Sweet Family Of War - Book 7

Foreign Friends

"Have you even spoken to Meana Lena and Hot Mess Stef????" Julius asks Tess as she is wiping down the counters at the bakery. It had been months since either she or Julius had spoken to their best friends, and it was really killing her.

"No, I told you I haven't. How many times do I need to tell you? I guess we all just aren't friends anymore." Tess grits her teeth, for Julius just couldn't seem to go one week without bringing up this subject. It was grating on her nerves as it wasn't helping her heal like she had hoped she would by now.

"Oh bull! How can we allll just end our friendship like that!? YEARSSS of friendship over silly misunderstandings!" Julius says as Tess continues wiping the counter and shrugs her shoulders.

"Look, it wasn't my choice, Julius. Stefanie is already pissed at me for all this. She just doesn't...get it, I guess, and I don't want her to. I mean, I don't want her to ever feel how I've been feeling."

"THENN why on earth are you dragging her into this!? What's the big deal if she sees her hot mess godmother? You say you don't want her to feel like this, but it seems you go ahead and hurt her while trying to what? Protect her? From what? you know Stef would never talk to her like she did us!" Julius screeches as Tess turns to look at the man, her eyebrows narrowing.

"Because I'm done with both Stef and Lena. That's why."

"Whoaaaaa!"

"Julius, look," she says putting the rag down. "Lena is never going to forgive me. You know she won't. It's always going to be this thing between me and her. I was her best friend, and I betrayed her. I will always adore Stef and cherish the friendship we built. But..."

"Oh honey, that happened 10000000 years agooooooo! Why are you bringing that up AGAIN?" Her friend says in a shrill tone as Tess shakes her head again.

"Yeah? Even if it did, it's why Lena is so angry at me STILL. And why she STILL snaps at me. Besides I've been thinking of maybe moving to New York if Stefanie picks a college there."

"WHOA!!!!!!" Julius begins waving his hands. "Am I deaf or did you say you're moving to New York???????"

"You're not deaf, Jules. I've been thinking about it for quite some time, and I wanna just focus on my daughter. Is that so wrong?" Tess walks over to the sink and begins rinsing her rag, Julius not far behind.

"No! It sounds like a fancy way of you actually RUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're what? Turning into Lena now? Running from your problems instead of trying to fix them?"

"Look who's talking!" Tess snorts as she slams the rag down on the faucet and whirls around to face her friend.

"Look who's talking? HUH????????? What the hell does that even mean?" Julius sounds hurt as Tess sighs for what feels like the hundredth time.

"Julius, don't you get it? I'm done trying! I don't insert myself where I'm not even wanted. That's never been me, and I'm not starting now! I don't see you trying to make amends anyways! Instead, EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK. You ask me if I've talked to them or if I know how they're doing! If you wanna know, go ask! Cuz I'm out!" Tess hollers as she yanks off her apron, her face as red as a tomato, and she tosses it in the pile of laundry in the closet before grabbing her purse and keys.

"Wait a minute, Missy!" Julius follows the woman to the back door, blocking it so she can't get out. "I can't lose another friend right now! I'm sorry, okay?" He says rather dramatically as Tess glares rather hard at the man.

"Fine. But I need to cool off. Just let me be, Jules."

"Okay! Fine!" He raises his hands and steps out of her way feeling exhausted over all the drama. He just missed his friends and had never gone this long without talking to Stef or Lena. To him his heart was broken in half and he would do anything to have them back.

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"These shots are so awesome, Callie. Like how do you know what to shoot?" Stefanie asks as she had stayed with Callie after school in the darkroom to see her photos. The girls didn't get to hang much anymore since their parents rift and it really was hard for them.

"I don't know, just do." She says hanging up a few more of the photos as Stefanie admires the ones that are coming into focus.

"I like this one of Godmom. Can I have it?"

"Sure." Callie smiles as Stefanie takes a seat by the pile of photos.

"I miss coming over. I know I snuck over that time when Jude first came a few weeks ago, but I miss you guys and Aunt Lena and Godmommy. Like I know their fight wasn't good, and I told my mom she should be nicer to Aunt Lena..."

"Ya? How did that go?" Callie sets down a photo to look at the girl.

"Not too well actually. I mean, I don't get it. As long as I've been alive, I haven't seen my mom and Godmom at odds with each other. It just doesn't feel too good cuz I love them both," Stefanie says sadly.

"I know. It doesn't feel too good. I get what you mean," Callie sympathizes as she places her hand on Stefanie's shoulder. "But maybe I can talk to Aunt Tess? Do you think she'll listen?"

"I don't know. But ummm, I really wanna come over again. I know my dad would let me, but my mom would shout at him for going against her, and it would be this whole big issue. It's just not fair."

"Ya. I know. But maybe we can figure something out." Callie grabs another photo out of the solution and hangs it gingerly as it starts to come into focus.

"Oh, man, that's Jude! I love this one!" Stefanie squeals as she squints her eyes too look closer as the young boy's eyes are a crystal blue. "He's such a cutiepie!"

"He really is. Super quiet but sweet. Look, come over this weekend. I can hide you in my room. Just say you are staying at another friends house or something. Who cares we all love each other our parents will have to get over it. Plus we can chat about boys."

"Wow, Callie listen to you! But I think you're right. I'll come over. Besides I'm basically an adult!"

"Ha! Don't let my mom hear you say that." Both girls laugh as they finish up Callie's photos just enjoying anytime they can together before their futures change forever.