| |
Clayton
It took about a week, but they finally let me back in my house. I took Vic’s advice and hired a cleaning crew before I went back. He said I didn’t need to see the damage from what happened and he was right. It was bad enough that I had to go and identify the body. It took all I had not to spit in his face.
Turns out, he had life insurance and I’m the beneficiary, so after something called probate, I’ll be seeing that, but it released enough to take care of his cremation. Fred stepped in. He’s a good guy. We’re coming up on the last week of October, and I’m finally settling back into the house when I get a call from Fred himself.
“Clay, was wonderin’ what you had planned for our girl this weekend?”
“Not much. Dinner at Adam’s like usual I guess, why?”
“Seriously? Didn’t they tell ya? Monkey’s birthday is Saturday.”
“Shit, really? What the hell? Vic never mentioned it, nobody did.”
“Doesn’t surprise me. She always tries to avoid it since no one is ever around. Last year it was just us.”
“So you’re telling me to do better.”
“Just a suggestion.”
I look around, it would be nice to have the house filled with some noise. I pick up my phone and call Vic.
“You’re such a dick,” I say as he answers.
“What’d I do this time?” He chuckles, I can hear the rig hydraulics, he’s working as usual. I wonder if he’s talked to his old man about me yet?
“Abigail’s birthday... Saturday?”
“Oh, yeah.” he sniffs. “Should have mentioned it, it’s just she doesn’t like to make a big deal out of it.”
“No, according to Fred, y’all don’t make a big deal out of it.”
“Is that so?”
“Yup. He’s just enlisted me to make it a priority this year.”
“Okay... So now what?” he grunts, probably hooking up a car.
“I’ll call the boys, get my place hooked up, you just be here, wear a clean shirt, and make sure you get her something nice.”
“Okay, think I can manage that much.”
“See you in class tomorrow then. Oh, hey...”
“What? I’m workin’ here!”
“About that, did ya talk to your old man yet?”
“Yeah, he says come by the garage Friday, bring your license, fill out the paperwork, and he’ll have me show you how the rig works.”
“When were you gonna tell me?”
“When I saw ya.” He laughs. “I’ll see ya tomorrow, I gotta go. Have a date with our girl tonight.”
“Have fun.”
“We always do.”
I hang up and grab my keys, might as well just go on over to see Adam and Wayde. It’s Tuesday, so Adam’s mom is gone. They’ll be drinking and hanging out at his place for sure.
***
“A party for Abi?” Wayde asks. “She’s never wanted one before.”
“No, I think it’s just she won’t ask. Fred made it seem like she’d like one this year, though,” I answer, taking a swig of my beer.
“I love a good party.” Adam hops up and down. “I can decorate, but where are we gonna have it?”
“My house. It’s plenty big enough and she won’t suspect. You guys can all park behind the house. It’s got a carport in the back. I’ll give Vic the extra set of house keys so you can get in.”
“Aren’t you the man with a plan?” Wayde smirks.
“I just want our girl to have a good day. You only turn eighteen once, right?”
They nod. “So what theme do we go with?” Adam asks?
“Um, I don’t know anything about themes. I was just going with Surprise!” I look at him with a shake of my head as he frowns at my suggestion.
“You know nothing of parties!” he wails, falling onto Wayde overdramatically.
“I’ll tell ya what, you can decorate how you see fit, I’ll cook and get her to the house, how’s that sound?”
“Perfect.” Adam lifts his head, his wounds miraculously healed as he claps his hands.
I can’t help but laugh as he picks up, wandering off and chattering to himself about hay bales and jack o’ lanterns.
“She loves Halloween since she was supposed to be born then. We gotta get all dressed up! They do a costume contest at Mac’s, so be ready for that! We’ll piggyback on that! My mom’s got a ton of decorations I can steal! Ooh! This is gonna be great!”
“Seems you made his week.” Wayde smiles, standing up, and I’ll be here to reel him in so it’s not too out there.”
“Oh, let him have at it, so long as it makes Abigail smile. She needs more smiles. I think we all do.”
Wayde clasps my shoulder. “How are you doing?”
I sigh. “It’s weird, I should be used to being in the house alone, I mean Mom was always working, and Dad... If he wasn’t passed out or wailing on me, he was gone, but now they are really not there. Ya know?”
Wayde pulls me into a hug and I cling to him for a minute before pulling back, wiping at the tears. I haven’t really broken down, and I’m not about to start now.
“I’m good, or at least I’m gonna be. Vic got me a job working the rigs. I’ll be able to pay the bills, I think, and still finish school.”
“That’s a good thing, Clayton, and you know if you ever need anything, we are all here for ya. If you need more work, my dad owns a landscaping company. They take bids all over, especially once you start college...”
“I appreciate that. Thank you, Wayde.”
“Anytime. You’re good for Abi. Hell, you’ve been good for Vic. I’d have never realized what a decent guy he was if you hadn’t come into the picture. So, thank you.”
I nod, finishing my beer. “I should go, give you guys the night to yourself.”
“You should stick around. Adam is now in full party mode. I ain’t gonna be getting any tonight.” Wayde laughs and I just shake my head, plopping down on the sofa. Not like I have anything to go home to anyway. He cracks open another beer for us and breaks out the deck of cards.
“A game of Spades and some pizza?” He picks up the phone, dialing the usual place.
“Sounds like a plan.” I shuffle the deck as he orders the meaty goodness.
