Where I Wanna Be
lunch money from my brother, Nicky, because all of the money my mom makes goes to groceries and keeping the lights on. I don’t shop at the mall because we can’t afford it. We shop at the goodwill. I’m embarrassed, Moni, that’s why I never invited you over here.”
     
    Simone had a half-grin on her face. “Eli, I don’t care that you’re poor. I wouldn’t care if you had a ton of money. I like you for you and that’s all that matters. I want to be with you forever, Eli.” She gave him a hug.
     
    Eli wrapped his arms around his girlfriend. She felt so wonderful. “I want to be with you forever, too, Moni.”
     
    “ I wanna be with you forever, Moni .” Tony mocked from the doorway and made kissy faces. “Mom said hurry up and get your asses downstairs or there won’t be any food for you.”
     
    Eli pulled away from Simone and slapped the back of Tony’s head. “I told you I don’t want to get into the habit of popping you in the back of the head because you say something stupid.”
     
    ****
     
    “ All right, everyone, gather around.” Nicola sat down at the dinner table. “Be on your best behavior because we have a guest tonight.” She then looked Simone’s plate. She only had a single slice of pizza but Nicola knew her boys. Those three boxes of pizza were going to be gone before they even finished the second slice. “Eli, put some more pizza on Simone’s plate.”
     
    “ Oh, I’m okay, Nicola,” Simone reassured her, “I’m a light eater.”
     
    “ That’s cute,” Nicola smiled. “Eli…”
     
    Eli grabbed two more slices and placed them on Simone’s plate. “If you can’t finish it, take it home with you.”
     
    “ Because we’ll eat it,” Joey warned.
     
    “ All of it,” Tony added.
     
    “ One thing my boys aren’t, are liars,” Nicola smiled. “Now let’s say grace and eat.”
     
    After dinner, Eli, Nicola, Simone, and Joey piled into Nick’s car and headed to Simone’s home. “Now, Mother, we’re just going to talk and be civil.” Nick reminded his mother. He knew behind her calm demeanor, there was the fiery temperament of an Italian mother.
     
    “ I’ll be fine,” Nicola smiled. “I can talk woman-to-woman.”
     
    “ We’re not worried about you talking woman-to-woman with her, ma.” Joey chimed in. “We’re worried you will talk fist-to-face.”
     
    “ It’ll be fine,” Nicola reassured. “It’ll be just fine. Look, we’re here. Let me handle everything.”
     
    Everyone piled out of Nick’s car and walked Simone up to the front door, where Joey rang the doorbell. A short while later, Alicia opened the door and smirked at Simone. “You are in big, big trouble.”
     
    “ Is that your sister?” Meredith rushed out from the foyer and saw Simone. She yanked her inside. “You go upstairs right now, missy, and stay up there.” Simone gave a remorseful look to Eli and quickly headed upstairs.
     
    “ Well, well, well…” Alicia straightened out her blouse and licked her lips as she admired Nick and Joey. “…who do we have here?”
     
    Nick took one look at Alicia and made a final decision. “No.”
     
    Joey, on the other hand, had other plans. “Show me some ID and I’ll blow your back out.”
     
    “ Alicia, go back inside the house, now!” Meredith ordered.
     
    “ But ma!” Alicia cried.
     
    “ Now!” Meredith yelled. “I’m not repeating it.” Alicia stomped her foot and headed back inside, leaving Meredith in a face-off with Nicola. “I don’t know what type of game you are playing here, but I won’t have that in my house. I have already told Simone she is to not see your son anymore and that is that. Whatever you have to say will not change my opinion. Besides, we have a reputation to maintain around here and I will…”
     
    “ I know who you are,” Nicola interrupted, “you’re the racist trying to keep our kids from dating each other. Have a nice evening.”
     
    “ I resent that remark!”
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