144 - Graduation Antics

*Are you sure that you want Julio’s family around my family? We are not known for behaving well. Or even playing well with others. My parents have nine kids; they are good at playing with each other. - Camille*

Camille, Darkness, Nicki and Mitch arrived at the high school stadium and met up with Rosie. Vin finally decided what to do with his remaining two tickets. He offered them to Julio’s family, but they declined. His parents and both of their parents were attending while his siblings were watching remotely at the Cajuns’ Clubhouse.

Rosie guided Momma Dee through the maze of obstacles, telling her where to step and when to stop. She did it all without thinking as it was just part of her job when dealing with a blind centenarian. The assisted living facility that Momma Dee lived at, and Rosie worked at, had lost several residents and two employees.

At one point they feared that they would also lose Momma Dee. After she had recovered, Rosie told Darkness about the odd conversation that she had with his grandmother. The woman insisted that it was not her time. And it would not be until after Rosie had found her own happiness.

Even now, as she followed the woman’s grandson and his acquired family, Rosie found herself wondering about what Momma Dee told her. Since the world had shut down, and she spent more time with the older woman, Rosie found herself wanting more. Her student loans would be paid off early next year and then she would feel free to live her own life.

Darkness found their seats and motioned for them to go ahead of him. They ended up Camille and Darkness in the center, the kids sat next to Camile and Rosie and Momma Dee were on the opposite side of Darkness.

Their little cube was blocked off with blue masking tape and space between them and the next group. Every other row of the football stadium bleachers was left empty. The graduates were all provided with cloth face masks with the school mascot. Guests were given disposable masks if they did not have one of their own.

They cheered for the other kids that they knew and when Vin walked across the stage, they cheered even louder. After the ceremony, they headed back to the clubhouse where the ceremony had been streamed for the large crowd that was gathered.

Julio’s extended family was also gathered there and his Abuela and Vin’s Oma took over the kitchen. Even Nessie stood out of the way and took directions.

“Are yeh kiddin’ me? I’ve ‘eard the stories of that woman an’ ‘er rocket family. An’ yeh wan’ me bossin’ ‘er around?”

After that declaration, her accent got thicker, and she may have switched to Gaelic. Either way, no one was certain what she was saying. When they looked at Knuckles, he shrugged and went back to playing with their daughter.

“What the hell does she mean by my rocket family?” Sid demanded walking into the dayroom.

“Crazy,” Knuckles said with a shrug.

“Hmmm,” Sid nodded as she returned to the kitchen. “Yeah, that tracks.”

“I know, I know,” Trigg grinned. “I married her.”

“And you’re damned glad that you did, you sorry fucker!” His wife yelled back at him.

“Damn straight, I am,” he agreed. “I love you, sister!”

Sid walked back into the day room and kissed her husband. She smacked his ass playfully as she headed back into the kitchen, “I love you, too, brother.”

“Your mother really is not your father’s sister, is she?” Julio asked Camille.

She laughed at the look of fear and slight disgust on the teen’s face. “Technically, yes. Biologically, no. My mother’s father married my father’s mother when they were in high school. My parents were in high school, not their parents.”

“So, steps?” he asked.

“Yeah, but where’s the fun in that?” Trigg asked. “I heard that you took my granddaughter to prom.”

“Opa!” Nicki shook her head and pulled Julio away.

Trigg started to follow them, and Charlotte yelled something in Dutch that had the other Johanson kids chuckling and Trigg stopped in his tracks.

“Do you want a blow job later?” Sid demanded from the kitchen.

“Moeder!” Dutch shook his head as he looked at the ceiling.

“I’m just going to go… count the rocks in the driveway,” Trigg said as he headed for the front door.

“Smart man!” Sid declared.

“Mom!” Claire screamed as she entered the kitchen.

“Like you don’t-“

“Children!” seven of her own children declared.

Camille and Critter were both doubled over with laughter. Their laughter was the only sound in the suddenly quiet building. Until Peanut’s twelve-year-old daughter asked a question.

“What’s a blow job?”

Camille and Critter looked at each other and started laughing harder.

“Let Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum explain it,” Sid grumbled.

“No!” the other siblings declared loudly.

“Tweedle Dee would probably give a demonstration,” Double D complained of his two youngest siblings.

“I would not!” Critter declared.

Camille shrugged, “I might.”

“You’re who I meant!” the middle brother declared.

“Oh, I’m Tweedle Dum,” Camille grinned.

“I’m older,” Critter grinned as he tossed an arm around his younger sister. “Therefore, I’m Tweedle Dee.”

“Shall we go count the rocks in the driveway?” Camille asked as she wrapped an arm around his waist. “Or go feed the swamp puppy?”

“Swamp puppy!”  Critter smiled at her and then they walked sideways into the kitchen on the way to the back porch.

“I would love to tell you that our family is not usually like this,” Charlotte told Julio’s parents, “but we are exactly like this pretty much all the time.”

“Yeah,” Vin chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Momma C warmed me about her family not behaving well.”

“For the most part,” Charlotte smirked, “we are behaving. This is actually good behavior for us.”

“I feel like that statement is being aimed at me,” Allison told her oldest sister.

“Good.”

“I know, I screwed up a lot,” Allison admitted as tears filled her eyes.

Charlotte opened her arms and hugged her younger sister when she moved into the embrace. “I’m sorry, I know you’re trying. Keep working on you.”

The younger sister nodded as she rested her head against her older sister’s shoulder. “I am.”

“Have you met the swamp puppy?” Charlotte asked and Allison laughed.

“Your sister is stupid crazy.”

“Bad news, she’s your sister too.”

Allison stepped away from Charlotte and looked at Darkness, “I’m sorry. For… everything. I was in a bad spot-.”

Darkness pulled her into a tight hug, “All is forgiven. I know a thing or two about sibling relationships. And the tensions that come with them.”

Wrapping her arms around him, she gave in and let her tears fall. He stood there and held her, grateful that he and Jasper had a chance to work through their issues. Often he wondered what would have happened to the kids if they had remained estranged.

Smiling, Momma Dee placed a comforting hand on Allison’s pale arm, “It’s time to let go of your uncertainties and fears. The world is waiting for you, child…”