Sweet Family Of War - Book 7

Evening Chats

"Everything ok?" I ask Stef as I step out onto our patio and see her smoking with her feet up. After overhearing what Frankie was saying to Jude about me and Stef not liking her, I wanted to let her know even though now I could sense she had something going on as well. Unsure of what to do, and knowing I had NOT been honest with her lately in terms of what was going on with me, I see a glass of what I hope is water on the table next to her as I take a seat beside her.

"It's water honey." She admits halfway smiling as she puffs her smoke and I shake my head.

"I know honey. Are you ok?" She looks at me and back up at the stars. "Something happen?"

"Eh, just my parents."

"What's wrong? Are they ok?" I ask as she fidgets in her seat and puts her smoke down. I gently grab her hand as she looks back into my eyes. "Baby?"

"My dad doesn't say much but apparently my mother is with her sister. For a few weeks now which really means months in my dads language. They have been having some issues he said but won't say what. So he's alone there in Albany." She shrugs her shoulders as I can see the look of concern remain on her face and I move closer to her.

"Maybe, maybe they just need some time alone to think. It doesn't have to mean anything bad baby."

"I don't know love, my mother is a proud woman. I mean you saw her."

"I did but, sometimes people need air. Even proud people. Do you want to visit him?"

"No love we don't have time for that. And I can't leave you here with all these kids alone. That I am NOT doing love and it's NOT because I don't think you can handle it. It's just they need both of us and so does Jude."

"I can ask my mother to come if needed honey. I don't ever want anything to stop you from seeing him if you need."

"No baby it's fine, and I'm ok. I'm sure they will handle it sweets." She winks at me smiling as I return it. "Plus he could use a break from my mother anyway. But everything ok honey? You really aren't acting like yourself. You sure work is ok?" She runs her hand up and down my thigh as I look into her sensitive eyes and smile.

"Oh it's fine. It's just all so...foreign, and I actually feel like an idiot," I laugh it off as she frowns and doesn't laugh with me. "What? I do!"

"Well, you are NOT an idiot, Lena, and it takes time. What all did you do today?" She continues to run her hand on my thigh as I sip my water and clear my throat for her touching me like this always gave me shivers and goosebumps. There was NO way I could tell her I ran into Julius and Tess, which was surprising to say the least not to mention embarrassing, and the fact that they had bought a tone of perfume of me. It confused the hell out of me and I didn't know what to do about it expect realize how much I missed them both. I really did and I knew Stef did as well.

FLASHBACK

"Julius?" I stutter as he holds his wrist out for me to spray perfume. How on earth did he know I worked here? "What, what are you doing here?"

"Shopping baby! I mean it is a store! Actually me and Tessy are shopping. See she's over there behind the shirts!" He laughs as I look in the direction that he is pointing to and my heart races as I see Tess make her way over to me. God if it wasn't bad enough that Julius was here but Tess too not to mention the fact that I had not spoken to them in months which only made this even more awkward.

"Hey Lena." Tess says rather quickly as I clear my throat.

"Hi."

"WELL, THIS IS AWKARD!!!! You two act like YOU don't know each other. BUT Tessy and I were doing our usual shopping and saw you over here!!! At first I didn't know it was you honey since you changed your doo!! Tell me what sprung that on??" He is nosy as usual as I clear my throat again and look Tess in the eyes as she softly smiles.