Stuck With Francis

- 4 -

I contemplated his intentions in saying that when a group of family members abruptly came over and stole Francis to chat. I assume this is the first time he emerged from his room since the party began. 

Lydia put her hand on my shoulder and began speaking in a lower tone.

"My Francis is a good-natured boy, but he has his issues. He's always gotten into fights at school and doesn't have much respect for people." Woah, lady. You don't have to air out all your problems on me. Still, I looked at her attentively. "I just hope that moving back here will help him. You know, part of the reason we moved was because he got expelled at his school in Boston."

"Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that." I really was, I wish they could've stayed in Boston. 

"Oh, honey, don't worry about it. Cape Cod is our favorite place, it was bound to happen. What school are you attending right now, dear?"

I was afraid to tell her the truth incase she was thinking of sending Francis to the same school, but I didn't want to lie to this sweet woman.

"I go to West High, it's pretty small and the uniforms suck." 

"Oh, that won't work, we don't have connections with the headmasters." She pondered to herself. "I think we're gonna send him to Ridgemont, the dean is really good friends with my husband. Hopefully he can make it his senior year without getting kicked out."

She snorted at her own comment, cracking herself up while I stand there thinking about how much trouble I would get in if I even got suspended. 

"Ridgemont sounds like a really good school, I would've loved to go there." I said in an attempt to convince her. 

"What I really wanted to talk to you about was...well since you and your father are going to be around us pretty often-". Hold on, what? "-well it would be very nice if you and Francis became friends. He could use a nice role model like you in his life. You guys are the same age, and maybe you can get him acquainted with the city?"

This was the worst proposition I've ever been offered in my life. 

"That sounds great! I'm looking forward to it!" I curse the fact that I'm such a people pleaser. 

"Ah, perfect! Your father raised you so sweet, I wish I could trade children with your father." 

"Haha, go ahead and ask him. I'm sure he can use a break from me."

She laughed very hard at this, like very hard. It was odd. She took two glasses of champagne and gave me one.

"Have a drink honey, dinner will be out soon."

"Wait, actually?" I sniffed the strong odor of champagne out of my glass and looked at her wide-eyed. 

"Of course. We're Italian, we don't care."

At least I got a drink out of that dreadful conversation. Dinner was being sent out onto tables by the cooks--roasted lemon chicken on a bed of some weird greens. I searched for my dad and sat by him at a table full of random people. 

He passed me a napkin. "So, you getting along with Francis?"

"I don't like that guy."

He gently slammed down his fork on his napkin. "What am I going to do with you, boy. Can't you see how these people are nothing but nice to us?"

"Francis is not nice! Francis is a complete jerk." Our conversation was in angry whispers.

"He seemed very sweet introducing himself to you."

"It was fake, a lie! He is a horrible, horrible guy."

"Maybe you are having health problems...mental health problems!"

I felt like a patient in an insane asylum trying to explain to my dad how the Zambrotta's angel son was actually the devil. He continued shrugging me off, so I just ate my food and switched the topic. 

"So when do you think will be the next time we come here?"

"Few days probably."

My head almost fell into my food. I buried my face in my hands when I caught Francis from across the room staring directly at me, his mother talking to him very fervently. He nodded along to her while giving me an eerie, faint smile, like he was planning my murder. I quickly looked away and cut into my chicken. Were they talking about me? 

____________________________________

Forty five minutes passed and it was finally time for us to get out of this hellhole, and so we said our quick goodbyes. When we came to the Zambrottas, my dad lagged behind to talk to Kenny and Lydia, something about business and finance. I felt an ominous presence behind me and turned around to see Francis brooding over me. 

"Hello again, Aurelio. It looks like we're gonna be friends." He was entertained by my confusion.

I said in a hushed voice, "We both know that's not happening."

His smile persisted but his eyes squinted in annoyance. 

"We're gonna be stuck together pretty often from here on out. Let's make the most of it." He leaned towards me. "I know I will." 

I backed away, scared of what he was conspiring. My father nudged me on the back to signal our departure, and we finally got in the car and drove away.

____________________________________

"I want you to try and be friends with that boy. He's struggling right now." 

I wonder why. Anyone would struggle to find friends if they acted like that. 

"Whatever."

It wasn't exactly on my senior year agenda to be some rich boy's plaything. All I can say is that if I end up dead in a river, I hope he mourns every day thinking about how I tried to warn him.