Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *the trio
wanders into the park, Eddie dressed in denim, with a well-bindled baby on her
hip. Amador follows, close at her side. hazel eyes looking around with faint
wariness*
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: come on,
sweetie. *she smiles warmly at her son* it's ok here. so....when you wanna
celebrate your birthday? *the boy considers, then shrugs a bit* it doesn't
matter too much to me, Mom....
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *the baby blows
a bubble and gurgles as Eddie shifts her slightly*
Dara: *sitting on a bench, cup of coffee
in hand....both hands that is, her legs swinging slightly(bare dirty feet
underneath), theres a few decent tears in the legs of her huuge jnco jeans now,
and in her too large hoodie, looking so much like a kid herself for her slight
form and petite height swimming in those clothes, her pack is sitting nearby,
stuffed, and theres a skateboard right next to it*
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *she notes the
slim person. and grins* hey, Dara! s'up? *Amador shrinks a little behind his
mom. she smiles gently to him* s'ok, sweetie. Dara's all right.
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *the boy
doesn't quite look convinced...but he comes with Eddie as she heads toward Dara*
Dara: *looking up as she hears eddie,
blinking, sipping at her coffee, she nods, blinking a bit* hey....*flicking a
brief almost shy look to amador before the same back to eddie then to the baby,
blinking more, tilting her head*
Dara: issat.....yknow.....*blinking a bit,
looking from the baby to eddie*
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: long time, no
see. *she reaches the woman and bends down, baby in one arm, to give Dara a hug*
this's my son, Amador. and his youngest sis, lil Jezzie. *chuckles softly. the
infant's wide blue eyes gaze at Dara with fascinated solemnity. she blows
another bubble*
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *grins* Liam's
and mine's baby, yeah. *chuckels. Am smiles uncertainly at Dara, from behind
Eddie*
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: ((Room for
more? :) ))
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: ((*G* sure!!))
Florentina Larione: [Room for me
too?*hopeful smile*]
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: ((*laughs and
sets out the welcoming tray* sure!))
Dara: *she returns the hug gently,
blinking a bit still, nodding to the long time no see, looking to the baby
again, then to amador, dark green eyes alert* yeah....s'right......um....*looking
to amador, she chews on her lipring and tentatively offers forth the cup of
coffee towards him* you...wanna have some?
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *he blinks.
eyes the cup* um, no thank you, Ma'am. i don't drink coffee yet....*another
small smile to her. but he seems to relax a trifle*
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *Eddie giggles*
good call, Am! of course, i'm a lil biased since i dun like coffee much. *grins.
Jezzie frees a little fist and waves it about with another gurgle*
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: The man
makes his way into the park, running his fingers through his hair as he takes a
drag off his cigarette. The man's looking a bit more relaxed, a little more
confident of a strut then he's had in several weeks. Dressed in a Armani grey
wool 3-button suit with single-pleat trousers, he's his usual business self as
he finds his way to the paths.
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: ((Sure,
Ap!))
Dara: oh...well.....k....*blinking,
chewing on the lipring slightly, soft clicking noise coming from inside her
mouth, she shrugs and brings the cup back closer, sipping at it again*
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *she notes a
newcomer and gives him a friendly grin, shifting the baby to her other hip. Am
takes a small, sliding step closer. she rests a comforting hand on his shoulder*
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: so, what've you
been up to lately, hon? *tilts her head at Dara* mind if i sit?
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: He looks
over to Eddie and Dara, giving them brief nods. "Heya. How you doin'?"
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *grins to
Frankie* doin' good, and yourself? *Am glances up briefly to the man, offering
him a polite nod, and then plants his gaze on the ground*
Dara: naw, g'head.....um....*sipping
again, swallowing as she shakes her head, voice quiet* nothin...really...just....out
an about I spose.......um....learnin t'board some.......*eyes flicking towards
the suit when she sees him, blinking a bit and sipping at her coffee as she
watches*
Florentina Larione: She's not in a happy
place at the moment as she heads into the Park. Her hair is a little longer and
she looks tired. She's also dragging a suitcase behind her. At the moment, she's
on the phone and talking sharply in Italian to whoever's on the other line.
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: "Doin'
awright." He looks to the kid and smiles a bit to him, then looks between them.
"Don't think we've ever met before. Francesco Giardini." He puts out the
cigarette between two fingers and pockets the butt, then extends his hand to
Eddie first, then Dara.
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini:
d10: Per+Alertness: 2,9,4,5,
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: He glances
back, hearing Italian, and notes Tina. A brief smile to her, before he looks
back to the other two women.
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *she sits,
putting the infant on her lap. who promptly frees both arm and voices a happy
little cry as she waves her fists around. Am smiles tentatively back, leanign
against the arm of the bench by his mom. Eddie chuckles and shakes Frankie's
hand* i think you're right. i'm Eddie. these're two of my kids--amador and
Jezzie. *Amador murmurs a polite hello*
Dara: *dara tentatively and rather shyly
takes the hand and shakes it, the other hand still clutching to the coffee cup,
nodding to frankie, dark green eyes going right to florentina spouting off in
italian*
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *she tilts her
head at the woman, noting the suitcase with a worried frown*
Florentina Larione: d10: per+alert: 2,8,1,8,4,
Dara:
d10: per/alert: 6,7,5,5,8,3,5,
Florentina Larione: She notes Frankie and
gives him a nod while she heads further into the Park, aiming toward him before
finally hanging up the phone and letting out a sound of pure..frustration.
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: skateborading
looks like fun to me. how goes it? *tilts her head at Dara curiously*
Dara: um...sorry.......Dara..*soft
clicking coming from her mouth as she glances back to frankie, then puts both
hands on the cup again, sipping*
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: He quirks an
eyebrow. "Ya alright, Tina?"
Dara: s'arright....andys teachin
me....fell th'other day tho...*looking to the tears and scrapes on her jeans and
hoodie*
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: ow...*blinks at
the pants* ya know, i'm pretty sure we got some jeans and stuff about your size
at the house. you wanna come by and grab some?
Florentina Larione: "I conducted a
tactical retreat this morning. My mother's..not happy with that." It's a fancy
way of saying that she ran away from Chicago.
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *frowns
slightly at Tina* you all right, though? i mean, are you set and all? *glancing
to the suitcase*
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: "Ahh,
shit..." He frowns to Tina. "That don't sound good."
Dara: naw.....naw sokay eds.....*shaking
her head and going quiet as she listens, dark green eyes flicking from one
person to the next*
Florentina Larione: "Yeah, I'm fine. Just
got out of the airport. I needed some air." She shrugs a little combing her
fingers through her hair.
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *grins to Dara*
change yer mind, yer welcome. ya know that, right? *chuckles* and Am's always
making good stuff to munch on--he cooks so good! *the boy blushes, shuffling his
feet at the praise. but he's pleased by it....*tilts her head to Tina* airport's
a long way from here. needa sitdown? *the baby coos and attempts to punch her
mother in the face. Eddie absently grabs the tiny hand and kisses it*
Florentina Larione: She moves over toward
Frankie. He knows what it's like having an Italian mother.
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini:
"Damn...well, at least yer okay. Kinda." He gives her a little understanding
grin. He does indeed know what it's like.
Florentina Larione: "Yeah. Feeling
matricidal, but with my mom, it's par for the course." She laughs softly, raking
her fingers through her hair again. "Just did four weddings and a funeral these
past few month. I'm not kidding."
Dara: *she murmurs a quiet yeah ok to
eddie, bare feet fidgeting again, rolling the skateboard slightly under where
she sits on the bench, eyes flicking to the baby as she sips*
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: "Wow. Yer
like, yer own movie or somethin'."
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *blinks*
wow...you've had a rough time, sweetie. *a warm, friendly smile. she bounces
Jezzie on her knee to distract her from her budding boxing career. Amador
quietly sits down, on the ground by the bench. leanign against Eddie's knee*
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *grins to Dara*
wanna hold her a bit? *chuckles* just fear the fists. she likes waving and she's
not really careful about where.
Florentina Larione: "Yeah, I am like my
own movie. And it's like a sick, twisted version of Four Weddings and a Funeral
and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. And it sucks. Ebert and Roeper would've given it
two thumbs down." She chuckles.
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: "Who the
f..." He pauses, managing to refrain from at least THAT profanity around the
kids. "Who's Roeper? I thought Ebert was the fat guy, and Siskel was the bald
one."
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *she grins
impishly at Frankie, noting the swift change of word choice. Am digs a book out
of the baby's diaper bag and begins to frown over it. his lips move as he
puzzles out words*
Florentina Larione: "Dude. Siskel's dead.
Roeper replaced him. Where have you been?" She actually laughs, then.
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: "Uhh...makin'
a livin'?" He shrugs. "Ain't much inta movies."
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *blinks at
Tina* Siskel's dead? dude! *Am looks up* who's that, Mom? *she grins down to
him* he's this guy who gives...um...gave...his opinion on movies.
Dara: (whoops, sorry*G* my bad)
Dara: *she shakes her head to eddie a bit
quickly at the offer of holding the baby, soft clicking from inside her mouth
heard between sips*
Florentina Larione: "You like old movies,
though. I remember that. You like Bogey. Which reminds me. I got you another
tie." She's pulling her suitcase over to the bench and sitting down so she could
fish out that tie box for him.
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *grins to Dara*
ok. but i promise,you won't hurt her if you change your mind. *catches that
little fist again. Am silently holds up his book for help with a word.....*
meringue. *he nods and goes back to reading*
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: He blinks at
Tina, and chuckles a little bit. "Ya know...ya keep buyin' me clothes, an'
people're gonna think we're datin'. Don't think my mate'd like that..."
Dara: naw, sokay eds....*shaking her head
again, going to take another sip and wrinkling her nose slightly when she finds
it empty*
Caroline McGregor: *The tall redhead is wandering
her way through the park on her way home for the evening.*
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *chuckles at
Dara softly and settles back* i think LIam and i should have more kids. *grins*
kids are totally awesome. *if anyone's looking at Am, they might notice his
eyebrow rising in a nearly perfect imitation of Spock*
Florentina Larione: "You have a mate?
Congrats." She smiles at him and then closes the suitcase, box in hand. She
hands it over to him. The tie has Humphrey Bogart on it.
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: He takes the
tie and opens it up, grinning a bit. "Well, thanks, Tina. S'appreciated. An'
yeah, I do."
Florentina Larione: "What's her name? Is
it that Andy gal?"
Dara: *the hood gets tugged up more as she
slouches back into the bench, fingers idly playing about the empty cup now, eyes
flicking down to her feet playing on the board rolling back and forth under teh
bench*
Caroline McGregor: *She wanders towards the others,
recognizing Dara and Tina, who she hasn't seen in a very long time.* Well hello
stranger. *she says wiht a grin.*
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: how's work
going, Dara? *Jezzie seems to be getting a little sleepy. blue eyes are closing*
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: His smile
vanishes a bit at mention of Andy. "No. Her name's Capri."
Dara: s'goin...yknow?...people speak
lots......need words translated an stuffs...so....*shrugging gently, eyes
flicking to caroline and nodding with a soft hey*
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *nods* true
enough. *chuckles softly*
Florentina Larione: She frowns a little at
seeing his smile vanish a bit. "I'm sorry about that. But, good for you. Glad
you found a mate." Then, she turns her focus to Caroline and grins at her. "Hey,
you!"
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: He grunts at
Tina's response, mood soured slightly, and nods briefly. "Thanks." He looks over
at Caroline a moment, looking her over appraisingly, then back to Eddie and
Dara. A step back is taken, and he pulls out another cigarette.
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *am peeks up at
Eddie* mom? can i make this? *he offers her the book. she looks it over* mmm...i
dunno. i guess so? i mean, i'm not that fond of fish, but it's good for ya so
i'll eat it. *grins* we'll stop by the store on the way home--i think we got
most everything else in the ingredients. *he nods a little bit, taking back his
book*
Florentina Larione: She actually looks
like she feels bad about souring Frankie's mood.
Caroline McGregor: How's it going? *she says,
smiling at Dara and giving Tina a hug.* Long, long time.
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: He lights up
and exhales the cloud of smoke, away from Eddie and the kids as he watches them.
A bit of a smile comes back to his face.
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *gives Caroline
a friendly smile* mmm....Dara, sweetie--i think it's time for us to head on
home. *chuckles* so we can get Am's fish and stuff.
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: He nods to
the mother a little. "Nice neetin' ya, Eddie."
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *Am gives her a
little smile, picking himself up off the ground and looking...rather happy at
the thought of going to the grocery store. she chuckles, giving his very short
hair a ruffle. which earns her a wrinkled nose as he smoothes it....* Mooooom....*he
murmurs*
Dara: *she shrugs to caroline, then looks
to eddie and nods* k.....um....seeyas later I guess..er sumthin......*chewing on
the lipring*
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *grins to
Frankie* nice meeting you, too. and congrats also. *chuckles as she rises,
holding her infant protectively. Am looks almsot impatient* Mom, there's that
store on the island...is it open still? *she nods cheerfully* should be, unless
they're waxing the floors. 24 hour, i thought.
Florentina Larione: She hugs Caroline and
gives Eddie a warm smile. "It was nice kind of meeting you, Eddie. I didn't
really meet you meet you, but it's nice to meet you. Thanks."
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *grins to Dara*
i hope so! *laughs* you should seriously come over sometime soon. *another hug
for Dara, then she sets her arm around Am's shoulders* away we go! *Jezzie wakes
up with an aggravated sound*
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: "Thanks." He
nods to Eddie, and then looks back to the other three.
Eddie, Jezzie, and Amador: *laughs to
Tina* well...you know i'm Eddie, and i know you're Tina. *grins* good enough for
me. *Am watches her. again the faint hint of impatient eagerness. she laughs and
heads on out with the munchkins*
Caroline McGregor: *She gives a smile all around..*
Hey Dara how are you tonight?
Florentina Larione: She pulls back from
the hug and waves before grinning over at Frankie. "Frankie, this is Caroline."
She gestures. "I'm glad you like the tie."
Dara: uhmmm.....outta coffee?*blinking up
to caroline, bare dirty feet still sliding the board back and forth, looking to
her after eddie leaves. the too big jeans and hoodie shes wearing have holes and
tears and scrapes on them now*
Caroline McGregor: Evening Frankie, pleasure to meet
you. *The heeled boots she's wearing add inches to her already 6 ft tall frame
and she probably towers over the others.*
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: He nods to
Caroline and slips the cigarette into his off-hand before extending the other
toward her, smile genial. "Frencesco Giardini. Pleasure to meet ya, Caroline."
Caroline McGregor: Now that's a tragedy. *she says
solemnly.* Thank goodness for Dunkin Donuts.
Florentina Larione: "Starbucks is my
personal Jesus. But don't let my mom hear about that." She says aside at
Carline.
Dara: any coffee....*shrugging, fiddling
with the empty cup before she sighs and tosses it into the nearby trash basket,
slumping back into the now empty but for her bench again*
Caroline McGregor: *she reaches out to shake
Frankie's hand, grinning as she answers Tina's sacrilidge.* Starbucks is just an
upstart. Dunkin Donuts..now that's god. Though there are some nice little
independent coffee shops around. *she shakes her head with a laugh at Dara's
comment.* I have been known to drink a cup from the nearest source when I'm up
before dawn...but I try not make a habit of it.
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: "Ehh,
Starbucks is mass-produced stuff." He shrugs. "Gimme something authentic."
Florentina Larione: She chuckles and
flops back onto the bench, legs splayed as she gets comfy. "For the record, this
is so much better than Chicago and my Italian family. Ohmigod..I am so glad to
be in New York."
Dara: best best issat them old I-talian
bodegas er tha restaurants in lil it-ly, where they have tha 'real' cappuccino
an espresso an stuff.......
Dara: *blinking slightly when tina flops
onto the bench, she looks over slightly, then looks back down to her feet
sliding the board idly*
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: "Happy
t'oblige," he says to Tina with a chuckle. Dara gets a definite nod. "See...now
yer talkin'."
Caroline McGregor: *she nods.* Have you ever had
Turkish coffee? It's so thick you can melt a spoon in it, and they serve it in
these little teeny cups with some rose flavored sugar...delicious.
Florentina Larione: She listens to them
talk about coffee, letting herself relax for the first time in what feels like
ages.
Dara: *shaking her head at mention of
turkish coffee* heard...yknow...middleeasterners make good coffee too....s'parta
their courtesy t'guests an stuff....
Caroline McGregor: *She peeks at her watch.* I have
to get myself going. I have an errand I need to finish running. *A friendly wave
and she heads out.* (be back in an hour or so mebbe!)
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: "Nice meetin'
ya, Caroline." He nods to her with a smile, and looks over at Dara. "Ehh, fuck
them. Ain't no one knows how ta make coffee like the Italians." He chuckles.
Florentina Larione: "Amen t'that." She
grins at Frankie.
Dara: *blinking as caroline heads off,
sighing softly, she looks back over to frankie and tina, lips twitching
slightly*
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: "So," he
says, turning to Dara. "What do ya do?"
Dara: umm.....d'pends.....which 'job' ya
mean 'zactly....*chewing on her lipring, fingers fidget with the edges of the
sleeves on the too large hoodie*
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: "Pick one,"
he says with a shrug. "An' we'll go from there."
Florentina Larione: She eyes Dara a moment
and pulls out her cellphone to check the many angry messages her mother's left.
Dara: I uh........translate fer my
'daytime' job....bout....7 er 8 differnt languages atta firm........um.....tha
other one...s'kinda......differnt*lips twitching* gots t'do wit yer guys' family
tho....helpin out an stuffs
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: "My family?"
He raises his eyebrow, not having met her before know. Of course, he doesn't
know she was the bird at the challenge. "Really."
Dara: well.....yers.....an
eddies....an...um.....few others.....*tilting her head then, looking at
him*....I saw yas b'fore.....atta gatherin....
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: "Huh." He
nods a little. "Musta missed ya. My apologies."
Dara: I didnt look like this.....member
tha black guy with tha bird?
Florentina Larione: She looks at the two
of them, eyebrows raising as she holds the phone away from her ear. Her mother's
yelling is clear..and it's not even on speaker phone.
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: That
eyebrow? Not goin' down. "I'm goin' out on a limb here and sayin' ya'd make a
shitty black man."
Dara: yep*blinking and nodding slowly*
Florentina Larione: She stares at her
phone. "I'm changing my number." She says quietly and pockets the machinery
after deleting her messages.
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: "Figured."
He nods to Dara, then blinks at Tina. "That bad?"
Florentina Larione: "Five messages. Five."
She gives Frankie a look. "I'm at my wits end. She was trying to set me up with
a plumber. He comes from good family, she tells me. But could you see me with a
frickin' plumber? Ugh..she was even planning my wedding. The Hell, man, the
Hell."
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: "Sorry," he
says with a shrug and a grin. "Like ta help ya, but I'm all hooked up. Maybe y'
can talk to Luciano or Simon Glass. They might have some ideas."
Dara: *eyes flicking from them to looking
about again, that soft clicking coming from her mouth once more as her feet go
back to rolling the board back and forth*
Florentina Larione: "I tried to get
you, man. I had a whole proposal and contract all written out. But then wedding
season back home happened. And now you're taken." Pause. "You got a brother?"
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: He pauses,
blinking. "You huh?"
Florentina Larione: "What? I still have it
in my bag if you want to read it for laughs. I was going to propose. Have a huge
Italian wedding to make Mom happy." She snickers and looks over at Dara before
flopping back against the bench.
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: He smirks,
shaking his head. "Here's an idea, Tina. Next time? Don't do fuckin' contracts.
It ain't all that much in the way of appeal. If I'd wanted a contract
negotiation, I'd go back ta work."
Florentina Larione: "I figured it'd be
sorta like a prenup, yanno?" She shrugs. "I'll keep that in mind if I find some
other guy. I'da been happier with you, though, but m'glad you've got a girl. You
look happy."
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: "Tina..." He
looks just a little bit perplexed by all of this. "You ain't makin' no sense,
y'know that? Ya weren't interested at all. Showed zero interest. An' don't get
me wrong. Yer cute, but you an' me? We ain't exactly compatible. Ya intern in
the fuckin' mayor's office an' blog about illegal immigrants. That ain't me."
Dara: *leaning her head back she looks to
the skies as if distracted by things up there, she shoves her hands in the
hoodies pockets, gathering her legs up against her, bare feet tucking up
underneath her within the huge pantlegs*
Florentina Larione: "I bought you a tie."
She says with an amused smile. "I'm not good with guys. I lost my job at the
mayor's office 'cause I was gone so long. I'm in school and resorting my
priorities. Hell, you made me see that sometimes, I'm really just a selfish
white bread girl who doesn't know any better. I'm tryin'." She's hiding
something, but that's another story. "I liked you. You weren't insufferable."
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: "Well,
thanks." He chuckles a little. "But losin' yer job don't change who ya are. Some
people just don't work together. An' next time...ya see somethin' ya want? Reach
out an' take it. Don't pussy-foot around. Ain't gonna work, Tina. Not in this
world."
Dara: *taking a deep breath she lets it
out slowly as she stands, nabbing up her pack and setting the board under a foot
so she can coast out of there*
Florentina Larione: She nods a little.
"Thanks, Frankie. It's just as well I never gave you the contract. You wouldn't
be speaking to me if I had, prob'ly."
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: He shrugs.
"Naah, wouldn't-a stopped speakin' to ya. But it probably wouldna went nowhere."
He shrugs and looks between the two. "Well, I better head home. Good seein' ya,
Tina...an' good meetin' ya, Dara. See ya 'around."
Florentina Larione: "Nice meeting you,
Dara." She waves at her and then chuckles at Frankie. "Naw, trust me. You'da
been insulted. But thanks, though, and congrats on your mate. I'll try and get
one of my own. Nobody likes a spinster."
Dara: yeah, later...*not even looking up
as she adjusts her footing on the board and frankie says goodbye, nodding
slightly*
Francesco "Frankie" Giardini: He
shrugs. "Think whatcha want. I know what I woulda done. See ya." He smiles a bit
and turns to head off.
Florentina Larione: She grabs her stuff,
turns off her phone, and heads to get a taxi to go home.