Where There's Smoke

Lost Boy

Adrian's POV

            I was going over my choreography in the basement while Roman and Janae were getting ready for a big family dinner. My Nonna Angie and Auntie Bella have been here all day cooking, Nonno, Uncle Tristan, and Uncle Gianni have been moving chairs and tables all day in the back yard as if it isn't fucking October. I was on my laptop perfecting my effects that I was using. I had closed the door to the basement to have the utmost privacy. I got really intense around competitions because I was very serious about perfecting every single piece of my routine from the lighting to who from my studio can be waiting in the wings. I was anxious about this routine this year because the theme for the solos since this was the last competition for the year was acceptance of what has happened and what is to come. We had been working on this routine for months. During the summer Uncle Gianni allowed Zariah to come back to dance and she struggled with her solo, but wouldn't let me help her. This was Kendra's first competition since she had baby CJ and she was stressed about it. I was using a projector I had to display what would be on the stage. I got up and stood in front of it and liked how it looked. I heard a knock on the door and shut the projector off. "Little miss ma'am it is time for you guys to come upstairs. Dinner is almost ready and family is almost here." Janae smiled leaning on the door.

   "Can I have 20 more minutes?" I asked.

   "I wasn't giving you an option. You've been down here all day. You can come back down before bed. It is 6:30 you have to shower and change."

   "It's just family!" I whined.

   "Upstairs now Adrian, you can come back down later. If it was regular dinner I would say go ahead, but it is a big Marchetti family dinner, so that mean we have to look presentable. I would much rather be in sweats and a t-shirt, but it is not." She grumbled.

   "How often do these stupid mob family dinners happen?" I asked.

   "Sweetheart I have been with your father for years. This is my first one that is not linked to a wedding, funeral, or baby." She laughed.

   "Why does this feel like the last supper?" I mumbled turning the lights off in the basement.

   "I know love; I got your closes laid out on your bed." She smiled. I nodded and jogged upstairs. I took my shower and did my hair for this shit. I saw that Janae had laid out some simple jeans and a sweater for me. I got dressed and went back downstairs. My mom walked in with her arms full with dishes. "Why are you here?" I asked taking one.

   "I don't even know." She grumbled.

   "I have to host all of these people in my house! Why because of goddamn Roman! I low key miss the separation." Janae came downstairs in a whole new outfit, hair done, and make up.

   "Even if we were separated you'd still have to be here." Roman came down with Eva and Tati. He kissed Janae and smiled. "Any more complaints?"

   "Why do I have to be here?" My mom asked.

   "Is this one not my kid? Did you not procreate with me?" He laughed as Janae took Tati.

   "Yes." She glared.

   "Well welcome to the Marchetti family!" He traded Eva for the dish she was holding.

   "Then why the hell am I here?" Val came in from the backyard.

   "You procreated with my wife." Roman shoved the dish in his chest.

   "I said sorry." Val rolled his eyes. The laughed and carried the food out to the backyard. The three of us followed the back too. I stopped at the door and turned around to my mom's. "So we can all agree that none of us want to be here right now?" I asked.