Page 161 of La Dolce Vita

"If Cutter still around?" Clarence finished for her. And the narrowed gaze he gave her made her stomach queasy. When they were younger Clarence was her shadow. They played together a lot. She felt a pang of guilt over shutting him out of her life the way she did.

She nodded. "Yes. Is Cutter coming?"

"He owns a boxing gym out in Norfolk. He owns a grocery store and two gas stations in Alpoca. Can't own much here in Apple Grove. You bought up most of the real estate." Clarence said. "Don't worry. He's married. Got kids that go to school out in Alpoca."

"I'm not worried," Mirabella said. "Just curious."

"He knows you here, but he ain’t stupid enough to come around. Trust me. That was a long time ago." Clyde said.

She smiled. "Is there anything I can bring to the cookout? Anything?"

"Just you and the family. Like I said, we happy you done come home. It's been far too long, Mia."

"Yeah, it has been."

She walked them to the door. They left, and she locked it. Gianni started to cry. Mirabella smiled at her son. "You wouldn't even smile for cousin Clarence, but you are crying because he was gone?"

She picked up her son and kissed him. And then turned to carry him back into the kitchen. Just as she set him down, she felt someone step up from behind her. She jumped. Giovanni hugged her waist and pulled her up against his chest.

"You scared me!" she panted.

"Morning," he whispered in her ear and squeezed her breast. She kissed him. He tasted of toothpaste. She licked his lips, and then her own when he let her go. "Let me take you and the kids to breakfast."

She laughed. "I can cook for us."

"I know you can, but you can also show us around town. We can eat. See Apple Grove. And then go to this cookout."

"Mmm, good idea. I want to lay down a little first. With you," she said, kissing him again.

He hugged her and looked at their son. "How long has he been up?"

"Long enough to let me know he's not going back to sleep."

Giovanni let her go and reached for Gianni. He tossed him a few feet in the air. The toddler squealed with laughter. "If I can make him go back to sleep will you take a shower with me?" he asked.

She chuckled. "You can try."

She went to the fridge and got his sipping cup with milk in it. She handed it to Giovanni. He carried his boy into the living room and sat down in the recliner. He gave him the cup and rocked him.

Mirabella watched them for a few minutes and smiled. "Come find me when you're done."

She went upstairs, confident that he would lose that battle.

***

"Hey, baby," Marietta said as she eased in under the covers next to her husband. Lorenzo groaned but lifted his arm so she could come close. "Hungry?"

"What time is it?" he asked.

"Early, I dunno. I think Mira is downstairs cooking breakfast."

He opened one eye then the next. He smiled. "Not for food."

She giggled as he smacked her ass under the covers.

"How was last night?" he asked.

"Fun. We played records and talked about her life here with the grandparents. She showed me so many pictures, Lo. It’s amazing how much I missed growing up. I could have been here, if.... well it doesn't matter now. I'm here."

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