Paper Cranes

by Nicole Hite

  “Not to hurt his feelings, but I added a pasta salad, house salad and boiled shrimp,” I added.

  “My stomach’s already growling,” Gage stated, rubbing his belly.

  “Your stomach is always growling,” JoJo spoke up.

  “Very true.”

  “We weren’t sure what everyone liked to drink so there is a cooler in the back with beer, soda and I have tea in here,” I said.

  “Chicks, with me. Dudes, get out of my kitchen. We have to talk about you guys, so go away,” I snickered.

  “Damn, she’s bossy,” Gage stated.

  “You’re telling me,” Lee winked as he gave me a sweet kiss.

  “Here, take these with you, Daniels,” I said placing a platter of hot dogs and buns in his palms.

  “Yeah, and demanding too,” Rene followed suit.

  “You better watch dat mouth Rene,” Lisette barked.

  Raising his palms in the air, he backed out of the kitchen.

  I wasn’t close enough with Lisette to butt in, but something was definitely off with them.

  “You and Lee seem to be getting along,” she commented.

  “It took a while, but you know Lee. He was determined to get what he wanted. I made him sweat it out for a while though.”

  “And by sweating it out she means humping the shit out of him twenty-four-seven,” JoJo giggled.

  Nearly spitting out a shrimp, Lisette bellowed in laughter.

  “I’m just glad to see him doing so well, you know?” Lisette stated casually.

  “What do you mean,” Jo asked as she gave me an awkward glance.

  “Oh you know; he’s had pretty terrible relationships…in the past. That’s all.”

  I had a feeling there was more to that statement, but I wasn’t about to step on toes. Not yet at least.

  “We haven’t really talked about our past relationships before,” I said awkwardly as I went to retrieve the pitcher of tea from the fridge.

  “Hmm, oh, well, I’m sure you’ll get around to it someday. Wow this salad looks amazing,” she switched gears so quickly. Now I was a little concerned.

  Just as I was pulling the tea out of the fridge, I could hear the faint murmurs of the guys on the patio. The strong whispers peaked my interest once I heard my name.

  “I’m just going to grab some solo cups from the laundry room cabinet, ladies. Be right back,” I said cheerfully to distract them.

  As I pulled the step stool to the cabinets, I paused to listen in.

  “So what’s up with you and Lette, dude?” Lee asked.

  “You, asshole,” he stated bluntly. “She thinks you haven’t told, Kat. I told her you had…don’t make me look like da asshole right now,” Rene said.

  “I…well…I,” Lee stammered.

  Told me what? This was the second time Rene was trying to interfere. Why?

  “Lee, man, why haven’t you told her about your past dude?” Rene asked.

  “It’s not that big a deal? It doesn’t affect the way we are together. What difference would it make?”

  “I have to agree with Rene on this. Bro, it’s a very big deal. She has a right to know especially if you see a future with her.”

  “Yeah, sooner or later she gonna find out, and you not gonna be able to save your own ass.”

  “You want truth, honesty, and respect with that girl in there, you tell her,” Gage said strongly.

  “Fine, I’ll tell her once we get back from the Bahamas. Will that make you two fuck heads shut up?” Lee argued.

  What in the world could be such a big deal that Lee wouldn’t tell me?

  “Got the cups, girl?” Jojo said, startling me.

  “Shit!” I screamed.

  Fumbling on the stool, I tossed the cups across the laundry room trying to stabilize my balance.

  “I didn’t mean to scare you,” JoJo laughed, “are you almost done snooping?”

  “I wasn’t snooping; I was getting the cups down.”

  “Everyding okay?” Lisette stepped in with her Cajun accent.

  “Everything is perfect,” I hopped down from the chair. “Are we ready to eat?”

  “Starving!” Jo exclaimed.

  We retreated back into the kitchen to armor up for battle. I strategically asked Lisette to carry the heavy dish of mac n’ cheese along with Jo and her pitcher of tea. I was able to clutch the salads against my chest, which made a huge difference. If Rene and Lette didn’t know already, I didn’t want to seem so incompetent. Then again, it shouldn’t matter. I would consider the two to be my friends as well.

  As we sat down at the table, Lee called Jackson over to take a seat.

  “J-Dog, food’s ready!”

  Jackson came scampering back, with Daisy in tow.

  Stopping just short of the table, Jackson worked on his commands the director at the animal shelter taught him.

  “Heel. Lay. Good girl,” he encouraged as she laid her sad face on her front paws. I’m sure Jackson will “accidentally” drop something on the ground. That’s how kids are.

  “You’re getting pretty good at that, Jackson,” I complimented the little guy.

  Instead of responded, Jackson took a seat next to me, snuggling up to my side.

  “What? You don’t want to sit next to your old man anymore?” Lee jokingly winked at me.

  “Not tonight, Dad. I wanna sit next to Kat,” he wiggled around looking a little bashful.

  I loved that Jackson wanted to sit next to me, that and I was glad he wasn’t shy. He made his presence so much easier on me. I tended to get a little nervous around kids. I know, call me crazy, especially with wanting to adopt, but kids were another ballgame.

  They say once you have a child, you fall into a natural motherly habit, but with me, I didn’t get a ramp up. I’m sure it would come, but with a five-year-old, well, that’s a beast of its own. It was going to take some time to get used to. I had to refrain myself from talking to him as an adult. I wasn’t that good with cooing and swaddling kids. But did I even have time to get acclimated?

  “Ha, I’m more important,” I kidded with Lee.

  Soft laughs hovered over the table, but in a way, it was slightly uncomfortable all of a sudden.

  Interrupting the thick tension, JoJo spoke up, “Everything looks amazing. Lee, I think you have a future culinary expert on your hands.”

  “I helped Kat with the mac n’ cheese!” Jackson said proudly.

  “Well, it’s da best mac n’ cheese I’ve ever had. I tink you and Kat should make it for da restaurant. What’d you say?” Rene asked.

  “I’m way too young. I got a lot of living to do,” Jackson spoke.

  He’s words struck a chord within my heart that had been relatively quiet lately. I was just getting to know Jackson, but already I was thinking of the birthday parties, graduations and milestones I would miss. I hated times like these where reality sneaks up on me and bites me in the ass. Every time I feel I have my shit together, the littlest things like this, force me to acknowledge my situation.

  Staring off into the distance, the chatter of the table began to fade way. I was in my own world now, just thinking of all of the things I wanted to be or do. Hell, all of the things I wanted to see for the people I loved.

  A lump began to form in my throat as I pushed the painful reality down into my gut. I refuse to break down right here. My sadness and pain was meant for my private confines, not to give my friends and family a reason to be worried or sad. That and I was terrified I would freak Rene and Lisette out if they knew. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and tell them so I could relax and not feel like I was walking a fine line between honesty and being fake.

  Dinner turned out amazing as we sat in our chairs, reclining our bloated stomachs. The citronella candles were lit, while beers were cracked for our guests. We watched Jackson play with Daisy in the yard, as we enjoyed the surprisingly warm night. Unfortunately, when there was good weather, that’s when the cold fronts swept through. Thank goodness we wer
e going to a warmer climate in two weeks.

  Speaking of two weeks, “Lisette we have a questioned we want to ask of you and Rene.”

  “I tink you intentionally fed us and poured alcohol down our droats for a reason,” Lette giggled as she curled into Rene’s arms. They definitely seemed to be getting along better.

  “Well, you’re only partly wrong,” I grinned.

  “And da plot thickens.”

  “We were wondering if you guys could watch Daisy for a couple days,” I pursed my lips into a thin line.

  “Umm, why?” She suspected with a questionable look on her face.

  “We are taking a trip,” Lee said cryptically.

  “Okay, what the fuck is going on?” Gage interjected.

  “We’re going to the Bahamas in two weeks so I can fulfill a long time wish,” I said trying desperately to divert my eyes from Rene and Gage.

  “And, why would you do dat? Why now?” Rene asked with a dubious expression on his face.

  “Well…” Lee started, looking my way.

  “I have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but by the way you guys are looking at Lee right now, you already knew that.”

  “We felt you would tell us in time; when you were comfortable,” Lisette added.

  “Yeah, well, now is as good as ever I suppose.”

  “Is this a I’ve never been, so why the hell not kind of thing?” Gage asked,

  “Actually, I want to swim with the pigs in Exuma.”

  “Swim wit pigs, huh?” Rene looked at me funny.

  “Yes,” I grinned.

  The entire table erupted with laughter as the mood finally broke.

  “That is the weirdest thing I’ve ever heard,” Jo cackled.

  “That’s what I told her, but did she listen to me, nope!” Lee chortled.

  “Well, we support you, but why not pick jumping out a plane or going to Paris? Pigs are…weird,” Gage added.

  “What’s weird to you may not be weird to me. They seem happy, content creatures just floating around. Plus, I heard the come right up to the boat when you get there. Imagine that.

  “I just think it’s hilarious because she loves bacon so much and yet she wants to swim with pigs,” Lee huffed.

  “That’s pretty masochistic if you ask me,” Gage laughed.

  “I choose to separate the two so it doesn’t sound so bad,” I giggled.

  “We would, girl, but we are swamped at Frissons,” Lisette chimed.

  “We’ll do it,” Jo volunteered.

  “We will?” Gage questioned.

  “Yep! We’d be happy too.”

  “Said the woman.”

  “Do you have udder bucket list tasks chu wanna to do?” Rene asked intrigued.

  “We’ve actually done some pretty amazing things already - carriage ride, jumping on cash registers and singing, getting arrested, authentic Cajun food, riding a Mardi Gras float, flashing a crowd…you know, the usual,” Lee said proudly.

  “Wait, what?” JoJo questioned. “You flashed a crowd?”

  “Out of all that, that’s what you choose to remember?” I cocked an eyebrow.

  “Well?”

  “It was kind of exhilarating,” I grinned.

  “Got any kinky shit on that list?” Gage asked, flicking his eyebrows up and down.

  “Umm,” Lee looked slightly uncomfortable talking about his sex life.

  “Nothing I wanna share with you, doll,” I said with a giant smile.

  “Oh come on, Kitty Kat,” Gage probed.

  Suddenly JoJo slapped his arm to bring him back to earth.

  “Ohh, you mean hiring a hooker, doing blow off her tits and then the giant orgy?” I looked at him dead serious.

  “Seriously?” Rene chimed in.

  “NO! Jesus,” Lee nearly spit out his tea. “Although the giant orgy doesn’t sound half bad.”

  Taking a patio pillow, I chucked it at Lee’s head, laughing hysterically.

  “Do y’all know about this guy’s paper crane fetish?” I grinned, shoving my thumb into his face.

  “You still do that?” Gage asked with a questioning look.

  Even Lisette and Rene looked at each other when I made the comment.

  “What? Did I miss something?” I looked around at everyone.

  “I tend to make them when I’m bored or stressed out. It’s just my thing I guess,” he said matter-of-fact.

  “Maybe you can teach me how to make them sometime,” I smiled.

  Lee gave me a sideways grin, “Sure. Maybe someday.”

  There was something behind Lee’s eyes that shook me to the core. There were so many unanswered questions swirling around this evening, but I was too tired to even comprehend right now. My yawn grew as the candles flickered with the breeze.

  “Speaking of bucket lists, Jo and Gage, do you mind watching Jackson and Daisy tomorrow night?” I asked.

  “Ugh, sure?” Jo questioned.

  “Call it a test run for when we are in the Bahamas,” I winked.

  “What you got planned?” Lisette asked.

  “Just a little surprise for Lee,” I grinned as I yawned again.

  “I love surprises, but I think someone needs to get some sleep,” Lee snuggled up to my side.

  I can always tell when I’ve overly exerted myself. Some days I have really highs and really low energy wise. Today we were running around so much, I knew when I would crash, I would crash hard. I hated to be a party pooper, but I could barely keep my eyes open anymore.

  After an amazing dinner with our friends the night before, we asked JoJo and Gage if they could watch Jackson and Daisy so we could take a walk down Magazine Street. We wanted to see how they would do with the two. If they could wrangle both Jackson and Daisy at the same time, then they would be fine with just Daisy. I had a few tricks up my sleeve, wanting to do them before we headed to the Bahamas in two weeks’ time.

  I clutched Lee’s hand tightly; something I was growing extremely fond of. As we walked the still busy streets, Lee questioned the determination in my eyes.

  “Where are we going? You seem to be in a rush there, Dove.”

  “We have two appointments we need to make tonight, Daniels,” I winked, “so hustle your cute behind.”

  “Well if you insist,” he states as he grabs me by the hips and flings me over his shoulder. “Now where to, ma’am.”

  “What…are…you…doing…you…caveman!” I laugh as my voice is bouncing around from his jostling strides.

  “I’m going to run you straight into Bourbon Street if you don’t tell me where to go,” he said breathlessly. The task seemed easy on him.

  “You…are…a… freak…of…nature!”

  “I’m taking you to the red light district then. Hope you’re prepared for crack heads and venereal diseases!”

  “Hell…on…Heels…you…ass!”

  “The all-female tattoo and piercing place? He slowly came to a stop, just shy of the building.

  “Damn, you really know how to stir up bodily organs!”

  “Are we getting tattoos?” He seemed excited.

  “Yep! Well, at least I am. You can if you want, but I don’t have any. This seemed like as good of a time as any,” I raised my eyebrows.

  “This is fucking great. What are you getting?” he questioned just as Jackson would have.

  “You’ll see.” I chuckled.

  “You know, I wasn’t joking when I said I’m total okay with you getting my name on that perky little butt of yours,“ he waggled his eyebrows.

  “Although I adore you, no chance in hell.”

  As we approached the building, the marquee sign glowed an electric red outside. The sign was a red-hot heel with flames flickering behind it. As soon as we walked through the door I was completely in love. The floors were checkerboard while the walls were a bright shade of red.

  “Hiya, we have an appointment with Brandy at seven,” I told the colorful girl working the front desk.

  This girl had beautiful
blonde haired, all dolled up like a pinup girl. She had a sweet cherub face with bright red lips and a diamond Marilyn piercing. Ms. Perky tits had on an adorable red and white striped sailor shirt and blue high-waisted shorts. Instead of fishnets, like I had assumed, she had a tattooed garter belt with tattooed lacey thigh highs. Like the perfect pinup, she had the perfect line tattooed from the edge of her thigh highs down the back of her legs and ended at her ankles. At the tip of her ankles were tiny bows to match.

  “Hi, Sweetpea. Names Gidget. She’s just now finishing up, doll. Look around or have a seat. I will need you to fill out a few forms too. Will the two of you be getting tattoos, or just you, sweetheart?” She was the epitome of Sandra Dee if there ever was one.

  “Just…”

  “Both of us, please,” Lee jumped in, “on one condition.”

  “Oh hell,” I gulped, “What?”

  “I pick yours, you pick mine. Can be any size, but nothing bigger than our hand, deal?”

  “You realize I don’t like anything about this plan,” I chuckled.

  “Yeah, well, it’s called trusting someone enough to know they would never permanently put something horrid on your body, not to mention taking risks. So, trust me, Dove.”

  “I can’t believe I’m even remotely considering this, but sure, why not.”

  I must be a complete moron right now. Was I really going to allow Lee to pick out something that would be permanently on my body forever? I guess so. I had officially lost my damn mind.

  Gidget came over with clipboards to fill out paperwork, as she took our I.D.’s to scan and copy.

  “Perhaps you should sit over there and fill out your forms, while I sit here,” I smiled, “that way we won’t be tempted to see what the other person chose. Deal?”

  “Deal,” we shook hands on it.

  Even though I knew exactly what I was going to have tattooed onto Lee, I was still intrigued to see what he had in store for me. As he made his way to the other side of the room, I could see he was browsing the wall of tattoos. Pointing to a dancing devil, he turns to me with raised eyebrows.

  “Hmm, naw,” he scrunched his nose, shaking his head.

  Similarly, I stood perusing my side of the tattoo-covered walls. I ran my fingers across several pinup ladies before stopping on a topless cowgirl.