Lauren on another downward spiral, jeopardizing her health and safety.
"Well, Lauren, it does make me uneasy that you are talking to Impetigo. I don't like the idea any more than your brother. We're just concerned, that's all. But we do have to realize that you're growing up and can make decisions for yourself."
John chose his words carefully, hoping that the middle ground would satisfy both children, at least in some small way. John jr and Lauren glared at each other for a while before Lauren stormed off.
A week later and still worried about his sister, John continued to keep an eye on her at school. He wasn't happy about the gossip he was hearing, and was infinitely less thrilled to find it confirmed.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
John was enraged. He would have been pissed to see his sister kissing boy, but Impetigo, Sal Monella's son, and the heir to the Monella mob? John felt angry and betrayed. Anyone but his own sister.
"Why aren't you in class, Lauren?"
"Because I'm spending time with my boyfriend."
John hated the smug look on Impetigo's face, hated the way Lauren had drawn our and emphasized boyfriend.
"So you're dating my sister now?"
Impetigo laughed. "She's a beautiful girl."
Lauren beamed with pride at having landed one of the most popular boys in school. John felt like he wanted to cry.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt her. I promise. If I can help it, those beautiful blue eyes will never shed a tear."
Coming from anyone else, it would have been sweet. Coming from anyone else, it would be endearing, and he wouldn't have a problem with it, he'd applaud it even. Not from a future mob boss. Not from a man whose profession only promised tears in the future. Too angry to say anything, John left the hallway and continued to the school library. He wanted to confront Lauren about it when they got home, but he knew he wouldn't. He was still too angry about it.
When he saw his sister that night, John couldn't bring himself to speak to her. He loved his sister dearly, and knew that if she truly did have feelings for Impetigo, she'd only get her heart broken.
Lauren peeked into his room a little later and her eyes seemed to confirm all that he thought. John had always been able to talk to his sister--openly--about anything. It was one of the things he enjoyed about their relationship. Now, when things mattered the most, just when they seemed to be getting more complicated, he couldn't find words. He couldn't think of anything to say, no comforting gestures, nothing. As his baby sister, the one he'd spent his life looking after, stared in the doorway, John realized she was growing up. She would find boys attractive. They would find her attractive. They would date, Lauren would get married. She wouldn't always need him. Heck, maybe it's best she date Impetigo. If anyone could protect her, it would be him.
"John?"
He looked up from the bed. Lauren had come in the room and stood in front of him. Suddenly, she pulled him into a strange, tight hug.
"I love you, John. I love you and Dad and Mom. Even though Mom's dead and she's the reason we're all like this, I still love her. I do love you all."
She was crying. John could feel her tears on his shirt. He body only shook a little, but before John had the chance to react, Lauren darted out of the room. Too much came crashing down on John all too soon. He's a senior in high school. Next year, he'd be going off to college, and no one would be left to watch over Lauren. Sure their dad would be around, but he'd be preoccupied with other things. Lauren's bedroom door closed and music started to play.
chocolatedalek:
That's really good. I hope Lauren can get herself out of all that trouble!!
babyblue1387:
Whoo! Now that the holidays are over and things are returning to normal, I should have more time to update. I was able to write a large chunk of story last night, so I can update with a bigger piece of the story, now!
Thanks to all those who're sticking with me! I'm so glad you're still enjoying the story.
babyblue1387:
John, Sr. couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"We'll be out of touch for a while, so I wanted to make sure you understood the instructions."
"The police? What could they do?"
"They'll help set up the sting that'll bring Sal's operation to its knees. Now, a car will show up at your house in a couple days. The delivery man will ask you "who's the car for?" If you answer "my son," I will know that you don't intend to follow through with this. I will know that you are a filthy coward, and I will not be pleased to find out you've wasted my time. If you answer "my daughter," then I will know that you are a man of your word, to be trusted in all that you say. You will go through with the plan we just discussed."
John nodded, forgetting for a moment that he was on the phone.
"Clear?"
"Um, yes, sir."
"Good to know. I look forward to doing business with you in the future. Good day."
"Bye."
It was official. Johnathan Irving, Sr. was in way over his head. He' d managed to do nice things for his family with the money he'd earned, but he couldn't ignore the sour taste in his mouth.
"Instructions?"
Lauren stood looking at her father. Without warning, she hugged him tightly.
"I love you, dad. I love you and Jay and Mom."
"Is everything ok, sweetheart?'
"Yeah...I just don't say it enough."
His life was getting weirder by the moment. Some dark cloud seemed to have taken residence over his head. Maybe what he really needed was a shamen to make the darkness go away.
"So Impetigo, what did you want to talk to me about?"
"Well, Lauren, we're getting pretty serious, right? Prom is coming up. I don't have a date yet. I mean, I know we're dating and all, duh, but--"
"If you're asking me to the prom, then yes. I'll go."
Lauren couldn't help smiling. Impetigo was a complete contrast to his father. No doubt he had a tough side--she'd seen him angry before--but he was such a sweet kid. He tried his hardest in school and had normal interests. He still stumbled over his words when he was around her. He still carried her books to class. He was a normal kid, and that made everything so much harder.
"Hey, you seem distracted."
"I'm worried about my father. He's been on edge lately, and I don't...I'm afraid he'll get sick."
"Oh. I guess dad's been working him hard. This is one of our busiest seasons."
It pained Lauren to hear him talk about things as if there was nothing unusual. For him, though, there wasn't anything unusual, was there? He'd grown up around this lifestyle.
"I'll ask my dad to give yours a little time off."
"Oh, no. I couldn't ask you to do that."
"Don't sweat it, Lauren. I meant it when I said I'd do anything you asked me to. I'd rope in the moon if you told me you wanted it."
Lauren blushed and tried not to cry. He was such a sweet boy. He didn't deserve any of this.
"Oh, please don't cry! I--I'm sorry, Lauren, I didn't mean--"
"No, it's the nicest thing a guy has said to me."
She lied. The ease with which the lie rolled off her tongue scared her. Still, she knew, like her father, it was too late to turn back. She was in over her head.
And Sal did give John time off. He would do anything for his son, just as she'd been told he would.
Lola136:
Aaawww thats sweet :) mabye he will help her family?
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