Ximena: A Multi Series

💎Family Issues

Alise: Marlotta! Let's go! I wanna try to make it to work on time.

The youngest girls were both dressed and ready. Alise seemed to always know when Lottie was being purposefully sluggish to spite her. Alise was putting on her shoes.

Alise: I swear man... makes me wonder "what the hell did I sign up for"... MARLOTTA!

Lottie knew Alise meant business when she said her full name. But Lottie always sassily reminded Alise that she was her sister, and NOT her mother. Lottie slowly came out her room with her bag and violin. Alise opened the front door and the girls ran out. Lottie frowned walking toward the front door.

Alise: Yo. Drop the attitude, Miss Diva.

Lottie: It's just my face; I don't have an attitude!

Alise: You do have an attitude, Lottie.

Lottie tsked and rolled her eyes walking out the door. Alise truly did not have time for this. Alise grabbed her tote bag and keys. Alise looked in the backseat to make sure the girls were safe and secure in their carseats. She got in the car, before pulling off, she looked over at Lottie who had her arms crossed.

Alise: Lottie, fix your face. What are you so mad for!? It's too early for you to be this mad!

Lottie: Didn't know emotions had a time frame.

Alise: Little smartass.

She drove the girls to school and let them out. It was bittersweet watching them going to first grade.

Alise: Bye, Girls. I love you.

Madi & Nyla: Love you!

They held hands and walked together. Now to take Lottie to her school. That didn't come without her and Alise having a few sour words with each other.

Alise: We're here, get out!

Lottie: Gladly!

She got out in a fit of rage.

Alise: Why don't you give me that phone too!?

Lottie slammed the door in Alise's face to show defiance. Alise grumbled. She sighed and took deep breaths as she drove.

Alise: Remember, it's not just you anymore...Don't stress this child, Alise.

Once Alise got to her job, she was working as usual, when she got a phone call.

Alise: Hello?

Principal Noir: Hi, is this Alise Caru?

Alise: Yes, this is she.

PN: How are you, Alise? I'm calling today about one of our students, Marlotta Caru. Are you able to speak for a moment?

Alise: Yes, I am.

PN: Good. Marlotta is one of the top students here at Celia Cruz School of Music. But, we've noticed a change in her behavior. I was wondering what we as the faculty here could do to steer Marlotta back on the right track, and if there is anything in her personal life that could account for her behavior today?

Alise: Let me start by saying, I'm very disappointed to hear this. This morning, I also realized Marlotta was a bit tense. She had gotten into an argument with me before she came to school, so maybe that's why she was so angry today. There have been changes in her attitude as of late. Our mother did pass away and it's very hard for her, so maybe that's why she gets into her moods sometimes. She can be hard to predict and teenagers are not easy.

PN: Yes, of course. I know first hand that pre-teens and teenagers are some of the most challenging to combat, especially a grieving one. If Marlotta needs "extra attention" to help her, there are many options on the table for her. Like we have our counselors, youth groups, and even home placement options for Marlotta if she's having trouble coping.

Alise was stunned. "Home placement"? Adoption? Psych ward? A Girls or Group Home? Or the worst option: Foster care?

PN: Alise? Do you think any of these options I've stated need to be used for Marlotta?

Alise: Uhh... no... I assure you that I will talk to Marlotta this weekend to see why she's being like this and what I as her sister can do to help her fix her behavior.

PN: Ok, well you have my landline if you're in need of assistance and you have a good day.

Alise: Thank you, you as well.

PN: Alright, bye bye!

Alise hung up; she was extremely frustrated. If she was mad with Lottie before, she was infuriated with her now. Alise was working late tonight and so Theo handled the girls. Alise came home and plopped down in a seat at the table. Theo started asking light questions about her day and work, but after a 14 hour shift while early in pregnancy, she was clearly agitated and exhausted.

Alise: Where's Marlotta? Is she in bed?

Theo: I think so.

Alise: Good. I hope she stays asleep all weekend.

Theo: Why what happened?

Alise: She's at that school showing her ass! She was doing the shit at the summer camp too! I'm fucking sick of her!

Alise's bottom lip started quivering and her voice was shaky.

Alise: Her Principal talking about some "Home placement". I'm like If they really feel that I'm inept as a guardian or parent figure and you want her to go to foster care, just take her!

Alise had a few tears fall.

Theo: Take that back. Don't even put that in the air, you don't mean that.

Alise: I know I don't, Theo. But it's like what else can I do!? I work everyday, even sick and pregnant because I just want to do right by her and this is what she does, make me look dumb! I don't know what else to do with her!

She wiped her tears with her fingertips as they kept spewing out uncontrollably. Theo had never seen Alise so upset, even with the passing of her mother. However, perhaps, it was weighing on her again as the anniversary of her and Lottie's mom's death was approaching.

Theo: Why are you so upset though? I've never seen you so upset.

Alise: Because! They're calling me at work with this shit! It's always something Marlotta did! I understand our mother died, if she's struggling with that, she can come and talk to me! She doesn't have to be tough or fight me for no reason! I get so sick of the smart mouth shit!...

Theo: Yeah, that might be upsetting you. What else, Alise?

Alise: What do you mean, Theo?

Theo: What else has you this frustrated? Lottie is an all the time thing, so what else is wrong? This seems like the straw breaking the camel's back.

Alise: It's just... my mom left Lottie in my care... I promised her I would take care of her, and it's just so hard, and it's not for practical reasons. It's because she wants to be a little bitch! And here I am pregnant with my first child, her first grandchild, Lottie's first niece or nephew and she can't be here to share these moments with us! Here we go another year of her death!...

Theo: So that's why... You know, Alise, it's okay for you to be upset sometimes too. It's good for you to cry. You're stressed out, don't harbor so much because then you'll explode. Your mother passed away, and her death date is coming up while you're pregnant AND your little sister is giving you a hard time. Not to mention the role of "Mommy" you're taking on for the twins. That's a lot for anyone to deal with, Babe. Let alone a 25 year old.

Theo wiped her tears.

Alise: I know... but I still wanna kick her little ass, just one time.

They chuckled together.

Theo: No, Alise. You can't beat Lottie up.

Alise: I know... She just makes me so mad, Theo...

Theo: Yeah, but you need to show her you can be soft and vulnerable, not always responding with the same energy when she gives you attitude.

She nodded then sighed.

Alise: I'll try Theo... for the sake of peace.