Party of the Week 33

Spring Break was next week like it always was this time of year. Joy, in my life, probably spend the whole week watching Cold Case episodes, with a little O.C. thrown into the mix for Winter’s sake. I was reading books that mattered to someone I would never know. The author’s story flowing out on to the pages making good measures at a connection to potential readers.

The customary week-long spring break party was thrown by an important member of the graduating class. My mind began to invent ways for being overlooked for attendance at that charade. When configuring that plan, my lovely friends volunteered me as the hostess or the host in consideration for women.

"AJ, what are you planning to do for spring break?" Chai and Kami, such twins, I swear.

"I don't know, sleeping probably. Why what's up?" I shrugged annoyed at these peppy girls. It was lunchtime and the tables were filling fast in this food joint.

"Well, you know how we were talking about how cool if it would be if we held the week-long party?" Their eyes open wide like they just saw a famous person.

"Yeah, what about it?" Not totally interested in this conversation.

"Well, your dad is going to be gone for two weeks. So, we thought that it might be a fun idea to have a week-long spring break party at your house!" Chai basically shouted with excitement. I didn't think twice about it.

"YEAH! For sure, what a great idea, that would be totally awesome, guys!" My spunk caught them by surprise; nervous laughter broke out around our booth.

"Alright then! We will help clean and everything! Don't worry about a thing!" They exclaimed.

"Great! Let's start on Monday night!" I gleaned.

"Yeah, good idea!" We rushed back to school with fun-filled ideas fresh in our minds.

“Hello?” I answer the phone and then pull it from my ear because I hear Aunt Maddie screaming to life on the other end.

“OH MY GOODNESS! I AM A GRANDMOTHER! LANEY HAD THE BABY; HOW DAMN LUCKY AM I? AUTUMN JAZMINE SHE IS THE MOST PERFECT BABY IN THE WHOLE ENTIRE UNIVERSE!”

“Aunt Maddie, that’s wonderful I can’t believe it! Time went by so quick! What’s her name?” Squealing along Maddie as we both find the breaths to talk.

“Lakea, oh my gosh, dear Lord, I am overwhelmed with perfect joy! Lakea Madeline Adler. I got myself a namesake, darling.”

“It would have been the only option, Aunt Maddie! How is she doing? The birth and baby okay? How is Noah taking it?”

There was a pause, and I tried to think of something that could have gone wrong. My heart clenched, hopefully everything went okay.

“Maddie? Maddie, is Laney okay? The baby? Are they going to be alright?”

“Oh yes, dear. It’s Noah, he hasn’t shown up, I don’t think he is going to. Laney keeps staring at the door, hoping it will open and be him with wide open arms to take in the girls he loves. But I don’t think he is going to come through this time, AJ.”

That little shit.

“Bastard.”

“Agreed, my darling. At least Briton is here; who knows why. Maybe he is a good guy after all.”

“Steroid Steve? Why the fu—hell is he doing there?” The motherfucker better not touch any part of that baby girl, or Briggs and I will be serving multiple life sentences and enjoy every minute of the conviction.

“He’s been around the last couple of months. You know, it’s strange, Noah almost seems to be pushing Laney to Briton. It makes sense, his actions, he doesn’t want this. He left for college early and hasn’t called home once.” Her heart hurts along with mine; we ache in a silence that pushes us to want to smack some sense into my cousin.

“Asshole.”

“Agreed, my beautiful niece.”

“When should I come to visit?”

“Here, let me see if Laney is up to talking.”

“Hi, Autumn Jazmine.” The frail voice sounds every bit as exhausted as I imagine having a baby would be.

“Laney, sweetie, why would you be a bitch and have your baby without my knowledge of you going into labor?”

She laughs, and I get the ripple of a sigh that makes me know she is okay.

“How are you doing? Congratulations on the baby! Aunt Maddie is practically shouting rainbows and sweating sparkles, she is so excited!”

“Well, Grandma Maddie has been wonderful. She and little Lakea already have a special connection. She’s amazing AJ. I can’t wait for you to meet her.”

“When do you want me there?”

“During the summer, give me a few months. Enjoy your last days as a high school senior. How are things with Jenkins going?”

“Good, we are in a good place. He’s been sweet and I’ve been tolerable.”

“That’s all a person could ask for when being close to you.” She giggles, and I do too.

“Oh, okay, that’s fine. I’m going to talk to AJ for a little longer if that’s alright, Maddie?” Laney’s voice is sweet and tender as I hear the door close and she pulls the covers over her head to talk to me.

“Laney?”

“He isn’t coming.”

“Laney…”

“I thought maybe when she was born, he would see her. Maybe even grow to love her. I assumed there would be this instant bond. Noah isn’t going to come and see our baby…how terrible is that? There is anger, but only toward myself for hoping.” The young mother on the other line removes herself from the public, and in secret with me, she unveils her pain.

“Want me to find him and castrate him?”

“He deserves to be happy.” Defending him to the end; the love Laney holds for Noah is brilliant and blinding.

“Laney, you and Lakea deserve to be the happiest. Noah is a selfish prick.”

“Noah’s going to do great things. He always talked about school, career. We would have held him back. It’s good for him to go after what he dreams; he has always been determined, so beautiful.” The quick intake of breaths, trying to cover her sobs.

“Laney, you are breaking my heart here.”

“I should have known better, didn’t deserve him. Nice Briton came back. We belong together.”

“Don’t say that you deserve the world, girl.” But she couldn’t listen to me; the phone slipped and I stayed on the line until I heard her cries turn quiet and she fell asleep.

After I texted Maddie that I would investigate about my cousin, I called him 15 times. It was on the last call that I really let him have it.

Noah’s phone goes straight to voicemail, so I do what I do best and try to remain calm and plead with him to grow up.

“Listen to me mother fucker, you better get your ass to that hospital before I fly over to your fancy university, where apparently you figure you’re too good for everybody else who matters in the world. Newsflash, you aren’t shit! There is a young woman you stuck your excited cock in at the hospital who just delivered your baby. Do you know who is there instead of you, holding your place as daddy? Steroid Steve, that’s who. For some reason, you are not!

“Noah Adler, we may not have the best family. My mother is a witch; Briggs’ parents are ten feet under with Winter. Just because your dad left doesn’t mean you have to be like the stupid son of a bitch.

“I love you, you selfish idiot. But for once in your nineteen years, figure out that the answer is not you; it will never be you. It’s Laney and that baby you helped create. Congratulations, by the way, you have a daughter.”

Ending the call I compliment myself. Job well done, really kept your head together very well mannered, even mood.

Next up Briggs; hope his Amish girl is making progress. Everybody seems to be having those beautiful drama filled romances.

“Briggs, you talk to Noah?”

“Left him a voicemail. Called him an asshole and a few other words.” Sounds windy through the phone; his voice seems rested. Maybe he is happy after all.

“Yeah, yeah, asshole, that’s the only thing I said to him too.” Picking lint off my shirt and tossing it to the ground.

“Can’t believe he pulled this shit with her. I mean, even if they weren’t wanting to further the relationship have some damn pride in showing up for the birth of your daughter, jackass.” His lips purse and push out smoke, I assume. I thought he quit but I don’t judge or mention.

“When I called Aunt Madeline, she put Laney on the phone. Man, that was rough. I stayed on until she cried herself to sleep Briggs. She doesn’t think Noah is going to come through for them; even Maddie is losing hope.” My fingers tangle through my hair, along with my frustration of the situation.

“My faith in him is vanishing quick.”

“Laney said we could visit after she and the baby are settled in the summer after my graduation.”

“It would be good to get away, might be thinking of transferring out there. More laid back scene.”

“Uh-oh, Trae Lae and you on the outs there, buddy?”

“We’re good; she has this opinion of me. Like I can’t be serious about having a relationship. She thinks I don’t know how hard life is, so she holds back in hopes it doesn’t damage my image of her. But fuck, if she only knew that not only do I come from a drug addict mother, but a drug addict father. A guy who abused us before he decided to overdose and take my mother’s life with him. If she only knew the real me.” The cough he makes can’t be from the inhale of toxic smoke; he is a pro, been sneaking it for years. Emotions are getting to him.

“Maybe there is a point where you can tell her your blood doesn’t bleed rainbows and your hopes don’t involve shooting stars. Show her you, Briggs. She can’t help but fall.”

“Problem is, I feel out of control; my body reacts to Trae in ways that were never ignited before.”

“Eww, I don’t want to hear about your body igniting!”

“Shut up! Ha-ha, not like that, cousin. Alive, living, breathing freshness into me. She’s different.”

“Bring her to the spring break party this weekend at my house.”

“Your dad is letting you throw a party?”

“Ouch, rude you even assumed he would allow me that privilege. He’s in Denver manifesting money for his clients. I’m glad he chose to change careers; being a magician suits him. Though he rarely smiles, not the most heartwarming act.”

“What are you going on about, AJ?”

“Weekend party, bring your girl. I know you miss the high school scene; why not join me and cause chaos? Better yet, you will be introduced to the reason I wrecked my hand.”

“Now we’re talking.”