The Story of Us

The Story of Explaining

I look around the table to examine my family.  My father is at the head of the table, like always. Next to him is Harrison. Then Lanie, which is now a couple weeks pregnant. That was announced when they first got through the door but Harry's face dropped when he looked at the people.

Mack is half confused and sitting across from Harrison as I sit across from Lanie. Parker is not here with me and neither is Vinnie. Which doesn't help since I need support right now.

And at the other end of the table is my mother. The room is full of silence as Harry stares at our mother disbelief. Lanie is rubbing her tummy, Mack looking bored, my  father looks calm but alert. And I probably have fucking steam blowing out of my ears.

The glare I have on my mother until Lanie gasps in pain. My eyes quickly flash to hers in concern.

"Just growing pains, that's all," she assures us with a wince.

"Harry, I ne-" I cut her off.

"It's Harrison, well to strangers at least. To family it's Harry. You don't have the right to call him Harry," I snap. I know I am being rude and mean but the fact that this woman, who is supposed to be dead, is still here irritates me.

"Lennon," my father snaps but my brain is jumbled and my thoughts are swirling around like wild fire. My mother looks upset but I don't find it in me to care.

"No, she's right," she sighs.

"No she isn't, apologize Lennon," my father glares at me.

"I'm sorry," I roll my eyes and grunt.

"Lennon," my dad warns again but Rachel cuts him off telling him its fine.

"So, Rachel would you like to tell us why you left us over 15 years ago?" the sinister tone in the voice makes me shiver. You would think that came from me or Mack considering we are more confrontational. But no Harrison said it. He only is angry when it involves family and friends but overall he isn't one for confrontation or violence.

"Yeah," Mack spits and I'm surprised to see she is fuming now. The Janno side of the family has a small temper and all three kids happened to get my dad's patience so steam was building up in the room now.

"Go ahead, explain." I usher and my mother sighs and clasps her hands in front of her. She places her entwined fingers on the table and rolls her shoulders.

"When McCartney was born I was so happy. I always wanted three children to name the same theme, which you guys can obviously tell, The Beatles. You guys probably don't remember Starr our turtle. He died before Harrison was three so we never had another one to name Starr. Anyway our family was perfect. For the first few months. Then McCartney was diagnosed with severe persistent Asthma at the age of three months. It was terrible. We couldn't go on vacations or camping, I couldn't take McCartney to the grocery store without her having an attack or starting symptoms. And you would get them every night, too. I was miserable. But your father, he was still smiling. He always took care of you guys. I still took care of you two, I loved teaching you Italian and I understand you can speak it fluently now," she smiles as if she is proud of us. My posture is stiff and my eyes are squinted.

"I couldn't handle it for the next few months. So I told your dad that I wanted a divorce. That he can keep full custody of McCartney. But that I wanted Lennon and Harrison. We fought for hours on end about it. I thought we can start a new family together just us three. But in the end he took full custody of everything ad after the divorce I faked my death so you guys wouldn't think poorly of me divorcing your dad after only a few years of marriage. But being the kind person he is, your father sends me checks every month so I can support my new family. I would like you to meet them," she smiles at us and I growl.

"So just because one of your kids had a minor problem in the beginning you decided to call it quits, start a new family?" I bark.

"Yes," she agrees.

"You don't even feel guilty, do you?" Harrison asks and a chair screeches across the floorboards. Mack is rising from her chair and my dad is quick to get her and bring her out of the room.

"I do," she admits and I growl.

"How many kids do you have in that family?" I ask.

"One. A girl," she answers.

"Let me guess. Good grades, perfect hair, perfect face, perfect genes, and no defects in the DNA? Loves to be a girly girl?" I snap.

"Yes, but no one is perfect," she protests.

"I don't see much of a difference between her and Mackie," Lanie pipes and surprisingly she is angry now, too.

"Neither do I," I agree in a menacing tone.

"How old is she?" Harrison asks and I find this question irrelevant but let him ask it anyway.

"Well when we got divorced McCartney just turned one. So she is about a year younger than Mack." she tells us and I finally get the point of this question. He wanted to see how fast it took her to move on from us.

"It took you 3 months to fall in love with a guy and then have a child with him, you cagna! It took you a 3 months to get over us yet it took me over a decade to get over you!" I screech.

"I know I'm so-" she starts and I cut her off.

"No! Don't say you are fucking sorry! Do you understand how much stuff has been happening since you left! Harrison graduated college! Then he got married! Then Lanie got pregnant! And you want to know what happened to me! I broke my hand! Since January I have been stalked! Stalked as in this guy saw me shower! He saw me changing! He knew where I was, what I was wearing, what I had for dinner, breakfast, lunch! For God's sakes he knew what dress size I was. Then I was kidnapped! And it turns out to be two people that stalked me! And one I even considered my best friend! So don't say you are fucking sorry when you haven't been there for any of us! We were poor and I bet you were still expecting $10,000 from dad every month!" I cry out and tears start bubbling over. Harrison glares at the women and stand up. Lane comes next and they both grab my hand to lead me to the bathroom.

Once we get there I collapse on the floor and start sobbing.

"I cazzo il suo odio," I growl in between sobs.

"I know," Harrison sits next to me and pulls me into his embrace. Lanie comes next cradling up against me. And soon I feel and smell Mack locking us in her arms too. A debate is going off in the other room. I can hear it but I don't find it in me to care or listen.

~~~

Song for this chapter is Gold Digger by Kanye West because I imagine Lennon's mom as a gold digger.

And picture of Lanie on the side!