An Imperfect Love Story - Book 8

Family Meeting (Part One)

LENA POV

"What did we do?" Frankie asks as the kids had all just gotten home from the bakery, and Stef and I had asked them to take a seat in the living room so that we could all talk.

They all look rather nervous as Stef has still yet to change out of her uniform since the kids had come home right as we were still in the middle of talking. "Like I didn't know we still had family meetings since we aren't really a family," Frankie continues looking between us, confused.

"Love, just because Mama and I aren't married anymore does not mean we aren't a family or don't have family meetings. We are still very much a family, and we all love each other." Stef corrects her as she lights yet another smoke, and I turn to our five children as Sharon stands in the doorway. "And Ma you can go."

"Well, aren't I a part of this family or not? Maybe I have things to contribute, Stefanie." Sharon says as I glance back at Stef who glares hard at her mother and rolls her eyes.

"Fine, whatever. Listen, Mama and I feel maybe we should have family meetings even when things aren't going on. HOWEVER, there are things going on and secrets being kept and some of you are using us no longer living together and taking advantage of that to do whatever the hell you want. Now, before I get angry, now is the time to say what you need to say. Something we may or may not know before I start whipping some tails." Stef says as I glance at each of the kids as Jude sits on the ground playing with his truck.

Stefanie is nervously playing with her fingers as Frankie looks at the ground. Callie seems confused, and Corey is nervously shaking his legs. But they are quiet not saying a word as I glance back at Stef who clears her throat, and I can tell by the look on her face she is growing impatient.

"Guys, listen we get you are all teenagers, well most of you, and trying to assert your independence but you aren't adults yet. Mom and I try to help you the best way we can with things you want to do or choices you want to make, but keeping secrets isn't beneficial. It just isn't. Now, it's a safe place, and we want you to be comfortable telling us things." I finally say as Corey snorts.

"How is it safe if Mama Dukes is threatening to whip our tails?" Frankie says as I let out a sigh and glance back at Stef who is now glaring at Frankie and puts her smoke down. "I'm not trying to be disrespectful. I'm just saying. Doesn't sound too safe to me!"

"You can go first, Miss." Stef barks rather loudly as I rub my forehead. "And you are disrespectful, because lying is disrespectful!"

"I'm not a liar!" Frankie yells out now as Stef stares her down hard core.

"NO? You should think long and hard about that one, young lady. VERY HARD."

"I don't have anything to lie about. I go to work and school and..."

"BULLSHIT! KEEP LYING! GO AHEAD! How's the Round Rock? HUH? How is it? Or is that where you take your honor's classes? Because if you are telling us you are taking honors classes, yet you are really working at that restaurant, you mean to tell me that's not a fucking lie? HUH?!" She stands now yelling as I gently grab her hand, and she looks right at me.

"Okay, let's take a minute okay? Let's try to calm down." Stef takes a seat now as I glance back at Frankie who's face is red, and she's silent as she looks down.

"Honey, are you working there? At the Round Rock?" I direct at her, but she shakes her head and mumbles.

"No." She flat out lies as I I keep my hand on Stef's arm to prevent her from jumping up and killing this kid as she butts in.

"FRANCESCA. You have one more time to answer correctly. ONE. MORE. TIME!"

"You are in deep crap!" Corey laughs now as Frankie pushes him.