Letters To The Mafia Don

IX

Charlotte Cole

I pushed my hand down on the car horn to alert the person in front of me that the light is green. This is when I would need a cigarette, this is probably why I started. "The light is green you fucking dick!" I yell out my window. "Move!" They finally started to move and I released a sigh of relief. "About fucking time." Some people just shouldn't be on the road. 

Conan Gray's song 'Heather' was blaring through the radio, I was drumming my finger on the wheel tapping along the beat. The ticking of my indicator distracted me from the constant strumming of my finger. I wonder if Bella knows I'm visiting. When I pulled up outside the house, I cut the engine and climbed out of the car. My car had been my pride and joy since I was 17, it was a blue beetle, a bit banged up and had a few scratches on it, but it was mine. I opened the back-driver door and pulled out my white duffel bag.

As I closed the door I heard a high-pitched squeal from behind me and smiled at the familiar sound. I turned around spotted Bella standing at the door, oh how I have missed her. "Lottie!" She chorused as she ran down the pathway. 

"Bella!" I mimicked her, dropped my bag on the floor and held out my arms ready for her intrusion. All of my air escaped me when her body collided with mine and I tightened my arms around her, welcoming the familiar scent of my little sister. "Oh I've missed you so much." I muttered, kissing her hair. 

"Don't go so long without visiting us next time." She whined. I pulled arms length away from her and looked over her. 

"Jesus you have grown." She was almost victorious of overgrowing my 5ft 6 height, she had become slimmer and had now grown a figure that I am jealous of. "You look like a fucking model Bell."

"Oh shut up." She shied away and gently shoved me away.

"It's true, have you thought about signing up for modelling? I'm sure you would be accepted." 

"I'll pass. Come on mum has made dinner ready for you."

"I hope it's her famous lasagne." My mouth watered at the thought. As we entered the house I was welcomed with the mouth-watering scent of my mother's lasagne. Yes! I mentally cheered. "Hi mamma." I greeted her once I was in the kitchen, she had just put the lasagne in the middle of the table when I called her name, she threw the tea towel on the floor and whipped her body around to face me. 

"Oh my darling girl." Her eyes teared up as soon as she saw me and I had to blink to try and dismiss the burning in the back of my eyes. Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry. I chant

"Mamma." I whispered. She opened her arms and I immediately rushed over to her, finally allowing the tears to escape. 

"Baby girl, I have missed you." 

"I've missed you, mamma. I'm sorry for not visiting sooner." She pulled away and kissed the crown of my head. 

"That's alright darling, you're here now that's all that matter. Now get the cutlery out, Bella hasn't done it yet." 

"I've been here for less than five minutes and I already have jobs to do around here." I tease.

"Oh hush. Now move your arse before I beat you with that towel." I chortle at my mother's threat before doing what she's ask of me. 

"How have you been mamma?"

"Tired, I've got a day job at the local nursery only for a few hours every other day, but the wages at the Nursing Home hasn't really been enough lately."

"You should tell me if you're struggling for money, mamma. I would put some in your account." 

"You know I won't do that, Lottie. You need that money for your own bills as well."