Growing Up and Other Tall Tales

Chapter 4

Dinner is never quiet.

There is always bickering, there is always someone fighting over the last pork strip, there is always someone being scolded for being on the phone and there is always someone doing something that generally annoys the fuck out of someone and a great fight ensues which is just hyped up by the rest of us and usually broken up by a single cough from Mother. On the more fun days, there is blood.

"Capo, pass the salt," Missy asks me

"No." I say and she narrows her eyes and picks up her knife making me angle my fork at her in defense because I am mature like that

"Stop it," Mother says without looking at us, "Cindy sweetheart, no phones at the dinner table. Duke, do stop berating your sister before I have to come there. And no Ace, you can't leave the table until you eat all of it."

Cinderella puts the phone on the table reluctantly with a loud sigh. Duke lets go of Duchess's ear and sticks his tongue out at her because why not, that's exactly how a man proves his point and Ace grumbles quietly and resumes prodding his food with his fork. Mind you, all of them are above or nearing their 20s.

I leaned forward for the potatoes when a sharp pain sliced up my side. I hissed, more startled than pained until the dull ache resumed its effect. I look down to breathe narrowly and collect myself before deciding that potatoes aren't really worth it and settled back in my seat shifting uneasily.

"Alright?" Sandy speaks behind his hand

"Never better," I grunt

It's been a long day.

"Whatever you say," Sandy shrugs, "But broken ribs are a bitch,"

Waving dismissively at Sandy, I press down on the muscles on my shoulder and feeling how knotted they are wince.

"You know I wouldn't be so mad if we were the ones who killed that fucker."

"Did you tell her yet?"

I shook my head. "Not exactly dinner conversation is it?"

"Capo," I look up at Mother who was staring at me expectantly

"I'm fine," I promise and roll my eyes at the unwavering gaze, "I'll put ice on it."

She looks away hesitantly when I smile a little at her.

"Someone's in trouble," Ace snickers

"Eat your food,"

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"Capo."

Ugh.

"Capo?"

"What?" I groan softly

"Oh my God, he's dead," I hear a frightened voice, which then turns gleeful. "He's dead. He is so dead. Do you think he has written his will? Dibs on the penthouse motherfuck—"

I swing the door open with brute strength sufficient to rip it off its hinges which isn't that great of a feat because I never get that old, rusty metal shit replaced. But effect, is important. I catch the blaring red digits of 04:00 on my alarm clock and grit my teeth turning to them murderously.

"Someone better be dead,"

"If that's not the kind of optimism that wakes a man up, I don't know what is," Cindy grins

I lean against the door frame and groan look skyward frustrated.

"Did you wake me up just to be annoying? Couldn't it wait till morning?"

Sandy flicks her forehead making Cindy step aside, and smiles at me apologetically but there was something nervous about it. I stand up straighter.

"What's wrong?"

"Mother wants to see you. We have a visitor,"