"You did it Mama you really did it"

Almost everything in the shop was packed into cardboard boxes stacked in the corner of the room. Mama had manage to move the shop to a larger studio, located in the inner city. We spent the weekend moving from here to there.

"Thank you honey, but please help me get this rug off the floor."

"Where are the boys when you need them." I sigh.

Valentino got Uncle Flavio to lend us his truck, Vale and Etienne have been going back and forth between the two shops.

"Okey one...two...pull!"

Despite her new found wealth, Mama would never pay someone for a job we can do ourselves.

"Pull Alessia!"

"I am!" I groan, like cold sirup the carpet is stuck to the floor.

"Argh!" I am flung backwards as one piece of the carpet rips off.

"Are you alright?" Mama laughs.

"Don't laugh." I chuckle, rubbing the side of my head.

"Okey, let's go again, one...two..."

"Mama" I whine, "Can we please call someone to do this."

"Hell nah, now pull!"

I swear it felt like getting kicked in the back by a horse pulling that rug of the floor. We got half way, when the bell to the door rang, the most bizzare sight appeared in front of us.

"What happened!" Mama gasps. We stop ripping the rug.

Stumbling through the door, two white ghosts. Valentino and Etienne stood drenched in white paint, almost from head to toe.

"What did you do, how did this happen?" Her angry gaze shifted between the boys.

"We pick up the paint like you asked us." Valentino says, he struggled to keep his eyes open, there was paint in his eyes.

"Then what." Mama says, hands on her hips.

"Etienne was the one who tried to get the buckets off the truck by himself!" He points.

"You were the one to pour it all over us!" Like dumb and dumber they were blaming each other.

"Cuz you almost had the bucket crush you to pieces, I was saving you."

"World's worst superhero." Etienne mumbles.

"Okey, okey" Mama steps between them. "Good thing is that it didn't spill inside of the shop."

"What!" They shout simultaneously.

"Let's get you clean, we have a dinner at Valentino's tonight.

Valentino and Etienne had to hoes down each other in the backyard, Mama refused to have them walking in with all that paint.

"My uncle is going to kill me." Valentino said, pouring water over Etienne. I stood watching them on the porch. The truck stood parked on the side of street, it looked like a cloud of seagulls had flown by and done their business.

Etienne rapidly rubs his face, "Mama it's not coming off!" He whimper.

Mama walked up behind me, "Okey, come inside so we can try and get it off with some soap. Valentino you keep rubbing, you're next."

Etienne and Mama disappeared inside.

"I think I've got paint up my nose." Valentino groans.

"Haha, here let me help." I walk over and he hands me the hoes.

"Bow your head for me." He did as he was told. "Wow, you've even got paint inside your ear."

Valentino sticks his finger up his ear "Help me get it out."

"Eww no!" I laugh.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not getting in there." I laugh taking a step back.

"Give me back the hoes then." Valentino hiss. For a second I thought he was angry, but his dimples gave him away.

I stretch out my arm for him to grab the hoes. First he grips the hoes and then he rails me in.

"Argh, Vale stop it!" I start kicking and screaming as Valentino twirls me around, water splashing all over my clothes.

"Maybe I should clean your ears then." He says.

I catch my breath after he pours water all over my head.

"Hey, Hey take it easy will ya!" Mr Regatto shouts from his side of the fence. Valentino stops twirling me.

"You're getting water all over my car."

"Sorry Mr Regatto."

*****

My Palms were sweating, I couldn't believe that my palms were sweating. It was dinner time and Mama, Etienne and I were standing outside of Valentino's door.

"Baby can you ring the bell." Mama says, in her arms a tulip bouquet.

Etienne looks so cute in his little white shirt, he rings the bell then hides behind me.

Under my jean-jacket I'm wearing a flowery dress that ends above my knees, I'm anxious that it's to short, maybe Valentino's mother won't like it. Mama hasn't said anything about it so I assume it's not that bad.

"Monique!"

The door opens and Valentino's mother appears. Just like I remember, she looks younger than ever. Her hair is dark and ends underneath her jaw. She embraces my mother then me.

"Alessia look at you, you've grown up to be so beautiful".

"Thank you." I say timid.

Once inside a strong aroma of food hits.

"Is that Osso Buco." My mother says, inhaling the sweat sent.

"Just how you like it." Valentino's mother smiles. "Please feel free to take off your coat, I'll just put these flowers in some water."

"Boys they're here!" She shouts on her way to the kitchen.

Arguing noises is heard coming from below us, the door to the basement swings open,

"...I'm telling you if you miss the eight-ball on your final round you automatically lose, you have to at least touch it every shot."

Valentino and Uncle Flavio appear in the doorway, both wearing jackets and ties.

Valentino smiles at the sight of me.

"Hey little man!" Uncle Flavio rush to pick up Etienne and spin him around in the air. "Monique, haven't seen you in forever." He kisses my mother's cheek, Etienne still in his arms.

"Hey." Valentino seems unsure, if he should kiss me or not?

"Hey" I say and squeeze his hand.

"You look nice."

"Thanks" I chuckle.

Everyone gathers around the table Valentino beside me, tonight's supper is breathtaking, Valentino's mother can really cook. As I look to the empty chair opposite me, something hit me, it's like all the dots are connecting.

"Where is Luca?" Valentino sighs.

"He's getting Nonna." Uncle Flavio says, he makes Etienne a plate.

"Luca." I mumble, the name linger as I remember.

Just as Valentino's mother hands me my plate of osso buco, a boy with hair like a lion's mane, all the way down his neck, enters the room. Alongside him, an old wrinkly lady, like glas she looks to be fragile.

Uncle Flavio rise from his seat to aid Luca sit Nonna down.

The boy from the bus! Luca is the boy I used to see on the bus on the way to Nonno's house.

Lucas cheeks turn red as our eyes meet. I give him a friendly smile. I knew I recognized him, he was Etienne's age last time I really saw him.

Valentino's mother caress his cheek "Are you alright baby, you look a little pale."

Luca nods but looks to his hands.

Dinner is delicious, something about our families being together again, brings back good old feels.

"How old are you now sweetie?"

Etienne shows Valentino's mother both of his hands, "Ten" he says.

"He's so big." She says to my mother.

"Yes he'll be eleven next month."

"Luca just turned thirteen last monday!" Nonna shaky voice utter.

Mama shifts to Luca. "He did, congratulations."

"Yeah, maybe now he can stop peeing in the bed." Valentino mumbles loud enough for everyone to hear. Both him and Uncle Flavio chuckles whilst the rest of us frowns.

His mother snaps."Vale, stop it!"

Luca's grip around the fork makes his knuckles go white.

Valentino's laughter increases "Just joking, I mean it's true, but I'm just joking."

The table slightly rattles, I angrily remove Valentino's hand that had been resting on my thigh.

"Come on." He whispers from the corner of his mouth.

"So, Valentino..." My mother coughs.

"Did you find any schools you liked at the university exhibition?"

Valentino frowns, "What?"

My mother throws me an unsure gaze, but tries again.

"The one your school took you to last week, did you find a university you liked?"

Awkward silence falls around the table.

I inhale, trapping my heartbeat. I must tell you, Valentino having dropped out of school, was a subject I've been dodging telling my mother, fear of how she would react.

A cough from Valentino's mother, breaks the silence. "Valentino doesn't go to school anymore."

Mama's eyebrow is instantly seen twitching. "He's not, why, did something happened?"

Valentino stir uncomfortably in his seat, I could tell Mamas intimidating stare was making him sweat.

Mrs Rossi shakes her head, "No." She says supportive. "We just believe in supporting his ambitions."

"You do?" Valentino says surprised.

Uncle Flavio smothers his laughter.

"Ambitions?" Mama says shifting to Valentino.

"You know.." Uncle Flavio joins the conversation, still with his mouth full. He makes the gesture of a turning handle.

Mama looks to finally comprehend, "Oh, You're talking about racing." Immediately she shifts to me. I feel my feet slide under the table with me sinking in my chair.

"Yeah!" Uncle Flavio spits crumbs onto his lap. "For sure he will go on to win many races these next couple of months, then his off doing international tournaments."

"Valentino is the best Mama!" Etienne ads.

I really don't like where this conversation is going.

"I'm sure he is sweetie, I guess I wasn't aware that you had to sacrifice you education to be the best."

In my head I'm begging for her to stop, she now has this judgemental look on her face.

"Gotta gamble with life if you want to achieve your dreams." Uncle Flavio chants.

Great, I think to myself.

"So Alessia, did you find any schools you liked?" Valentino's mother asks, tossing the hot potato my way.

"Well there's this school." I mumble.

"The best fashion school in Paris, the acceptance letter is bound to be here any day now." Mama proudly says.

"That's Amazing Alessia, congrats."

I bite my lip, Valentino's cold hand grips my thigh. "Thank you." I silently squeal, his cold hand now squeezing my thigh.

"Who wants dessert?" Valentino's mother says, rising from her chair.

Later that evening, Mama and Mrs Rossi are upstairs drinking wine and the rest of us are in the basement playing pool.

"Let's team up," Uncle Flavio says. "Vale & Alessia, Luca & Etienne, Nonna and I."

We laugh, Nonna is half passed out on the couch.

"Is she dead?" Etienne whispers.

Valentino waves "She's fine.". Luca who is seated next to her, doesn't show any interested in the game, his face is hiding behind a book.

"Anyways, I think that the teams should be, Etienne and I, Luca & Flavio, Alessia & Nonna."

His jaw clenched as he looks to me. Swapping teams was his way of getting at me for not telling about Paris, I know it.

"I don't want to play." Luca mumbles from behind the book.

"Oh, come on get up!" Valentino says irritated.

"Vale he said he doesn't want to play." I defend. Suddenly all of the air is sucked out of the room.

Valentino eyes narrows, "Fine, then you can't play."

My mouth falls open.

Uncle Flavio steps between us before things escalate. "Wow, Vale Vale, what are you talking about, of course she can play."

I fall back on the sofa arms crossing over my chest.

"Nonna is sleeping, so she has no one to play with." He hiss.

"If she's not playing, it leaves the three of us, then we can't play." Uncle Flavio explains.

Beside me Luca chuckles, "Stupid."

Valentino pushes past Uncle Flavio, my heart raises as he looks to wanna throw down. "Get up." He snaps at his brother.

"No way." Luca chuckles.

"You heard me, if you're so smart get up and prove it." Luca is forced to his feet with Valentino aggressively yanks his arm.

"Vale stop!" I shout, jumping to my feet. He's crossing the line.

"It's done. Luca & Alessia versus Etienne and I, Uncle Flavio you're good being the judge aren't you?"

"Right" Uncle Flavio says unsure.

Luca hand me a que and we start the game. Valentino breaks the triangle and the balls are immediately scattered all over. I get nervous knowing Valentino is acting stupid, for some reason. My que barely pecks the white ball and it end up being a fluke.

Valentino chuckles, "Nice."

There's a lump growing in my throat.

Etienne is allowed to stand on a stool so he is able to make the shot, he makes several balls collide and one ends up in the pocket. "Good job!" Valentino shouts and spins Etienne around in his embrace.

"Really." I sigh,

"Okey, Etienne and Vale are spots, you guys are stripes." Uncle Flavio announce.

Luca's turn to make a shot, Valentino makes sure he stand annoyingly close to his brother, his way of causing a distraction. However with one graceful movement Luca hits one striped ball and sinks it in a pocket.

"Alright Luca!" Uncle Flavio claps.

I extend my tongue, Valentino's lips curl.

"How did you do that." I raise my hand for Luca to high five. His hair flips across his forehead, "I'll show you next time you're up." He blush.

"Be careful now Vale, Luca is making a move on your girl." Uncle Flavio laughs. However Valentino isn't.

Vale's ball doesn't go anyway near the pocket during his turn.

"Try to align the ball with the pocket, you can use your stick to sort of aim for it." Luca shows me how to do it, it's like a scene from one of those movies when the guy helps the girl, however Luca's lack of height makes it look funny. I take the shot, the ball rolls straight down the pocket, if it was basketball it would've been nothing but net.

We left Valentino's house that night, Luca and I beating Etienne and Valentino at pool. Besides Valentino's behavior I enjoyed seeing everyone together again. Before heading out Valentino had a chance to pull me aside while everyone was saying their goodbye's.

His grip around my arm was firm, "Why didn't you tell me about the school in Paris."

"First of all, you never asked." I look to his arm and he let's go. "Besides, with Etienne and your training I didn't find a right time to tell you."

Valentino nods, "Right.".

"Enough about me, how can you treat your brother like that." My voice is low but firm.

Valentino looks to the floor, "Sorry I..."

"Don't apologize to me." I interrupt, "That's your fucking brother, I know that ever since your dad died you said nothing has been the same, still, he needs you to be his big brother he can always rely on, not the guy I saw today, teasing him, picking on him."

Valentino rubs his scalp, hair was beginning to grow. "I know, sorry."

"Again, it's not me who deserves the apology."

He nods in agreement.

"Gotta go, see you later." I leave, not embracing him or anything.