Round Here

Chapter Forty Four

March '00

5 YEARS LATER

I never thought I'd make it another five years without her, but here I am. It's been a hard time and I can't believe it'll be ten years in May. A lot of things have changed. Rafi has gotten sober and has had three beautiful girls, who are his world. Lucy has managed to keep her promise and is sober as well. Vinny is finally sober too. He's been better since his heart scares. Marlon however has been iffy. He had two heart scares, one being a full blown heart attack, and the other being just a smaller one. He had too much stress with work and home life they say. I mean he always worked his ass off. Then there's my Caroline who has gone onto having four more wonderful children. Lastly there's my Sophie bug. She's gotten stronger each and everyday without harm. I envy her for it. Her and Tom are stronger than ever and their kids are all beautiful walks of life. 

In the years passing, Rafi's won a few championships. I mean the Stanley Cup is something big and he's proud. He shared two or three with his girls so far. They're proud of their daddy. I know I am and San is too. Sad things have come too. Fredo passed in ninety eight of an "accidental" overdose. He got back with Deanna after she came crawling back, then two weeks later he died. He was lost without her but ended up dying. She died too, but not in the same manor. She died in a car wreck three weeks later. I felt bad for their kids. Lucy and Junior have opened up a school and named it after Freddie. That was a great honor for him. I know he is up there proud of his son. Vinny has finally become an astrophysicist like he's always wanted to, and is teaching in Junior's high school. It's more of a day job for him while he takes care of the art at night. Caroline has been better known as the "Lawyer for the Celebs" and Sophie the "Photographer". I'm proud of all my children. Marlon too. He and Sonny opened up a clinic for the less fortunate and give out free tests and all that fancy shit too. As for me, I'm still kicking. I've gotten older, but it still doesn't stop my rendezvous with Tom. He and I love each other more and more each day too. Sophia doesn't mind most of the time. We're old now. We don't have sex as often as we used to. 

Today was a colder day. Vinny has convinced me to put the heat on since Leo won't stop complaining about it being freezing. My bill for the AC hasn't been this low since we first got it. I wasn't liking the heat at first but once I got used to it I was fine. The kids were coming home from school and I was tasked to watch them as always. I didn't mind even if some of them were little shits. Usually it was the older ones who were shit heads while the younger ones were more mellowed out. I was watching some stupid show on the boob tube the kids called it now. I think it was Seinfeld. I hated that show, but must of fell asleep during Friends. I preferred that over most things. I was usually watching reruns of Full House with the kids or Saved By The Bell. I wasn't really keen on their stupid sitcoms. I did however like Fresh Prince. That show was funny. 

I was startled a bit by the bunch. "Daddy's gonna yell at you Atti!" Clarice yelled at him. Didn't work anyways. Marlon never disciplined the kids lately. He was too busy worrying about his health. "Get in here will you!" I said to them. I hated their recent yelling and screaming matches. It was over stupid things usually. That's why I hated them. Caroline was off today so she had her bunch. I was stuck with the rest of theirs. I mean Rafi and Vinny still managed to be shacking up here. I'm thankful since I'd be lonely without them. "Poppa you tell him to stop being a jerk then." She said as she went over and sat on the love seat. I was sitting in my recliner since it was more comfortable. Vinny and Rafi bought it for me last year. Damn was it ever comfortable. "Pops, I'm not being a jerk. I'm telling her how it will all work out, so she can stop being a brat." I rolled my eyes. "Yeah well I'm trying to watch a show, so sit down and do your homework." "Don't got any Pops." He said as he threw his bag aside. "Wanna throw anymore shit?" I asked. "I'll throw whatever I want." "Not in my house you won't. Now go pick it up before I tell your father you were being a brat." He scoffed as he went over and picked his bag up.