The Storm Rages On

Back at Lisa and Rafael's trailer, Lisa was folding the laundry after bringing it in from the clothesline.

When Rafael entered the living room from using the telephone in the kitchen.

"That was Father," Rafael told Lisa. "Carmen is staying with him and Mother on account of the storm."

"I'm glad to know my sister-in-law is safe." Lisa said.

Rafael stooped down, "Time for a change and a bedtime story, Risa." he said, picking up his daughter and heading straight for their bedroom.

Meanwhile, Vito Junior headed for the Morello trailer.

Maurice Morello answered the door, his wife, Calista was sitting a the table behind him patching a leotard.

Maurice quickly invited Vito Junior in out of the rain, as soon as they were inside, he noticed the serious look on his face.

"I take it this is not just a social call." Maurice said.

"I'm afraid not, Maurice." Vito Junior said seriously. "it concerns your children, it seems that Lavinia took my daughter's new jacket and had her brother hang it up on the big top's left flagpole, it is now being ruined by that rain out there."

The Morellos cringed in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, Vito," Calista said. "you can be sure this will be dealt with."

Maurice turned toward the back of the trailer.

"Carlos Vincent Morello, Lavinia Charlotte Morello!" Maurice thundered, "front and center!"

Carlos and Lavinia came out of their rooms.

"Yes, Father?" they said almost in unison, trying to act innocent.

Maurice glared at his son.

"You, get a ladder and get Carmen's jacket down off the flagpole, now." Maurice said, pointing first at his son then at the door.

"But the rain," Carlos cried. "I'll get soaked!"

"So what," his father said. "you won't melt, now get going."

Then, Calista spoke to her daughter.

"And you go and get your piggy bank, Lavinia," she said, "the money for that ruined jacket is coming out of yours and your brother's allowances!"

"But I was going to buy this darling little handbag that I saw yesterday in town." Lavinia whined

"Well you should have thought of that before you pulled this little stunt," her mother replied, unmoved. "your father and I have let you get away with too much for too long, now go and do as I say."

Vito Junior shook his head as Lavinia literally huffed and stomped off to her room.

Calista shook her head and turned to her husband.

"I think it's time we shipped Lavinia off to Wentwoood Academy and Carlos to Braxton Military Academy." she said.

Maurice sighed and nodded, "I think you're right my dear." he said.

A few minutes later, Carlos entered with the wet and ruined black leather jacket.

While Lavinia came back with her piggy bank.

Their parents looked at them with stern expressions on their faces.

"Lavinia, Carlos, pack your bags!" Maurice said sternly.

"Are we going on holiday, Father?" Lavinia asked hopefully.

"Father and I aren't going anywhere, but you are." Calista said to Lavinia and Carlos.

"Where are Lavinia and I going?" Carlos asked.

"Lavinia, we are sending you to Ms. Wentwood's Academy for Girls." Calista said sternly.

"And, Carlos, we are sending you to Braxton Military Academy." Maurice said firmly.

"What," Lavinia cried. "but there are no horses or stables at Ms. Wentwood's!"

"Yeah," Carlos said. "Braxton Military Academy is one of the the strictest academies out there."

"That's the point," Calista said. "fewer ways for you two to play hookey from class."

The two siblings paled when they realized the double meaning of those words.

"Yeah, that's right," Maurice said. "Vito has informed us that you two have been ditching your classes with the clan tutors."

Calista pointed toward their rooms, "Get packing." she said.

Lavinia and Carlos went down the hall to their bedrooms to pack their belongings.

A few days later, Carmen was in the big top watching her friends practicing their act for the show that night.

When EJ entered the big top.

"Hi, Carmen." EJ greeted happily.