“What’s this?” she nodded to the dress and took a sip of her tea.
“This is your day gown—or that’s what they said it was called,” Sam said. He came around the kitchen counter to stand on the other side of the table. “I know you miss Val and Jackie.”
“And Mike,” Delphie said.
“And I know that putting on another party is just a lot of work,” Sam said. “Especially since Val’s not here and Honey’s with Maggie and Jill’s pregnant with the twins and Sandy’s . . . busy. The whole burden falls on your shoulders.”
A little hiccup of a sob escaped Delphie’s guarded mouth. She lifted her cup over her betraying mouth.
“So we came up with a plan,” Sam said.
“We?”
“We, the unpsychic,” Sam smiled. “Me, Honey, Sandy, and Jill, too. She’s only visiting your team. She’s still on my team.”
Delphie couldn’t help but smile at the idea of “Sam’s unpsychic team.”
“And Valerie,” Sam said. “Of course.”
Delphie looked up at him.
“You’re going to the premiere,” Sam said.
“But how?” Delphie’s sorrow hit her full force. “Val and I went over this a million times. She can’t come back today, and I’ll never make it through security.”
“They’ve changed airport security,” Sam said. “It’s been all over the news, but Val didn’t realize it until she left. Seth and Ava are coming with us. They have a house in Malibu . . .”
“Val and Mike are staying there,” Delphie said.
“Exactly,” Sam said. “All you have to do is get up and come with me. We have a limousine and everything.”
“But my clothes and . . .”
“Jill packed them last night,” Sam said. “They’re in the car. I picked up your dress from the laundry.”
He nodded to the dress.
“You can change here and wear it all day,” Sam said.
“But . . .”
“There’s another dress waiting for you there.” Sam looked at his watch. “But we have to get going or you’ll miss the whole ‘getting dressed with Val’ thing that you love so much.”
“But what about the cyber party?”
“They’re having it out at the house by the work site,” Sam said. “Aden and Blane couldn’t get there otherwise.”
“But . . .”
Sam held out his hand to her. She looked at her teacup and then at his hand.
“But . . .”
“But?” he asked.
“Oh hell.” Delphie got up from the table. “Why not?”
“That’s my princess,” Sam said.
“I’ll get dressed in the limo.” Delphie went to look at the dress.
“We’re picking up Seth and Ava,” Sam said.
“Then they’ll get a quite a show,” Delphie said. “Did you get shoes?”
“Your Birkenstocks don’t work?” Sam asked.
Shaking her head at him, she took the dress down and walked to the front door. Sam watched her go.
“Coming?” Delphie yelled before opening the door.
Laughing, he ran to catch up.
~~~~~~~~
Friday afternoon—3:15 p.m.
Heather tried not to run over any kids in her haste. She pulled up to where Tink, Sissy, and Wanda were waiting for her outside East High.
“Come on! Get in!” Heather yelled through the passenger door. “We’ll be late if you don’t hurry.”
“What’s going on?” Sissy asked.
The girls scooted into the back seat of Heather’s Subaru.
“We’re going to the cyber premiere,” Heather said, “and we don’t have a thing to wear!”
“We get to go?” Tink asked. “I thought all the seats were taken, and . . .”
“Close the door, I’ll tell you everything,” Heather said. “We’re getting dressed up and we’re going to be on the large-screen television at the premiere of Val’s film.”
“What about Ivy?” Tink asked.
“She’s already on her way there with her Aunt Grace,” Heather said. She glanced in her rearview mirror and pulled out. “We have exactly an hour to get you girls something to wear.”
“I get to go too?” Wanda asked.
“I talked to your mom, she seemed excited for you,” Heather said.
The rail-thin girl smiled.
“She wants you to call her. But . . .” Heather jerked to an abrupt stop at Seventeenth Avenue. “We’re not going anywhere if you don’t have your snacks.”
Sissy diligently pulled out her protein bar and water. Wanda took out an apple and a small slice of cheese. Tink looked at her friends and then at Heather.
“I know, right?” Heather asked. “No snack for Tink. Sandy made chocolate chip cookies. I have them up here—but you have to eat your apple first.”
Heather tossed an apple into the back. Tink smiled.
“All right, ladies,” Heather said. “We’re going to have some fun tonight!”
Heather turned left at York Street.
“But we have to be fast!” Heather said.
~~~~~~~~
Friday afternoon—4:15 p.m.
“Hey,” Aden said.
Charlie looked up from his book.
“Where’s Mrs. Anjelika?” Aden asked.
“She leaves at four on Fridays.” Charlie turned his attention back to his book.
“Great,” Aden said. “Ready to go?”
“Where?”
“We’re going to Val’s premiere,” Aden said.
“I thought that was here,” Charlie continued to stare at his book.
“What are you reading?” Aden asked.
“Oliver Twist,” Charlie said.
“School?”
“Mrs. Anjelika,” Charlie said. “She thinks I can learn something from it, or that’s what she says. I have to finish by Monday so we can talk about it.”
Aden nodded.
“Well, come on,” Aden said.
With his nose still in the book, Charlie stood up. He grabbed his jacket and blindly followed Aden out of the house. He was sitting in Aden’s Saab before he looked up. Aden started the car and left the driveway.
“Where are we going?” Charlie asked.
“Out by the airport,” Aden said. “Jill moved the cyber premiere out there.”
“Isn’t that right by your work?”
“It is,” Aden said.
“Why are you here?” Charlie asked.
“I’m here to take you to the party,” Aden said.
“And to talk to me,” Charlie added before Aden could. “What did I do?”
“Nothing,” Aden said.
“Then why . . .?”
“Tink is going to be at the party,” Aden said. “It’s a small house and everyone’s staying there tonight.”
Charlie raised his eyebrows, but didn’t say anything.
“That’s exactly right,” Aden said. “Heather and Blane asked me to talk to you.”
“About what?” Charlie made an effort to be nonchalant.
“About Tink,” Aden said.
“What about her?” Charlie asked.
“You’re really not going to make this easy, are you?” Aden asked.
Charlie smiled. Aden stopped talking and Charlie returned to his book. After they pulled onto I-76, Charlie looked up at Aden.
“You may as well spit it out,” Charlie said.
“What is it you think I’m going to tell you?” Aden asked.
“Don’t be a jerk.” Charlie shrugged. “Don’t embarrass us too much, stuff like that.”
“I’m actually going to talk to you about sex,” Aden said.
“Knock yourself out,” Charlie said. “Need some pointers? ‘Cuz I’m not going to talk to you about having sex with my sister.”
Aden laughed and Charlie smiled at himself.
“I know that you like Tink and that she likes you,” Aden said. “I even know that if something happens,
it won’t be the first or even the tenth time you guys have . . . been together.”
“But?”
“It would be the first time since she was assaulted,” Aden said.
“Oh,” Charlie said. “Is that a big deal?”
“It can be,” Aden said. “Her own physical sensations and feelings, you know, they can make her remember what happened and . . .”
“Wow,” Charlie said. “I would never want to hurt her.”
“I know,” Aden said. “I think we just want you to be careful, both of you to be careful.”
Charlie grunted and they drove for a while in silence.
“What do you think ‘be careful’ means?” Charlie asked.
“Good question,” Aden said. “I think you have to go slower. Be aware that she might want to stop at the drop of a hat. If she gets upset, be comforting.”
“What if I can’t stop?” Charlie asked. “Sometimes things get going and . . .”
He made a fist and then splayed his hand out.
“I mean stop touching her,” Aden said.
“Oh,” Charlie said. “How do you know?”
“I was single most of my life,” Aden said. “If you stay single, you’ll date girls who’ve been raped and assaulted. That’s just how it is.”
“That really sucks,” Charlie said.
“It really sucks,” Aden said. “And you know about Mr. Blane right?”
Charlie nodded.
“It happens less to boys than girls, but it still happens a lot,” Aden said.
“Even to girls who live at home?” Charlie asked.
Aden nodded.
“That really sucks,” Charlie said.
“It really sucks.” Aden nodded.
“What do I do?” Charlie asked.
“Be careful, mostly,” Aden said. “Ask her if she’s all right at every step of the way and let her stop anytime she wants to. And, if she gets upset, be comforting. This is part of the package of being with a great girl like Tink. Some guys get really angry and blame the girl.”
“Some guys are assholes.”
“Don’t be like that,” Aden said.
“I’d be okay if she didn’t want to.” Charlie nodded. “But I don’t want her to think that I’d hold it against her or anything.”
“That’s right,” Aden said. “You have a condom?”
Charlie shook his head.
“There is a couple in the glove box,” Aden said.
“Why do you have condoms in your glove box?” Charlie asked.
“I got them for you,” Aden said. “Sandy wanted to make sure you and Tink were protected. None of us is so stupid as to think that if you and Tink want to get together, you won’t find a way to do it. Blane talked to me about it today. Heather talked to Sandy and she wanted to make sure that if it happened, it was all right.”
“For Tink,” Charlie said.
“And for you,” Aden said. “Sometimes things go . . . off the rails. It’s the kind of thing you never forgive yourself for and never forget.”
“So all the adults know that Tink and I might do it tonight?” Charlie asked. “That’s just . . . embarrassing.”
“Realistic,” Aden said. “Don’t you think?”
Charlie shrugged.
“What was your first thought when you heard that everyone, including Tink, was going to stay at the house tonight?” Aden asked.
Charlie blushed.
“Exactly,” Aden said. “We’d be fools to think otherwise.”
“Does this count as my agreed upon date?” Charlie asked.
Aden laughed and pulled into a long driveway. The end of the driveway was packed with cars.
“Sandy has our clothes,” Aden said. “The only thing I ask is that you help out where you can and try to be gentle with Tink.”
“I can do that,” Charlie said. “What about the babies? Tink really likes the babies.”
“Honey and MJ are already here.” Aden pointed to MJ’s truck. “They brought Maggie. Sandy’s picking up Rachel, Mack, and everybody else. Maybe you could help out with them.”
Charlie nodded.
“Wanda’s coming too,” Aden said.
“So?”
“I just thought you should know,” Aden said. “Are you nice to her?”
“Nice?” Charlie asked. “Whatever. I don’t really get what’s going on with her, but I think it would totally suck.”
“Yes, it would,” Aden nodded.
Aden pulled the car to a stop. Charlie took the condoms out of the glove box and stuffed them into his pocket.
“There’s Sandy.” Aden pointed behind him. “Let’s help her bring everything in.”
Charlie picked up his book and got out of the car. He was unloading the suitcases when Heather pulled up. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Tink, Sissy, and Wanda glide into the house. He swallowed hard.
“You can do this.” Aden picked up two suitcases and a backpack and went into the house.
Nodding to himself, Charlie followed.
Chapter Two Hundred and Forty-Two
Gold Heart
Friday evening—5:05 p.m.
“I know it’s not much.” Jill gestured to the small porch she had set aside for Honey and MJ. “I thought it would offer you guys some privacy from the teen hoard and . . .”
“We’re happy to be included,” Honey said in a soft tone to not wake Maggie, who was riding in a Mozy carrier on her chest. “It seems like everyone is sharing space. We’re lucky to have even a little privacy.”
“And tomorrow morning?” Jill asked.
“I’ll be okay.” Honey smiled. “MJ can help me.”
“I know how, it’s just better for our relationship if I don’t.” MJ grinned.
“Why?” Jill asked.
“Keeps the mystery alive.” Honey smiled.
Jill smiled.
“Actually,” MJ said. “Steve checks Honey’s health while he helps her get up. He has a more consistent sense of where she is.”
“And where is she?” Jill scowled.
“I’m doing really well, Jill,” Honey said. “Don’t worry. This is really fun.”
“At least it’s on the main level,” Jill said. “It’s just . . . small. I . . .”
“It’s like camping out,” Honey said.
MJ looked puzzled and Honey laughed.
“Without the tent,” they said in unison and laughed.
Jill smiled.
“I’m glad you were able to come,” Jill said. “I know Val wants you to be there at the premiere and Jake . . .”
“How is Jake?” MJ asked. “He seems . . . gloomy.”
“I think all the stuff going on in the world is hard for him,” Jill said.
“People are so angry,” MJ said. “I live in this little bubble of work, rank, duty, assignment . . . everyone does what they’re supposed to, at least most of the time. When I step off base and see all this . . . It’s shocking to me. I can’t imagine what it’s like for Jake to live in the middle of it all.”
“Jake’s more open,” Honey said.
Jill nodded.
“Plus he’s trying create change,” MJ said. “That’s got to be tough.”
Jill smiled. Maggie made a sound, somewhere between a yawn and a cry. She smacked her lips and rooted toward Honey.
“Maggie’s up,” Jill said.
“Did you bring the breast milk?” Honey asked.
Maggie made the little sound again.
“It’s in the cooler,” MJ said. “Frozen. Sorry I . . .”
“Shit,” Honey said.
Maggie began to scream. Although she was very tiny at birth, she was growing fast. She spent most of her days sleeping or eating. Honey tried to console Maggie, but once the baby was upset, she only got more upset, especially when she was hungry.
“Stupid,” MJ said. “I’m sorry. Delphie usually has it if we don’t.”
Honey and MJ looked so desperate that Jill wanted to hug them.
/> “Listen, it happens to everyone,” Jill said. “MJ, why don’t you grab a bag of milk and we can warm it up fast? Just takes a couple minutes. I’ll show you how.”
MJ looked at Honey and shook his head. Honey nodded. She gave him Maggie and he took the baby inside.
“He wants so badly to be a good dad that any screw up sends him around the bend,” Honey said. “And every time she’s upset, he checks her for Crohn’s symptoms.”
“Nothing so far?” Jill asked.
“She’s perfect,” Honey said. “It doesn’t stop him from getting anxious, though, and . . .”
Honey shrugged.
“His TBI kicks in?” Jill asked.
Honey nodded and rolled her chair across the little porch. She took a bag of frozen breast milk from the cooler.
“He forgot,” Honey said.
“Poor guy,” Jill said.
Jill followed Honey as she rolled into the kitchen. They heard the baby’s cried move through the house.
“That’s Maggie!” They heard Ivy’s high-pitched voice carry from the front of the house. “Come on, Aunt Grace! You have to meet her and Honey and MJ and . . .”
“Ivy’s here,” Honey smiled.
“I can stay here,” Jill said. “Why don’t you go?”
“Thanks,” Honey wheeled out of the kitchen.
Jill turned the water to hot. She let it run for a while before she realized there was no more hot water.
“Teenagers,” she said under her breath. She filled the teapot and put it on the gas stove.
“Maggie!” Jill smiled at Ivy’s high-pitched enthusiasm. “This is Maggie and . . .”
“Michael Junior?” Ivy’s Aunt Grace asked. “MJ?”
Jill could feel the heavy silence.
“What’s going on?” Ivy asked.
“I thought you were dead,” Grace said.
Jill flipped on the burner and hurried out of the kitchen. She found Honey halfway to the front of the small house. Honey looked like she’d been punched in the gut. Jill kneeled down.
“You have to help him,” Jill whispered to Honey.
“You don’t have anything to say to me?” Grace’s voice rose above Maggie’s screams.
“He . . . that . . .” Honey swallowed hard.
“You know he can’t do this,” Jill said.
Silt, Denver Cereal Volume 8 Page 23