No Name

Chapter 19

-Jenni! Where do you want to put the couch ? Yell Lola through the door, her and Nemo just spent the last hour unloading the moving truck, cardboards, furniture, everything that's heavy went through their hands, they made a competition out of it. I arrive in the living room Lola and Nemo sweating heavily but not one of them would think about asking for a break, it would mean losing the competition. I wait a minute looking around even if I already know where the couch is going, I feel like making them suffer a bit longer. Then I point at the staircase, asking them to put it against it. The TV is gonna go just in front, after that room, it's the kitchen/dining room, and the corridor behind the staircase delivers to necessities, the cellar and the kitchen again and then the garden that you can see from the kitchen window.

They put the couch down, sighing heavily and I am pretty sure Nemo is panting even if she tries to hide it they look exhausted. I will give them a break, when it's over. " Come on guys, the truck won't unload itself! Move it!"

-You are the devil. The Devil, Jenni. Poor kid has to live with you, Pequenita you can come to us if your mom is too harsh on you, Leire would be happy to have you home too. Rafael tease us since we grew up the teasing doesn't always turn into a fight which make my mom happier and I take great pride in ignoring his spikes.

-Thank you Tio Rafael, I think I'll take you up on the offer, Nemo laughs.

-Oh yeah ? And how are you gonna go there ? Hum ?

-I'll call him Taxi/Tio Rafael, she smiles mischievously at the end of her sentence.

-Nemo come here and give me a hand, please.

-Si, Abuela. On my way.

I watch as she walks away toward Mamà, they smile at each other, watching them interact never fails to ache my heart in a good way. I can see the look Mamà gives her and I can almost hear the encouraging and wise words she is giving her. Nemo never had a grandma figure before, she respects Mamà a lot, it's written on her face. Every time Mamà opens her mouth Nemo listens dutifully, she drinks it up like it's the bible. It's quite funny.

-Are you happy to be back ? Nemo seems a bit stressed by the way. Ask Rafael.

-Si, I am so happy we are gonna be able to go to Mamà's family dinner and we are gonna raise that kid all together. You have a lot more experience so technically it's your duty to help me.

-Nemo is a teenager, it's a whole other level that I haven't reached yet. You are more ready for it than I am. You are surrounded by them!

-They aren't my kid doesn't count.

-Care to help in moving in your house Miss Hermoso. Says Lola from behind us.

-Finally done! exclaim Nemo letting herself fall after placing the last cardboard in the kitchen. Everyone is sprawled out in the same kind of state around the living room except for Mamà who orchestrated everything but didn't actually lift a finger who is now making sure we are all staying hydrated.

-Technically the cardbox aren't unboxed yet. Adds Leire after taking a gulp of water.

-You couldn't help yourself ? Could you ? Ask Nemo lifting her head from the ground to look at her cousin who as an answer just smiles. "Mamà, when are the pizzas arriving ?

-Right about now, I look at my watch while saying that. They should be here already actually. As I go to add something, someone knocks at the door.

-PIZZA!!!!!! shout Leire and Nemo together. When the both of them are reunited it's like twins separated at birth are getting back together. Or maybe it's just their teenager's brains, always hangry, Leire is just beginning her teenage phase she is taking her cousin as an example and Nemo is in the middle of it, not quite finished but on the verge of young adulthood but not quite there yet. She is beginning to show the woman she'll be later but hasn't reached the level of maturity to realize that there isn't a moment when you know you are an adult now. One day you just look back and realize how far you've come.

Well she has time, she is still young and more than anyone she deserves to stay a child a little bit longer, with her baby cheeks and everything she has time before growing up.

After dinner (PIZZA!!!), Lola is the only one staying the night, we managed to get a few cardbox open to get sheets for the couch and my bed which is the only one that has been rebuilt yet., Carmen and her had a fight. We clean the table after everyone has left.

-Mamà it's your phone. Your manager is calling.

-Gracias, mi pequenà.

-Buenas Tardes Jenni.

-Buenas Tardes, what 's going on ? You never call this late if everything is good.

-Jenni... Nemo's contract fell through with Atletico.

Jenni ?

-What do you mean Nemo's contract fell through ? PSG is keeping her ? They can't, legally they can't right? We made sure of that!" I am furious from the corner of my eyes. I see movement at the staircase, Nemo is coming down. She is looking at me, eyebrows knitted in worry.

-No it's not that, I put someone in charge of getting Nemo the best contract possible but they pushed too hard and Atletico got out of the negotiation.

-Are you serious ?! I asked you to do it!" The way he is trying to defend his own self makes me want to trample him. He is lucky he isn't here. Lola gets Nemo to sit with her on the couch and then they look at me in silence waiting.

-I am sorry. Jenni, the clubs that we still have in negotiation, there is only one in Spain.

-She is going there, where is it ? Which club is it ?" I pace the living room floor angrily. I can't look at Nemo's face. I feel like I have failed her again, she was supposed to have a stable life with me, in Madrid. Now she is going to be forced to leave.

-But ...

-Nemo isn't leaving Spain! Now tell me.

-It's Barcelona.

-Barcelona want Nemo ?" I ask incredulously, Nemo is a young player, talented yes but La Masia is also full of talented young players so why are they coming for Nemo specifically.