Practically Daddy [COMPLETE]

Chapter 35

I woke up and ran downstairs to make myself cereal. Unfortunately, Sal was already down there.

"Hi. You have a doctors appointment at 11 am. You're getting your cast removed!" Sal said.

I ate my cereal and went to the living room. My throat felt a little weird since I haven't said one word in a little over a week. A half hour before the appointment, I got dressed. I put on a blue button down shirt and black jeans. Sal told me to get into the car and he started driving. The car was silent and awkward. When we got to the hospital, Sal took me inside of an office. The doctor took off my cast and told me it would be a little sore for a while. My arm felt so free. When we went home, Sal and I went into our own rooms and shut our doors. After a while of being in my room, I got a text from Sal.

Hey. I'll text you since you're not talking to me. How's your arm doing?

I ignored it at first, but I decided to text back since I'll be away from him for a while soon.

Why would you expect me to talk to you? You only adopted me so you wouldn't go to jail because of the incident with you and my family.

I don't know how much I can stress it. I love you. Rules or not, I love being
with you. You made life better for me. Your parents and brothers' deaths are all my fault. I started it. I'm sorry.

Why didn't you tell me?

I was afraid that you'd hate me.

I really do hate you. Get out of my life. Why did I even come back here?

Please, can we make up?

Never. I don't want to see you again. Everything you said to me was a lie. Now leave me alone.

I'm sorry.

Later that night, Sal went to film in New Jersey. I stayed home in my bed, looking at pictures of my future college. I was so excited to go! Just then, Sal texted me.

If one of the guys or I told you earlier, you would've been devastated.

No, you could've told me the first day. I appreciate your honesty.

I took a nap after we texted. I woke up at 2 am from a nightmare. I was at college, and Sal was my professor, roommate, and boyfriend. Before I ever met him, I would've wanted that. I walked to the bathroom to wash my face because of all the drool I had around my mouth. On my way back to my room, I peaked into Sal's room, and he was writing in a notebook. I went back to bed and fell right back to sleep.

I woke up again at 6 am and went for a walk. It was good to release all of my thoughts while walking. Sal did make me feel welcome in his home, but I don't know if he wanted the extra weight on his shoulders. I came back at 7 am, while Sal was getting ready to go to set.

"Want to come to set? Fun challenge today" Sal said.

I took my book and started reading on the couch. Sal sighed and left the house. I read the entire day, until Sal came home. He made macaroni and cheese, which was pretty good. Then, I showered and fell asleep. My days were getting boring lately.

The next day, Sal practically forced me to set. He picked me up and put me in his car. I didn't even fight it. It was better than sitting home all day. When we got to Queens to film, the guys were surprisingly excited to see me.

"Jo! You came to set, babe" Joe said while opening his arms for a hug.

"I'm so happy to see you" Murr said.

I walked away and sat on a nearby bench. A few minutes later, Q came and sat down next to me.

"It's chilly, right?" he said.

I gave him the worst look I could.

"I would be mad at Sal if I was you, but why are you mad at the rest of us? Q said.

I took my phone out of my pocket and went on Twitter.

"I mean, we didn't know that Sal didn't adopt you on his own. We didn't know that he sort of killed your parents. We loved you from the beginning, without being forced. We were just trying to protect you from...well, this" he said.

As he was saying that, I was typing a new tweet. It said Sal Vulcano basically caused the death of my family and had a choice of going to jail or adopting me. He or any of the guys don't love me, everybody. My thumb was hovering above the tweet button and I showed Q as a threat.

"Please. You don't want to do that" he said.

"Don't want to do what" Joe said, coming over to us.

"Look what she wants to tweet" Q said, pointing at my phone.

Q grabbed the phone out of my hands and deleted the tweet. Joe took my hand and led me to another bench.

"I told you that if you ever wanted to talk, you could" Joe said.

I just realized that I haven't talked in weeks. My throat did feel a little weird.

"Come over for dinner at our house. I'm making salmon" Joe said.

I nodded my head. They continued filming and then I went with Joe to his house. We were silent in the car, but Joe tried to make me laugh by telling me jokes and dancing. I didn't crack. When we got to his house, I sat down to eat.

"Hey, Jo" Bessy hugged me.

I pushed her away and sat down. She didn't do anything to me, but any part of their lives were a constant reminder of everything.

"Bon appetite" Joe said. He put the salmon down on the table.

It was the best meal I've ever had. He's a much better cook than Sal.

"Did you like it?" Joe asked me.

I nodded and went to sit on the couch. Joe came from the dining room and sat next to me.

"How's it going with you and Sal?" Joe asked.

I shrugged. I wanted nothing to do with Impractical Jokers.

"I think you need some time away from each other. You should sleep over tonight" Bessy said.

"Great idea, honey. So, will you?" Joe said.

I nodded and started to pet Cannoli.

"Sal loves you more than you know. It's not forced at all" Joe said.

I shook my head.

"Every day at set after you stopped talking to us, he would ask us for ways for how to make you forgive him" Joe said.

I shook my head and felt tears start to form. I got up from the couch, changed into an extra shirt Bessy gave me, and fell asleep.