Page 13 of Teddy Tea Time

Sparkles the Unicorn:

Notice I said what HE ASKS FOR? That was for u, asshole.

*Wannabe Sadist has changed his name to Eli*

Eli:

Jace isn’t going to ask for help. He never does.

Gamer Maid:

Back off, Ells. I’m not going thru this again with u.

I mute the notifications for the house chat now that Scotty and Eli are going at it. Scott isn’t usually confrontational, but he kind of took on a Mom role in the house. There were many nights where he caught me in a low mood and just sat with me until I fell asleep. He is the quiet type. He is also scary as fuck when someone actually manages to set him off. Part of me hopes Eli isn’t at home right now because I don’t need any more hospitals in my near future.

Drag Diva:

I don’t think the others noticed u lurking in the chat.

The text message from Eric pops up before I shut off my screen.

Drag Diva:

Scott and I are working together to distract Eli for u.

Take all the time u need. We *heart* u

And ur coming over to install the new curtain rods for the sheers I am now forced to buy to accommodate having a sexually transmitted dependent in the neighborhood

Damn his ass for being thoughtful.

Me:

Thanks.

Drag Diva:

and don’t hate Ash for spilling. U know I’m a master interrogator.

Smiling again, I pocket the phone and head back inside. Despite his bull-in-a-china-shop approach, I really do appreciate having a guy like Eric in my corner… well, him and everyone else up on that hill. Without my friends and neighbors, I would be completely lost right now.

“Are we ready?” the nurse asks when I walk back into the room. I pull my little brother against my side and nod. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to say goodbye to anyone like this, but Gerry deserves this closure.

12

ASH

The store looks like the damn flag exploded and had babies. While I understand the patriotism behind it, I have always been annoyed at the commercialism surrounding holidays like Memorial Day and Independence Day. My father is a Marine – retired, but once a Marine, always a Marine – so I was taught to respect the flag and to follow the specific regulations surrounding its handling.

Nowhere in the flag code is there an allowance for plates, cups, swimwear, or sunglasses to be made out of the Stars and Stripes.

“Can we get the good hot dogs?” Gerry calls over to me from his position by the prepackaged meats case. “The dollar ones are kind of gritty.”

After glancing at the prices, I tell him to go nuts. The brand he wants is actually on sale for the holiday weekend, so I can splurge the extra fifty-eight cents. Plus, I think I might have a coupon for that brand as well. Digging through my envelope of coupons, I find it. Since it’s a buy two, get one free deal, I tell the kid to grab two more packs and I’ll just throw them in the freezer.

Spending the last few weeks with the kid every day has been surprisingly fun. I never really liked kids even when I was one, but Gerry is different from what I expected. For starters, the boy is tiny. If it wasn’t for the eyes and smile, I would really wonder if Jace had been duped. Then you add in the manners. Most little shits these days are just that: little shits. Gerry is a respectful little shit. He is sometimes a bit of a brat, but only in the best way. He pushes buttons to tease, but has the kindest, caring soul.

Surprisingly, he has accepted the alternative lifestyles of our neighbors with very few questions. Even with me, he started calling me “Uncle Ash” or “Auntie Ash” depending on my pronouns for each day until I told him to just call me by my name. Now, it’s just a constant string of “Ash, did you know…?” “Ash, can we get…?” “Ash, what does this mean?” and I am beyond surprised that I don’t mind it as much as I thought I would.