Chapter 5

Michael and Leif had been wrestling around in the living room playfully one evening when Mariah came in and saw them.

"Hey, hey!" she chided. "Leif Brian, if you're going to tear around like that, take it outside."

"I was showing Mikey the move Dad taught me. Besides, Dad doesn't care where we do stuff."

Mariah rolled her eyes. "I should have known he was behind this. Brian!"

"What?" he called from the back.

"Have we not discussed not letting your son wrestle and tear around with his friends in the house?"

"It's cold out and it will be dark in an hour anyway," Brian protested.

Why do I talk to these two again? Mariah thought. This is what I get for being in a house full of males.

"Well, then, he has the whole basement," she finally responded. "The living room isn't a wrestling arena."

"Jesus," Brian said. "Then let them go to the basement if it makes you happy. Just don't bitch at me if Paul slits my throat because Mikey breaks his skull open down there. Meanwhile, I have the cat's shit box to finish cleaning."

"Ewww, cat poop!" Michael made a face.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Dad, where's the trimmer thing for Squishy's claws? I think they need done again," Leif said.

"In the kitchen junk drawer, but you better leave that to me unless you want to be scratched to death, buddy," Brian replied. "Squish isn't exactly a huge fan of that thing."

"Okay. Anyway, he's out here sitting and staring your way."

"He's waiting for me to put the box back down so he can initiate it again. He does that stunt every time the box gets cleaned."

"Leif, don't you have homework?" Mariah asked.

"It's done!" he replied, "and it's Friday anyway. Hey, can Mikey stay for dinner?"

"Let me call Montana and ask, okay?"

"Cool. You're not making anything gross, are you?"

"Not unless you consider bacon cheeseburgers and fries gross."

"AWESOME!" Leif called.

"It isn't that veggie burger bullshit, is it?" Brian asked teasingly.

"No, dear, it's real burger," Mariah laughed. "Those days are long past since your son came along."

Leif bent down to pet the cat. "And don't worry, Squishy, anything that drops on the floor is yours."

Mariah gave him a skeptical look. "Uh huh. Just make sure you don't 'drop' too much on the floor, young man. Now go wash up while I give Montana a call."

Meanwhile:

"I can't believe you won't let me go," Mac snorted.

"Mac, we've been through this," Paul said. "No mixed parties that aren't chaperoned."

"I'm almost eighteen, not a little kid," she protested. "Good grief, Papi, I'll be off to college next year."

"And until then, you follow the rules of this house, hija," he replied.

"You are so not fair."

"Life isn't fair, Mac. You'll find that out as you get older. The answer is no."

"You are such a mule!" Mac cried before going upstairs and slamming the door. "I hate you!"

"Oquela," Paul sighed. Teenagers, he thought. What happened to the sweet little Mackenzie that thought he did no wrong?

Naomi came over and crawled on his lap. "It's okay, Papi," she grinned up at him, green eyes shining. "I still love you."

He couldn't help but smile down at the sweet face that stared up, his mood suddenly changing.

"Well, thanks, princesa, you're a little ray of sunshine."

"Will you check my homework for me? Mami's busy."

"Sure, baby, what do you have here?"

"Spelling," Naomi replied, handing it over.

"Not one of my better subjects, but what the hell."

Kira then walked in the door from her baby-sitting job. "Hi, guys. I'm not too late getting back, am I? Ms. Doyle had a delay getting back from her meeting."

"Not at all," Paul said.

"Wow, what smells good?" she asked.

"Spaghetti," Montana called from the kitchen.

"Fantastic!"

Montana had to laugh. "One thing about you, Kira, it doesn't take much to make you happy."

"You're right about that, Mami!" she answered.

Kira then came in and tussled Naomi's hair. "Hey there, baby doll. Have a good day at school?"

"Uh huh. Papi's checking my homework," Naomi said proudly.

"Where's Mac and Michael?" Kira inquired, looking around.

"Mikey's staying over at Leif's for dinner and Mac's having a pout fest upstairs because I wouldn't let her go to a party at Tonya's tonight," Paul said.

"Ugh, Tonya," Kira wrinkled her nose. "What a stuck up wench. And a lot of people she hangs out with do drugs. I don't see why Mac even bothers with that crowd."

"Which is one reason your sister isn't going to that party," Paul nodded. "I've heard a few stories about those stoner friends of Tonya's from Beverly and Brian. Of course, I didn't mention that part to Mac."

"What's a stoner?" Naomi wondered.

"Something Papi will talk to you about when you're a bigger girl," Paul replied.

"Okay. It must be grown-up stuff then. Is my homework okay?"

"You did a great job, kiddo."

Naomi beamed. "Thanks, Papi."

"You're welcome. Go get ready for dinner."

They both watched as Naomi skipped away.

"If only she and Mikey could stay at their ages," Paul said.

"Yeah," Kira agreed, "but then again, what fun would there be in that after awhile?"