Mario hated that he'd left Rico to his own devices once he got here. Actually, he'd left Rico at the hospital while he went to work on Megan and Cori's new place. There was so much to do with the kitchen repairs and plumbing.
"I know, you must have been expecting more," Mario said that night when he brought the pepperoni and sausage pizza home. Thankfully, Caitlin's boyfriend picked Rico up at the hospital. "Actually, I don't know you very well."
"How can you say that?" That happy-go-lucky smile of his was a lot like their father's. Of course, he devoured the pizza on the livingroom coffee table. "We talk and text all the time."
"Do we?" Mario sighed, he was tired. He felt ancient somehow as his teenage brother could make circles around him.
Rico went to get them something to drink from the fridge. Rico was certain it would be alcohol, but it was only rootbeer.
"Caitlin hasn't said anything to me."
Mario himself comfortable on the couch as he popped open the rootbeer and drank. He figured as much. He hugged himself thinking maybe this was all a big mistake. They each had different family roots. Maybe they should have stayed put, but they needed to be here and he knew he'd spent most of his life with his dad. Mario knew he wasn't perfect, but he was pretty sure all Caitlin could see in their dad was his imperfections.
"She's like that." Mario remained straight-lipped, unsure if he could say much to encourage his little brother. "It takes her a while to warm up." But then again, she might never warm up to even him.
"She's not like you at all." Rico finished up the pizza, but there was a certain sadness that remained.
Mario had all these plans, amusement parks, water parks, all sorts of fun with his little brother, but it seemed everything was getting bleak again.
"Are you too old for the zoo?" Mario laid his head back as if he might take a quick nap.
"What?" Rico looked at him seriously as if maybe Mario was asking him to work there. Mario couldn't help but smile.
"There's a pretty good one here. Maybe we could at least see the animals."
"Oh." Rico grinned more.
Mario slightly nursed the corner of his bottom lip. What was he thinking? He could bunk with a kid taller than him. He wished he'd thought more about the sleeping arrangements. He mentioned to Rico about his room.
"You take the bed," Rico said. "I'll sleep on the couch."
Mario nodded. He could barely get up.
"How's Dad?" Mario yawned.
"OK, I guess." Rico shrugged as he went to put the pizza box in the trash. "He's worried about you."
"Me?" Mario winced.
"He wants you to meet someone." Rico looked him over.
"Meet someone?"
"Yeah, before it's too late."
"Huh?" Mario squinted a wink.
"He'd hate for you to be all alone," Rico slightly sighed. "Of course, he hopes Caitlin will have a baby before he dies, too."
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ReplyDeleteI feel sad for him
ReplyDeleteDobrze mieć dobre relacje z rodzeństwem, które mimo wszystko chce dobrze dla nas
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have a good relationship with your siblings, who still want to do well for us
DeleteVaya, esa última frase fue bastante fuerte y triste :(
ReplyDeleteWow, that last sentence was pretty loud and sad :(
DeleteTeenagers may not be interested in the zoo.
ReplyDeleteOh wow pretty sad.
ReplyDeleteSo sad for him...
ReplyDeleteKisses, Paola.
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I really enjoyed reading this beautiful chapter. It was as if you were inside your character and it showed, that's what makes a good writer better.
ReplyDeleteI hope he's able to win Caitlin over!
ReplyDeletexx
Uy lo dejas con mucha intriga, me gustaría saber que hará Caitlin
ReplyDeleteShame :-|
ReplyDeleteParents are always worried about us, even when we don't know it.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting chapter. I think parents often worry what will happen.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see the dynamic between Mario and Rico. I especially like the part where Rico reacts (albeit internally) to Mario's suggestion about going to the zoo: '"What?" Rico looked at him seriously as if maybe Mario was asking him to work there. Mario couldn't help but smile." The working at the zoo bit is funny! But the part about their dad wanting Caitlin to have a baby before he dies -- wow. It puts that interview with Caitlin and Deano about having kids in a whole new light. Even so, I don't think that Caitlin & Megan is getting too sad. No matter what's going on, you always bring the humor (see above). :)
ReplyDeleteAs always, thanks so much for your comments. I really enjoy and appreciate them. That's nice that you did your own manicure. At the risk of sounding like a needlepoint pillow, self care is so important! I'm sure it turned out lovely. :)
I hope Caitlin will have a baby before he dies.
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