I rested my gran's fragile hands on my shoulders as I led her into the house. she was becoming more dependant on my grandad and i's presence and would eventually be immobile the doctor said. Pity that didn't let her down as she was as energetic as a little child. I let her sit down on the porch whilst I put the garden tools and maintenance goods away. sometimes her smile was the only reason I woke up and if she were gone, what reason would I have to get up everyday? I pushed aside the morbid thoughts and sat next to her as she took out her favourite midday snack, homemade chocolate eclairs.
"The old lady is getting too old to look after herself so her family is moving in with her soon"
I pushed away her offering and stood up angrily.
"So what does that mean for us? I mean her family might find it annoying that a little family lives on their property and depends on the old lady for survival! huh? does that mean we'll be homeless again?"
"Alexandra Pancolo! that is not how I taught you to speak to elders! I don't know what this means for us but I'm sure the family will need us"
"I doubt it. you know how they are"
In my village, the Italians who had left Italy to go to other countries were called arrogante. A simple word that meant that they were just that, arrogant. I marched out the gate, towards Rosetta Cardiola's house without looking back. At her neat fence, I spotted her almost blind granny drowning her rose bushes. Rose, ironically, came out to help her. her long, auburn hair swaying behind her, colour being due to long days playing carelessly in the sun. Her olive oval-shaped face turned towards me and her heart shaped lips smiled in obvious embarrassment. I waved her over and she dropped her stuff to come meet me. we strolled hand in hand as we headed for the old lady's private beach.
"How's school?"
Whilst she babbled on about the new science teacher and her best friends scandalous pregnancy, I unrolled the blanket and laid it on the sand in front of her. She continued talking as I stared out at the sea and watched the waves crashing on shore.
"Alex! did you hear anything I just said ?"
"Yes. you hate school"
"Well I don't just hate it, it's unbearable without you "
She pushed me roughly into the blanket. she grabbed my hair as we both fought to get some air, neither one of us wanting to stop kissing. I didn't stop her, I wanted her to hurt me. my lungs gave in as her shirt was half way over her head. I couldn't do this, Rose wasn't it.
