by M R Field
They loosen their hold and Mamma stares over at me, and I wrap my arms around her and lift her up for a moment. Her laughter rings in my ear as she squeals, pretending to smack my back in frustration to be put down. But I know better. Her pretend frown fools nobody. She clasps my face in her hands and squeezes, telling me in her dialect what a ‘larrikin’ I am.
“You need a haircut.” She tugs at a curl at the side of my face.
“Hazel likes it.” I wink.
My mamma sighs, shaking her head.
“Are they coming in? Or will I die first?” The dramatics of our Nonna are not lost on us.
“Coming, Nonna,” I shout, wheeling the suitcase with one hand and grabbing Hazel’s hand with the other. She steps inside and I follow, dragging the suitcase across the wooden floor. My father is seated at the kitchen table with Trice next to him as he drinks his coffee. He looks over at Hazel and winks at me, thinking it’s not an obvious gesture, not realising that his wink makes half his face move up and down. Nonna stands in front of the table behind her walker, and begins to move towards us. Since falling and breaking her hip, she hasn’t been the same. She has temporarily moved in, but I know from little snippets that Trice has mentioned that she probably will be here to stay.
I move the luggage to the side and walk over to her and give her a kiss on the cheek and a light hug, but she growls and holds both arms up to cuddle me. “This is how you hug your Nonna.” Her voice laces my ear in Italian. She kisses my ear loudly, and I flinch from the piercing sound. Her hand touches my face lovingly, until she gives it a light smack in affection. “You need to call me more, Roberto.”
I know she’s annoyed by not knowing about Hazel straight away, especially as she is generally gossip central. She tuts and then shifts herself around me to take a good look at Hazel. Her eyes instantly light up, and I can almost see a little tear there.
“Hazel, you can hug me too.”
Hazel steps lightly towards her, and despite Nonna looking pale and a little weaker, her thin arms wrap tightly around Hazel as she draws her cheek in for a big kiss. Hazel giggles as my Nonna pulls back and stares at her in awe. “Finalmente, my boy has a beautiful girl.” She looks over to me and shakes her finger. “You better be good to her.”
I pretend to grab my chest in agony and huff, “You kidding? You’d hit me with your frame.”
She nods and taps the hard metal. “I’m a good shot too,” she replies and grabs it, manoeuvring back to the table, her hand rubbing her back for a moment.
I walk over to my father and kiss his cheek, and he hugs Hazel, who initially is a bit shocked. I know her family aren’t very cuddly, and she is more used to my mamma’s affections than my father’s.
“Hey Paolo.” She smiles and my father’s face lights up.
“Don’t worry,” I tell her. “Dad just wanted to cuddle a younger woman for a moment.”
“And what is wrong with that?” He winks at Hazel as my mamma glares at him from the stove. He notices and shrugs, chuckling as he sits back down.
That’s the thing about Italians—totally inappropriate one minute, and the next minute, next topic. As if nothing even happened. We’re such shit stirrers.
I feel Hazel’s hand tap mine, and I look over to her. She’s nervously biting her lip.
“Where do I go?” She blushes, feeling the eyes of everyone in the room on us. We haven’t spent a night apart since we’ve been together, but I can tell Hazel wants to do the proper thing. Unlike me. I look over to my mamma and she tilts her head towards the stairs and mouths your room.
I grab her hand and walk over to the suitcase and push down the handle to pick it up. “Follow me.”
I lift the bag and let go of her hand so I can carry it up the stairs. I continue carrying it until I pass Trice’s room and walk into mine. Hazel timidly follows after me as I put the case at the foot of my bed. She looks around my room and bites her lip as she stares at the old music posters that my mamma never removed. The room still looks the same as it did before I moved away. Walking in, I see my teenage self with my footy trophies that line my bookshelf and a couple of books, but what makes it all surreal is my little vixen as she looks around.
“Can’t believe I’m actually in your room,” she gushes, tracing a finger along my chest of drawers. Her shoulders stiffen for a moment and she turns sharply to stare back at me. “Oh my God!” Her eyes widen. “Your parents put us in the same room!”
She walks back over to me with pleading eyes, and lowers her voice. “We can’t have sex. They will know.”
Her worried brow is so cute that I tip my head back and roar back with laughter. Her hand taps my stomach in frustration. “Robbie!” she hisses. “We can’t! What will they think?”
Her lip rolls between her teeth in worry and I bring my finger up to tap against them.
“Farfalla, they know you are living with me. They also know that I’m twenty-six. I’m not their baby boy anymore. But babe, there’s no fucking way that you’ll be keeping me away from that body.”
“Absolutely not, Robbie,” she squeals. “You can wait until we get home. Besides, I’m a little tired from the drive.”
I rub my hands up her forearms and lean closer to her lips. “I bet if I wanted to, I’d make you come in two minutes before they called out for us.”
A deep blush colours her cheeks and her eyes become hooded.
“Thought so.” I kiss her quickly. “Don’t worry, I’ll be good … for now. Later tonight, not so much.” I tap her nose with my finger as she scrunches her face at me. She breaks out of my hold to reach down and lightly smack me on the arse in annoyance.
“Keep that up and you’ll be tied tonight and at my mercy.”
Her sharp intake of breath tells me she isn’t scared. So, not so tired, after all. “Let’s go socialise, otherwise my Mamma or Nonna might cut it off so I won’t be able to do anything later.” I walk over to my door, her soft footsteps following behind me.
“Least I’d be safe then,” Hazel adds, a smile in her voice. I look over my shoulder to her and wiggle my hands.
“You forget, I have these,” I say, twinkling my fingers at her. “And my mouth.”
I don’t wait for a response as I turn back to descend the stairs. I don’t need one as her stomping tells me all I need. Fucking sweet.
“We’re going to head over to Alex’s, Mamma. We’ll be back tomorrow morning.” Trice gives my parents a quick kiss before grabbing my keys off the bench. “See you later, arseface,” she jokes, ruffling my hair.
“Night. Try not to clog the drain while shaving your legs like you did this morning. Disgusting.”
She gasps and whacks me across the arm. “Arse.”
“Night, Chewbacca.”
“Tósi!” my father scolds, using his dialect and calling us ‘kids’ to grab our attention. Trice smacks me one more time before walking over to Alex. Fuckin’ typical that being home makes us act like dipshits.
“Notte Trice. Night Alex.” Dad smiles as he walks over to the stairs. Hearing my parents use their Italian and English words together always made me smile. “Notte everyone.”
It’s late and Mamma and Nonna are already in bed. Alex’s face looks strained as he walks towards the door.
“You okay, mate?”
He blows out a breath and shrugs. “Just hate that house. Quicker we see her and pretend we’re a happy family, the better.”
Trice wraps her arm around him and hugs him close. “We’ll come back here if you need to, babe.”
He nods and kisses her forehead. Tapping her back he mutters, “Let’s go.”
Hazel kneels on the couch and watches them leave as I bring my coffee mug over to the sink and rinse it before sitting next to her. She snuggles into my side, and I can’t help but grin at how the evening went along. Anytime I touched her or rested my hand on her, my mamma’s eyes lit up like Christmas trees. She used to do that to Trice, so now I knew how annoying it was. Her form of subtlety was
non-existent. My Nonna was no different, dropping the occasional ring comment, whilst whispering loudly to my mamma and pointing her fork to indicate to Haze’s bare hand. Luckily it was all in Italian, so it tortured me while leaving Hazel blissfully in the dark.
“Your Nonna liked my hands,” Hazel murmurs as she snuggles into my side.
If only you knew.
“She likes all of you,” I digress. “Anyway …” I shift to the side to look at her face. “You have two options. You can take your shorts off here and I’ll eat you out or we can take it to my room and I’ll still eat you out.”
She flinches as she looks over the couch to the stairs. “Your dad just went to bed.”
“He just gave us some privacy.”
“Not to do that.”
“He’s a man. He was young once.” I bring up her hand and kiss her knuckles.
“Robbie …” Her eyes narrow at me. “It’s rude. We can’t do anything out here.”
I grin and shift until I’m standing up. I pull her arm until she’s standing there gaping at me. Leaning forward, I bend over and before she has time to protest, I tip my shoulder into her belly and hoist her up.
“Robbie!” she squeals on a hush, trying to be quiet. Her hips wiggle against me. “Put me down!”
“I will, Farfalla, when we get to my room. Now quit squirming, or you’ll hit your head as I’m going up the stairs. Keep still!” I tap her lightly on the arse and struggle to hold in a laugh myself. She is too much fun for fucking words.
I march up the stairs with her stiff body in my arms, and once we reach the landing she squirms again slightly and I walk faster until I’m in my room. Closing the door with my foot, I turn with my free hand and lock the door before heading over to the bed and flinging her on top of my duvet. She bounces and I watch her tits jiggle, then climb on after her.
“You’re so mean!” She pokes my chest as I lie across her, her long hair sprawled across my covers, looking ruffled from being upside down. She is my siren. We men would be fucked if any siren looked like her. I’d crash into the rocks over and over …
“Wanna make out in my room?” I tease, kissing the side of her face as my lips begin to trace down her cheek. “I promise I won’t touch anything.”
She stiffens under my touch. Her lips are pressed tight as she turns her face away. “Hey.” I brush my knuckles across her cheek to face her towards me. “What’s wrong?” She looks up at me with soft eyes from under her lashes.
“I used to lie in Trice’s room during sleepovers and wonder what you were doing with your girlfriend. Then I’d get the guilts for not telling Trice about it. Thinking of them here making out with you kinda makes me feel a bit yucky.”
I cringe at the memories. Rubbing her face, I stare into her eyes that now remind me of all those years ago. “I recognise those sad eyes.” I brush her hair back from her face. “Fuck, I was a blind fool. Here I was thinking you were just shy.”
A forced chuckle leaves her lips and my chest clenches.
“I’m being silly. That was forever ago. I’m being an idiot.” I watch her eyes look away from me as she presses her lips together.
“I never did anything more than kiss them.” She stills and her eyes slide back to mine. “How could I? You know my parents. Mamma was forever making excuses to walk in here to put away my folded clothes and telling me to keep my door open to let the air pass through. They sure as fuck didn’t stay over.” She smiles slightly as her shoulders relax against my covers.
“I may have squeezed a boob, but that’s it.”
She rolls her eyes but I lean closer until my lips are a whisper away. “Besides, right here, right now with you just lying there is better than anything I experienced as a teenager. Just. You.”
Her lips part and I kiss her eagerly, turning each stroke of my tongue against hers into a new memory. She sighs into my mouth as her hands begin to lift my T-shirt. I lean back quickly, and use one arm to pull it up and off my head. Her fingers run across my chest and I shiver, watching her eager eyes drinking me in. I hold her hands still for a moment and smile down at her.
“Now …” I trace the edge of her shorts with my fingers. “I believe I mentioned going down here.” I cup her sex through her shorts as her hips push up into my touch. She licks her lips and a soft growl passes my own lips. She crosses her arms over her chest and pulls her tank up, her back arching off the bed. I waste no time and lean forward, sucking her nipple through the black lace. She hisses and I pull the cup down under her breast. “Well, Farfalla, how quiet can you be?”
Her breasts are heavy under my lips as she whispers, “Very.” She pants, grinding her hips against my hand.
“Buckle up, baby.”
My poor pillowcase never stood a chance against Hazel’s teeth marks. Sorry, buddy.
The stillness of the river calms me as I look at the red gums that surround our house. I hold Hazel’s hand close as we stroll into the garage, our clothes soaked through to the skin from taking a walk around the lake that morning. We’d reminisced about the times we swam there and me being a show-off dickhead. I’d dipped my toe into the lake, and shivered, then felt both of her hands push me straight into the freezing cold water.
“The fuck!” I’d bellowed, flicking my hair back out of my eyes. Hazel’s laughter had echoed around me. Her face had been bright from laughter as she’d leaned down across her knees, trying to talk but laughing too hard to do so successfully. As she’d bent forward she didn’t see my arm shoot out and grab her, hoisting her to me as she screamed, and in a quick step, we’d both gone under.
Now, our shoes slush their way through the garage as we giggle at each other.
“What happened?” Mamma admonishes, looking at our sodden clothing.
We stare back at her sheepishly, until I point to Hazel and dob her in. “She started it.”
Mamma shakes her head while fighting back a smile from her lips. “Wait here, I’ll get you some towels.”
She turns and Hazel swings her hand in mine, laughing as she looks up at my face. “Your … hair … Young Einstein.” She cackles.
“Ha ha, very funny.” I shake my hair to send water splashing against her.
She holds up her drenched ponytail and raises an eyebrow. “I’d win if you want to try that again.”
Our teasing is interrupted as Alex’s loud Chevy comes barrelling down our dirt drive way, pulling in to stop near the edge of the garage. Mamma hands us two soft towels and we begin to dry ourselves as Trice’s shocked voice enters the garage.
“What the hell?”
“We decided to go for a swim in the lake.” I rub the towel across my T-shirt.
“It was really refreshing.” Hazel’s teeth chatter as she wraps the towel around her. I lose focus on my own towel as hers moulds to her damp skin.
“Right,” Trice murmurs as Alex strolls past, giving me a chin lift, but his face is ashen.
“He’s had a hard night,” Trice whispers once he’s out of earshot. “She still has Malcolm’s photos everywhere. It’s creepy.”
We nod as I rip my T-shirt off and wrap the towel around my waist. Poor bastard.
“Maybe suggest that they stay here.” Hazel twists her ponytail onto the concrete floor, eliminating any excess water.
“Yeah, I did. If he wants to sleep here tonight he can. So, just waiting on him.” She heads inside and we follow, shuffling towards the stairs to get to the bathroom as soon as possible. My dad looks up from the kitchen table and begins to laugh as we trundle past.
“I’ll mop up the floor, Mamma, don’t you worry.” Trice offers.
We shower quickly, as Hazel wouldn’t let me get my hands on her, and head back downstairs for breakfast, cleaner and fuckin’ warmer.
“You would think with all the kisses you give my granddaughter you’d be able to speak Italian to me by now.” I hear Nonna tease.
We reach the bottom to find a very shocked Alex frozen in embarrassment, while Trice chuckles aga
inst his side. Our Nonna has no trouble embarrassing us, and in fact is the master of creating awkward silences. Cue … one, two, three …
“Maybe he needs to kiss you, Nonna,” I tease,
“He’d be fluent.” She grins, giving Alex a wink.
“Um,” Alex fumbles, ignoring us, “we were thinking of staying the night after we have dinner at my mum’s … um, if that’s okay?” Alex stammers. “We can stay … if that’s okay … in Bea’s room.”
Watching the normally tough guy, avoid the gazes of my family whenever sleeping arrangements were discussed was more awkward than necessary. He was still adjusting to their blunt humour. They weren’t stupid, especially since they knew Alex and Trice lived together. But me, I couldn’t care less if they make jokes. I’ll sing it loud and proud that I have Hazel by my side.
“Your eggs!” Nonna suddenly yells at Trice, startling us as we sit at the table as she points to her. I pass Hazel the Corn Flakes as I reach out for the toast that Mamma has prepared. I stare at Nonna, confused, wondering if one of us was meant to go to the chicken coup to grab some eggs this morning.
“Nonna, we’ve been here before. We have plenty of time,” Trice pleads, her voice gently trying to placate her. “You really should stop watching Dr Phil.”
“It’ll be too late!” She sighs, holding her hand to her chest. “They will be gone soon.” She looks over to Hazel, then her eyes barrel into mine. “You need to hurry up too.”
“Nonna, have you got Grappa in your coffee this morning?” I laugh, trying to knock the worried look from her face.
Mamma brings over the percolator and holds it up for us. I nod and lift my cup while shifting my eyes to Nonna then back to her. She chuckles as she finishes pouring.
“Trice, you do have plenty of time. You know Nonna is just impatient.”
I poke my tongue into my cheek for a moment and then I sip my coffee while wondering if Nonna is starting to lose it.
Trice sees my confusion and waves her hand at me. “It’s nothing to worry about. Nonna saw an episode on Dr Phil about fertility and apparently by my age, my eggs will start to shrivel up. She just wants to be a bisnonna.”