Page 54 of Resolution
“No, not at all.” He kisses my head lightly as he pulls me closer. “I just didn’t want to presume anything. As much as I love tradition, if you have your heart set on something else, I’m fine with that, too.”
“Are you sure? I really like Lorenzo. Everyone I know with that name is strong, handsome, and has a big heart.” My voice becomes playful by the end.
He sighs deeply. “It’s not really an easy name to have as a kid, though. Kids are kind of mean. Hey… What if we called him Loren, so it’s not so confusing around the house? Dad and I only had trouble when I was called by my given name.”
I sit up to look him in the eye “So, you’re okay with Lorenzo?”
Enzo nods and pulls me in for a kiss. It’s slow and consuming. Suddenly, we’re no longer interested in talking about names.
The next morning, I come downstairs to find bickering in the kitchen. It doesn’t sound too serious, but it’s evident Maddie and Declan are in the midst of a disagreement. Enzo’s already at work and Frankie’s nowhere to be found. As much as I hate having to listen to them argue, over the years I’ve found when I intervene, it only gets worse. I know when to step in to stop things, but I want to see what they’re arguing about before I jump in. From the tone of voices being heard throughout the house, Maddie is ticked at something.
“You’re such a jerk!” Maddie shouts. “You used milk and put it back into the fridge when there was barely any left. Then you ate the last granola bar.” When Maddie sees me enter the room, she shouts, “Mom, we need milk and granola bars!”
I notice Dec takes the opportunity to slink out of the room, shaking his head as he goes.
“I’ll pick some up next time I go shopping,” I reply.
“You need to pick me up from school today,” she huffs. “Practice is cancelled and I don’t wanna ride the bus,” she announces like the entitled teenager she thinks she is.I have to do this, huh.So… this is how today’s going to go.Who peed in her cereal this morning?I take a moment to calmly gather my wits and look to the ceiling for some guidance. Please give me patience. When days start like this, we are all in for a world of hurt. Maddie’s a great kid, but when she’s on the rampage, logical sense and reasoning go right out the window.
“I’ll see what I can do,” I nonchalantly counter. I’ve long ago learned not to engage with the enemy when she’s setting up for a fight. She’ll fizzle out faster if I just let it go and stay impartial.
“Ugg,” she huffs and rolls her eyes. “Did you pick up that poster board for my project?” comes out in a tone that makes me cringe.How can a fifteen-year-old sound like a toddler in an instant?
“I didn’t know you needed it,” I reply.
“Mooomm! You know it’s spirit week and I need to make a sign by Wednesday.”
“Well, since today’s only Tuesday. I’ll see what I can do about getting one for you tonight,” I offer, in an attempt to keep the peace.
“Grrrr…” she actually growls.Have I just stepped into the Twilight Zone? “I guess I’ll have to wait until tomorrow,” she grumbles. I swear I also hear, “I can’t wait until I can drive.”If she thinks she’s going to be driving with that attitude, she’s got another thing coming.
Maddie forcefully opens and shuts a few cupboard doors before I’ve finally had enough. “Wanna tell me what’s on your mind, Madelyn Mae? Or are you going to rip every door off the hinges before school?” I arch an eyebrow and wait for a response.
“Ugh.” She turns to face me, steam still flows out her ears as her chin juts in my direction. “Can’t Ijusthave a bad morning?” She sounds like a typical prema donna.God, I love teenagers.
I glance at the clock. “Well, if you want to be fit for company at school, you’ll need to adjust your attitude. Soren will be here any minute. So, unless you want him to see your horns come out, you might want to rethink this fit you’re throwing.”
She pants, “Uh. I’m not throwing a fit.”
“Sounds like one to me,” Frankie states all too cheerily. I quickly step between the two of them or we might just have World War III, right here in the kitchen. I place my hands up in the surrender position as I step toward Maddie and I curtly tell Frankie, “That’s enough. We don’t need comments from the peanut gallery.”
Frankie shakes her head, but knows better than to respond at this moment. Instead, she walks to get her bag by the kitchen table and places her lunch pail into it. Once she has her things, she walks to me and gives me a hug. “I’m walking to the bus stop. Don’t forget I need to bring snacks to school tomorrow for that party. I have twenty-five students in my class and we’ll need to have it there by eleven. See you this afternoon when you pick me up. Love you.”
“Love you, too, Franks. Grab your brother and walk together.”
Declan walks through the kitchen to grab his things and heads out the door. Before he leaves, he looks to me and whispers, “Have fun dealing with…” he looks to Maddie, who’s currently brooding as she looks for something else to eat, “that.”
I roll my eyes and silently mouth, “Don’t you start.” Then add in my regular voice, “I love you, bud. Have a good day at school.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
Once Frankie and Declan leave, I use this time to grab something for myself to eat and let Maddie cool down. She’s still slamming things harder than normal, but it’s not worth getting into it at the moment. Eventually, she settles and sits at the table to eat in silence.Maybe she’s calmed down.
Unfortunately, that theory’s short lived as she snaps, “So you’ll be there after school?”
I take a deep breath and force myself to keep a civil tone. “Yes, I’ll be there.”
“You need to take me driving, too. I’ve hardly gotten any hours in this week.”
