Chapter 10

"I just went through torture every papi with a son goes through," Paul said a few nights later.

Montana couldn't help but grin as she put down her book. "Michael filled me in on the details. So you had 'the big talk' with him, huh?"

"Yeah, and the job with Naomi is going to be yours when she's old enough. Of course, as far as Mikey goes, better for me to have gotten to him before Spanky decided to corrupt him. Jesus, I can't believe he actually told Leif all that stuff already."

"Paul, it's Brian. Remember, this is the one who gave an impromptu sex ed lesson to Mac and Kira when they were kids."

"Oh, right; I forgot. I still owe him an ass kicking for that too."

"I think you're about ten to eleven years too late. Anyway, back to Michael. Did he ask you any tough questions?"

"Not really. It was more of me giving the speech of 'where babies come from', showing him what a rubber was and what it was for, and of course about diseases; all on a ten year old's level, of course."

"I guess that beats him finding a girly magazines in the bathroom when he's eleven," Montana chuckled.

Paul froze. "Where the hell did you hear about that?"

"My beloved mother in law, who else?"

"Oquela, I should have known."

"Oh yes, I got the whole story on how you and your brothers found your father's magazine stash in the bathroom."

"Well, it isn't like they were well hidden," Paul countered.

"It's perfectly fine; boys that age are going to be curious, which is why I was happy to hear that you sat down and talked with Michael about something so serious."

"As I said, better me than Brian. He probably gave Leif graphic details, along with visuals, tam bien."

"More than likely," Montana agreed. "As if that child isn't too smart for his pants as it is."

"Yeah, nine going on twenty. Jesus. Did Mikey tell you they're working on a project for the science fair? Something about a volcano that actually works."

"Dear God," Montana groaned. "I hope they know what they're doing."

"Which is why I told Mikey to leave the mechanical stuff to Leif," Paul replied. "Anyway, what time is it?"

"Eleven thirty. Why?"

"Okay. Mac's got an hour and a half yet. Her ass is to be back here by one o' clock with my car, preferably with some gas in it."

"Guys?" they heard Kira call from downstairs. "Anyone still up?"

"Up here, Kira," Montana answered. "Don't make a lot of noise, though; Michael and Naomi are in bed."

She peeked in a few minutes later. "Just letting you know I got back okay."

"Home a few minutes early, aren't you, short stuff?" Paul asked.

"Yeah, Kenny's parents came back sooner than they thought. Thank God. He was a total monster tonight. At least I got paid extra."

"Good practice for when you're a mami."

"Ha ha, very funny, Papi."

"By the way, I hope your calendar is clear tomorrow night. Mimi's got to go out of town for a few hours for her job and Brian and I will be on the road."

"I'm guessing someone wants me to stay with Leif," Kira smiled. "No problem. I'm always open for him."

"Thanks, baby. I knew we could count on you as always."

"I'll take Mikey with me to keep Leif occupied. They'll probably either do boy stuff or work on that science project. Neither are really that much trouble."

"Oh, sweetie," Montana said, "someone named Jason called earlier. He says he'll try you back in the morning."

"Who the fuck is Jason?" Paul asked before Kira could reply.

"Down, Papi. He's my lab partner for chemistry class at school. He's probably wanting to talk to me about the class project."

He breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh. I guess that's pretty harmless then."

"Yes. I'm going to go to bed now; Kenny's worn me out big time. Sitting with Leif tomorrow will be like a vacation in comparison."

As soon as Kira was gone, Montana turned back to Paul. "Good lord, someone mentions a boy's name and you're like a pit bull," she said.

"It's the Mexican way; we're supposed to be protective of our girls. Besides, it's clear there is no dating until she and Naomi are sixteen. I laid down the same law for Mac when she became a teenager."

"Yes, but there's no law against having boys for friends at fourteen," Montana pointed out. "Didn't you have girls for friends at that age?"

Paul wiggled his eyebrows. "I was chasing girls at thirteen," he joked.

"Good lord, I should have known better than to ask."

He gave her a playful pinch. "Of course, there's only one I want to chase right now. Want to get a head start before I catch you?"