Stay { a Joe Mazzello Story }

LII

Joe's POV

"God I'm exhausted !" I groaned , setting down the boxes I was balancing on my arms . Jenny came in , setting down the bags of stuff we had gotten . We had gone shopping for Peanut's nursery , and we had basically spent all day . It was around 10:00 at night right now , and I couldn't help but feel creeped out as we were driving home . I didn't tell Jenny , of course , why would I ruin her day ? We just found out the gender of our baby , she had cinnamon rolls like she wanted , and I let her pick out anything she wanted for Peanut . I was just paranoid , that's all . Jenny kicked off her shoes , wrapping her hands around my waist and leaning against me .

"My feet hurt like hell , and I'm going to bed-

A crash was heard upstairs .

"What the hell was that ?" Jenny whispered , her grip tightening on me .

"Shit , stay down here , maybe one of the cats did something ," I said quietly , quickly grabbing a baseball bat . I looked over at Jenny , who had grabbed her car keys and her phone , ready to call 911 .
I carefully went up the stairs , praying to God that it's not George .

"Hello ?!" I shouted , kicking open the guest bedroom . I inspected each aspect of the room , seeing nothing but dust and old furniture . We really have to clear that out , like , it's bad . I checked all the rooms , beside the room we were planning to use as Peanut's nursery . I carefully opened the door , looking to see the empty room with light gray walls . Jenny was most likely to want to paint it . I walked into the middle of the room , looking around . As I turned to walk out , I felt a cold metal barrel pressed to my head .

It was Thomas .

I dropped the bat , my eyes widening . He still looked the same , he had just grown a beard . He looked similar to me , except he had piercing blue eyes that observed everything in such an abstract way it was so complex to comprehend how he saw it . Basically a smaller Hitler , but not all about the whole Aryan thing .

"Shit , how the hell did you get in-

"You guys are horrible at keeping things secure . This going to be your kid's room ? Better lock that window better , you never know who could just scale that wall and bust open the window." Thomas said , looking around . Who the fuck just scales a house and unlocks the window . I was furious that I didn't make sure the windows were locked , but who the hell would do that ?

Obviously Thomas .

"Where's George ? Thomas , I don't fucking like to mess with George-

"George isn't here , unless he didn't follow my instructions...you know how he is . You know , I haven't exactly seen Jenny since college , and she hasn't aged a bit ! You both are around the same age , right ? Well , you would have to be , you guys graduated the same year ." He chuckled , removing the gun from my head .

"Why the hell are you here ? Why ? I don't want any trouble ." I said sternly , clenching my fists .

"Don't get your balls in a bunch ! I'm here to talk to you about my question , which you still have not answered by the way ! I'm afraid , what I'm going to tell you is something that you won't like , but you're joining the gang !" He laughed , removing his gloves . My face dropped , my body going limp .

"No...no , I'm not , I can't , no-

"It doesn't work that way ! Oh , Mr. Joe Mazzello thinks he can just ignore it for sometime and then not expect consequences ! It's not like that , no , I don't work like that , I don't work like that one bit !" He chuckled , raising his eyebrows . I looked at him , my mouth gaping open , trying to make sense of the situation . I'm in the gang again . But I can't , I don't want to be. It doesn't matter what I want though , does it ?

"I'll see you Tuesday , yeah ? You want to meet in the old abandoned St. Cecilia Church ? Does 11:00 PM sound good for you ?" He asked , taking out his phone and typing something , making his way to the window .

"Why the hell are you leaving out the window again ?"

"I don't want to scare Jenny , you know ? I have a soft spot for pregnant women , they're carrying little babies inside of them , isn't that the sweetest thing ?" He smiled thoughtfully . "Oh , and I think you know what happens if you don't show up for Tuesday , yeah ? I may have a soft spot for babies , but I don't for their father ." He said coldly , already halfway out the window . Before I could say anything else , he was gone .

"Joe ! You okay ?" Jenny yelled from downstairs .

I had two options .

Tell her , knowing she would be able to help me get out of this , but also knowing she could possibly be hurt by George or someone else .

Don't tell her and deal with it myself .

"Yeah , yeah , it was just one of the cats being stupid again !" I called back , grabbing my baseball bat . I looked over that cracked window . I would have to fix that . I quietly walked out of the room , closing the door . I went down the stairs , being met by Jenny .

"Hey , you okay ? You look a little pale ," She said , feeling my forehead .

"Yeah , I'm fine ! Just excited to decorate Peanut's room , that's all ," I smiled , kissing her forehead . She laughed and hugged me , closing her eyes .

"I'll be in bed , love you ," She grinned , kissing me . "Hey , do you mind getting the rest of the bags and putting them in the living room please ?" She asked , giving me her iconic puppy eyes .

"Yeah , I will ," I laughed , nodding my head . She smiled , jogging up the rest of the stairs . I looked to see the many bags , each a different , and very expensive , brand , with mostly baby bottles , clothes , paint , blankets and pillows , and we ordered a crib . As I moving them to the living room , I couldn't help but think about Thomas . It's starting all over again . The lies , the secrets . Sneaking out late at night and lying to Jenny about where I was going .

"Yay , it's like college again ," I muttered sarcastically , stopping for a short period of time to light a cigarette . I told Jenny I'd stop , but it was too tempting . I quickly took a drag and stuck my head out the window , letting out a puff of smoke .

Some things are better left unknown .