| |
Clayton
“I’m sorry Vic isn’t on board,” I say to Abigail as she dries her hair. She looks at me so full of disappointment. “I would feel better if he were, but I think you need this.”
"It's my fault. Not yours. If he doesn't want me to go, we don't have to." She looks away from me.
“I didn’t get smurf cum on me just for you to sit in the house.” I hold up my blue hand. The manic panic got under the glove, and I now look like Jack-it smurf. “You keep your promise, and I will too.”
"I don't want him upset with you."
“Too late for that. He’s already mad, so may as well have had the fight for a reason. He knows how I feel.” I get up and wrap my arms around her. “How are you feeling?”
"I'm nervous, scared." She grips me tightly.
“I’m gonna be right there with you. Like when we first started this thing. I’ll be your back up tonight.”
"I wanted him there too, but I'm glad I've at least got you."
“Plus Wayde, Adam and Fred and Mollie. They’re coming out to see you. Root for you as always.”
"Are we eating at Mollie's or Mac's?"
“I figured we’d meet everyone at Mac’s. Have some dinner and then you can do like two sets? I know you wanna do more, but I don’t wanna push it with how you've been feeling.”
"Can we see how I feel after the two?"
“We’ll see, but no promises. We have to be up early to drive out to Cedar Point.” I kiss her cheek and smack her ass. “Go get dressed before we don’t get out of here at all.”
"I'm going. Can you help me with my bra?"
“We need to get you front hook ones," I say, going to help.
"Or you can just continue to help me. No sense in paying more money for bras. Fred already had to take me shopping for clothes for court."
I run my hands up her shoulder blades, and she leans back into me. “It’s just a thought. I don’t mind helping you, but some days I’m not here when you get dressed. So what? You just free the tata’s those days?”
"No, I'm forcing myself into one alone."
“Honey,” I say softly. “That can’t feel good.” I turn her around to face me. “What else you need me for?”
"I'm fine. It's just something I need to deal with."
“Alright, Honey. I’m gonna grab my stuff while you finish getting dressed.” I kiss her. “I’ll be right downstairs.”
"Take my guitar and fiddle with you, please."
“You got it.” I smile and grabbing her things. I head down to pack it into the Mazda.
Coming down, I hear a throat clear. Turning, I see Mister Townsend.
“Sir?” I question as he watches me.
“You really think that this is gonna solve her issues? Or that going away again is a great idea?”
“I think that she doesn’t deserve to be treated like a criminal. I also think that I’ve heard all this from Vic, and with all due respect, you’re not my father. Sir.”
He harrumphs. “We won’t bail you out again if she relapses.”
“I wouldn't expect you to.” I go to step out and stop. “I’m not sure what or why you seem to be a bastard, but you’ll lose him with your attitude. So maybe reinforce your house before you start casting stones.”
***
WE GET TO MAC’S TO find Adam and Wayde waiting out front. Abigail hasn’t seen them since the overdose. Between work and school, it’s just been challenging to organize.
“You ready, Honey?” I ask, grasping her hand.
She nibbles on her lip, looking around. "He isn't here."
I sigh. “I’m sorry.”
“Abi!” Adam is jumping up and down, all he needs are some pom poms. He comes running up to us. Slamming into the car, and ripping the door open, he hugs Abigail.
"You're hurting me, Adam." Abigail grits out.
“Oh, Abi, I’m sorry.” He squeaks, pulling back as Wayde stays behind.
“Hey.” He smiles. “We got a surprise.” He opens his jeep door and down jumps a pleased Chaos.
"Chaos!" Abigail calls, and he's in her lap. She's hugging him. "My baby. Look, it's our baby."
I scratch the pup between the ears as he wags his whole body. I nod to Adam and Wayde.
“We just got Mac to set us up so you can bring him in. So long as he behaves in the booth.” Wayde explains.
"Really?" Abigail puts Chaos into my lap and wraps her arms around Wayde. He just looks over her shoulder at me.
I really wish they would all stop acting so damn concerned. It’s going to drive her to the very things they claim. If she relapses, it’s their fault, not mine. I want her to do the things she loves.
“Alright, Abi, let’s get us inside, and to our table, Fred and Mollie are already inside,” Wayde says, breaking the hug.
We get out of the Mazda and head in, Abigail holding Chaos’ leash. He sidles up right next to her. The place is packed, like every Friday night, and we spot Fred and Mollie in a large corner booth.
Fred stands up and waves us over. Abigail grabs my hand in a tight grip, pulling me to a stop. “Everyone is watching us.”
“We did just walk in with a bully.” I kiss her temple. “We can turn around right now, or you can stand mighty and tall and show these amateurs what real music sounds like.”
Her eyes are darting around the room. “Clayton, Harmand’s here.”
“Do you want us to trash his new car?” Adam says quietly. “We still have the bats in the back of the Wrangler.”
Wayde puts an arm around her. “Come on, girl. You got songs to choose.”
“It’s really hot in here.”
“Let’s sit and order some pop. It’ll cool you off.” I lead her to sit, and she slips in beside Fred and Mollie, then I sit beside the pup.
Mollie smiles, reaching for Abigail. “Hey, sweetheart, we have something to tell you.”
“Oh-okay?” Abigail’s eyes flip between Mollie and Fred.
“It ain't nothing bad, Monkey.” Fred hugs her. “We were waiting to say anything until we could all be together.”
It’s then that I notice the bit of bling on Mollie’s hand. I nudge her and nod toward the monster ring. I see Adam straighten up suddenly, his eyes widen. My head turns, and there he is. Vic the dick.
Abigail hasn’t noticed him yet. Her big green eyes are hyper-focused on the diamond at the table. “You’re getting married? That’s what you wanted to tell us?”’
Mollie smiles, going onto her purse, pulling out a picture. “We’re also gonna have a baby.” She passes us the ultrasound. Fred looks like he could fly to the moon.
Abigail takes the ultrasound. “It looks like an alien.”
“Well, we’re hoping, that if it’s alright with you, that if it’s a little girl, we could call her Abi.” Mollie holds her stomach, and it’s then that you can see there’s a bun in that oven.
“After me? Why? There are so many better names?”
“Monkey! Take the compliment. It’s because you brought us together, and because if my little girl is half as sassy, stubborn, and relentlessly addicted to cars as you are, I’ll be the proudest dad ever.”
“You already are,” Abigail says, hugging him. He holds her as Chaos yips.
I rub his back. “It’s fine boy, let your momma have her hugs.”
“Hey, you all got room for one more, or have I been officially replaced by the dog?” Vic says his hand on the booth back, next to my head.
Abigail turns to see Vic and squashes Chaos to hug him. “You came!”
“Of course, I did. Who else is going to record you while you’re up on that stage?”
Abigail kisses Vic then sits back next to Fred. “Now that I’ve got both of you here, I think I’ve got this. I’m going to go say hi to Mac and let him know I’m ready.”
