What is the most important moment in Trayton DeCarlo’s life?
The moment he set eyes on her? Yes.
The moment he first spoke to her? Yes.
The moment he made love to her? Yes.
The moment he saved her, twice? Yes.
The moment he asked her to move in? Yes.
The biggest moment of them all is about to happen.
Trayton ~ “Ava, my baby girl. Please, would you marry me?”
Ava ~ “Baby, what are you doing?”
Trayton ~ “Asking you to marry me.”
Ava ~ “Baby, I don’t know what to say.”
Trayton ~ “Hopefully, you will say yes.”
Ava ~ “Baby, this is very unexpected.”
Trayton ~ “Normally it is supposed to be.”
Ava ~ “Must I answer you now?”
Trayton ~ “I am hoping you would.”
The damn waiter walks up to the table, and I go back to my seat. This is so not how I was hoping this would go. I was hoping to go home with a fiance, but it seems I have a girlfriend still. She was supposed to jump up and say yes, and we would hug, and she would cry. The only thing that has happened is me making a fool of myself.
Waiter ~ “Is there anything else I can get you guys?”
Trayton ~ “No thanks, just the bill.”
We pay our bill and head on out back to the car. There is an uncomfortable dead silence between us. Maybe this was not the right time to ask her, but when is the right time, my heartfelt it was the right time, my head was getting used to it but not her.
My phone rings.
I do not recognize the number, so I pick up.
Trayton ~ “Trayton Hello.”
There is an automated voice on the other side.
Kenton ~ “This is a collect call from Folsom State Prison.”
Trayton ~ “FUCK.”
I accept the call.
Kenton ~ “Trayton.”
Trayton ~ “Kenton.”
Trayton ~ “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
Kenton ~ “It’s time, bro.”
Trayton ~ “Time for what, Kenton?”
Kenton ~ “To come to fetch your brother.”
Trayton ~ “You still have another five to go?”
Kenton ~ “Got off for good fucking behavior.”
Trayton ~ “Fuck like you know what is good.”
Kenton ~ “You coming to fetch me?”
Trayton ~ “When?”
Kenton ~ “Tomorrow.”
Trayton ~ “What time?”
Kenton ~ “Noon.”
Trayton ~ “I will see you tomorrow Kenton.”
I drop the call.
Ava ~ “Who is Kenton?”
Trayton ~ “My brother.”
Ava ~ “The one that is in prison?”
Trayton ~ “Yes, the one in prison.”
Ava ~ “Are you seeing him tomorrow?”
Trayton ~ “I am fetching him tomorrow.”
Ava ~ “Why? Is he coming out of prison?.”
Trayton ~ “Yes, he is coming out.”
The drive home is in silence. She has not answered my question, which is a total blow in the guts, a total anticlimax to what was a wonderful evening and now the news about my brother. I think this is a convenient distraction for her not to give me an answer, or at least that is how I feel.
When we get home, she immediately gives Emma the good news, not that we were almost engaged but that she can move in.
Trayton ~ “Mom, can I speak to you quickly?”
Jo comes waltzing up alongside her.
Trayton ~ “Alone.”
Mary ~ “Sure, Trayton.”
We go into the lounge.
Trayton ~ “Mom Kenton is out on parole.”
Mary ~ “When?”
Trayton ~ “Tomorrow.”
Mary ~ “Where is he going to go to Trayton? I am not at home anymore.”
Trayton ~ “I am fetching him, mom. And I will bring him here.”
Mary ~ “Are you sure, Trayton?”
Trayton ~ “Yes, mom.”
Trayton ~ “He is my brother and your son.”
Mary ~ “What does Ava say? ”
Trayton ~ “She is not saying much after I asked her to marry me.”
Mary ~ “Trayton, that is wonderful.”
Trayton ~ “She did not say yes, mom.”
Mary ~ “Oh fuck Trayton, I am so sorry.”
Trayton ~ “At least I tried, mom.”
I quickly change the subject before I piss my eyes out, crying.
Trayton ~ “I will speak to Dominic and Joseph about Kenton.”
Mary ~ “Do they know why he is there?”
Trayton ~ “No, and it is none of their fucking business either.”
Mary ~ “Don’t worry; I won’t tell Joseph.”
We go back to the kitchen, where Emma has told Dominic the good news.
Dominic ~ “What the fuck were you thinking, man?”
Trayton ~ “If you don’t want her here, then you tell her.”
Joseph ~ “What’s got your damn balls in a knot again.”
Dominic ~ “It looks like the dog ate your breakfast and then threw it up on your feet.”
Trayton ~ “That is fucking sick.”
Joseph ~ “That is damn disgusting.”
Trayton ~ “I asked Ava to marry me.”
Dominic ~ “And she said yes?”
Trayton ~ “No, she did not say yes.”
Joseph ~ “Did she say no?”
Trayton ~ “No, she said nothing.”
Dominic ~ “What do you mean nothing?”
Trayton ~ “She said she does not know what to say.”
Dominic ~ “She could have at least said something.”
Joseph ~ “Did you go down on your knee?”
Trayton ~ “Yes, I even went down on my fucking knee.”
Joseph ~ “Fuck I would have loved to see that.”
Dominic ~ “Stop being a dick, man. Can’t you see Trayton is upset?”
Joseph ~ “Is she still going to answer you”?
Trayton ~ “I don’t know. Just forget about it. There is something else we need to talk about.”
Dominic ~ “What else could you have fucked up in the past four hours.”
Trayton ~ “Fuck off. You make it sound like I fuck everything up.”
Joseph ~ “Most of the time, you do.”
Trayton ~ “I can see something else I want to fuck up now.”
Joseph ~ “Your mom will fuck you up then.”
Trayton ~ “Can you two stop giving me shit for a second and listen to me.”
Dominic ~ “What’s up, man?”
Joseph ~ “Yes, bro, what is the problem?”
Trayton ~ “I am fetching my brother tomorrow, and he will be staying here.”
Dominic ~ “The one that is in prison?”
Trayton ~ “I only have one brother, and it is the one in prison.”
Joseph ~ “Is he out now?”
Trayton ~ “Why would I fetch him if he is not out?”
Dominic ~ “What does Ava say?”
Trayton ~ “Say about what?”
Joseph ~ “Him staying here.”
Trayton ~ “What do you two say?”
Dominic ~ “What was he in prison for?”
Trayton ~ “That is none of your fucking business.”
Joseph ~ “I don’t know how I feel about staying with an ex-con.”
Trayton ~ “Well, if you feel you can’t, then go fucking stay somewhere else. He is staying here, and I don’t give a fuck what anyone says.”
Dominic ~ “Relax, man.”
Trayton ~ “Don’t tell me to damn relax. Get your girlfriend’s shit out of the guestroom.”
My mom sees that I am about to explode.
Mary ~ “Tray sweety, come sit here with me.”
Joseph ~ “Mary, I will speak to him.”
Mary ~ “Joseph fuck off. This is family business.”
My mom grabs us two beers, and we go and sit in the lounge; she is the only person that knows what I am going through right now.
Mary ~ “Trayton, are you sure you are ready for this?”
Trayton ~ “Mom, I have been hoping for this day ever since he went in there.”
Mary ~ “I know baby. Me just as much as you.”
Trayton ~ “I love all these guys, but I will kick them out if I have to. Kenton will come to stay with his family.”
Mary ~ “I know Trayton, and he will. Do you want me to come with you tomorrow?”
Trayton ~ “No, mom. He does not know you out yet; I want it to be a surprise.”
Mary ~ “I can’t wait to see him again.”
Trayton ~ “Me too, mom. I will leave early in the morning to be there by noon.”
Mary ~ “Whom are you taking with you?”
Trayton ~ “I am going to go alone.”
I head up to my room; I can hear Ava and Emma babbling in the guest room. I completely ignore them as I get undressed to get into bed.
…………………………
With Ava…
Emma ~ “I can’t believe he said I could move in.”
Ava ~ “I could not believe it either.”
Emma ~ “Did you ask him if I can?”
Ava ~ “No, we were just talking, and he said, you can.”
Emma ~ “It’s a pity that Becca can’t move in also.”
Ava ~ “It’s better to have one of my friends. He would have never said the both of you can. And anyway there is not going to be space for her too.”
Emma ~ “Why she can get this room.”
Ava ~ “No, his brother is going to take this room.”
Emma ~ “Does he have a brother?”
Ava ~ “Yes, and he is going to fetch him tomorrow to come to stay here too.”
Emma ~ “Is his brother as hot as he is?”
Ava ~ “I don’t know, I have never met him.”
Emma ~ “That is going to be nice for him to have his mom and brother with him. Like his whole family.”
Ava ~ “Talking about family.”
Emma ~ “Please don’t tell me you are pregnant.”
Ava ‘ “No, nothing so bad. But Trayton asked me to marry him.”
Emma ~ “Oh fuck, that is awesome. When are we starting to plan the wedding?”
Ava ~ “Not so fast. I did not say yes.”
Emma ~ “Are you fucking stupid?”
Ava ~ “I did not say no either.”
Emma ~ “You are fucking stupid. Did you not answer the man?”
Ava ~ “No, not yet.”
Emma ~ “Then go and answer him.”
Ava ~ “I don’t know what to say.”
Emma ~ “Say yes.”
Ava ~ “I don’t know if I should say yes yet.”
Emma ~ “What is your damn problem? You have been together for nearly a year. He has been through a lot of shit with you. He fucking worships the ground you walk on. What is your fucking problem?”
Ava ~ “I just don’t know what to do.”
Emma ~ “Then figure it out. You are starting your damn shit again. I am going to bed.”
…………………………
With Trayton…
What sounded like excited babbling in the guest room has now turned into a fight. Is this the shit I am going to have to deal with when girlfriends live together? I swear I will move out of my own damn house.
I hear her coming into the room and scratch around in the closet for what obviously is her pajamas; I have come to learn that if she is happy, she will wear just her underwear, but if she is upset, she will wear her pajamas.
Ava ~ “Baby.”
Trayton ~ “Yes, baby girl.”
Ava ~ “Can we talk?”
Trayton ~ “What do you want to talk about?”
Ava ~ “About what happened tonight.”
Trayton ~ “A lot of things happened tonight.”
Ava ~ “At the restaurant, what you asked me.”
Trayton ~ “What do you want to talk about?”
Ava ~ “I am sorry.”
Trayton ~ “What are you sorry about?”
Ava ~ “That I can’t answer you.”
Trayton ~ “Don’t worry about it. It was too early anyways.”
Ava ~ “But baby.”
Trayton ~ “I don’t want to talk about it any longer, Ava. Just leave it.”
Ava ~ “Can I come with you tomorrow?”
Trayton ~ “No, I will be fine on my own.”
I shut her off completely and turn around. I try to drift off to sleep, but I can’t; late after midnight, I find myself in the kitchen scratching for leftovers from the dinner my mom made.
Emma ~ “Can you also not sleep?”
Trayton ~ “Shit Emma.”
Trayton ~ “Where the fuck did you come from?”
Emma ~ “I was lying in the lounge.”
Trayton ~ “You do have a bed, you know.”
Emma ~ “Dominic is being an asshole, and I am not in the mood for a fight.”
Trayton ~ “Please tell me when he is not an asshole.”
Emma ~ “That is also true. I heard the dumb ass stunt that Ava pulled.”
Trayton ~ “Ya, well, I am trying not to focus on that. I really don’t feel like being a grown-ass man pissing his eyes out.”
Emma ~ “I love the girl, but sometimes she just drives me up the wall.”
Trayton ~ “Now that makes two of us. I sometimes wonder what such a clever woman sees in that Dominic’s dumb ass.”
Emma ~ “Now that makes two of us. So tell me this brother of yours.”
Trayton ~ “I see word travels fast in this place.”
Emma ~ “Is he just as hot as you?”
Trayton ~ “You do know I will kick Dominic’s ass out first if the two had to fight over you.”
Emma ~ “Just asking, we could do with some untaken man-candy around here.”
Trayton ~ “I tell you what.”
Emma ~ “Yes, tell me?”
Trayton ~ “Come with me to fetch him. I am sure he will enjoy some female company for a change.”
Emma ~ “Is Ava not going to be upset?”
Trayton ~ “I will explain to her.”
Emma ~ “Then I am in if you explain to Dominic.”
Trayton ~ “See you in the morning then.”
I get back up to my room where Ava is still fast asleep; I crawl in behind her and wrap my arms over her; I can’t stay mad at her; I love her too damn much.
I wake up to a very excited Ava.
Ava ~ “Baby mom said I must wake you and go fetch your brother already.”
Trayton ~ “Baby girl, it is still a long while before I have to leave. Tell mom she must wait.”
Ava ~ “She said she made pastries and things your brother like.”
Trayton ~ “Tell mom she has way too much energy.”
Ava ~ “Mom did not sleep by Joseph; that is why she has so much energy.”
Trayton ~ “Fuck baby, I don’t want to hear that shit so early in the morning.”
Ava ~ “Something is going on, though, baby.”
Trayton ~ “What do you mean, baby?”
Ava ~ “Emma and mom slept downstairs last night.”
Trayton ~ “I know Emma did, but I did not know mom did.”
Ava ~ “How do you know Emma did?”
Trayton ~ “I went down to the kitchen, and she was there. She said she and Dominic are fighting”
Ava ~ “Maybe mom and Joseph are fighting too.”
Trayton ~ “Are Dominic and Joseph downstairs?”
Ava ~ “No, they have gone out.”
Trayton ~ “Baby girl, there is something I must tell you.”
Ava ~ “Okay.”
Trayton ~ “I asked Emma to come with me.”
Ava ~ “Why?”
Trayton ~ “I think she and Kenton will get along well.”
Ava ~ “Oh, okay.”
Trayton ~ “Are you not mad?”
Ava ~ “No, baby. Get dressed now cause mom is waiting.”
After trying to find my pants between what seems to be an excessive amount of dresses, I pull over a shirt and make my way down to a completely different sound than what I am normally used to, giggling.
Trayton ~ “Fuck, a bunch of women have taken over my kitchen. The smell is great but not the giggling.”
Mary ~ “Oh, keep quiet, or you ain’t getting any.”
Trayton ~ “I am already not getting any.”
Mary ~ “Trayton, take your dirty mind out of the kitchen.”
Emma ~”Your mom made pancakes.”
Trayton ~ “Okay, you can giggle as much as you want to just give me that pancakes.”
Mary ~ “I told you, Ava, these boys love their pastries.”
Trayton ~ “Best you pack a lot to go. Emma, are you ready? ”
Emma ~ “Yes, let’s get this road trip on the way.”
Trayton ~ “Please don’t call it a road trip.”
Emma ~ “An adventure?”
Trayton ~ “No.”
Emma ~ “An excursion?”
Trayton ~ “No.”
Emma ~ “Okay, let’s go fetch your brother.”
I kiss Ava and my mom goodbye, and we in the car and off to fetch my brother. I am so damn excited; I have not seen my brother in nearly seven years. I was shattered the day I heard that they had caught him and taken him away. My brother is the reason why I have been able to live this semi-normal life of mine. And I will fucking kill the one that fucks up things now that he is free.
Emma ~ “So, where does your brother stay?”
Trayton ~ “It seems not the entire story has come your way yet.”
Emma ~ “Ava won’t tell me something that you are supposed to tell someone yourself. So is it very bad?”
Trayton ~ “We are fetching him from Folsom Prison.”
Emma ~ “Oh.”
Trayton ~ “Is that it? Oh?”
Emma ~ “I have nothing against boys behind bars. Some of them are really hot.”
Trayton ~ “Emma, you do know you not well?”
Emma ~ “I would not prefer myself any other way.”
Trayton ~ “What is the deal with you and Dominic? I kind of heard both you and my mom slept downstairs.”
Emma ~ “He said that Joseph said that your mom said he must mind his own business when it comes to her sons.”
Trayton ~ “Explains my mom downstairs, but you?”
Emma ~ “Dominic said that Joseph said that Dominic should watch me around your brother. So I told Dominic to tell Joseph and to tell himself to both fuck off.”
Trayton ~ “So Joseph is making shit?”
Emma ~ “If you want to read it between the lines, then yes.”
Trayton ~ “If Joseph starts shit, then he is gone.”
Emma ~ “That is what your mom said as well.”
Trayton ~ “People seem to say a lot of things to you.”
Emma ~ “It’s because I listen.”
Trayton ~ “A very rare thing you will find in a woman.”
I have never had an actual conversation with Emma, and I am quite surprised that she is not as shallow and slutty as what I thought she was. It makes me wonder what she sees in Dominic.
Trayton ~ “Tell me.”
Emma ~ “This sounds serious.”
Trayton ~ “Do you love Dominic?”
Emma ~ “This is serious. My absolute honest answer, I don’t know.”
Trayton ~ “I did not make you move in to be with Dominic; it was for Ava.”
Emma ~ “Thank fuck because I thought you thought things were that serious between us.”
Trayton ~ “I can always take that weights and shit out of that one room and turn it back into a bedroom for you.”
Emma ~ “You are seriously shitting me.”
Trayton ~ “No, I am not shitting you.”
Trayton ~ “Ava needs you just as much as she does me.”
Emma ~ “I think we should start looking at that option then.”
For the next few hours, we just talk shit from our favorite colors to our weirdest hairstyles. I can easily say that she almost feels like a sister to me.
As we get closer and closer to the prison and the clock ticks to noon, I get more nervous and frighteningly anxious. But then excitement finally sets in.
We are here, and it’s exactly noon. The gate opens, and out steps the only other person apart from Ava and my mom that I love, my brother.
We get out of the car, and I run over and meet him in a big bear hug.
Trayton ~ “Kenton.”
Kenton ~ “Trayton.”
Emma ~ “Holy fuck. Is this your brother?”
Trayton ~ “Emma, this is Kenton.”
Emma ~ “Hey.”
Trayton ~ “Kenton, that one that has forgotten how to speak is Emma.”
Kenton ~ “Hey, Emma.”
Emma ~ “Hey.”
Kenton ~ “Now get my fucking ass as far away from this place as possible.”