Texas Time!

That one L word

The next day, Mexico was painting, while the kiddos (the quad squad) were jumping around and trying to get him to play. He was holding Arizona, who was trying to climb up and pull on his short, dreadlocked hair. Mexico sighed, however he couldn't help but giggle along with his children as they jumped around him and sang along with the music he was playing. However, when he saw Utah huddled alone in the corner, he sighed. He didn't want his baby to be left out, but he understood that Utah was perfectly content reading in the corner.

"Pajarito, what are you reading?" Mexico asked.

"A winkle," Utah said, holding up 'A Wrinkle In Time,' by Madeleine L'Engle.

"NERD," Nevada exclaimed.

"Nevada! That's not nice!" Mexico exclaimed, however Utah seemed unfazed by his sisters opinion. Suddenly, Mexico got a call.

M: Hello?

I: Hey Mex! How are you?

M: Hi Italy! I'm ok! How's Tito? Texas told me what happened yesterday

I: he's ok... he's taking the day off to get settled... yesterday was rough

M: Im really sorry about what happened... Philip is a sweet kid-

I: I know... you really must have seen the best in him as his art teacher I suppose... I just can't really be ok with him anymore... and maybe I can't be too hard on a kid, but I don't wanna start pointing blame at Philipa, because we're friends and.... Ugh, I'm sorry, I know it's not really your business...

M: It's alright, I understand... honestly sometimes PJ as a student has such a different personality than PJ as a friend to my son- or so it seems, since I mostly only know him as a student... he's so quiet and reserved when we're creating a new work of art, and very observant of his surroundings... but from what Texas says, he's violent and emotional

I: I guess the world is different outside of the art room... I don't doubt he has good intentions, but I can't be ok with a kid who has hurt my son time and time again because he can't control his temper

M: I understand.... Well, is everything ok? Did you need anything?

I: oh, Tito just wanted to know if Texas was ok with him coming over to work on their international festival projects... he said he felt too awkward asking Tex himself

M: I'll text him to make sure, but I think Texas would be happy to have him over! He was worried about him

I: ok, well, I'll drop him off at your house a little bit after school ends... 4:00 work?

M: Mhm! I'll make the boys some dinner as well

I: thanks mex, sorry for the trouble

M: oh, no worries! Our babies are teens now, I suspected there'd be some trouble soon

I: heh, yep... well, I'll see ya later

M: adiós

After school, Texas and Tito were hanging out in their attic, makin stuffs and doing things.

"You we're able to get Naples to cater the event?!" Texas exclaimed excitedly as he glued a Tex-Mex menu he created on his tri-fold poster.

"Mhm, so you bet everyone is gonna be flocking my booth," Tito said. Texas giggled.

"Save me two slices at least! I think my Grandma is gonna be there, and she loves Margherita pizza!" Texas exclaimed. Tito smiled sadly.

"How is she doing by the way?" Tito asked. Texas smiled halfheartedly.

"Not bad... she's just a lot more quiet... her memory is still sharp as ever, but if an earthquake hit she probably wouldn't realize until a few minutes after it happened," Texas said.