In My Life I Love You More

Chapter Seventy Two

  
    "John, I just want to say-"

   "We've cleared the air and I really would like to move on from this. It happened, it's over. Dwelling on it will only make both of us more upset. So let it go Josephina. Alright?" John's tone wasn't cold, it wasn't nasty, but the tiredness and the faint traces of hurt were detected and his wife closed her mouth, nodding.

  "Are you-are you sure you still want to go though? I can call up my thia Tula and cancel." I asked John as we walked down the stairs.

  "After I paid a bloody fortune on that rental house during high season? Let your brother man the boat I pre picked out to go sailing on? I think not." John stared at me scandalized and I remembered how much he enjoyed boats at that moment, "Grayson! Emmy! Last chance to use the loo before we go!" He yelled through the front door and I smiled fondly.

John was never one to be quiet and when he learned how loud my family was (we'd shout to each other from different rooms) he'd relaxed immediately. My ex had never liked how loud we were and I often had to walk on eggshells around him with my voice volume.

Although he had verbally assured her that he had forgiven her and he was ready to move on, dark insecure thoughts plagued her mind as they exited the house.

  After opening the trunk to let the dogs hop inside, she turned, coming face to face with John. Nervously she offered John a shy smile and he took her baseball cap out of her hand and placed it snugly on top of her head.

  "It's called a bathroom Dad!" Grayson yelled from his seat in the truck, leaning through the window.

"It's called whatever I bloody want to call it." John shot back and Grayson shook his head, settling back in his seat.

"Gray, you made sure you told Father Thomas you'll pick up your work after we get home right?" I raised an eyebrow as I climbed into the car.

"Yes Mom, he said it's no problem and quote, "have a blessed trip." He quoted and I smiled fondly.

"I remember when Joey Daluca had to be an alter boy, he was so cute in his little robes." Gabriella smiled fondly at the memory and I gasped.

  "Oh, I remember Joey..." I cooed, "his dad owned the Deli in the Mission in the city! Remember his dad used to give us free Salami sandwiches....." I groaned at the memory of Roxy's deli sandwiches, "Joey was cute too. All the girls liked the alter boys." I glanced at John who snorted.

   "Sorry darling, but I think I'd have been kicked out....besides the fact I was technically Protestant?" He said it more as question, obviously racking his brain about the instances that Mimi had taken him to church and made him read the Bible as a child.

  "You know, I'm really proud of you Grayson for becoming an alter boy," I looked at him through the rear view mirror, "it'll teach you more responsibility won't it John?"

  "There's knows there's always room for more good behavior with the way kids are running around these days. Not like when I was a kid. The technology is going to turn the future generations into cocky little psycho shites. Mark my words." He pointed a finger at me.

   "Anyway, with Grayson working at the church and Emmy goes to preschool, I have time for one of my old hobbies.....Confronting the devil in all his forms." I smirked completely missing the way John looked back at my sister in disbelief as she nodded seriously.

   "Why......" John asked slowly and I glanced at him, smiling sheepishly.

  "Well, I never told you this.... But there is a mark of the devil in our family. On my grandfather's side of Ma's family....My great, great, great grandfather was given the location of a gold mine in exchange for his soul...." I shivered at the memory while Gabriella crossed herself.