The Good Life

Chapter 40

”How do you two even have time?” Fiona asked her friend sitting across from her at the big bright outdoor table.

”I wish I knew…we haven’t…” Marla started glancing over at Bruno on the ground with his daughter and nephew. He got up walking away from them for a second.

”No!” Fiona exclaimed.

”Yes!” Marla answered with a sad face.

”No. She’s wrong…” Bruno said taking a glass of water from the table.

”You don’t even know what we’re talking about, Brunz.” Marla answered him.

”I’m all knowing…” Bruno nodded his head.

”Shut up.” Marla answered with a laugh taking a sip of her water.

”We’re herrreeeee…” they heard Phil walk through the back gate carrying one of his kids with his wife behind holding their other child’s hand along with a big bag of food.

”Oh…here…” Marla responded taking the bags from Urbana’s hands to go inside.

Bruno and Phil stayed outside watching the kids not moving a muscle for their significant others.

”Thank you, Mar.” Urbana answered taking out a handful of side dishes and red solo cups.

”You stay classy, now.” Marla responded to the cups.

”They’re only the best…and after the kids fall asleep….” Urbana answered.

”Well, true. She actually needs a nap…look at her throwing shit…” Marla said pointing at a flying block hitting Bruno right in the face. Marla watched the event unfold through the window hoping that he would pick her up and bring her inside. He just laughed at her throwing the block in her direction making her laugh.

”God, don’t you hate it when they fuck up the system?” Urbana asked. ”I mean…I’m trying so hard to be firm and he walks in not giving a fuck at all.”

”Welcome to my world…” Marla replied not moving from her spot at the window. Bruno turned to face the house going to get a drink from the table. He waved at her making her melt. Oh god. We aren’t doing that…again. Marla thought to herself taking a huge handful of chips from the bowl on the table.

”Hey…fatty…stop eating my chips.” Bruno responded to Marla’s handful of chips taking some from her hand.

”Those were mine…” she said with her mouth full.

”I married them.” he said kissing her forehead walking back over to the other food they were making. Marla followed him toward the food picking up Rosie who looked as though she was about to fall asleep sitting up.

”Are you ready for a nap, Rosalia?” she asked as her daughter’s head hit her shoulder heavily. Marla stopped midstep feeling all 35 pounds on her daughter fall on her shoulder. Marla ran inside as fast as possible looking at Fiona with tears in her eyes. Fiona followed her into the house faster than she could say Doo-wop. ”Where did she go?” Bruno asked turning around.

”I don’t know…” Phil answered.

”Brunnnoooo!” they heard her scream from the inside of the house. Bruno dropped the food in his hand, a hard task for him at that moment, seeing the dog sitting next to his wife trying to reach Rosalia who was visibly shaking on her right side with her eyes closed tightly.

”Oh no.” Bruno said quietly to himself as his sister followed in behind him holding her son’s hand.