Tj

TJ

Chapter 14

John did show up for school Monday morning. He had to serve his week of In-School Suspension, so I was surprised when I walked into the auditorium for second period and saw him in front of the stage speaking with Lori and Robert. I saw Robert place his hand on John's shoulder and give him an encouraging shake. If you knew what to look for, you would've been able to see the nervousness oozing from John. I didn't want to interrupt them, so I just waited around the back of the auditorium and ran interference with anyone who came in. I knew without hearing what they were saying, John was apologizing to Lori for his comments on Friday.

By the time he was finished with what he had to say, he was wrapped in Lori's embrace and his shoulders were shaking. When they pulled away from each other, John was wiping his cheeks. Robert placed his hand on John's shoulder again and started guiding him out of the auditorium. When they passed by me and some of the others hanging around the doors, we made eye contact and nodded to each other. As he walked out the door, I turned to him and said, "Don't forget, I loathe you!"

He gave me a sickenly sweet smile and said, "I loathe you, too!" Then he mumbled something under his breath that caused Robert to ask him what he just said. He looked at Robert and said, "I called him a freaking jerk."

Robert asked, "Are you sure you said 'freaking'?"

John smiled and said, "Of course! What else would I have said?"

Robert urged him forward saying, "Oh, and you shouldn't call people jerks."

Before they turned the corner, I heard John say, "Why? You live with him. You know it's true!"

Robert's laugh echoed through the halls as the bell to begin class rang. I thought we might have to have a little chat later during my free period or when he got home. Traitorous big brother/dad/whatever-the-fuck-I-think-of-him-as-today. He's supposed to have my back.

Anyways, nothing exciting happened, except the fact just about everyone was wearing pajamas to school. It was Homecoming week and Monday's spirit day was pajamas day. Josh and I ordered some footsie pj's (you know the kind that are onesies with feet) for him, Kevin (yes, they make them in his size), Sean, and myself. They were all matching. Tuesday would be beach day, Wednesday-80's day, Thursday-twin day (you and someone else dressed in the exact same outfit), and Friday-formal day. To get ideas on what to wear, Lori and Robert suggested we watch a movie called "The Breakfast Club" for 80's day. All I'm going to say is, "You mess with the bull, you get the horns."

On Friday, we didn't have to wear a suit and tie but, a nice dress shirt and pants would pass. The girls all wore their corsages, and the guys wore boutonnieres. We had to go to a flower shop and order them like two weeks earlier and those things aren't cheap. The one Sean got for me had drama masks on it as well as a ribbon with yearbook staff spelled out on it. Since I knew he wouldn't be playing baseball in the spring because of his arm, I didn't want to rub it in and get anything with baseball related on it. I did get the florist to spell out coach's assistant on one ribbon though. Overall, I think he liked it.

As far as nominations for Homecoming King and Court went, Kevin, Sean, Castro, Mark, a basketball player named Steve, and a random guy (general goof off/class clown type) named Tanner were in the running. Josh, Jarrod, and Mike were all nominated for Junior class representative. I didn't know anyone nominated for the Sophomore and Freshman class reps. For Queen, Amber, Jenny, and unfortunately Rachel was nominated. Stacey was in the running for Junior class rep as well. The winners were announced during the pregame ceremonies and in the end, Sean was named King, Josh and Stacey both won the Junior class rep spots, I can barely remember who was nominated for the Sophomore and Freshman class reps, so I couldn't tell you who won anyways.

You might have noticed I left out who won Queen. That's because I don't want to acknowledge it happened. Because if she won, then that would mean on Saturday night at the school dance she danced with my boyfriend during a slow song. And during said slow dance, she smiled over at me before she tried to nuzzle in closer to Sean. The silver lining if that really did happen was Sean pushing her away and keeping her at arm's length the rest of the dance. Another positive was him dropping his arms and walking straight over to me as soon as the song ended. Then the icing on the hypothetical cake was Jenny coughing a word that sounded a lot like bitch as Rachel walked by.

Okay I'll admit all of it did happen and the worst part was, Rachel was hanging out with our group because her date was Pauly. Turns out he did like someone and wanted to ask her to Homecoming and decided to go for it after I gave him a pep talk. Damn my mouth and the smart and inspiring words that come out of it. I know she pulled that shit during the dance just to fuck with me, but still I felt bad for Pauly. When it happened, I looked over at him and he just shrugged and smiled at me. Then he laughed when Sean pushed her away. When they came back to the group, I saw Pauly whispering something in her ear. She turned beet red and slapped his arm. He laughed and pulled her into a hug, which she reluctantly returned but looked genuine in the end. I decided to focus on my date and dragged him out to the dance floor. Once we were out there, I removed the crown from his head and placed it on my own crookedly. He smiled at me and told me I looked ridiculous. Robert told me I looked like someone named Jughead. I had to look that one up and it's a character from some old comic named Archie. Evidently, Jughead wears a crown in the comic books. I told Robert he looked like an asshole and that earned me a slap to the back of my head.

I guess I should mention the football team won the game, so they are still undefeated. The rest of October flew by and before I knew it, Halloween was coming up. I'm a huge fan of Halloween. I go all out with my costumes. However, since this Halloween snuck up on me, I had to pull out a costume I've done a few times over the years. A zombie with full rotting corpse makeup. I even have contacts that make my irises extremely pale. Sean told me he wanted his costume to be a surprise for me, so he wouldn't tell me anything. No matter how much I begged, pleaded, annoyed, or ignored him. Josh was going to dress up like a Roman emperor. Kevin said he was going to go as a Roman centurion.

Halloween was on a Monday this year, so everyone dressed up on Friday since the spirit day theme was Halloween. When Josh and I arrived at school, I didn't see Sean's truck in the parking lot yet, so we decided to wait for him and Kevin in the cafeteria. About ten minutes later I saw Kevin in full Roman centurion armor walking next to...I found myself speechless. I never knew someone wearing full Scottish garb could be so fucking hot. Sean was wearing a kilt and his legs looked amazing. I swear he looked like some god from an old Scottish tale.

When they arrived at the table, Kevin placed his right fist over his heart and knelt on one knee with his head bowed in front of Josh and said, "I am yours to command, my Emperor."

Josh was just as speechless as I was once he heard that. I was still staring at Sean. Thank the gods I was a zombie today so I didn't really need the power of speech and I could get away with grunting. Sean looked behind me and a huge smile spread across his face. He made eye contact with me and said, "Holy shit, Teej! Your eyes are creepy as hell. But you gotta turn around and see who's walking in."

When I turned and looked, I was certain I would never regain the ability to speak again. Mark was dressed identical to Prince Charming from Cinderella. Next to him, wearing a beautiful silvery-blue ballgown was Chasity, complete with a tiara. She had her hair in an updo with baby's breath weaved through it. Since she had to carry the skirt of the gown as she walked, the heels she was wearing were visible. I know they couldn't have been really made from glass, since that shit would break, but they looked like they were. By the time they made their way to us, I finally found my voice. I was curious as hell and had to ask, "Girl, how the fuck are you going to be able to sit at a desk? There's no way in hell that skirt with all those petticoats will fit under one."

She stepped away from Mark's side and said, "Like this!" She then proceeded to unzip a zipper that magically appeared on the side of the skirt and then unsnapped some buttons around her waist and the skirt and petticoats were in her hands, free from the top of the dress. The top was actually part of another dress that ended just past her knees. This dress was just as elegant as the other but didn't scream Cinderella like the skirt and petticoats did.

"Holy shit!" I exclaimed loudly. "That is fucking genius. Did you make it yourself?"

She nodded and said, "Designed it and everything. I've designed and made some pieces over the years, but this was the first time I tried to do something this elaborate."

I suddenly had another brilliant idea and looked at the clock to make sure there was enough time. I grabbed her hand and verified, "You like doing things like that? Designing and making clothes and even costumes?"

She laughed as I dragged her away from the cafeteria with everyone else following us. "Yeah, why? Where are you dragging me?"

As we turned a corner I saw the person I was looking for. I called out, "Lori! Come here! You've got to see this. I think you're going to love it and I might have found a seamstress for the musical." I turned to Chasity and said, "Reattach the skirt and show Lori how it works." I noticed I was getting a little bossy, so I quickly added, "Please, if you don't mind helping us out with the musical that is."

Chasity laughed and said, "That sounds like fun. Here Ms. Simmons, let me show you how this works."

It's weird how when you're not paying attention time seems to zoom past you. Next thing I knew it was mid-November and I was at another football game. This was different though; because I was cheering a team who went undefeated in their district and was now in the playoffs. Texas high school football playoffs are no joking matter. It's all single-loss elimination, which means if the team makes it to the state finals and won, they would have played a perfect season. But, I'm getting ahead of myself. First, let's make it through the playoffs and Sean finally getting that damned cast taken off. Well, technically that happened closer to the beginning of November. Just pretend I told that in chronological order.

So, when the cast came off, you could tell Sean had lost some muscle mass. from atrophy. He went to a physical therapist who gave him daily exercises to do and put him on a scheduled weightlifting routine. He didn't have to go to physical therapy daily, but he did have to do the exercises four times every day. He was a little discouraged when he was told it would take at least three months before he could compare his results to how the arm had been previously. But being the eternal optimist he can be, he got motivated to be at full strength by that three-month mark.

Like I said, the playoffs were no joking matter, but the team made it through the first two rounds. Then we were out of school for a week due to Thanksgiving. There was still a game that Friday night, so Doris invited everyone over to her house for Thanksgiving dinner Thursday night. She had Pauly ask Sean, Kevin, Josh, and myself as the core guests.. In the end, I think there were about twenty-five people there. Among them were John and his mom, Rachel (Pauly's idea) and Coach Wilson, Hunter, and Pauly's other cousin Katie. The invitation was extended to any of the parents who wanted to come along with their kids; however, the only adults there were Doris, Robert, Lori, Jacob, Aaron, Coach Wilson, and Robin. The dinner ended up being a potluck with everybody bringing a dish. I convinced Jacob, Lori, and Robert to all pitch in and order enough fried turkeys for everyone. I made four pecan pies. I can't remember what everyone else brought; all I know is I had fried turkey, rolls, corn, mac and cheese, pecan pie, and rolls. (Yes, I realize I said rolls twice, but let's be honest- the most important thing on the table at Thanksgiving are the rolls.)

The dinner went off without a hitch. Of course, we had to set up extra tables and spread out throughout the house, but it was an enjoyable evening. I was surprised when I met Pauly and Hunter's cousin Katie. She was a sophomore at the same school Hunter went to. What surprised me was her style. She was full-on goth/emo. Black clothes, black eyeliner and lipstick, pale skin like porcelain, she even had a small stud in her right nostril. However, she was one of the nicest people I think I've ever met. And she was incredibly close to both Hunter and Pauly. The person she spent most of the evening with though was John. They just clicked as soon as they were introduced. She also wasn't afraid to put him in his place when he went too far.

At the end of dinner, Lori came to speak to all of the students. She reminded us auditions for the spring musical were going to be held the week after we got back from break and all were welcome. She told us anyone who wanted to try out needed to pick up the audition music from the choir director and prepare a short (less than one minute) narrative piece. It could be anything from a poem to a monologue from a play. She also let us know if we had any questions to come by and speak with her. She surprised me then when she pulled Ethan to the side to talk to him alone. Well, as alone as you can be in a room full of people. They were right next to me, so I heard the whole conversation. Lori asked him if he was interested in being the musical. He smiled and managed to get out, "I w-w-would love to b-b-be in the musical. But, it w-w-w-would have to be a s-s-singing p-part on-only."

Lori smiled back and said, "What if you were to sing any lines you had? I have you in mind for a specific part and if you're interested, there aren't many lines to be delivered."

Ethan's grin spread across his face when he sang out, "You mean like this?" in a melodic if tuneless voice. You could tell he was using his singing voice, but there was no recognizable tune to go with the words.

Lori nodded. "That's exactly what I mean. Do you think you'd want to do that?"

Ethan nodded and shyly asked, "What p-part did you ha-have in m-m-mind?"

Lori leaned in a said in a softer voice, "I think you make a perfect Chip. But don't say anything to anyone. I don't want people to think I have roles already picked for certain people. I'll still have do the call backs and I'll make sure you fit with whoever I might cast as Mrs. Potts and Belle."

Ethan walked back over to Patrick with a huge smile plastered on his face. Lori was going to go back to Robert, who was speaking with Doris and Jacob, but then she noticed I was innocently eavesdropping on the conversation and turned to me. "TJ, you know I don't have the cast predetermined, right?"

I smiled. "Yeah, I know. I'm glad you talked to Ethan, though. I would love for him to be on stage and shine. That was a good idea about singing the lines, where did you get the idea from?"

"There was a singer my grandparents loved named Mel Tellis and I had to listen to them listening to his records growing up. When he spoke, he had a stutter, but when he sang he didn't. And I know Ethan doesn't stutter when he's singing; so, I wondered if it was possible for someone with a stutter to deliver lines if they sang them. I looked it up online and found it is possible."

"Wow, that's pretty cool to know. I'm glad he's going to have a chance to show everyone what he can do. He's a good guy." I then went to find Sean and figure out if he was spending the night with me or not.

I found him hanging out with Pauly, Kevin, Castro, Mark, Patrick, and Hunter. Josh was hanging out with Chase, Ethan, Jenny, Amber, Jarrod, Mike, and Stacey. I joined Sean's group and heard Hunter say, "Yeah, since my team's out of the playoffs now, I guess I'll come and support y'all. It will just be weird sitting in the stands with Gramma. She gets way too excited during the games and god forbid a ref makes a bad call. I'm surprised she's never been kicked out of a game for some of the things she says."

Little did Hunter know, Doris was passing behind him and he was surprised when she whacked him on the back of his head and said, "Watch it, buddy. Besides, you don't have to sit with me if you don't want. I'll have Jacob, Robert, Lori, and Officer Aaron to sit with. Hmm, I wonder if I can convince Aaron to wear his uniform to the game and take the seat in front of me..."

I laughed and said, "I try to convince him to let Sean borrow it so he can model it for me all the time. Sean thinks I'm crazy and Aaron thinks it's hilarious."

Doris made a show of looking around everyone to see Sean's ass and said, "I think he could model it just fine." She then winked at Sean and continued, "If you want, once you turn eighteen, you can model it for me. It would make an old woman's day."

I grabbed Sean and pushed him behind me. "Hey, old woman, this one's mine. Find your own. Try the Luby's by the mall. There seems to be guys more in your age bracket there." My face might have turned green since I suddenly felt nauseated. "Oh god! Ew! Ew! Ew! I need to get the thought of octogenarians having...relations...out of my head."

Doris crossed her arms and said, "I'm not an octogenarian yet. I'm a sexagenarian and it's okay for me to have relations as you called it. Sex is right there in the word."

She then turned on her heels and walked away, leaving everyone speechless. Finally, Pauly said, "Ladies and gentlemen, that's my grandmother. Gotta love her!" which made everyone break out in laughter.

I looked at Hunter and told him, "Don't worry. You can sit with us. In fact, aren't you staying here tonight?"

He nodded. "Yeah. I was going to stay here and ride to the game with Gramma. Why?"

"Do you think she would mind if you rode with us instead and she can ride with Lori and Robert or Jacob and Aaron. That way you don't have to look everywhere for us once you're at the game."

"I think that would be fine. As long as Mr. Kennedy or Mr. McNair doesn't mind picking her up and bringing her back," Hunter agreed.

I smiled and said, "Well, there's only one way to find out. Come on, let's go ask them."

So, Hunter and I sought out Robert or Jacob and when we found them together, they happily agreed with our plan. Even Doris went along with it when she said, "Thank god I don't have to drive and deal with all those assholes on the road."

Hunter laughed. "Gramma, you wouldn't have driven anyways. You were planning on making me drive you, remember?" He turned to look at me and said, "They say memory is the first thing to go." He turned back to Doris and continued, "Don't worry Gramma. Pauly, Katie, and I will be here to help you through your twilight years. We've already found a lovely home for you over in Louisiana."

Doris smiled at him sweetly and said, "Just try to put me in a home somewhere. We'll see what happens. Remember, I know where you sleep, and I know where you park your car every night and every day. It would be a travesty if somehow your brakes suddenly stopped working or you randomly stopped breathing in your sleep. Warn your cousins, too. But remember, I love each and every one of you. As long as you don't piss me off."

Everyone within earshot burst out laughing. Except for Hunter, Pauly, and Katie. They looked like they couldn't decide if she was joking or serious. I clapped Hunter on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry. She's mostly harmless. I think. Maybe. Actually, I would worry if I were y'all. In fact, be afraid. Be very afraid."