For the Love of Peter Jones

by Adaeze Okoli

  At long last, we made it to M.A.C makeup inside Maxed Out. That’s the nickname people have given the mall at my school, no one cared to actually call the mall it’s proper name. The real name of the mall is The Grove. The mall is a part of upper LA, but everyone comes here. The kids at my school call The Grove Maxed Out. Mostly because they blow their weekly allowance they get from their parents here. They max out their cards, then do it again. Everyone except me. I never had the privilege to spend that type of money. My dad and mom didn’t even believe in giving kids allowances.

  Despite all the Richman High kids coming here,this is the place where everyone hangs. No matter what day it is, The Grove is always packed. I use to come to this mall with my mom when I was younger. Mom would still go straight to the perfume shops and buy the fragrance Chanel number 5. I smiled thinking about the memory.

  Trinity and I were laughing loudly inside the makeup store. We were so loud, three ladies stopped focusing on what they were buying. We damn near hummed Honey Bee throughout the store. The humming was annoying to others, but for me this was the most fun I’ve had in awhile. It took us approximately two hours to find, “My perfect shade.” Trinity decided to pick up a few lipsticks. She picked up one color that my mom always referred to as being nude, and also got a deep red lipstick. In my judgement, the cashier was relieved to see us leave. Because she rolled her eyes as soon as we got up to her counter to check out.

  Trinity revved up her engine and started driving. I didn’t ask where we were headed. In all honesty, I could care less. I was content that I was spending time with Trinity, and overjoyed to be away from my dad. I’ll be honest, I never pictured Trinity like this. I always assumed most pretty girls were shallow and stuck up like the stereotype says. Beautiful girls are not supposed to hang with guys like me, but here Trinity is. Driving around with me in her truck, not caring who sees. Trinity has made me feel okay in this chaotic world, and that’s a feeling everyone deserves to feel. While I’m in the car with her, my mind is calm. I didn’t think about my dad, Josh, or school. Without her knowing, she brought peace to a mind that hasn’t been calm in years.

  She pulled into the driveway of a big charming house. The house was gated and sat far back. There was a long brick walkway up to the house. The walkway was surrounded by roses along the sides. Trinity’s house had grass, remarkley plush grass that most of the houses on my street were missing. The color of the house was inviting, the home had a vibrant, warm tan color. I hadn’t seen a home like this before, nor had I ever been on this side of town. We were on Sunset Blvd. Looking at the grand home made me want to change into a suit. I didn’t feel it was right to walk in this beautiful house looking like a rat. The outfit I was wearing was a basic black hoodie and a black shirt with blue jeans. I feared my off-brand sneakers would stain the house floor.

  She opened the door to the house, and I did exactly what she did. Which was take off my shoes immediately and left them by the door.

  “Welcome to my humble home,” she said this with a snooty booty accent.

  I couldn’t help from laughing. Their floor was marble, which made the house look all the fancier. Trinity smiled and waved me over to come and sit by her on the elegant white leather couch. The couch and coffee table is on top of an ultra-soft black rug. I was scared to death looking at her family’s expensive furniture. This is the type of couch my mom warned me to stay away from. I eased myself down on the sofa with caution. The way I was sitting, you’d think I was having severe back problems.

  Trinity noticed my little awkward sit and cracked up. Her laugh didn’t sound controlled and fake, this was a genuine and hearty laugh.

  “You can sit like a normal person. No worries the couch may be white, but it’s not going to suck up all the dirt you ever had on your body.”

  Funny, I like that, someone you can say weird things with and not get judged by them. She put the makeup bag down on a round cherry wood table. A loud voice came booming from the stairs. Stopping her from showing me how to apply the foundation.

  “Hey butt face!”

  The voice was coming from a slender-tall young boy that was running down the stairs. When he reached downstairs, he stopped dead in his tracks. This little kid who I assume is her younger brother looked me up and down, twice. As if I was the most repulsing sight his eyes had seen. If I were him though, in all probability, I would be looking the exact same way. He was wearing a black and white shirt that said ASOS in the corner. The material of the shirt seemed thick and well-constructed. His jeans were a fresh deep black pair of skinnies that fit a bit loose. I couldn’t tell what type of shoes he was wearing, but no doubt I knew they cost quite a bit of money. I got to give him credit he dresses way better than me. From the looks of it, this family is well off, so that’s not too shocking.

  “Mom and dad aren’t going to like this. First, you tell the family you only like country and metal music. Which already is a weird combination of music. Like how are you going to like metal and country all at the same time? Then you bring home your white boyfriend. Who is as pale as Casper the Ghost and looks like a bum who got socked in the face for stealing some food.”

  After her brother said that he let out this long howling laugh. He was amused. I wasn’t too bothered by the words; I found it a little funny truth be told. Trinity sat there glaring at her brother while he stood there smiling.

  I took a long look at Trinity and her brother, they looked alike yet at the same time they didn’t. Trinity’s eyes were more rounded, while his eyes were a bit slanted. Their nose and mouth shape was downright the same, but the form of their face was different. Trinity had a fuller face, while her brother had a slimmer face, that was less rounded.

  Two adults walked in the door. I assumed they were Trinity’s parents. The boy ran over to hug his parents, he gave the mother a hug, and he and his dad did a handshake. Dad, my dad. The word made me think. I am interested in knowing how my dad is doing? Without a doubt not giving a single care that he hit me yesterday. I mean, why would he, I’ve never been that important to him anyway. Fingers crossed, when I go home, he’ll be drunk or passed out.

  I hate this, I’m not supposed to fear the man I call father. Yet when thoughts of him come to mind, that’s the only emotion surrounds me. I don’t smile or remember fond memories of us when I ponder on the word dad. I want the type of relationship that Trinity’s brother has with his father. I wish my father, and I had a handshake that we could use to greet each other. More than anything I wish I had a mother to run up to and hug, but I don’t. My mother’s embrace is something I can never get back.

  I tried making my mind think of something else. Anything. I observed Trinity’s mom, she was average height but looked short standing next to the husband. The mom had a smooth even mahogany skin tone. She had her hair in a neat bun and wore a simple shade of red lipstick. I watched as the mother scrunched up her nose.

  “You smell Trey, go take a shower.”

  Trey rolled his eyes, and mumbled something under his breath.

  “Hi sweet pea,” her mother says while walking over to give her daughter a kiss on the cheek.

  Trinity curled up her lips a tiny bit.

  “Please don’t give me a kiss.”

  Trinity looked upset. The mother nodded her head meekly and turned away.

  This family almost looks and seems perfect. I say almost because of the slight conflict I saw exchanged between the mom and Trinity. I am interested in knowing what that was about. Should I ask Trinity? Is that too personal? The mom stops, does a double take at me, and says, “Who is this handsome young man.” Trinity looked reluctant towards the mother but brushed it off. She gives the biggest smile to her mother. Trinity put her arm around my shoulder like I was a long time friend of hers. With much excitement in her voice, Trinity introduces me.

  “This is my new friend. His name is Peter. Peter Jones.”

  I tried not to change my facial expression. She called me friend again! The sound of her swe
et voice calling me her friend was music to my ears. The sound of her voice saying my name made my steady beating heart skip a beat.

  “Hi Peter, I’m Miss. King and the man in the kitchen, of course, is Mr. King, my husband.”

  She stuck out her hand for me to shake. I said to her and her husband that it was nice to meet them both.

  Trinity’s father who was in the kitchen came over and looked me up and down, much like his son had moments before. His face showed concern, I watched as deep lines became embedded in his face.

  “It’s fine and all that you two are friends, but son listen up. Trinity and you are not allowed to be in her room alone. Not unless my wife or myself are aware you two are in there.”

  Trinity became embarrassed.

  “If I find you two in that bedroom alone with the door shut I will not knock. I will walk in, and escort you out.”

  I looked up at her father. He was a dark-complexioned man dressed in a crisp pressed suit, about 6’4 in height, and had a toned/muscular build.

  I wouldn’t dare go against her father’s words. One reason is that I respect the parent’s rules, and two because her father could effortlessly crush me.

  “I have no intentions to do anything like that with your daughter sir.”

  Mr. King chuckled, “Son get that look off of your face. I’m busting your balls a bit. But if you do anything to harm her, I’ll do ten times worse than what you did. As cliché as that sounds, it’s the truth”

  The mother interrupted her husband before he got to say anything else. She asked me if I wanted to stay for dinner. And of course, I said, “Yes!” without a doubt. I smiled at Trinity’s parents as they walked back into their spotless kitchen. The pair complemented each other well.

  “They must genuinely like you, none of my other friends have been asked to stay for dinner. Then again, I don’t have many friends, not ones I want to bring home to meet my parents.”

  The excitement in her voice was almost contagious. What caught me off guard though was her saying she doesn’t have many friends. It’s almost as if Trinity has ignored the fact that people drool at her feet. Can she not see? If she wanted to pick anyone at our school to be her friends, I guarantee no one would refuse. Has she not realized she’s the most sought-after girl on campus. Everyone wants to be near her.

  “We’re going in my room I’ll leave the door open!”

  Trinity grabbed the makeup bag and headed up the stairs with me.

  While headed up the stairs I couldn’t help but hear her parents talk about my bruise.

  “What do you think happened to the kid? Should we bring it up?”

  “Stop being so nosey, May. For all we know he got into a good fight.”

  When we were in her room, with the door open of course, she taught me how to apply the makeup. Trinity finally asked how I got the bruise and I told her. I didn’t only tell her about the bruise. I told her everything. I told her how my dad is. The bullying at school, and what happened to my mother. I expressed the utter despair that I’ve felt in my heart ever since mom became ill. For some reason, I felt like I could trust her. Like I could tell her everything about my life and know she wouldn’t tell anyone, nor judge me. My mind visualizes her as a keeper of secrets, and my heart…my heart. There are no right words invented yet to describe how my heart feels about her. My mom always told me that’s how you know you’ve found someone special. No words in the dictionary can describe the feeling you get when you’re with them. Every word you think of using to describe this person makes you upset. Because you know they’re better than all the beautiful words in the world.

  Once I finished telling her about the recent events that took place in my life, I looked up at Trinity. She was in tears, and so was I. Trinity was trying to find the right words to say.

  “Peter, if your dad is drunk and starts being abusive to you, call me. I will come and get you no matter what. That’s a promise.”

  She stuck out her pinky for me. I took it and wrapped my pinky around hers. That’s a promise. I looked up at Trinity; her mesmerizing eyes were full of tears. Trinity hugged me and leaned in to kiss me on the cheek.

  “Peter, I will always be here for you. Everything will be okay. I’ll always be someone you can count on.”

  After everything was said and done, we sat on her bed and talked about life for about an hour or so. I could listen to Trinity talk for days. I would never get tired of hearing her voice. I listened to her talk about her college goals. One day she wants to be a fashion designer. I thought about mentioning the tension I saw between her and her mother earlier. But for some reason now didn’t seem like the right time.

  Mr. King’s voices echoed throughout the house. He called us all down to have dinner. Trinity and I sat up. Before heading down for dinner, she grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled on it. Written on the paper was her number. I smiled down at the small piece of paper, her handwriting was neat and precise. She winked at me.

  “Let’s go eat dinner,” Trinity said.

  And boy did we eat. The homemade dinner that Mr. and Miss. King prepared was the best meal I had in months since my mom got sick. When mom became diagnosed, all homemade meals ceased. Ever since then my dad had only made microwave meals.

  Around nine, Trinity’s parents said it was time for me to go home. I thanked them for letting me stay for dinner. As Trinity and I headed outside to her truck, her brother gave me another hard look. Trey snickered before mouthing the word, “Bum,” to me. Trinity yelled at her brother and told him to shut up. It was evident that Trey loved getting under Trinity’s skin, I found that amusing. Trey loved watching Trinity become frustrated. I could tell his daily life goal is not complete unless he annoys her.

  “Don’t tell me to shut up, you’re the one bringing white uninvited guest into mom and dad home. I haven’t done anything that deserves me to shut up.”

  Trinity ran her hands through her hair.

  “Trey, go away. Do something great, go be productive or something.”

  Trey gave Trinity a sly smile.

  “Nah, I’m good. I’ll stay here.”

  Trinity sighed out of aggravation, “Whatever.”

  She stopped leaning on the side of her truck and walked around to open her car door. Once again, I beat her to it and opened to door for her.

  “Well that’s lame,” her brother said while observing me.

  I walked on the passenger side of the car, and before opening it, I called out, “It was nice meeting you, Trey.”

  He turned his lip up at me, and said, “Yeah, Yeah, likewise.”

  Trinity started up her engine, and we began to drive off and head over to my place. We sang A Little Piece of Heaven by Avenged Sevenfold, along with some other songs on a mixed CD Trinity made. Her music taste blew me away, once again breaking the pretty girl stereotype I had in my head. I kept expecting to hear, Ariana Grande, Rihanna, or Beyonce pop up at least one time, but nope. That never happened. Trinity began to lower down her music.

  “Thanks for coming over today, and hanging out with me.”

  My jaw almost hit the floor. She was thanking me if anything I should be thanking her. My lips parted into a smile.

  “If anyone should be thanking someone, it should be me thanking you Trinity. You brought me into your home, and your parents fed me the best meal I’ve had in forever. If it weren’t for you, I would have been eating a T.V dinner, again.”

  There was a silence between us.

  “Well, the reason I’m thanking you, Peter is because you actually see me. No one wants to know who I am at school. Girls see me as a ladder to their popularity. And boys want me to be their eye candy that they can show off. They don’t want to have real conversations with me, there’s no substance.”

  We caught a red light, I watched as she stared out the window.

  “But you Peter, you’re different. When you realized where I lived, you weren’t caught up. We can have fun together, we can talk, I’m comfortable having y
ou around my family. Well…almost all of my family, if I could somehow make Trey disappear that would be great.”

  I laughed at the annoyance in her voice when she said her brother’s name. God only knows if she realizes how disgusted she sounded when she said “Trey.” Trinity continued talking.

  “I don’t know. I mean I know most high school friends don’t matter. Because they usually won’t stay your friends. In my opinion though, you’re someone I’d like to keep around for years to come.”

  I looked over at her and smiled, “Me too.”

  I looked outside the passenger window, and the view was a sad sight to see. As we continued to roll by each house, you could see that each street was a little worse than the last. We were a long way from where Trinity and her family stay. We were in Inglewood, CA. About forty minutes from where Trinity lives. I know Inglewood isn’t the worst. Most people living here try to keep up their homes and work to make an honest living. Like my father who is a construction worker. And my mom who was a receptionist at the Hilton in Beverly Hills. But there are parts you don’t want to stay in for too long. There are certain gang territories and paths you learn not to enter growing up on this side of town. Overall my area of town is ok, but it definitely isn’t Beverly Hills. I know Trinity must be disgusted looking at the neighborhoods we’ve been passing through.

  “Well, this is it,” I said with disappointment in my voice.

  Regrettably, the time had passed by fast, and we were at my house sooner than I expected. I watched her eyes as she looked at my home. She was admiring the character my mom tried putting into the house. From the tiny brick walkway to the flowers my mom had out in the front yard. I told Trinity how my mom loved to garden when we were at her house.

  “I love how unique and cute your home is. This looks and feels like a home. My place is too big and empty, at least that’s how I perceive it. Let’s come back and water your mom’s plants. I’m sure she’d love it if you took care of them for her, yeah?”