Me
I'll talk to him. Soon. I promise.
Gabi
You've been saying that for months
OH SHIT
Sophia
What
Gabi
Mamma just walked in
She saw me texting
She's asking who I'm talking to
Sophia
ABORT ABORT
Gabi
I said "the girls" and she said "is Sebastiano in that chat?"
I'm sorry Seb
She's coming for you
Sophia
RIP brother
Gabi
We'll say nice things at your funeral
My phone rings.
I stare at it. Mamma flashes across the screen with a photo of her making her disapproving face, which Gabi took as a joke but is now deeply appropriate.
I answer. "Hi, Mamma."
"Sebastiano." Her voice is warm but firm. The tone that means business. "Dinner. You are coming."
"I have a lot of studying to?—"
"I will drive to that campus and drag you home myself if I have to."
"Mamma—"
"Your Papa misses you. Your sisters miss you. I miss you." A pause. "And I'm making lasagna."
Shit. She knows lasagna is my weakness.
