Page 69 of Before We’re More Than Friends (When We Faced the Music #1)
Raina
O n the Saturday before Easter, Moonlight woke me up with loud meows as she walked over my stomach. I giggled before rubbing her head. She lifted her butt in the air and purred loudly, melting every part of me.
Penrose let out a noise from the floor, upset that Moonlight had taken her place on me while I was sleeping.
“Sorry, girl,” I said as I picked Moonlight up. “But a kitten is much lighter than you.”
Penrose shook her head. I’m still superior.
“Don’t worry, Pen.” I reached down to rub behind her ears. “No one will ever take your place.”
Penrose’s tail thumped against the floor as her eyes widened with happiness.
It’d been a week since Moonlight joined the family, and she and Penrose had finally warmed up to each other. When Moonlight had first come home, she hid under my bed while Penrose barked at her to no end. Now they were able to stay in the same room without making a ruckus.
They’d love being sisters .
When I went downstairs and into the kitchen, Mom, Nonno, and Arielle were at the table eating waffles.
“Good morning, princess,” Mom said with a smile. “Your waffles are on the counter.”
“Thank you.” I grabbed my plate and sat next to Arielle, who wasn’t devouring her food like she usually did. “Are you ready for today?”
“Yeah,” she said as she picked at her waffles, but I wasn’t convinced.
And it wasn’t a surprise that she was nervous, too.
I’d thought this prison visit wouldn’t be as nerve-racking as the last one, but since Mom’s reaction had completely rocked our family, I was worried about what would happen this time.
After breakfast, I went back to my room to get ready. While I brushed my hair, an Instagram notification popped up from my Raining Gems account. Isabelle had liked my most recent post, one of the bracelets I made for my new Moonlight collection.
I stared at the notification before picking up my phone. I switched to my personal account to see that she had liked my most recent post there as well, photos of me and my friends at Battle of the Bands. Sucking in a breath, I clicked on her profile and pressed the message button.
Raina
Hey, girl, it’s been a while. Thanks for your order at Raining Gems.
I picked up my lip gloss, not wanting to put on much makeup in case there would be tears, when my phone pinged again.
Isabelle
Hey, girl, been thinking about you! Happy to see your business doing well!
I smiled, my heart squeezing in my chest.
Raina
Thank you, been thinking about you too
I didn’t know what else to say—what did you say to someone you hadn’t talked to in almost three years? But for now, this would be enough.
The ride to prison was full of silence, except for Nonno singing to old songs on the radio from time to time.
My mind wouldn’t stop racing with how this visit would affect us.
Did Dad know that Mom was in the hospital because she missed him?
Did he know she was going to rehab? Had Mom sent him any letters since the last visit?
My stomach flip-flopped as Mom pulled up in the parking lot. Mom and Nonno exchanged an anxious look at each other before squeezing hands. I did the same with Arielle, and she gave me a small smile.
The slow walk into the prison was painful, and waiting for Dad to be brought out was even worse. I just wanted to get this over with, but at the same time, I wanted to enjoy my time with Dad. I had no idea when I’d see him again.
Nothing was promised anymore.
After a few long minutes of waiting, Dad came out with the officer. His eyes lit up as a smile spread across his lips. “Girls.”
Unlike last time, Arielle and I ran over to hug him. Tears burned in the back of my eyes as I stroked his uniform, remembering how good it felt to hug him. The anger I had from what he’d done was still there, but my love for him took over in this moment.
“I miss you, Dad,” I whispered, my cheek rubbing against his beard. “I miss you so much.”
“I miss you, too,” Arielle, who already had tears running down her cheeks, said .
“Girls.” Dad broke out of the hug, his own eyes watering. “I miss you, too. You both look beautiful.”
Arielle wiped her tears away. “It’d be better if I didn’t ruin my makeup all the time.”
“That’s why I didn’t wear much today,” I said with a small smile. “You should’ve gotten the memo.”
Arielle rolled her eyes.
“I don’t want to make you cry anymore.” Dad bit his lip as his gaze met Mom’s. “I never did.”
“Manny,” Mom said, her eyes full of longing. She went up to Dad and gave him a small hug.
“Patsy,” Dad said as he rubbed her back. “I’m so sorry about what happened. I?—”
“It happened,” Mom said. “But I’m going to get better. I’m sure of it this time.” She traced a finger along his uniform before the officer who stood at the wall narrowed his eyes at her. She cleared her throat. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing you again.”
“I’ve been looking forward to this, too.” Dad smiled as he took Mom in. As always, she was glammed up with a full face of makeup, a floral blouse, and jewelry in every place she could fit it. She was the Patsy Vermont everyone knew.
“What about me?” Nonno asked. “I’m here, too.”
Dad laughed. “Hello, Alessio.” He gave Nonno a hug with a pat on the back. “This wasn’t the place I wanted to see you again.”
Nonno chuckled. “You think?”
“Not my proudest moment.” Dad broke out of the hug and brushed his hair, which had grown longer. A few strands of gray peeked out. “I’m sorry that I’ve done this to your family.”
Nonno sighed. “I have it in me to forgive you. I know you still love Patricia and the beautiful girls.”
“Patricia,” Dad murmured to himself .
Mom waved. “That’s me.”
“I know that.” Dad laughed. “I just haven’t heard someone call you that in years.”
“You’re the one who gave me my nickname,” Mom said in a flirty voice. “And my new last name.”
A smile broke out on my face as the tension in the room faded. For a moment, I was grateful that the four people I loved and shared blood with were here with me.
We started talking about how things had been. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the exciting. When we got to the part about Battle of the Bands, everything about Dad lit up again.
“I’m so proud of you girls for winning.” He brushed his fingers against mine. “My stars.”
My cheeks warmed. “Thank you, Dad.”
“And!” Arielle said, her voice high-pitched. “Raina gave her boyfriend a gift.”
Dad’s lips pursed. “I hope this gift was appropriate.”
“Dad!” Now my cheeks warmed for a different reason.
He laughed. “What was the gift then?”
“She got Dallas a kitten!” Arielle exclaimed with a smile on her face. “Her name is Sunshine. And guess what Dallas gave her?”
“A make-out session in the shelter’s break room?”
“Dad!” I yelled loud enough for the people around us to give us funny looks. I shrank in my seat. He wasn’t wrong about that answer, but I’d keep that between me and Dallas. “He gave me Sunshine’s sister, Moonlight. She’s adorable.”
“Aw, we have a new kitten in the house?” Dad smiled before his face pinched. “I wish I could be there to meet her.”
“She’ll be there when you get out,” Mom said. “But she’s such a cutie.”
“Penrose does chase her around, though,” Arielle said. “Moonlight kept hiding under Raina’s bed for a while. ”
“They’ll get used to each other,” Dad assured us. “All animals need time to warm up.”
We kept talking about our lives and the pets, and I couldn’t help but to be so happy that we could all be together. It would be a long time before this happened again, and I wished both of my parents could be home together, but they would be one day.
The broken pieces of our family could still be put back together.
Before I knew it, our time with Dad was up. Tears spilled down my cheeks again as I hugged him goodbye. I knew it wouldn’t be the last time I’d see him here, but I couldn’t wait until he got out next year. I hoped he’d make better choices for all of us.
As soon as we got in the car after the visit was over, I looked at my phone to see a new message from Isabelle.
Isabelle
I’m sorry we haven’t talked in a while. Life has been busy, but I hate that our friendship slipped through the cracks (more than my mom hates dogs). I’d love to catch up if you’re down!
Oh, and your new boyfriend? Girl, I always knew you had taste.
Giving me all the details is a demand
Oh, and please send Penrose pics, I miss her!
I giggled. She was still Isabelle even after all this time.
Raina
I understand. I’ll fill you in later
I switched to my messages app and shot Dallas a text.
Raina
Want to come over after dinner and have a playdate with Sunshine and Moonlight?
Dallas
I highly doubt that Sunshine wants to leave. She’s been living in my room all week.
Raina
I guess she’s still warming up too
Dallas
She is
But I’ll still be there
I can’t wait to finally be at your house again
Your house that is probably four times the size of mine
Raina
No it’s not
It’s probably five times
But you know you love it
Dallas
I do
Wait can I come over for dinner?
Or is that too much
Raina
Nothing is too much from you
I’m sure my family would love to meet you
But I’ll make sure to put my bras out of Penrose’s reach this time
Dallas
LMAO
I’ll be over then
Love you
*Kisses you*
Raina
Love you too
*Kisses you back harder*
We sent kissing emojis back and forth, warmth spreading in my chest. I didn’t remember a time when I’d been so thankful for my life and the people I had in it. For the first time, when I looked into my future, I didn’t see rainy skies blocking my view.
I finally saw sunshine.