Round Here

Chapter Twenty Four

October '84 

The kids were back to school for this year. Sonny and I have been relaxing quite a bit and trying to keep the stress levels down. We figured out who tried to shoot at us. It was one of the other families who thought we were someone we weren't. The Stracci family were having a war with the Barzini's so we just got in the way or something stupid like that. I didn't believe it but I had to. I just left it be. The kids were seeming to enjoy this school year more than they were last year. However Vinny hated something about it. I couldn't figure out what, but he said he would tell me another time. He's gotten more into drugs recently and I think it's because of his two friends. They've been hanging out with some new kids. I just left it be since Sonny told me to. He said he'd deal with it. I trusted him. The puppies weren't so puppy any more. They were growing more and more each day. Just like my children. Marlon was almost as tall as Sonny and Vinny is getting closer to their height each day. Even the twins were taller than me and they're eleven. I can say it's safe to say they inherited Sonny's genes when it comes to the height department. I didn't mind since they could reach things I couldn't. I was only five four, but they were useful in the store when Sonny wasn't around. They didn't mind. 

I was home alone today. Something that wasn't unusual because Sonny was often working, and Tom was with him. So that left me alone with the kids being at school and Freddie being on tour again. I mean I had the dogs, but those weren't humans I could actually have a conversation with. It was the mid afternoon so the kids wouldn't be home for another few hours and Sonny was coming home at four, so I was going to be here for a while. My phone rang as I was getting up. I was glad to answer it. "Hello?" The other person on the phone sighed. "Is this Mrs. Corleone?" "Yes it is her. Why? Who is this?" I slightly recognized the voice. I was pretty sure it was the school. "Your daughter is here in my office. She's very upset. Someone bothered her at recess and now she's quite upset." I leaned up against the wall. "Which daughter? I have three." "Lucy, she's panicking about something and I don't know what it is. She said she needs to go home." I sighed. "I have no way to get there. Can I speak to her?" "I'd prefer if you'd find a way Mrs. Corleone, and if you think it'd help her then sure. Here she is." I heard my daughter crying. My heart sank a bit. "Hi mama. I'm sorry I made her call you. I need to come home. It's important kinda." "Sweetie it's okay. What's going on to make you so sad?" She took a deep breath. "Mama I'm not sad. I can't explain it mama. I just need you to come get me. Is daddy home?" I sighed. "No daddy is at Gigi's. Are you on your period?" "No mama I'm not. Mama please just come. I would have told Vinny but I can't find him." I sighed again. I scratched my head a bit. I heard the door open. "Santina where are you?" I didn't answer whoever that was. I answered her. "Sweetie I'm gonna come okay. Just hand the phone off to the principal and I'll see you in a few minutes." "Okay mama." She gave the phone back. "Cannoli where are you?" "In the living room dad." He came around the corner. "Mrs. Corleone are you able to come?" "I am. I'll be there in twenty minutes." "Okay see you then." I hung up. I turned to look at dad. He looked at me. "What's wrong?" "Can you come with me to pick up Lucy?" He looked at his watch. "I guess I could. What's wrong?" I shrugged as I went to the hall. "I have no idea. She said she can't explain it. They won't let her go back to class since she's having anxiety. So I have to go pick her up and Sonny said not to go by myself so you can come." He pulled his keys from his pocket. "Alright let's go then." I agreed as we left the house. 

We got to the school not long after. Dad and I went into the office. I saw her sitting there holding onto her backpack for dear life. "Mama!" She said as she came over to me. "Hi love. Are you okay?" "No mama." I was interrupted by the twit principal. "Do you have a moment?" "No I don't. I have two dogs at home. So I need to get back." "I can call you later. If that makes it easier." "Sure it will be easier." She nodded as she let us go. Dad grabbed her hand as we exited out through front door. She seemed a bit panicky still. She sat in between dad and I. "Mama is daddy home now?" "No love. He's still working. He'll be home shortly. Why?" Dad was driving a bit fast. "Grandpa you're going too fast. I need to tell him something." She was shifting around. Almost as if she was uncomfortable. Dad slowed his driving down a bit. "Do you need to use the bathroom? You can tell daddy when he comes home." She looked at me. "I need to go, and I wanna tell him now." I sighed. Dad pulled up to the bar. "Come on and I'll take you sweetie." I just stayed in the car. She and dad weren't too long thankfully. Once they got back in we were on the road again.