Round Here

Chapter Eight

August '70

A lot has changed in the two years since everything happened. Sonny and I have been living in the Corleone mall, dad has been working a lot, and we were expecting another baby in the spring of next year. Connie and I have become more close. Freddie and I have been keeping our friendship going strong. He's been on his own for a while. Starting a band and such. I'm proud of him. And with the second anniversary of Emily's death and little Sonny's birth, C has still stayed away. I didn't get any phone calls, letters, or messages from Freddie. I got birthday and Christmas cards, but nothing more. On the brighter side, Freddie and I have discovered a new musician. His name is David Bowie, and ooh he's wonderful. 

Connie and I have become best friends, like any sister in-law should. I mean I wasn't close with Kay, but that's because she's got her own issues. Connie and I go to church every Sunday together with the kids. Even though hers are a bit older than Marlon it doesn't matter to us. I've also become close with Mary. She visits Sonny and I often. Just to get away from her mother. I don't mind since I can understand her problems with her mother. I wasn't the one to complain. My mother and I had our own issues as well. Speaking of which, it'll be five years this September since she's passed. I think about her when Mary mentions her mother, but never any other time. I have no need to, and dad never mentions her anymore. Which is odd, but I don't push. I know he's still hurt even after years. 

Today was a cold day for being summer. It was the nineteenth, and that meant ten more days til it marks two years. I wasn't doing much today. I was having company. Fredo and Deanna were bringing over Fredo Jr, Freddie was coming over with his idiot of a boyfriend, and dad was coming over too. Michael and his children were coming over too, just after everyone arrives. Sonny had no idea. He didn't like a whole lot of company since that gave him too much anxiety. Which I could relate to on so many levels. I didn't mind the company since it was a little get together. I'd invite Vito and Mama Corleone, but they're on vacation in the Caribbean islands somewhere. It was basically a time where we could have dinner and socialize. I forgot to mention Tom and his wife were coming over. Connie and I were preparing for dinner shortly. 

I heard the front door open. "Connie you in here?" I heard Carlo speak. His voice gave me this bad gut feeling. It always had. Every time he spoke I always knew something good was never to come. I always expected the worst with him. "Yes Carlo. You knew that." He came waltzing in to where we were. He appeared drunk. "You didn't leave me a note. Why the fuck not? I tell you where the fuck I'm going." He also appeared to be mad. "I told you earlier before you went to work Carlo. Plus Victor and Mikey are fine. Victor is hanging out with his buddy tonight and Mikey is here with us. He's playing with Marlon." He cocked his head to the side. "So, and why haven't you made sure to have dinner? You didn't tell me nothing bitch!" I stepped in. "Carlo, you're not going to speak to her like that in my house. I don't know if you care or not, but I have rules and one of them is we treat each other with respect. So if you can't get that through your head you can leave and starve tonight." I heard the door open again. He didn't say much after he heard Sonny and dad. 

"Santina where are you? I need you to come here." I heard him say. I excused myself from the living room to go help Sonny. I saw him holding something. It was a case of beer. Behind him were Tom, Theresa, dad, Mary and Michael. "Where's the others? And why are you buying beer?" Dad chuckled as they brought more groceries in. "They're coming over soon. I gotta have something in me to deal with the crowd." He gave me a kiss before going back to the kitchen. I then shut the door. I saw dad come out of the kitchen. He came over to me. He still could manage to pick me up. "My little cannoli. How are you?" He planted a kiss on my forehead before placing me down again. "I'm just fine dad. How's the business?" He knew what I meant. "It's alright. Don't worry too much about that. Have you told anyone about baby number two?" I looked back to see if anyone was near. "Just you, Connie and Sonny. Don't worry though. Everyone will know soon. Plus funny thing is Fredo and Deanna are expecting twins in January." He smiled, pulling me into a hug. "I know Santino told me on the way over." I then led him to the living room.