An Imperfect Love Story - Book 8

Frankie's Job

It was Monday morning as Frankie, Corey, Callie, and Stefanie were all at the bakery helping their Uncle Julius with rolling out new muffins, cleaning, manning the front end and taking orders from customers. The bakery was still very much a well loved spot by everyone in town and it served as a safe place for the kids especially during the first few months of Stef and Lena's divorce.

Regardless of how dramatic Julius was, and that he himself was still devastated over his two best friends marriage exploding and dying he loved them all, and he loved the kids deeply but he would be lying if he didn't say he was worried. Even if he never expressed it he was worried about Corey and his weird mood swings, Stefanie who now had dyed her entire hair blue because her Mama had lost her mind, Callie because she tried to act like nothing was wrong and played peacemaker, Frankie who seemed to just run around anxious and frazzled and of course little Jude who didn't say much.

He loved each of these kids to death and at the end of the day he wanted them all to be happy which is why he always allowed them to come to the bakery whenever they wanted and work there so that he too could keep an eye on them. But they drove him nuts and he wouldn't trade his little family for anything.

"You're a baby! Just go! I'm tired of dealing with your mouth and seeing your face so get out of mine!" Frankie points to the door as once again Corey is complaining about having to sweep the kitchen and his sister was over it. Completely.

"I don't gotta listen to you! You're not the boss! Over here acting like your Mama Dukes!"

"I am the boss when she or Mama aren't here because you act like a foolish idiot! SO GET!"

"Fine! I'm going lifting with Steve anyway! So bite me!" He rolls his eyes as Callie walks around the corner hearing her brothers mouth yet again and glaring at him.

"Did you ask Mocha or even Mom about that? You just can't take off to go lifting without one of them knowing," Callie looks at the boy as he rolls his eyes once more for they were all getting on his nerves big time.

"When did you become so damn bossy? Of course I asked Mama Dukes. Do I look stupid to you? She told me to go have fun since I suffered enough and since I don't have school today!"

"Are you dumb! That doesn't even sound like her!! Mama Dukes never says to go have fun especially not to you! And, yes you look stupid and like a buffoon! Don't give her a hard time!" Frankie yells out.

"Says the queen of giving Mama D and Mama a hard time! I'm a saint compared to you!" He laughs grabbing a chocolate chip and popping it in his mouth.

"Yeah I don't think so!! I listen you're the dumb ass!!"

"Sureeeeeee. SMOKER! Still lifting Mama D's smokes aren't you! She's gonna whip you good and hard and I'm gonna laugh my ass off." He laughs again as Frankie glares at him for she refused to admit she had not stopped smoking whatsoever and was fully addicted just like her mother.

"Whatever you don't know what you're talking about dumbo!"

Callie shakes her head as she stares right into her brothers eyes. No she wasn't usually one to reprimand but if she needed to she would for sure, and she tended to take after her mother in regards to that.

"You know the rules. Straight. Home. Got it? You know Mom wants us all home for dinner and she doesn't budge with that unless it's an emergency." She says sternly for she was getting sick and tired of her brothers attitude along with everyone else and Callie had no room for it. None.

"Yes, Sergeant!" Corey salutes sarcastically as Frankie swings the dish rag at him.

"Knock it off, dumbo!"