Chapter 9 Meeting Joe

The boys ran up to me.

"Hi lady, what's your name?"

Kneeling in front of them. "My name is Amore," I said with a soft smile. "And what are your names?" I ruffled the older one's hair.

"I'm Liam." The oldest one said. "His Lucas." He points to his younger brother.

"Oh my, what beautiful names."

"Thank you." He said in the cutest voice.

"Where's your mother, cutie?" He points towards the car.

Looking at where his finger's pointing, I spotted Charlene help load the car. I headed towards her.

"Anything I can help you with?"

"Hey!" She looked me up and down. "You look so much better."

"Yes, thank you I do. Thanks for the clothes by the way." She gives a dismissive wave of her hand.

"Don't mention it. It's only clothes."

"Lady's I'm done." Knocking the top of the car two times with his knuckles. "Let's hit the road!"

"Come on kids, Let's go." The kids came running, climbing in the back.

We all got in and started our journey. Closing my eyes, I rested my head back against the headrest.

"Amore... Amore... Quickly look on you right."

Opening my eyes, I looked to my right. "WOW, that's breathtaking."

The clear blue sky shows off the sunlight streaks on the water leaving its glitter behind. Waves hit the sand rolling backward, while white foam stays behind before the next wave comes crashing down.

Awestruck, I rolled down the window taking deep breaths, filling my lungs with sea air while admiring the view.

Driving through a middle-class area, I watch children playing in the streets. The houses passing by were beautiful in their own way. The car drove into a driveway. A light brown double-story house, a white double car garage door with small windows on the top, a small porch in the front, closed with a white short wooden fence, stared back at me. On the porch sat an old man staring back at us.

Rudolf is the first one out of the car. "Hey, pops." He waived, running up to the porch. Embracing each other with a big hug.

"Hi, Dad," Charlene called, before she could hug the old man, the kids quickly jumped up.

"Hello, Granddad!!" They both yelled. Clinging onto both of his legs.

"Now lads let your mom also come and greet your Pop's."

With the kids on his legs, the old man walks up to Charlene embracing her in a hug.

"How's my favorite daughter? I hope Rudolf hasn't given you a hard time." Giving Rudolf a stern look over his glasses.

"I'm doing good, dad." She said with a big smile.

"That's good, now let's go inside it's cold out here." Rubbing his arms with his hands.

"Dad, this is Amore."

The old man looks behind Charlene and spotted me. Tilting his head to the left, he scratched his chin.

"Hello, Amore it's nice to meet you, have we met before? You look familiar."

"How's that possible dad, this is her first time here and she's not from around here." Rudolf quickly replied while leaning against the wall.

With a frown on his face, he moved toward me extending his hand. "Hello Amore, I'm Joe."

I extended my hand toward him. His wrinkled warm hand covered mine. "Hi, Joe."

He clapped my hand with his free hand and gave me a warm smile.

"Come, let's quickly get you inside." "Rudolf, you go and unpack the car and take the bags up to your room."

We followed Joe inside. The house gave off a cozy environment, furnished with mostly dark wood and decorated with pastel colors, with a small fireplace hidden in the corner of the living room. The smell of wood shavings in the air.

Joe went straight to the kitchen, he switched on the gas stove taking the kettle, filled it with water, and placed it on the flames, he then took his seat at the kitchen table, pulling a bowl to him that is filled with peanuts that are still in their shells, he started crushing the peanut shells with his hand and begin munching on the peanuts.

Charlene ran after the kids to get them settled in the family entertainment room. It was only Joe and me in the kitchen.

"Take a seat, let's talk." Joe pointed with his eyes to the chair on the other side of the table.

I slowly walked towards the table taking a seat.

"Now tell me, do you need a place to stay, Amore?" Joe asked with a calm facial expression, concentrating on crushing the peanuts.