An Imperfect Love Story - Book 8

Gone To Hell

STEF POV

"Bowling always makes me work up an appetite!" My mother says as we had all just gotten home from a fun night of bowling, and I toss my keys in the basket sliding my wedge shoes off.

In all honesty I was grateful I listened to my mother about taking the kids out tonight for Frankie and I talked and made up, Corey got to eat all the shit in the world he wanted, and Stefanie, Callie and Jude had a great time as well. It was just something we seemed to need, and I would make more of an effort to do these kinds of outings with them and not be such a sad basket case.

"Ma, how can you be hungry? All that food we just ate? I should say junk food."

"Exactly that. Junk food!" She laughs as the girls giggle heading into their rooms to most likely watch TV and play records, as Corey slides his shoes off but he soon engulfs me in a hug, one that I'm surprised he gives me as I hug him back.

"Hey, what's that for, love?" I ask looking at him as he smiles bashfully.

"Nothing. I just wanted to thank you for taking us out, Ma. It was cool."

"You're welcome, sweetheart. Anytime, baby." I wink at him as he heads into his room as I step into the kitchen seeing my mother hand Jude a honey bun. He grins and I shake my head for she just spoiled the hell out of this little boy. But it was very easy to do considering he was such a sweetie pie and we were all rather guilty of it.

"Now that is for you, sweet-cakes. You eat up. Milk?" She asks as he looks at her and grins.

"Yes." He nods as I take a seat at the table lighting a smoke as I look over and smile at Jude.

"You have fun tonight, baby?" I ask him grabbing his free hand as he nods his head smiling.

"Good."

"Honey-bun, honey?" My mother asks me as I shake my head and rub the back of my neck.

"Nah, I'm good, Ma."

"Well, one thing is certain we had fun tonight. And since you lost the bet, Stefanie Marie, you have to go out surfing now. Have fun out on your own with your new friend," Sharon smiles as I can only shake my head at her, "And live it up, babygirl. Even Frankie told you to go. And that's big."

"You are relentless, Ma. You just are. I mean were you always this way?" I laugh puffing my smoke as she grabs my hand, and I look over at Jude again who is happily eating his honey-bun but gets down from his chair and stands beside me.

"Room, Mama D?"

"Sure, baby. You can go. Take this napkin, sweet cakes." Handing him a napkin he happily heads into the girls' room as I put my feet up finally feeling like I can relax. I loved being a mother, I really did but I was happy when I could finally relax as I lean my head back on the chair staring at the ceiling.

"I assume Francesca will be back in your bed tonight, babygirl?"

I laugh as my mother grabs a cold seltzer from the fridge and takes a seat beside me lighting her own smoke.

"Yup, most likely. Yapping my head off about any and everything. But, it's sweet. I look forward to it and it actually helps me unwind at night. Then we read to each other and pass out."

"Well, that is very sweet and she can't stay mad long at you."

"Yeah, she's a sweetheart. They all are. I love those kids, Ma. I really do. I mean if there's one amazing thing that came out of my failed marriage with Lena it was Corey and Frankie and Jude. And how the kids really are siblings and just how they blend so well together. Stefanie too."