Chapter 111: Mafia
*You know my feelings: Everyday is a gift. It’s just, does it have to be a pair of socks? – Tony Soprano*
“Dean told me an interesting story about the house.” JD said as he and Reese jogged on the treadmills at Golden Iron.
Reese chuckled. “The guy that built the house got killed by the Mafia?”
“Yeah. She didn’t seem very convinced.”
“She used to be.” Reese admitted. “The family that built the compound actually wanted to turn it into a hotel. The bottom floor was for them, and the top floor was for the hotel. My house was originally two joined cabins. Which is why it’s a weird L-shape. Shortly after they finished it, their financing backed out.”
“How did she get the idea of the mafia?”
“When she was about eight, she was obsessed with the Sopranos.”
“Who would let an eight-year-old watch the Sopranos?”
Reese grinned at the younger man. “Her favorite uncle.”
“You?” JD laughed.
“Never said that I was a good uncle.” Reese shrugged as both machines entered the cooldown cycle.
“So, who told her the Mafia story? You, also?”
“She came up with that on her own. But it quickly took hold, and a lot of people will tell you about it.” He laughed. “I had a lady tell me that she knew the family and it was such a shame what happened to the kids.”
“What happened to the kids?” JD asked.
“I don’t know. The man that was building the hotel had two half-grown sons. One of them works for me.”
“Really?”
“Oh, yeah. Anytime maintenance needs to be done out at the house, he always wants to go. He loves for people to tell him all about the Mafia hit. He comes back to work and tells me about how his adult sister, that he never had, was killed in the house that I live in.”
“All because an eight-year-old liked the Sopranos?” JD laughed as the alert on the treadmills went off.
“Yup. Of course, Mary had an evil streak.” He laughed thinking about his little sister. “She added to the story and made it more believable. Then it just took on a life of its own.”
“And a wicked sense of humor.” JD added. “I’ve heard all about her pranks and shit.”
“You’ve been hanging around Dean too much.” Reese laughed as they both stopped their machines.
“Nah, not enough.” He grinned back.
“Showers, and then we’ll go get the girls.” Reese suggested.
“Sounds good.” He looked over and saw his mom and Dean heading into the locker room from their cycling machines. “She’s not overdoing it is she?”
“All the trainers know she’s pregnant and won’t let her do anything that would put her or the baby in danger.” They walked into the men’s locker room and JD grabbed Reese’s arm. “You okay?”
“Dean wants to go back to school next week. But she’s afraid she’ll have to answer a lot of questions. And” he shrugged, “she’s not ready for that.”
Reese nodded. “I’ve been keeping the school up to date with everything. They said when she comes back, she’ll have a room she can go to, and they’ll let her do half days for a while.”
“Good. What about guardianship? Sorry, that’s none of my business.”
“That’s been set up for years. If anything ever happened to Mary, I got full custody. And since you’re dating, I’m going to say it’s your business.”
“Thanks, Reese.”
“Something else on your mind?”
“I don’t… I…” he sighed. “I don’t want the Dunning name anymore. How do I change it?”
“What do you want to change it to?”
“Are you going to marry my mom?”
Reese smiled. “When she’s ready, yes.”
“Can I change it to Reese?”
“I would be honored. Talk to your mom about it?”
“No. Wanted it to be a surprise.”
“I’ll call my lawyers on Monday.”
“Marti?”
“Probably her wife. Marti specializes in marital and divorce law. Her wife, Andrea, does general law.”
“Thanks.” The younger man smiled. ‘Not just for that, but for everything.”
“You’re welcome.” Reese smiled back. “Shower, you stink.”
“You’re not a bouquet of roses yourself.” JD replied heading for his locker.
“Whatever!” Reese laughed unlocking his own locker and grabbing the shower kit and towels. “You wish you smelled this awesome after a workout. I can’t keep your mom off me when I smell this good.”
An older gentleman walked in while he was talking. The gray-haired man stopped and looked at Reese on one side of the lockers and JD on the other. Shaking his head, he walked back out.
JD and Reese both busted out laughing.
“Shit, get in the shower before Joel comes in to find out what weirdness is going on in his locker room.” Reese laughed.
JD laughed as he stripped just outside a shower stall and dropped his clothes on the small bench. “What in the devil is going on in here? Oh, it’s just you.”
“Yeah.” Reese did the same actions. “That’s probably what he’d say.”
“I have a strange question, but since we’re already making it weird.” JD said from under the spray of water.
“I’m not discussing my sex life.” Reese declared as he stepped into the stall and turned on the water.
“And I thank you for that.” JD replied as he was rinsing his hair. “Did your piercings hurt?”
“Like a fucking bitch. But I don’t regret a single one.” He replied as he lathered up his body. “If you’re thinking about them, wait until after boot camp.”
“I swear, Reese.” Joel said as he walked through the locker room. “As soon as George told me that there was an old man hitting on a teen, I knew it had to be you.”
Reese and JD both laughed from their respective stalls.
“Sorry about that.” Reese replied not sounding very apologetic at all.
“Whatever.” Joel laughed. “He’s a grumpy old fart who has no sense of humor and is certain that everybody is gay and liberal. And trying to convert everyone who’s not.”
JD laughed as he turned his shower off. “I’ll be sure to bring my brother and his boyfriend.”
“Don’t forget his wife.” Reese added as he also turned off the water.
“Your brothers’ wife?” Joel asked.
“My brother’s boyfriend’s wife. Who is also my brother’s girlfriend.” He replied as he grabbed the towel off the hook to dry off. “And she’s pregnant."
“Paternity has not been determined yet.” Reese added drying off.
“Baby is either chocolate or vanilla.”
“Yeah….” Joel shook his head as both men stepped out wearing towels around their waists. “Leaving your strange ass family alone. And I didn’t think that you could get any stranger with your family.”
“I try.” Reese laughed as his friend left the room.
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