Chapter 30
Own Path
Ashley spent the entire evening wanting to look their best for Lazaros coming. He was arriving to discuss the recipes he would be cooking for their Thanksgiving dinner. They wore an off-white paisley dress shirt, light blue bell-bottom jeans, and a poncho from Sunshire with the sun symbols. They wore a gold toe ring on each of their feet and a bell anklet that jingled as they walked. They dabbed their favorite patchouli and amber oil on their wrists and neck.
Shauna came in and Lazaros followed. He wore a black dress shirt with shiny blue flames on the shoulders, black dress pants, and black loafers with a gold clasp.
Lazaros: “Evening, Ashley, after disposing of that trash, shall we discuss something pleasant? You look nice, by the way.”
He smiled. Ashley’s heart hammered in their chest and they reddened all over at the sight of Lazaros and the waft of his cologne.
Ashley: “O-Oh, hey Lazaros! R-Really? Thank you! You look nice too… not that you don’t already always! You always do!”
They waved their hands around.
Lazaros: “I know.”
He smiled and sat down with his recipe box. Ashley sat down with him and smiled.
Lazaros: “Thanksgiving is celebrated in this country. My family moved here when my brother and I were two so it’s a time for family.”
He nodded.
Ashley: “Oh, that’s nice! We had heaps of special family days to celebrate in Sunshire! So, is it like ‘Grazie sole giorno’ where you give the Sun Goddess your thank you blessings in the fire and eat with your family?”
Lazaros twisted his mouth. What kind of place was this? He thought.
Lazaros: “Not really! We eat a turkey dinner with many side dishes, pumpkin pie for dessert, and say or think of what you’re thankful for!”
He smiled tightly and opened his recipe box.
Ashley: “Oh! I always had pumpkin as a dinner food, not a dessert before!”
They chuckled a bit.
Lazaros: “I know pumpkin is a savory dish in other countries but here it’s unheard of! It’s a dessert dish. We have pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin muffins. They’re delicious!”
Ashley: “Ooh! I’m so eager to try those!”
Ashley’s eyes widened into large saucers like a cat.
Lazaros: “Since turkey tends to be dry, I created a ‘dry brine turkey’ so it’s not. You’re going to be blown away.”
He chuckled.
Ashley: “Oooh, I bet I will be!”
Lazaros: “The purpose of brining is to use salt—not just to add flavor but to also help break down the turkey’s muscles. This both naturally tenderizes the meat and makes the muscles lose some of their ability to contract. When the muscles contract less in cooking, the turkey retains more internal moisture and flavor.”
He explained. Ashley shifted uncomfortably at the graphic details. They could never bring themselves to harvest their poultry and turned them into pets. Lazaros noted this.
Lazaros: “I apologize for this. I am explaining why this makes the meat moist.”
He said sympathetically and put his hand on their arm. Ashley shivered to his touch.
Ashley: “O-oh, I understand!”
Lazaros: “I will have to brine this two days before cooking. Onto the side dishes now. We have gravy for the biscuits or mashed potatoes. I have baby bella stuffed mushrooms. Does this sound good?”
He asked them.
Ashley: “Biscuits …with gravy? Wouldn’t chocolate go better?”
They scratched their head and chuckled. Lazaros shook his head and smiled.
Lazaros: “Biscuits are a form of baked bread with a firm, dry exterior and a soft, crumbly interior.”
He explained.
Ashley: “Oh? Oh wow, everything is so different here! You even have different biscuits, too!”
They fiddled with their hair. Lazaros smiled tightly.
Lazaros: “Yes, it’s not cookies. Anyway, does baby bella stuffed mushrooms sound good to you?”
He asked.
Ashley: “Yes! I LOVE mushrooms! They’re beautiful, indeed! What are you stuffing them with?”
They beamed.
Lazaros: “These mushrooms are stuffed with bread crumbs, minced garlic, salt, pepper, cream cheese, parsley, thyme, and topped with parmesan cheese. My brother loves them.”
He said softly. Ashley’s eyes grew larger.
Ashley: “Ooh! You’re making me hungry!”
They beamed.
Lazaros: “What about cranberry bacon roasted green beans?”
He asked. Ashley’s hunger only grew more.
Lazaros: “When I make this for Deimos, I omit the cranberries. It’s a roasted dish with green beans with herbs and spices, cranberries, bacon, and goat’s cheese.”
He explained.
Ashley: “Ooh, no, keep the cranberries for me, please!”
They sighed happily. Lazaros smiled tightly and patted their hand. Ashley’s heart pounded and they reddened all over when they felt his hand on theirs.
Lazaros: “How about… carmelized brussel sprouts? They’re brussel sprouts tossed in a honey and vinegar dressing and roasted.”
He glanced at Ashley.
Ashley: “Oh, that sounds good too… now you’re teasing me, hehe.”
They chuckled. Lazaros smiled tightly.
Lazaros: “Aren’t I always?”
He wiggled his eyebrows. Ashley reddened.
Ashley: “...Y-Yes.”
They swallowed hard.
Lazaros locked his gaze on Ashley.
Lazaros: “What are you making for Thanksgiving?”
He asked them. Ashley brightened to his question.
Ashley: “Well… I wanna try my hand at making a pumpkin pie! I also want to make ginger-cat cookies and ‘Maine Coon’ tails! Oh, and I also wanna make wreaths to make the table look pretty! Oh, and since orange vegetables are the theme, I also wanna make a carrot cake!”
They beamed excitedly with passion. Lazaros surveyed their emotions and body language.
Lazaros: “That sounds like a great addition and very lovely. This family will have a Thanksgiving to remember! Wait until Christmas!”
He winked.
Ashley: “Ooh, I’m so excited to make and decorate stuff for Christmas!”
They beamed eagerly.
Lazaros: “Wait until you see my house on Christmas.”
He leaned back, putting his hands behind his head.
Ashley: “Ooh, I bet it’s amazing!”
They shuffled their feet on the ground, making their anklet bells jingle.
Ashley glanced down at their feet and chuckled.
Ashley: “I’d be there with bells on… literally!”
They chuckled, holding their barefoot up at him. Lazaros poked their foot. Ashley gasped and shivered to his poke, taken by surprise.
Lazaros: “Oh, nice!”
He teased.
Ashley: “...T-Thank you.”
They blushed.
Lazaros gazed at them for a moment and rose.
Lazaros: “It’s getting late and I should head home. I’ll be around to start the turkey and we’ll make our new memories with better people.”
He said with that gleam in his dark violet eyes.
Ashley: “Oh, sure! It was nice to chat to you! I look forward to cooking with you!”
They beamed at him with a sparkle in their cerulean blue eyes.
Lazaros: “As do I.”
He said softly and left. Ashley sighed happily and glanced down at the foot he poked, hungry for more.
~
Deimos and Celeste were lifting Makayla’s heavy furniture and things into his basement for her while Tristan stood by.
Makayla: “Thanks for helping me, guys!”
She smiled at them.
The basement apartment had a black carpet on the area where there was a queen-sized bed with two nightstands with a purple lava lamp on them, a dresser by the rainbow door, an old plaid couch with a TV, and a section with a kitchen and dining room combination.
There were purple cupboards, a fridge, a stove, a microwave, and a small dining room table with chairs. Neighboring the kitchen was the laundry room with the washer, dryer, ironing board, and cleaning supplies.
An hour later, the room was cluttered with expressive personal touches. Band posters and the neon pink glow of fairy lights lined her walls. There were posters of various women in rock ‘n roll above her bed that she looked up to like a shrine of inspiration. Among them were Suzie Quatro, Joan Jett, Lita Ford, Doro Pesche, and Sabina Classen. There were Polaroid photos of Makayla with her band and her friends stuck on the dresser door. Makayla went over to the corner of the room and placed her guitar next to her black acoustic guitar.
Tristan, Deimos, and Celeste looked around.
Tristan: “This is lovely! You added your personal touches to it.”
He smiled.
Makayla: “Thank you! I feel more at home here now!”
She beamed.
Tristan: “Yes, I surmise you would! Now you can be yourself.”
He nodded. Makayla nodded in agreement.
Celeste: “Why did you go to Voyage Burger so much?”
She asked.
Makayla: “To get away from that pompous jerk.”
She stated.
Makayla: “And… me and Ashley used to go there together back in Selene Valley, so I guess I was hoping to rekindle that again.”
She admitted with a defeated sigh. Tristan twisted his mouth and nodded.
Tristan: “Unfortunately, you’re not going to get the same feelings again; there is no going back so you move forward.”
He nodded. Makayla pursed her lips and nodded.
Makayla: “I know I fucked up, but I can’t change the past. So the only way to move is forward.”
She stated, gesturing to her new living space and surroundings.
Tristan: “Nevertheless, I don’t think Ashley will be going to Voyage Burger much nowadays, so the endeavor is fruitless.”
Makayla: “Not with that pompous jerk breathing down their neck.”
She groused.
Tristan: “Ashley is in the phase where they believe Lazaros is a higher being, incapable of wrongdoings, and will want to please him. This is ideal for Lazaros because he needs someone to put him on a pedestal, so it works out evenly.”
He stated. Makayla laughed bitterly.
Makayla: “Just because he acts as if he’s a higher being, doesn’t make him so.”
Tristan: “I do know they are a people pleaser and want to make everyone happy. Lazaros is new and exciting. I get this feeling they haven’t experienced the world outside whatever this ‘Sunshire’ is.”
He cupped his chin. Makayla: “Yeah… I think they were in a cult.”
She frowned. Tristan flicked his gaze on her. My thoughts exactly, he thought.
Celeste: “That and like Fabien keeps reminding everyone, he loves fatties.”
Tristan smirked and was glad to ruin what he and Craig had. The two of them got on his last nerves. Deimos noticed Tristan was smiling and smiled at him. Makayla arched an eyebrow.
Makayla: “Ah, so that’s why he went for me and Ashley. He’s a chubby chaser. Does Lazaros actually want Ashley or is this just another game of his?”
Deimos: “It could be a bit of both. Ashley strikes me as someone who never had any sexual experience so Lazaros might struggle with them. If he’s resuming to help them cook for Thanksgiving and helping with Vera, it might not be a game anymore. I’ll give the devil his dues. In any case, if it is, it’s not your problem. Ashley has to deal with it.”
He said firmly. Makayla frowned.
Makayla: “You’re spot-on. This is why we never had sex. I knew they were a virgin because they only wanted to kiss and tickle. They told me they wanted to wait for the right person and the right moment to make love. Sex seems to be a sacred thing for them and that's fine, I respected their boundaries and waited until they were ready. I guess I wasn’t that person then.”
She explained.
Makayla: “Well, Ashley isn’t going to jump straight into bed with Lazaros and make the same mistake I did, so there’s that. Best of luck to them, I guess.”
She concluded.
Deimos: “If sex is so sacred to them, I would love to know how they handle Lazaros’ many one-night stands.”
He said dryly. Tristan laughed awkwardly.
Makayla: “The same way they handled mine, I guess…”
She sighed. I guess it’s one more thing to sweep under the rug and let the sun burn out, Tristan thought dryly.
Deimos: “Anyway, you have your own pantry. We have a chef. Tristan and I don’t cook and we typically get take-out. We order extras because she steals them.”
He said as Celeste was raiding Makayla’s pantry and eating from a box of Froot Loops.
Makayla: “My own pantry, huh? Don’t you mean, shared pantry?”
She asked wryly with a laugh, taking the box from Celeste.
Celeste: “Hey!”
She pouted.
Makayla: “Girl, if you want my snacks, all you gotta do is ask!”
She said playfully, but firmly.
Deimos: “Tristan may be here more often. I don’t know, but we’re not too bad to live with.”
He said flatly.
Makayla: “Well, I look forward to living with you all!”
She smiled.
Tristan: “Likewise!”
Deimos smiled a bit and nodded.
~
Victor and Ivy were in their bedroom. Victor kept looking out the window and slapped his sides.
Victor: “I guess Tristan is not coming home to apologize!”
He sighed.
Ivy: “It’s Celeste who owes the apology. She ruined my artwork and ate my snacks, not Tristan.”
She huffed.
Victor: “And my cat grandson, Oliver, is not speaking to me.”
He cried.
Ivy: “What about your other cat grandson?”
She asked.
Victor: “I haven’t spoken with Francis but he probably hates me as much as Oliver and Tristan do.”
He sobbed. Ivy knit her eyebrows.
Ivy: “Don’t assume that. He might help you figure out why Ollie is mad at you. I don’t think they hate you. You’re his father and Ollie’s grandfather.”
She assured him, placing her hand on his shoulder. Victor smiled and patted her hand.
Victor: “I’ll say something to Celeste. I gave her chalk and this is how she repays me.”
He cried.
Ivy: “I don’t know what her problem with me is?”
She huffed.
Victor: “Deimos likely said something to her about you. You dated Deimos and maybe he’s still upset with you about it, so he sent her to do this.”
He huffed. Ivy sighed.
Ivy: “I think you’re right that he complained to her about me and she is protective of him, but I don’t know why he’d still be upset with me when we ended things amicably and he wanted to be with Tristan. Also, if Deimos were going to come for me, he’d come for me himself, not have someone else do it.”
She stated. Victor listened to her and drew a long breath.
Victor: “Do you think my son sent Celeste to do this?”
He asked her and embraced himself, fearing Tristan would be manipulative and vindictive like his mother. Ivy read his thoughts and patted his back.
Ivy: “No. Tristan would also come for me himself and does. I think Celeste acted alone.”
She stated.
Ivy: “You can talk to me about her, you know…”
She added, referring to his wife.
Victor: “About my late wife? Charlotte?”
He asked. Ivy bobbed her head.
Victor: “Charlotte was very controlling, mean, and vindictive. She had another son before we met and had fraternal twins from the same man. We had Tristan and he was my world. Charlotte would send people to do her dirty work, beat me, force-feed Tristan roast beef, and do these ‘social’ experiments on him that traumatized him. Oh, and she thought she was a spirit medium. Her eldest and other surviving child also does this spirit medium.”
He hugged his legs. Ivy stroked his head and ran her fingers through his hair as she listened. Victor shivered to her touch and loved this affection.
Ivy: “I’m sorry… I never knew about her and what she did.”
She pulled him into a hug. He felt warm inside and hugged her back. He loved being loved.
Ivy: “A spirit medium, huh?
He nodded.
Victor: “When Tristan glared at me with those green eyes…, I see… Charlotte. He has his mother’s eyes, wavy hair, and nose.”
He explained. Ivy frowned.
Victor: “So I see my late wife when he does this.”
Ivy: “She sounds more like Jaclyn to me…”She frowned.
Victor: “The one my son threw up on?”
He laughed. Ivy laughed and nodded in confirmation. Victor cupped his mouth and laughed.
Ivy: “Yes, that one!”
She laughed.
Victor: “Why is she dressing like they did when I was a teenager?”
He asked her. Ivy paused to look at him.
Ivy: “What do you mean?”She asked.
Victor: “I was a teenager in the 50s and this is how they dressed. I wondered why she was dressing like that and trying to look like a movie star from that era.”
He chuckled. Ivy paused and then it clicked. She forgot he was older than her.
Ivy: “Oh! That’s right… I forget that you’re older and would have been around back then.”
She chuckled a bit.
Victor: “I’ve been in a coma for fifteen years.”
He lowered his head.
Ivy: “I’m sorry…”
She pulled him into a hug. He hugged her back and loved the smell of her rose perfume.
Victor: “By the way, your mother’s friend, Lucy, was here today.”
He stated.
Ivy: “...What the fuck was she doing here?”
She groused.
Victor: “Oh, she was bringing me a goodie basket because I’m new to the family. It has homemade jams from a market stall. Anyway, she asked me if I was going to propose to you and showed me many wedding parties she set up! She does beautiful parties!”
He smiled at her and clasped his hands. Ivy felt like her soul was sucked out of her body.
Victor: “And she plans wedding showers and sets up gift registries!”
He said with that gleam in his eyes. Ivy froze.
Ivy: “...You discussed a wedding without me… with HER?!”
She said with hurt in her tone. Victor drew back.
Victor: “You weren’t around and she gave me some jams and then asked this! She seemed like a nice lady!”
He exclaimed.
Ivy: “That’s exactly why she went to you when I wasn’t around! She can’t be trusted! She was only ‘nice’ to you because she’s a manipulative snake!”
She cried.
Ivy: “If we get married someday, I refuse to have her organize it!”
She added. Victor cupped his mouth.
Victor: “I’m sorry… She seemed so nice. She gave me jams, showed me beautiful venues, and said I could have a discount. I didn’t know she was like this!”
He cried. Ivy softened and sighed.
Ivy: “I’m sorry… it’s not your fault… you didn’t know…”
She stated.
Ivy: “I don’t have the best relationship with my family. My mother always put that woman first and she took over my family. She only offered to do this to spite me and make a show about how ‘generous’ she is. It wouldn’t be about us, but her.”
She explained. Victor cupped his mouth and nodded.
Victor: “I’m sorry, I didn’t know this. I never had a wedding planner and didn’t know what she was like. She seemed so nice and I thought if she was friends with your mother, she had to be nice but I guess not!”
He sighed.
Ivy: “Well… Tristan works with my mother and he can tell you all about that.”
She stated.
Victor: “I believe you.”
He said softly.
He leaned in closer.
Victor: “Would you like to get married someday?”
He asked her. Ivy blushed.
Ivy: “Someday…”
She smiled softly. Victor blushed and nodded clasping her hands.
Victor: “I’d love that.”
He said softly. He leaned in closer to kiss her. Ivy shivered and kissed him back. He kissed her again and smiled at her.
Victor: “I’m glad you’re in my life, Ivy…”
He whispered.
Ivy: “I’m glad you’re in my life, too, Victor.”
She smiled at him. He held her in his arms, so she would hear his heartbeat in his chest.
~
The next morning was terrible for Jaclyn. She looked at her blank wall and saw no mural, and she was still sleeping in that bed she never asked for but worst of all was Craig was staying with them.
Hector came up and knocked on her door.
Hector: “Rise and shine, honey! Daddy had breakfast delivered! Wakey-wakey! Eggs and bakey!”
He sang and giggled. Jaclyn glowered at him.
Jaclyn: “Oh, it’s you…”
She began icily shooting daggers at him with her eyes. Hector smiled dumbly at her.
Jaclyn: “...When is my bed coming, Hector? When are you going to have my mural painted? I want this NOW!”
She snapped.
Hector: “Soon, sweetheart! The bed and mural should be ready soon! Trevor is learning woodworking and he should be painting it now!”
He grinned.
Jaclyn: “I better love it or else…”
She grumbled and folded her arms across her chest.
She then sniffed the air.
Jaclyn: “Is that… EGGS AND SAUSAGES I SMELL?! And BACON?! Hector, I will NOT eat that trash! Send it back! Get me a salad smoothie!”
She flailed her arms and legs.
Hector: “Yup! It’s eggs, bacon, sausage, and home fries! All for you and me to have breakfast together, honey! Daddy reads in a magazine that couples should eat breakfast together! I bet Ivy and Tristan do!”
He chirped. Jaclyn bared her teeth glaring at him with hatred.
Jaclyn: “You MORON!”
She threw a pencil at him, hitting him on the side of the head. Hector winced and rubbed his head.
Jaclyn: “Don't call me ‘honey!’ I am not a bee!”
She huffed.
Jaclyn: “And NO, Hector I am not eating that garbage, and Ivy and Tristan are NOT a couple. Ivy is manipulating Tristan to make him think he loves her, you see. Ivy is a manipulative abuser who is hellbent on destroying me!”
She scoffed.
Hector: “Okay, BEE! BUUZZZZZZZZZ!”
He pranced flitting his hands and making a buzzing sound.
Jaclyn: “NO, HECTOR! STOP!”
She bellowed and slapped her forehead with annoyance.
She stormed past him shoving him aside, and Hector followed her. He bounced to the dining room to eat his sausage, eggs, bacon, home fries, and toast with his father. Craig was with him and Jaclyn saw red.
Hector: “What’s a salad smoothie? Is that a salad for smooth brains or something?”
He laughed. Craig burst out laughing.
Jaclyn: “Ugh, how uncultured are you, Hector? It’s a healthy breakfast for a supermodel! It's spinach, soy milk, celery, and mint!”
She scoffed, turning her nose up in disgust at their breakfast.
Hector: “But you’re not a supermodel, Jaclyn! You don’t get in a superhero costume! If you had a superpower, it would be your stinky feet!”
He laughed and happily scarfed down his bacon, eggs, and sausages. Harry rolled his eyes. You ain’t wrong, lad, he thought. Jaclyn turned to Hector and gaped at him like he had three heads. Craig laughed so hard, he cried.
Jaclyn: “...Are you really THAT stupid, Hector?!”
She narrowed her eyes at him, glaring at him through dark slits.
Jaclyn: “A superMODEL, NOT a superhero! And my feet don’t STINK!”
She huffed. Craig kept laughing.
Craig: “Holy shit, you’re a legend, mate!”
Hector: “Thanks!”
She glared at Craig.
Jaclyn: “Would someone tell me why this big moron is here?! IN MY HOUSE?!”
She bellowed.
Jaclyn: “And why isn’t my salad smoothie here?! I demand someone get me my salad smoothie!”
She demanded.
Craig: “Your house? Ain’t it Hector’s house?”
Jaclyn: “You can’t believe someone of his low intelligence could own a house, Craig. You can’t be that stupid. Oh wait, you are.”
She scoffed.
Hector: “Craig, if you wanna get Fabien back, you gotta give him a bear! I found this!”
He handed him a pamphlet for “Build your Huggable Buddy.”
Hector: “It’s a store where you make your own bear! You can have the bear use your voice and record your songs or whatever!”
Craig’s eyebrows rose.
Craig: “Oh, fuck yeah, that’s a wicked sick idea! I could make a song for him!”
He beamed.
Jaclyn: “If anyone wanted to apologize to me, best to do it with an expensive dress!”
She flipped her hair.
Hector: “I could get you dresses from granny’s attic ‘cause you dress like an old woman!”
He laughed. Jaclyn’s face flamed red.
Jaclyn: “HOW DARE YOU?! I AM A GLAMOROUS WOMAN! THIS IS HOW CLASSY LADIES DRESS, YOU MORON!”
She stomped her foot and Hector laughed at her. Craig choked on his food and laughed so hard, he wheezed.
~
Craig drove his jeep down the highway and changed lanes to the exit leading to the Pink Flamingo Mall. He then made a left turn to enter the parking lot of the Pink Flamingo Mall to look for a record from Cam the Record Man.
When he was inside the mall carrying his bass guitar case, he saw the store called, “Build Your Huggable Buddy!” It was a store where you could create your own stuffed animals. Craig approached it and inside were several pieces of material to be stuffed, clothing for the plushies, a stuffing machine, a recording booth, and more. He smiled a bit and went inside.
A young black man in a Build Your Huggable Buddy apron approached him.
Sales Clerk: “Hello, sir, how can I help you?”
Craig bowed his head.
Craig: “Sir?”
He laughed.
Craig: “Yeah, I need to make a wicked sick bear to say I’m sorry to the man I love…”
He mumbled. The young man clasped his hands.
Sales Clerk: “Perfect, I have just the bear for you!”
He sang and picked up a piece of material and a little shirt that read, “Sorry, I’m such an idiot.”
Craig: “Yeah, that’s the one! Can ya make it say cunt or drongo instead?”
He suggested.
Sales Clerk: “We don’t have those shirts here, sir, but we can work around that!”
He chirped.
Craig: “Fuckin’ oath!”
Craig nodded and followed him to the stuffing machine. The clerk put the material on the hose.
Sales Clerk: “Tell me when.”
He said as he filled the bear with stuffing. Craig smiled a bit and watched the bear expand. When the bear was overstuffed, the sales clerk looked nervously at him.
Sales Clerk: “Is this good, sir?”
He stammered.
Craig: “Nah, mate, keep it comin’”
He waved his hand. The material began to tear as the stuffing accumulated, causing the bear to explode. The plastic eyes went flying across the room, hitting the sales clerk’s forehead. He winced and rubbed his forehead. The sales clerk’s jaw dropped. Craig’s eyes widened with an amused grin spread across his face.
Craig: “OHH, WOAH! THAT WAS WICKED SICK! DO IT AGAIN!”
He cheered and pumped his fist. The sales clerk gave him a pained look and got the material.
Sales Clerk: “How about I do it for you?”
He said gently and began filling it for Craig.
Craig: “Ohhh, okay.”
He pouted like a disappointed child. He filled it for Craig and pointed Craig to a recording booth.
Sales Clerk: “If you like, you can record a message to insert in your bear to play when you press his tummy!”
He led him to the recording booth.
Craig: “Oh, fuck yeah? Can I play my bass guitar while I sing it?”
He asked. The sales clerk shifted his eyes.
Sales Clerk: “...If you have it with you, sure!”
He forced a smile.
Craig: “Fuck yeah, now we’re talkin’!”
He beamed. He led him to the recording booth to let Craig record his lines.
Craig sat in the booth with his bass guitar over his knee and he began plucking the strings.
Craig: “Fabien! I’m so Sorrrrryyyyyyy! I’m so SORRRRYYYYYYYYYYYY! SORRRYYYYY! I’m so SORRRRRYYYYYY! I’m sorry I was a dick! SORRRYYYYYYY! PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME FOR ANOTHER MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!”
He stopped and stepped out of the booth. A heart popped out of the machine and the sales clerk picked it up, put it in the bear, and sewed it up.
He took the bear to the counter to ring up, Craig’s purchase and put it in a bag. Craig paid for the bear.
Sales Clerk: “Here you go, sir! Your boyfriend will love this!”
He smiled.
Craig: “Cheers, mate!”
He grinned and took the bag along with his bass guitar case.
~
Craig pulled up to Danny Donger’s, parked his jeep, and got out of the jeep with a bag in his hand. He entered the bar and saw it was crowded with several patrons. He looked around until he saw Fabien walking through the bar carrying a tray with several baskets of onion rings, fries, burgers, and wings.
Craig: “FABIEN!”
He called out for him, rushing over to him, excitedly presenting him with the bag. Fabien glanced at him.
Fabien: “What do you want, Craig?”
He asked as he placed the baskets on the patrons’ table.
Craig: “I wanted to apologize… I have somethin’ for ya!”
He said eagerly, pulling out the teddy bear and pressing the belly. The song played loudly and Fabien took it from his hands and smiled at it.
Fabien: “This is so cute… Why are you sorry, Craig? Are you going to do it differently if and when your father meets me?”
He challenged. Craig’s eyes brightened and he beamed.
Craig: “Cos I upset ya ‘n I don’t wanna do that! Don’t worry, my dad is gonna think you’re wicked sick!”
He grinned. Fabien kept his gaze locked on Craig.
Fabien: “You’re going to tell him we’re boyfriends, right?”
He asked through clenched teeth.
Craig: “...W-We’re boyfriends, now?!”
He gasped and beamed. Fabien gaped at him.
Fabien: “We weren’t before?”
He gawked at him as if he had three heads. Craig rubbed the back of his neck.
Craig: “Well, I thought we were before, but I miss the point sometimes, so I’m glad I got it right this time!”
He stated and laughed. Fabien twisted his mouth.
Fabien: “No shit, Sherlock. So are you going to tell your father that?”
He asked.
Craig: “Of course I am!”
He grinned.
Tristan came up next to Fabien and handed him a piece of paper.
Tristan: “When your shift is over, here is his number so you can give him the big news.”
He smiled tightly. Deimos sat at the table smirking and raising a glass of beer. Fabien took the paper from Tristan. Craig gaped at Tristan.
Craig: “OI! How did ya get that number?”
He glared at Tristan.
Fabien: “Okay, Craig, when my shift is over, you can call your father and tell him the big news.”
He nodded. Craig forced a wide grin.
Tristan: “Yes, Craig, I want Fabien to know how much he means to you and it will take more than… that foolish bear.”
He sneered at the teddy bear. Craig glared at Tristan hatefully.
Tristan: “In fact…, why wait until his shift is over? Do it now. You can use my cell phone.”
He smiled tightly baring his teeth and holding up his cell phone.
Fabien: “Thank you, Tristan.”
Craig: “Fuck you, Tristan.”
He hissed under his breath. Fabien quirked an eyebrow.
Tristan dialed the Medeiros’ number on his cellphone and handed it to Craig. Craig glared at him hatefully. Tristan pressed the speaker button on the phone. A gruff voice answered. The man spoke like he had been smoking cigarettes throughout his entire life.
Leon: “Yep? Leon Medeiros speaking.”
He answered sternly as if he had just been interrupted and bothered.
Craig: “Hey dad… it’s me!”
He forced a large grin.
Leon: “Oh, Craig! How’s it goin’ over there, mate? Did you check out the Superbowl? Footy season is over for us now. Now it’s just the boring cricket full of wankers!”
His demeanor brightened when he heard Craig’s voice and he laughed about the cricket.
Craig: “Oh…that’s in Jan ‘n Feb, dad. Now it’s all about boring Thanksgivin’ which is just a lame version of Christmas where you don’t get any pressies.”
He groused.
Tristan: “Oh, you need to tell your father and mother to come for Thanksgiving!”
He smiled. Craig glared at him.
Leon: “Who’s that, Craig? Thanksgiving, huh?”
Craig: “Just some nosy cunt!”
He hissed and glared at Tristan. Tristan smiled widely. Fabien folded his arms and tapped his foot.
Fabien: “I can cook for Thanksgiving.”
He interjected. Leon laughed.
Leon: “Men don’t cook, mate? Can’t ya misses cook or somethin’?”
He laughed.
Fabien: “No, my ‘misses’ can’t cook.”
He glared at Craig. Leon laughed and Craig bowed his head and pouted.
Craig: “OI! I ain’t the chick! I’M the dom!”
He blurted.
Leon: “...What?”
Craig: “...O-Oh, we’re just jokin’ around!”
He laughed. Fabien bared his teeth at Craig.
Tristan: “Oh, you should come to visit here! Craig has BIG NEWS to share with you!”
He exclaimed. Craig shot him daggers.
Leon: “Ohhh, big news huh? Did ya pop the question to Veronika, huh?”Craig’s face contorted.
Craig: “Fuck no! Me ‘n that cunt are done!”
He pouted.
Leon: “Ah, that’s a shame, I really liked Veronika. You got a new misses or somethin’?”
He clicked his tongue. Craig frowned when he said that, trying to mask his hurt. He looked over at Fabien.
Craig: “...Somethin’ like that.”
Leon: “Good boy! I look forward to meetin’ the new misses!”
He beamed.
Fabien: “I am dying to meet you, too, Leon.”
He said through clenched teeth.
Leon: “Ah, sounds like you’re out with the boys on a night on the town! I’d love to catch up with ya, mate ‘n meet your new drinking buddies! Sounds like you’re havin’ a riot over there!”
He chuckled.
Craig: “...Yeah, a riot.”
He glared at Tristan.
Tristan: “Yes, Craig wanted a pink lady martini and he loves it very much!”
He laughed. Craig glared at him.
Craig: “OI! Fuck off, no I didn’t!”
He snapped at him.
Leon: “You better not have.”
He said half-jokingly.
Craig: “No, Dad, it’s just buddy banter! Tristan is the one drinkin’ the pink lady martini!”
He glared at him. Leon laughed.
Fabien: “And the pink princess cupcakes you ordered?! Didn’t you ask for ballet slippers on them?”
He smiled through clenched teeth.
Craig shot him a look.
Craig: “Oi, I thought you hated that cunt ‘n were supposed to be on my side?”
He hissed to Fabien.
Leon: “...Craig? The fuck is going on?”
Craig: “Nothin’ just drunken buddy banter! Just a bunch of blokes drinkin’ at the pub!”
He grinned.
Deimos: “We’re at a pub where the waiters are all hot shirtless men. Craig loves that.”
He interjected. Craig went red in the face and glared at him. Leon and Craig both went silent.
Then, they heard uproarous laughter through the phone.
Leon: “WHAHAHAHA, now I know you’re all fuckin’ with me! Good one! My son is a real man and wouldn’t be caught dead in a place like that”
He cackled.
Leon: “We’re gettin’ on the next flight to Pink Top. You better not be at a pansy strip club, Craig!”
He said half-jokingly with threatening undertones through his laughter. Craig slunk down in his seat.
Fabien: “I can’t wait to meet the parents of Craig.”
He said to Craig with a glare.
When the call ended, Craig slunk onto the floor and glared at Tristan.
Craig: “I hope you’re happy, cunt.”
Tristan: “Very. Thank you, Craig. Anything for you.”
He said wryly.
Fabien: “You can sleep in my house, Craig… but on the couch.”
Craig smiled and then bowed his head and pouted.
Deimos: “It beats staying with Jaclyn?”
He shrugged.
Craig: “Fuck yeah it does. Thanks, Fab…”
He smiled a bit.
~
Deimos drove Tristan home and they went to the backyard patio. Makayla joined them.
Tristan: “Craig had the call with your father. Your parents are coming for Thanksgiving to meet Fabien.”
He said to her. Makayla’s jaw hung open.
Makayla: “...Our parents are coming here… to meet Craig’s boyfriend?!”
Deimos and Tristan nodded soberly.
Celeste jumped in.
Celeste: “PLEASE tell me your mom makes galinhada!”
She exclaimed. Makayla: “Where did she come from?”
Celeste: “From some facility. Now, does your mom make some Brazilian food? It’s similar to Mexican food, which I had before the facility.”
She explained.
Makayla: “Yeah, she does…”
Tristan: “Celeste just… drops in. You get used to it, but yes, Leon and your mother, Cecilia, are coming to meet Fabien. Craig never said Fabien was his boyfriend, though.”
He explained.
Makayla: “Of course not…”
She frowned and shook her head.
Celeste: “If you’re going, would you take me a plate of her food?”
She asked.
Makayla: “I’m not going.”
Celeste: “Why not? Still mad at Craig or are you mad at your parents, too?”
She grimaced.
Makayla: “Both!”
Tristan gazed at her.
Tristan: “I knew of your issues with Craig but had hunches you had issues with your parents. Do tell if you’re so inclined.”
He said calmly.
Makayla drew a breath.
Makayla: “Craig was always the golden child. He was the star player of the footy team and he was destined for ‘greatness.’ I was a girl, so it was ‘different’ I was destined to find a man and bear his children and be a mother.”She began.Makayla: “Then I discovered rock ‘n roll and when I saw other women in bands, it inspired me, too, so I saved all my money and bought a guitar. My parents didn’t like it.”
She sighed.
Makayla: “At least, not when I did it… when Craig got into music, they supported him and bought his bass guitar. Why? Because I’m a girl. It’s ‘different’; it’s a teenage phase I will ‘grow out of’ when I become a woman and find a man. Women don’t belong in rock ‘n roll. It’s a boy’s club and I should stay away from those kinds of boys… even though Craig is one of those boys.”
She said bitterly with air quotes.
Makayla: “Craig, despite his flaws, was the only person who supported me in music at the time and we formed a band together. That’s how Nuklear Intoxikation was born. The only way for me to succeed in rock ‘n roll at the time was if there was a male lead in the band.”
She explained.
Makayla: “I feel my parents only allowed me to play in a metal band because my brother was in it and ‘protecting’ me. I think he knew this too and was doing this to help me too. Craig can be a fucking asshole, don’t get me wrong, but he can have a heart deep down when he cares about you.”She smiled a bit, thinking of the good Craig had done in the past and how that changed.
Makayla: “But I also think Andreas influenced that side in him because after they broke up, Craig spiraled and things went downhill when he met Veronika. The rest is history.”
She concluded.
Tristan and Deimos listened to her. Tristan thought it explained a lot. He harrumphed and nodded.
Tristan: “Ah, so this is why you were clinging onto something already dead.”
He began and locked his gaze on her.
Tristan: “Well, you’re not an extension of your parents and you no longer have to carry on their wishes. You can create your own path now. You don’t need Craig to form a band; you should form a band with someone else who wants that or do it on your own, whichever you feel best fits you. It seems Craig’s interests lie in doing what your parents wanted of you… If he’s serious about Fabien.”
He stated and folded his arms over his chest. Deimos nodded in agreement. He noticed Tristan mentioned “someone else who wants to be in a band.” Makayla nodded.
Makayla: “Thanks, Tristan… I think it’s time I make my own band and form my own path.”
Deimos: “My father wanted me to pursue archeology as he did. I’m not doing that. I know what it’s like to have your parents put these ridiculous expectations on you and want you to be an extension of them instead of an individual. You are you; you are not them. No one has a right to dictate how one should live his or her life.”
He said sternly.
Makayla: “Archeology? So, digging up stuff like a dog? Nah, can’t say that suits you. Wow… I’m glad I’m not alone and you know what that experience is like!”
She smiled a bit.
Tristan noted she doesn’t catch onto reading between the lines as well as he and Deimos do.
Tristan: “Well, Deimos was also in Nuklear and it never went anywhere… What about making a band with him?”
He suggested. Deimos raised his eyebrows. He knew what Tristan meant but didn’t think Makayla would want to be in a band with him but he wasn’t opposed to the idea. Makayla’s eyes widened with a big smile.
Makayla: “Hell yeah! I’d LOVE to!”
She beamed excitedly.
Deimos: “Really?”
He raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Makayla: “Of course! Let’s do it!”
She said eagerly.
Deimos: “That is great! I think if we’re making a band, I should play my bass guitar. I don’t want to be a drummer.”
He added.
Makayla: “Fine by me, so long as I get to play guitar and sing… and not just as a backup.”
Deimos: “It would be two singers like Heart.”
Makayla: “That’s PERFECT! I love Heart! They inspired me, too!”
She beamed.
Celeste: “What will you call the band then?”
She asked.
Deimos: “I haven’t decided. I have to go up to my Dad’s study to look for a Greek word, I guess. I forgot the language completely.”
He shrugged.
Deimos: “But I think a Greek word for ‘Heartbreakers’ would be fitting if you’re fine with that, Makayla?”
He asked.
Makayla: “Oh yes, I’m down with that!”
She beamed.
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