my hand into the locker. I went to the hospital. Father was proud. His scowl should be in commercials; it’s getting very good these days.”
“That’s nice, dear.” Aunt Maddie on the other line seems distracted. I pull the phone away to make sure I was still talking to her and not the aliens who seem to have taken over.
“Yeah, right, and then can you believe he just flipped me over and tore my panties off in front of the class? I mean it was brave of Mr. November to be so crass spanking me in front of the students, what would Principal Rowlands think?”
“Please, do not tell me you just confessed you are having an affair with a teacher at your high school. There are a lot of things I can handle and understand, but I swear to you, I will murder the motherfucker who disrespects you.” Her grip on the phone must be intense because her voice is strained.
“Chill it down there, Auntie, I was joking. Just talking about boy problems.”
“Sorry, sweetie, I was focused on eavesdropping on Laney and Noah, they are having an argument out on the back porch.”
“But it’s such a lovely porch.”
“I know, I was hoping they at least would go down to the side veranda nobody cares about the vibes there.”
“Put it on speaker and get closer so we can spy together.” The ruffle of noises happens as she stands near the window by the sink I can imagine.
At first, it’s Noah’s accusatory voice that rings out, then fatefully Laney’s.
“I wasn’t trying to interfere, I like being here. You know how it is with Rubie. We won’t get in the way of your plans of college, Noah. I promise.” She pleads, and her promise, I feel it all the way from thousands of miles away. Her word is honorable.
“It’s like you’ve intertwined into my every day and attached to my life because you don’t have a good one.” He must realize his comment. “Shit, I didn’t mean it that way. I’m glad you’re here; this is good for us to be together around when the baby is growing in your belly. Stressed out, freaked out, but who can blame me?” His voice huffs out.
“I can.” Maddie and I both protest in unison.
“You don’t have to do this. I won’t make you ruin your future for us. We—we’ll find our own way. We’ll be okay.” Don’t you dare give this son of a bitch an easy out. My eyes squeeze shut with the pain in her voice, I can only imagine her hands caressing her already swollen belly.
Bastard.
“It might be for the best, for now at least, Laney. Until I can figure things out, then maybe I can be in a good mind frame to be what you and the baby need.”
“What she needs. The only thing she and I need is you, educated or uneducated. It really makes no difference to what you do, as long as who you are is someone that wants to belong to us.” She…good hell, I heard it, and I wanted to squeal! I’m sure Maddie, is already compiling lists and colors. Gosh, I wish I was there.
Maybe after graduation, I can move there. Oh, what bliss that would be. Maybe Briggs too after his stint at the cult college.
“I raised him better than this. Who walks away when things get tough? Adlers. Typical male Adler behavior. Can you believe my son?” Her pacing informs me, that we are in the clear to speak freely.
“How many balls have you bought him for Christmas?”
“I’ve lost count. By New Year’s he seems to have thrown them in the garbage figuring he might not need them. When can I beat his ass?”
“Well, I assume since he turns eighteen in a couple months, and lives under your roof, as long as there are no visible signs. Anytime would be appropriate.”
“Don’t make jokes about child abuse.” She says it sullen, with the quiet fact she feels responsible. Briggs suffered; thoughts must be tackling her inner momma bear.
“It’s not your fault, Madeline.” Truth if it was anyone’s, it was my father’s.
“I should have known, she promised this time was different. We didn’t know who had him. Your father was the last to talk with her. I’ll never forgive him. We could have saved them both.” Sorrow fills her own vision as she stares into the dreadful abyss of losing a sister.
“We have Briggs, he survived.”
“He will survive. Whatever I have to do, no matter the cost.” With that, we hushed our goodbyes and I set my phone down.
Only pick it up to text the man of a topic.
AJ: Hey, loser. I love you, cousin.
Briggs: First off rude, second. Heard about the hand, a woman after my own heart. High five my lady! Love you too, AJ.
I smile back at the thought he was proud of me.
Briggs: P.S. Who should I kill when I come to visit? Got a last name and description for the hit? Also, I went and found the girl. Not too bad with these ideas of yours. Glad we can talk.
AJ: What was that? I couldn’t hear you over all the applause you were giving me for being right for a change. How did it go, by the way? You find her in the back of a buggy, giving a handy to her betrothed?
Briggs: Do you feel like we are too much alike? I mean, that was also my first thought when I strolled into that town looking for my girl. Yet, there she was, looking as out of place as I did. Matched by missing worlds.
AJ: Nothing makes me more happy that you let your inner poet out. Or as Aunt Maddie would say, you’re being a fine gentleman darling, and showing your emotions makes a good man great.
Briggs: Trae Lei says hi.
AJ: Tell her to fuck off! Just kidding when are you going to let her meet the famous Autumn Jazmine?
Briggs: She doesn’t understand your humor, she is barely getting used to my sarcasm. Give me a time and place, bring the reason you became a knuckle crusher. We’ll play best 2 out of 3.
AJ: What could go wrong? Deal. I’ll let you know when I get my prison sentence reduced.