My baby and I are finally back home. After six long months of touch and go, she is much better, and we can carry on with our lives together; how will be defined with her next answer.
Ava ~ “My answer is yes.”
Trayton ~ “What is yes, baby girl.”
Ava ~ “What you said.”
Trayton ~ “You need to remind me I say a lot of things.”
Ava ~ “Did you forget about it?”
Trayton ~ “Baby girl, I do tend to forget a lot of things.”
Just then, the entire damn bunch comes outside.
Dominic ~ “Damn, it is good to see you, man.”
Joseph ~ “He has been driving me crazy.”
Trayton ~ “Now you are going to come and drive me damn crazy.”
Mary ~ “It is good to have you two back home; I have missed you.”
Ava ~ “We have missed mom too and mom’s cooking.”
Emma ~ “I have missed you two bitches.”
Becca ~ “Even I have missed this asshole.”
Trayton ~ “I definitely did not miss you two bitches at all.”
All damn five of them crush Ava and me in a hug. This is a bit too much affection for me.
Trayton ~ “Fuck, you are squashing me; I don’t damn hug, especially five of you at one time.”
Ava ~ “I missed all you dumb asses.”
Trayton ~ “Well, I did not miss any one of you except my bed, and I hope nobody has been fucking in it.”
Ava ~ “That is sick baby, how can you say your mom fucked in your bed.”
Trayton ~ “I did not say that but thanks for that image in my head baby girl. I hope you damn two have moved back home.”
Emma ~ “Actually, Dominic asked me to move in.”
Trayton ~ “He fucking did what?”
Emma ~ “Oh fuck, that was hilarious, that look on your face.”
Dominic ~ “Not a fucking chance; I value my knee caps.”
Trayton ~ “Can we go inside now? Joseph can unpack the car.”
Joseph ~ “Why me?”
Trayton ~ “Cause I want to speak to Dominic.”
Trayton ~ “Baby girl, you want to go with my mom? I just need to speak to Dominic for a second.”
Ava ~ “Sure, I need to tell them the good news.”
Trayton ~ “We will talk about that just now.”
I pull Dominic aside into the lounge.
Dominic ~ “What’s up, man?”
Trayton ~ “Where is that gift?”
Dominic ~ “What gift?”
Trayton ~ “Her ring.”
Dominic ~ “Oh, that is in the safe.”
Trayton ~ “Please go get it.”
Dominic ~ “Are you asking her now? It really is not romantic”
Trayton ~ “I think I kind of asked her.”
Dominic ~ “What do you mean, kind of?”
Trayton ~ “She was sleeping, or I thought she was.”
Dominic ~ “Are you doing that shit again.”
Trayton ~ “I know it is fucking stupid.”
Dominic ~ “So why do you want the ring now.”
Trayton ~ “She said yes, and now she is telling everyone.”
Dominic ~ “Oh, you fucked. It will teach you not to do shit when she is sleeping.”
Trayton ~ “Just go get the damn ring.”
A few minutes later, Dominic brings her ring and sticks it in my pocket. We head on into the kitchen. I think I am about to have a heart attack. Passing out is a definite possibility. She is standing with the girls, clearly very excited; the last thing I want to do now is let her down.
Dominic ~ “Fuck I am going to love this.”
Joseph ~ “What is going on?”
Dominic ~ “Just watch your dumb ass boss.”
Joseph ~ “What did the ass do now?”
Dominic ~ “It is what he is about to do.”
Trayton ~ “Hey baby girl.”
Ava ~ “Hey baby girl yourself.”
Trayton ~ “What are you girls talking about?”
Ava ~ “Oh, I told them the good news.”
Trayton ~ “Really?”
Ava ~ “Yes, they are happy for us; mom is very excited.”
Mary ~ “I think it is wonderful news. I can sort of having the daughter I never had.”
Trayton ~ “Is that not a bit extreme mom?”
Mary ~ “It’s not every day my son gets so serious with a girl.”
Emma ~ “I am glad your dumb ass has finally woken up.”
Dominic ~ “Go for it Trayton.”
Trayton ~ “Fuck off, Dominic.”
Joseph ~ “I agree with Dominic, do your thing.”
Trayton ~ “Go unload the damn car.”
Joseph ~ “No, I want to see this.”
Dominic ~ “You are killing me over here. It’s like watching a damn soapie.”
Joseph ~ “You got balls, use them.”
Ava ~ “Baby, what are they going on about?”
Trayton ~ “They are drunk.”
Ava ~ “So early in the day?”
Trayton ~ “Yes, they just happy to see us.”
Mary ~ “So how long is this going to take?”
Trayton ~ “Fuck can everyone give me a damn break? I will do it.”
I reach in my pocket, I take the ring out and put it in my hand.
Trayton ~ “Baby girl.”
Ava ~ “Yes baby.”
Trayton ~ “You have told everyone the big news, but I have not.”
Becca ~ “Fuck man, just let her move in; I want her damn room.”
Trayton ~ “What the fuck are you on about?”
Becca ~ “She told us she is moving in. We weren’t going to wait for you to tell us because it will take forever.”
Trayton ~ “Dominic.”
Dominic ~ “Yes Trayton.”
Trayton ~ “You are dead.”
Dominic ~ “It is only a pleasure; I almost had you there.”
Trayton ~ “And you almost lost those kneecaps.”
Ava ~ “Why are you two acting so weird?”
Trayton ~ “He is being an asshole.”
Ava ~ “Can we fetch my things tomorrow?”
Trayton ~ “Yes, baby girl, we can.”
That was damn close; I nearly made a fool of myself. I do want to ask her, but not in a kitchen in front of a bunch of fucking idiots. The time must be right; I don’t think it is now though.
Ava ~ “I am going to stay with the girls at the apartment for one last night.”
Trayton ~ “Are you sure, baby girl?”
Ava ~ “Yes, I will be fine. I will phone you if something is wrong, but you are probably going to phone me every half hour in any case.”
Trayton ~ “You are starting to know me very well.”
Ava ~ “We might as well be married.”
I am just going to keep quiet; my damn heart is only starting to calm down now.
An hour later, she is getting ready to leave with the girls.
Trayton ~ “Are you sure my mom can’t come with me?”
Ava ~ “Yes baby.”
Trayton ~ “Or Dominic?”
Ava ~ “No, we are fine.”
Trayton ~ “I am worried about you.”
Ava ~ “Baby, I will be fine.”
Trayton ~ “Phone me when you get there.”
Ava ~ “Yes, baby, I will.”
Trayton ~ “I love you.”
Ava ~ “I love you too.”
I pull Emma to one side while she goes upstairs to get a bag from the room.
Trayton ~ “Phone me if anything goes wrong.”
Emma ~ “I will Trayton.”
Trayton ~ “If she has a nightmare phone me.”
Emma ~ “Yes I will.”
Trayton ~ “Please remind her to take her meds.”
Emma ~ “I am sure she will remember that. She is going to be okay.”
Trayton ~ “She has had nobody except me for the past six months; I am worried.”
Emma ~ “I promise I will look after her and I will phone you if anything goes wrong.”
Ava ~ “I am ready.”
Trayton ~ “I love you.”
Ava ~ “I love you, baby.”
I pull her into my arms and give her a tight hug into my chest.
Ava ~ “You such a worry pants.”
Trayton ~ “What is a worry pants.”
Ava ~ “That is what you are.”
Trayton ~ “Then I am a big size worry pants.”
Ava ~ “More like an oversized one.”
Trayton ~ “I am not that bad.”
Ava ~ “I saw you set my alarm to phone you every half hour.”
Trayton ~ “You not supposed to see that.”
Ava ~ “You should not play with my phone.”
Trayton ~ “Come let me walk you out.”
She gets in the car, and off they go; I am immediately worried about her.
Dominic ~ “She will be fine Trayton.”
Trayton ~ “I can’t lose her again.”
Joseph ~ “You can’t watch her the whole day.”
…………………………
At the girl’s apartment…
Emma ~ “You better phone worry pants.”
Becca ~ “Before he shows up here.”
As I take my phone, the damn alarm goes off.
Trayton ~ “Hey baby girl.”
Ava ~ “Were you watching your phone?”
Trayton ~ “No, not at all.”
Ava ~ “You are not supposed to lie to me.”
Trayton ~ “Okay, I was.”
Ava ~ “Thanks, the damn alarm went off.”
Trayton ~ “I am glad to see it works then.”
Ava ~ “You are nuts, you know that?”
Trayton ~ “I am a nutter for you.”
Ava ~ “Fuck that is terrible. I have never even heard of a word nutter.”
Trayton ~ “It means I am mad for you.”
Ava ~ “Yes, you are mad.”
Trayton ~ “Your bum is mad. I will speak to you a little later again.”
I drop the call and put my phone on the table.
Emma ~ “Can you have a glass of wine.”
Ava ~ “I will have one, please.”
Becca ~ “So did he really sleep in the hospital.”
Ava ~ “Yes, on the chair. He drove everyone crazy.”
Emma ~ “I think it is sweet”
Becca ~ “I think it is a bit too clingy.”
Ava ~ “I think he was just worried.”
Emma ~ “He loves you a lot.”
Becca ~ “You would never say he used to be that Trayton DeCarlo we first met.”
Ava ~ “We surely got them tamed.”
Emma ~ “It’s just this slut here that needs to be tamed.”
Ava ~ “Your plan with Mary and Joseph really backfired in your face.”
Becca ~ “How the fuck would I have known the damn ass will fall in love with her.”
Ava ~ “Well, I am happy for her.”
Emma ~ “She makes him happy.”
Ava ~ “I want to do something nice for Trayton.”
Emma ~ “What do you want to do?”
Ava ~ “I don’t know. Give me some ideas.”
…………………………
With Trayton at the club…
Trayton ~ “I am glad to see you have not burned the place down.”
Dominic ~ “Joseph did drink the damn bar dry on most nights.”
Joseph ~ “I can’t help Mary don’t like coming here.”
Trayton ~ “Can we please not talk about my mom.”
Dominic ~ “You have not heard him yet.”
Trayton ~ “I don’t want to know.”
Dominic ~ “He is a damn slut.”
Trayton ~ “I said I don’t fucking wants to know.”
It’s almost time to speak to Ava again. I am sitting and watching the clock, counting the seconds down. They seem to be going slower and slower, dragging away.
Trayton ~ “Fuck that.”
I phone her.
Trayton ~ “Hey baby girl.”
Ava ~ “Hey baby girl, yourself.”
Trayton ~ “Are you doing okay?”
Ava ~ “Baby, I am really fine.”
Trayton ~ “I just wanted to check-in. Phone me before you go to sleep.”
Ava ~ “Okay, speak to you later.”
As I drop the call, the doorman walks over to me.
Trayton ~ “Don’t tell me we have shit. I don’t feel like fucking hitting someone tonight.”
Doorman ~ “There is a girl that wants to speak to you.”
Trayton ~ “I am not interested.”
Doorman ~ “She is insisting.”
Trayton ~ “I am insisting that I am not interested”
Doorman ~ “She says that you are want to going to see her.”
Trayton ~ “Is her name Ava?”
Doorman ~ “No, I don’t know what her name is.”
Trayton ~ Then I am not interested
Doorman ~ “She says you go way back.”
Trayton ~ “I go way back with half of the woman in the damn club.”
Doorman ~ “She is really annoying me.”
Trayton ~ “And you are annoying me.”
Dominic ~ “What the fuck is the problem here?”
Trayton ~ “There is some girl that wants to talk to me.”
Dominic ~ “He is not interested.”
Doorman ~ “She won’t go away.”
Dominic ~ “Send the bitch to me. I will sort her out.”
I am not in the mood for some old fuck coming and declaring her damn love to me. These women make me sick; I probably won’t even remember who she is.
As she comes up the stairs, my heart drops.
Trayton ~ “What the fuck is she doing here.”
Dominic ~ “Do you know her?”
Trayton ~ “Yes I do.”
Dominic ~ “Is it one of the girls here?”
Trayton ~ “No.”
Dominic ~ “Do you want me to leave you two alone?”
Trayton ~ “No, you stay right here.”
She walks up to us; I am clearly annoyed but most of all shocked.
Jacklyn ~ “Hello Trayton.”
Trayton ~ “Hi Jacklyn. What are you doing here?”
Jacklyn ~ “I finally packed up and moved to the city.”
Trayton ~ “I just saw you this morning?”
Jacklyn ~ “Oh, that was my last shift. I left about an hour after you left.”
Trayton ~ “Why are you here?”
Jacklyn ~ “They needed a bartender here. I saw you up here when I was waiting at the bar.”
Trayton ~ “I am sure the position has been filled.”
Jacklyn ~ “Oh it has.”
Trayton ~ “Sorry to hear that.”
Jacklyn ~ “It has been filled by me.”
Trayton ~ “What?”
Jacklyn ~ “It seems that I work for you now.”
Trayton ~ “Then best you get your ass to work.”
Jacklyn ~ “I am only starting tomorrow. I thought we can hang out like old times.”
Dominic ~ “Jacklyn, we in the middle of a meeting. If you don’t mind, we would like to get back to it.”
Jacklyn ~ “Sure. See you tomorrow Trayton.”
Dominic looks at me as she walks away.
Dominic ~ “Who the fuck is that?”
Trayton ~ “My ex.”
Dominic ~ “You have never gone steady with a chick.”
Trayton ~ “She is my ex from my teenage years before I came here.”
Dominic ~ “Fuck man, this is fucked up.”
Trayton ~ “She is trouble. Get her fucking fired.”
…………………………
At the girl’s apartment…
Ava ~ “So any ideas?”
Emma ~ “What about dinner?”
Ava ~ “I hope you are not suggesting that I make him dinner.”
Becca ~ “Fuck no you can’t cook. Just now, you damn poison him.”
Ava ~ “Your ass I am not that bad.”
Emma ~ “Do we need to remind you about that casserole?”
Ava ~ “I left it on the plate too long.”
Becca ~ “The plate was off.”
Emma ~ “What about a movie.”
Ava ~ “Trayton can’t sit still in one place for longer than ten minutes.”
Becca ~ “How do you have sex then.”
Ava ~ “Becca really?”
Becca ~ “Hey, I was just wondering.”
Emma ~ “What about a picnic.”
Ava ~ “I can’t see him wanting to sit on a blanket on the grass somewhere in nature to relax.”
Emma ~ “I don’t know then.”
Becca ~ “Buy him a gift.”
Ava ~ “What type of gift.”
Becca ~ “I will look online for something.”
Ava ~ “Thanks, Becs.”
Emma ~ “Well, ladies, I am going to bed.”
Ava ~ “I think I am going too.”
Becca ~ “Don’t forget to phone worry pants.”
I head off to my old room; this will be the last time that I am sleeping here tonight. Tomorrow I am sleeping in the same bed as my boyfriend; I am going to wake up to his beautiful smile every morning.
I dial his phone again just as the stupid alarm goes off.
Trayton ~ “Hey baby girl.”
Ava ~ “Are you okay? You sound cross.”
Trayton ~ “Just someone at the club that pissed me off.”
Ava ~ “Just smack them.”
Trayton ~ “I wish I could.”
Ava ~ “Are you going to be there long?”
Trayton ~ “It looks like it.”
Ava ~ “Well, I am going to bed now. And I am switching all these damn alarms off. I will never sleep if they keep going off.”
Trayton ~ “I will see you in the morning then.”
I drop the call and put all the damn alarms off. Soon I am drifting off to sleep.
…………………………
At the club with Tray…
Trayton ~ “The girls have all gone to bed now.”
Dominic ~ “Emma will look after her.”
Joseph ~ “That Becca is another story. But I must say she has calmed down.”
Trayton ~ “She is the least of my problems.”
Dominic ~ “This girl Jacklyn? Was it serious?”
Trayton ~ “As serious as you can get at that age.”
Joseph ~ “Is she the one that you were going to fuck when you went to see your mom?”
Trayton ~ “Yes.”
Joseph ~ “Bro, you are fucked. This girl is going to be a problem”
Trayton ~ “I know that is why I want her gone.”
Dominic ~ “You can’t just fire her though.”
Trayton ~ “Then find a damn reason to fire her.”
Joseph ~ “She is hot though.”
Trayton ~ “Do you want me to fucking smack you.”
Joseph ~ “What the fuck for now.”
Trayton ~ “I will fucking kill you if you hurt my mom.”
Joseph ~ “Relax, bro. I am not going to.”
Just then, my phone rings; it must be Ava; she probably did not put the alarm off. But it’s not; it is Emma.
Trayton ~ “Hey Emma.”
Emma ~ “Trayton, please come.”
Trayton ~ “Fuck I am on my way.”
The whiskey that I had in my hand goes flying as I grab my keys and rush for the door; in my attempt to get out the door, I push a whole group of clubgoers to the floor. They in my fucking way, I need to get to my baby. Their apartment is on the other side of fucking town. It is going to take me at least a damn half an hour; she should have never gone there. I put my emergency lights on and speed from one damn robot to the next. It’s like the fucking world is against me now.
Fuck it, I start skipping robot after robot, my tires screeching around every corner, my wheels catching the pavement; I am a lunatic with a purpose. My only thought is to get to Ava and get there fast; as I take the one corner, my car skids, and I nearly lose control. I am no use to her death, but I am not slowing down.
I turn the final corner when my car crashes into a pole…