Did you think I'd died? Sorry this one was so long in coming, my summer job was insane!
--
Louie sat in silence as Danny explained how Gio had come to live with their family. During the time they were talking, Fina came over and curled up in her favorite place, her father's lap. Danny stroked her hair as her eyes slipped closed. Louie continued in silence, staring at Gio as the twins used him as a human jungle gym. Gio looked up and met Louie's eyes with a smile. Suddenly the loud crack of a gunshot rang out through the neighborhood. All five children were frightened, the three youngest started crying and Gio and Fina froze. Lindsay and Louie jumped down to comfort the children while Danny tightened his hold on Fina. Gio leapt as fast as he could into Lindsay's arms, clinging to her. She held him close to her shoulder and reached for the sobbing twins, pulling them into the shelter of her lap as well. Anna was soon calmed by her grandmother, who had laid claim to her the instant dinner was over.
Part of Louie wanted to grab Gio from Lindsay arms and protect him. The boy was his son, not Danny's, his. He'd messed up everything in his life, his job, his schooling, his criminal record, but this little boy, this son, could be his second chance. Besides, Danny and Lindsay had four other kids, what difference would one make to them, and one who wasn't even theirs besides?
The children had settled down by this time, and Gio had wiggled his way out of Lindsay's arms. The twins yawned and stretched, sleepily crawling down from Lindsay's lap, only to curl up facing each other on the floor and chatter softly as they fell asleep. Fina's eye drifted shut again and Danny and Lindsay decided to call it a night. Danny began by carrying Fina to the car, while Lindsay brought a twin and Gio brought the other. Nona Messer tucked Anna into the car and kissed all of her grandchildren and her son and daughter-in-law before they drove off into the night.
"Why didn't you tell me, Ma?" Louie asked as the pair stepped back inside.
"Tell you what, dear?" the woman asked.
"Gee Ma, maybe that I have a son?" Louie asked, a little impatient.
"Because you don't have a son," she said simply.
"Ma, Danny and Lindsay told me about Gio," he said.
"Louis Carl Messer, do you think that just 'cause you had a hand in givin' that little boy life that you're his Daddy," she said, "that little boy is your brother's son and if you try to take him away, you'll just end up undoing everything you got by getting beat to a pulp. That boy is his mama's rock and his daddy's pride and joy. Any fool can see that. And you know-"
"Mama Messer don't raise no fools," Louie finished for her. He excused himself from the conversation and headed up to his room, the same one he and Danny had shared as kids. He lay across
the bed and stared up at the ceiling. In that moment he made his choice. But telling Danny would have to wait until tomorrow.
--
Duh Duh Dun
What has Louie chosen? I guess you'll have to wait to find out!