After picking up Frankie's twin brothers, Lorenzo and Sal, the four of them strolled aimlessly through Rose Hills' shopping district. Frankie glanced over at M.J., whose thumbs flew across his phone screen as he texted. “Jade just texted me,” M.J. said without looking up, “apparently my dad wants me to have dinner at his house tonight.” M.J. sighed, shoving his phone back into his pocket.

Frankie's gaze softened with sympathy as he watched M.J. Mr. Rice, father to over a dozen children, had a notorious reputation for being more skilled at making babies than being a dad. As long as Frankie had known M.J., he’d never heard Mr. Rice truly praise his son for much of anything even though it was obvious that M.J. wanted his father’s approval. Mr. Rice’s indifference towards M.J. was one of the reasons why Frankie befriended him; Frankie knew that his own dad would care for M.J. just as he did for him and his other siblings. It wasn't until later, as their friendship deepened, that they'd discover their shared connection through Ian, their half-brother. “I’ll drive slow when it's time to take you home,” Frankie said with a smirk.

M.J. chuckled, “Slow enough to give my mom time to get back into town?” Sal and Lorenzo, who were listening to the conversation, crowded M.J. as they walked.

“It’s not his weekend,” Lorenzo whined, “Can’t you stay with us?”

“Yeah,” Sal agreed, “it’s not fair.”

M.J. hugged both of them, then continued walking. “I’m sorry, but I can’t piss off my dad.” “Why don’t we get some ice cream before we take M.J. home,” Frankie suggested as he nodded towards the ice cream parlor. “That’ll give us a little more time, okay?” The boys happily agreed and sprinted down the street.

“Your lactose intolerance is gonna kill you, dude,’ M.J. said with a chuckle.

Frankie smiled with a shrug. “One ice cream won’t hurt.”

“Like you’ll really stop at one.”