Broken Pieces

Untitled Episode 6

guests tonight for dinner. Rose Masino with her son Daniele Masino, and two sons, Luca Masion and Nico Masino. This is Lorenzo Night with his brother Laim Night. Hello, nice to meet you all. "Let’s all sit down for dinner," mom said. Dad walks me to my chair. I sit down with my hands getting clammy. Looking at all these men is scary.

I looked over at the older woman, Rose. She smiles at me as she takes her seat. Her son, who looks like my dad’s age, takes a seat next to her. The twins take a seat next to their father. I felt something brush my arm and looked to see Lorenzo pulling the chair next to me to sit down. His brother sits at the end of the table next to him. Mom is on my left side with dad sitting at the head of the table. Mom stands up and asks everyone if they would like some wine. Mom, I will go get the wine and tea for you. No Reiley, I can get the drinks.

What on earth is going on? This dinner is not normal for family dinner nights. I wipe my hand on my jeans, trying to calm my nerves. It feels like everyone's eyes are on me. I don’t like being unprepared for anything. So, sitting here waiting to see why all these people are at dinner is killing me. Mom set my wine in front of me and took her seat. I was too busy thinking of the things that might come from this dinner to notice she had already handed everyone their drink.

I pick up my wine glass and down it. Reiley Black, what on earth are you doing my mother quietly yells at me. Sorry mom. I didn’t realize how thirsty I was. She shakes her head at me for being a smart ass. I move to the right, so she doesn’t smack me for being rude. I held my hands up to surrender. Mrs. Black, what did you make us for dinner? "It smells so good," said one of the twins. Well, it was nice of him to change the topic of me downing my wine.

Thank you, Nico, for asking. I made roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans. How did she know which twin he was? Daniele said sound delicious. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Black, for having us for dinner come from the voice sitting next to me. I glance at him, and he smirks at me. I looked down real fast because the man with that smirk was sexy. This man next to me looked like a Greek God.

Dinner goes on with everyone making small talk. I’m eating slowly, trying to figure out why we are having dinner with strangers. Reiley, we wanted to talk about something mom said. What is it you want to talk about mom? Is this the reason for this dinner? Yes, it is the reason for this dinner and the guests we have here tonight. Well mom, can we get to the point please. You know how I get when I feel left in the dark about things. I feel like I’m the last one in this room to know is going on. All the eyes in that room are on me now. Great this must be very serious since everyone seems to know we are but me.

Reiley, don't overthink it and it's not bad. Sorry mom for my outburst. I was nervous about not getting a heads-up about this dinner. Dad gave me his small talk earlier about this dinner. Which didn’t help to explain anything. Just to stay calm and not blow up. So, I’m trying my best not to run out the door right now. I don’t like unexpected things to pop up in life. Dad says" Sweetheart, we understand how you fee1l. It took your mom and me a year for you to be comfortable when you came to live with us. We are here for you and not trying to make you upset and nervous.

I take a breath and lean back in my chair. I’m ready to listen to what is going on. Dad takes a breath and rests his hands on the table. Mom pats dad's hands and looks at me. Reiley, the reason why we have these guests here tonight. Mrs. Masino called us a month ago asking about your adoption. Your mother and I met up with them two weeks ago at their attorney’s office to go over everything we know about your life before you came to live with us.

I wipe my hand down my face because I now know why these people are here for dinner. Totally not what I want to talk about. After I got adopted, I never wanted to relive the life I had before my wonderful parents took me in. "I went to stand up when I felt a large hand on my knee. "Do you mind removing your hand before I do, sir? "My name is Lorenzo, not sir," he said while removing his hand.

I stood up and walked into the kitchen to get my wine. Because I’m not sure where this is going to go. I walked back to my seat and sat down. Pour more wine in my glass and ask my mom and dad to continue.

Reiley, I’m going to get to the point. Mrs. Masion believes you are her granddaughter. The private investigator they hired worked hard with his inventions to narrow it down to two children who could be Mrs. Masino grandchild. Taking a drink of my wine, I set down. Mrs. Masino, I'm not that child. My mother had never spoken of my father before, and she was all over the place around the time she conceived me. She was a bad druggy and very unreliable. If you are all here to find out if I know anything, you are sadly mistaken because I know nothing.

"We are here to ask you to take a paternity test," said Mr. Masino. That is the reasoning for this dinner. Your parents thought it would be the best way to handle the situation. They didn’t want us to serve a court order for paternity testing. Honestly, Mr. Masino, that would have been the best way to handle the situation. I wouldn’t have a very strange dinner with people I do not know. I could have had a comfortable family dinner talking about the court order I was served with.

Reiley your father and I thought this would be a better way. You always have a panic attack when your birth mother is brought up. I stood up and walked to mom and hugged her. I took a step away from her. Mom, I understand why you thought this dinner was the way to go. I turn around and look at everyone. I look Mrs. Masino in eyes. Let me know when and where to be for the paternity test. Nice to meet you all, mom and dad. I love you very much. I’m going to leave now. Good night, I will call you tomorrow. I walked out of the house to my parked car. I scared Oscar as I opened the door. Take me home Oscar now.