Round Here

Chapter Forty

December '90

These past few months haven't been too bad. Vinny's gotten a bit better since I got him someone to talk to. Lucy has straightened herself out a bit too. Caroline however has gotten a bit more sick. She's been doing alright, but she has her bad days. Tom and Sophia have moved down to the basement giving Lucy and Junior their own space. Caroline and Rafi were a bit jealous but soon got over it. Marlon turned twenty two the other day. It was a nice day. We celebrated as usual and then watched a movie. Now the kids were off for Christmas holidays, so I had to keep them all busy. 

Today was a colder day. Caroline and I were down in the living room. The other kids were playing in here as well. I didn't mind. I was a bit lonely. I mean I had Caroline, but she was asleep since her treatment made her tired. The younger kids were on the floor playing with their blocks while their parents were out shopping. I was having an okay time watching them since they were being a bit naughty at times. Rafi and Mike came in. "Daddy how many days until Santa comes?" Rafi asked. He still believed in Santa. I just went with it since the little ones did too. "Um what does the fridge say?" "Eleven days daddy. I just want Santa to come now. I'm excited." "I know bub. He will be here before you know it." He came over while Mike went down to play cars with the boys. Caroline was laying beside me. I wasn't too sure if she was asleep or not. She had been but with the noise she was starting to stir. "Daddy are we gonna make cookies? You know like you said we would?" I smiled. That was one of our traditions. Santina had done it every year since Marlon was born. "Yes we are gonna make cookies. Just not right at this moment." "Daddy can we put the tree up?" He was always so excited about Christmas. "Yes we can put the tree up, but after dinner. Remember I told you that when I was in the bathroom." "I know daddy. I'm just excited." I smiled. "I know you are. Go play with the kids now. I'll let you know when we are gonna bake." He nodded before going to the floor. 

Delilah was the next one to come bother me. "Poppa I pway wif you?" "Why can't you play with the boys? They're having fun." She crossed her arms. "No Poppa. I pway wif you. Dey no pway wif me. I hat derms." I rolled my eyes. "Boys let her play with you." I said. "We don't want to. She wants to play with her dolls." "She's a girl. What do you expect? Be nice to her." "We are daddy. She don't play cars." "Okay fine. Delilah come sit up with Poppa then." She climbed up onto my lap as the boys continued playing cars. "Poppa, is daddy tomin' home?" "Yes, he and mommy went out to get some groceries." I had to tell them that so I didn't say anything about presents. "Otay Poppa. Is mommy dere?" "Yes mommy is with daddy. They went out with Uncle Tom and Auntie Sophia." She sighed. She laid on my chest. "Poppa I love you." "I love you too." Caroline sat up. "Daddy when is the nurse coming? I want these out." I knew she wanted the stuff out. She was finished her treatment as of today, then we were going to the doctors to see if it was enough on Monday. All she wanted for Christmas was to be cancer free. It broke my heart. "The nurse is coming around three. So one more hour." She just sighed. "Daddy I don't wanna wait that long." She said as she rested her head on my leg. "I know. It's gonna be three before you know it." "Daddy can Mimi come over for Christmas? He said Angie, Jeff, and Claire are going to see Mary with Aunt Kay." "Yeah he can. Why isn't he going?" She sighed. "Personal reasons he said. Never said the exact reason. I don't want him to be alone since Gigi and Grandma are in the Caribbean again." She was right they were. They went every year. "Okay sweetie." Delilah was playing with my hair now. She was a bit relaxed. "Poppa I love you." I knew she was falling asleep. "I love you too princess." She squeezed my hair a bit. I didn't mind. Lorenzo noticed his sister falling asleep. "Poppa sissy seepin'." "Shh Lorenzo, I know she is. You play with your cars." He listened.

I had fallen asleep with Delilah on my lap. "Dad!" I opened my eyes to see Lucy standing there. "Yes? Why are you yelling?" "Because you aren't supposed to be sleeping! Neither is she!" I looked to see Delilah still sleeping. I was also wet all along the front of me. "Well why not? I was tired. Plus Rafi was watching the other kids." "Well, that's not the point. You were supposed to be watching them. Now you have pee all over the front of you. We're trying to potty train them dad." "I know you are. I'm sorry I can't stay awake. I'm old sweetie. I'm getting more tired." "Well drink more coffee. You're cleaning her too by the way." "I don't wanna clean her. It's not my job. Just cause she had an accident on me doesn't mean I have to clean it. I have to clean up my shirt and that." "Well you're the reason she had one. So why not?" Junior came in. "Because it's not his job. I'll do it Uncle Sonny." He said as he came over. Caroline groaned as he picked Delilah up. "Sorry Caroline I didn't mean to wake you." "It's okay Junior. The nurse should be here soon." Caroline giggled. "Daddy the nurse already came. You were asleep." I looked at her. "Really?" "Yes daddy. I was a good girl for the nurse daddy." "Good, okay stay here and daddy will be back. He's gotta change." "Okay daddy." I got up. Rafi and Mike weren't down here anymore which was weird. Maybe that's why she yelled at me.