Juno Leopardi--Chapter 4

Juno (age 29), her spouse Jade (age 28)
Children: twins, Phillip and Stewart (age 2)
Sister: Beatrix (age 19)
Narrated by Juno

It was such a sad feeling knowing that I was home and that my mother was no longer living there. As the first born she left this house to me and she even asked me to live here once she was gone. My other brothers and sisters went off to college while my little sister Beatrix decided to stay home after she decided not to go to college. Jade felt guilty about moving in because she felt that Beatrix should keep the house. Jade and I didnt agree about moving in but I did not want to break my promise to my mom.
We did manage to get our things moved over..that is after we paid the moving company $3000. I just hope that we manage to keep things up because my mom didnt really update anything in a while.

As soon as we fixed the living room I called to see where Beatrix was. She wasnt home and I did not know where her room was located upstairs. Jade was busy trying to get the boys situated. This move did nothing for them because they were crankier than usual. I think Jade and I need to discuss how we can stop spoiling our children.

When Beatrix finally came home we sat down and discussed with her how we felt about moving back home. Bea seemed Ok with it and just asked if we were going to respect her privacy. I made sure that she knew that I was there as sort of a room mate to her and not a parent. I love my sister but I do think that she wants to move out. The only reason she has not is because we both know that she can not afford it at this time.

Here is my parents old living room set. I still can not believe that things remained the same after I moved out. My parents were pretty much set in their ways. This is why they lived a life debt free. They saved all their money to pay for our college and other expenses.

We moved all of our furniture and just bought a few accent pieces. We do not have that much money to redo the whole house. I do want to redo the outside but we are taking it one step at a time. My brother Otani called to make sure that we were settled in and didnt need any help. He himself is looking for a house to rent.

Jade and I sat on our bed in my parents old bedroom and managed to talk a little. it seemed strange that we were here and that we had a whole house to ourselves. The boys were put to bed and we loved that we no longer had noisy neighbors to bother us.

Obituary--Monica Leopardi

Monica Leopardi, beloved wife of Francisco Leopardi and mother to:
Juno, Francisco Otani II, Ethan, Beatrix, Madeline, Ivan and Rodrigo.
Grandmother to: Phillip, Stewart and Kayla.

She leaves behind a life full of family as well as a prosperous career as a visionary in the field of artisit.

ch 13 Monica Leopardi--widow of Francisco Leopardi

Monica age 76, her children (quads), Beatrix age 17, Ivan age 17 and Rodrigo age 17.


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The time had come for the remaining children to discuss their college
opportunities. Monica did not believe in forcing anyone into
college. She did however tell them the pros and cons to a college
education. Now that Francisco was gone it would be harder for Monica to be
home alone. She was thinking of maybe selling this house if Juno did not
want it for herself. Monica looked around at her children and was amazed at how
much they had grown. She called a family meeting and requested their
answer in regards to attending college or not.

The first asked was Beatrix. Beatrix had a rocky relationship ship
with her brother Ivan which only got worse when Madeline moved out. For
Monica it was no surprise when she asked Beatrix if she would go to
college.

"Well Beatrix, I need to know honey if you are going to college or
not."

Beatrix looked at her mom and wondered if she truly meant it when she said
she wouldnt push. She looked at her brothers then to her mom and replied,
"Mom as much as I would love to go to
college, I think I will have to say

no. I cant phantom being away from Viramontes stuffed in a college
dorm. I'm sorry. I know its not
what you wanted to hear"
"Now now
Beatrix, we agreed this is your life and you get to make choices.
OK lets move on to the next
person"


Ivan was the next to be asked. He was still in shock that Beatrix
actually said no to college. He looked at every one and replied
"Mom I do want to go to college. I cant wait to get out
Viramontes.
I hope you dont regret not going Beatrix"

Rodrigo also agreed with Ivan he too wanted to go to college. So there it was the decision was made for all of them. Monica was happy that she got to see how her kids would progress. She was saddened that Beatrix decided not to go to college but she couldnt and would not go back on her word.
****************

Monica caught Beatrix right after she had finished arguing with Ivan. Monica could not understand why they both hated each other so much. As much as their father tried to get them to get along they made no progress.

"I wish you would change your attitude towards your brother. Whether
you like it or not you and Ivan share a special bond. You two are part of
a Quad and you should try to at least get along"
"I cant mom. He just doesnt understand that he cant run me like he
does Rodrigo. We dont see eye to eye and I doubt that we ever will."

********

Monica decided to invite both Otani and Juno over for dinner. Otani called at last minute to cancel because he could not get out of work. Juno was able to make it with her wife Jade. Monica loved to see that they were growing into a lovely couple.

Monica stepped away for a minute to the kitchen to make sure that dinner was almost done. As she closed the oven door she stood up and felt so dizzy. Monica was getting older and she knew that she would have to settle things with Juno and Otani before her time came. She needed to make sure that Juno was aware of being able to inherit the house. Even though Otani was the legacy heir he showed no interest in the house and told her so many times.

********

The evening came when Monica told her plan to both Juno and Jade. Jade who got along with her mother-in-law would not hear of such talk. Monica cared dearly for Jade but didnt want them to assume that they would live forever.

Monica discussed everything over dinner with the lawyer who had drawn up Francisco's will as her own. Juno hated having this discussion but knew that it just had to be done.

Monica was correct in trying to get her affairs in order since soon after she passed away. Ivan and Rodrigo went to college while Beatrix stayed behind to live with Juno and her family. For now Beatrix would be at home but she knew that sooner or later she had to move.

They buried Monica next to her husband. The children came and Otani could not get over the grief of losing not one but both parents.