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ChapterSix
Peter
I am so glad the damn ceremony is over, and we can get out of here and go celebrate. A bunch of pompous assholes strutting around the stage trying to give life advice when they are on their third and fourth marriages and have an AA meeting to get to after the ceremony. These kids worked their asses off and instead of throwing them a big ass party you in essence scheduled a damn lecture.
We see Shepp, Skai, and Alayna trying to make their way over to us, but they are constantly getting stopped for congratulations and hugs. Once they reach us, they both go directly into their mothers’ arms and the rest of us are forgotten. Once they release each other they all have tears in their eyes.
Skai gets scooped up by Josh, Joseph, and of course her Atlas. The rest of the brothers wait their turn as they shake Shepp’s hand or slap him up, as the kids call it. Shepp calls me GP as he gives me a huge hug, damn kids know how to get to me. GP is his abbreviated version of grandPeter. When he walks away to talk to his dad, Jaasiel looks at me.
“Are those tears, Peter?”
“No someone must be cutting onions, I don’t cry,” I tell him as I pull out my handkerchief and wipe away the onion-induced moisture.
“Right,” he says. And before I can respond I have an armful of Skai.
“GrandPeter! You look so handsome, you trying to catch a woman today?”
“I wanted to look good for my favorite granddaughter,” I tell her.
“I’m your only granddaughter,” she says.
“And that’s why you are my favorite,” I tell her.
She just shakes her head at me, as she looks over to her father and takes a deep breath.
“Well let me get this over with,” she says and walks over to her father.
She hugs her dad and grudgingly speaks to his wife. She and Shepp seem to be enjoying their time talking and being with their father. I notice Robin’s eye keeps wandering to the brothers, watching them but if I am being honest there are a lot of women looking at them – and me, I think, as I lock eyes with a woman openly flirting with me. If I hadn’t run into Lennox I would have taken her up on what she is offering.
We begin heading to the parking lot so we can get to the compound for the party. Jaasiel already left to make sure things are being set up properly. I send Lenny a text to let her know I am thinking about her, although it will probably be hours before she’ll be able to check her phone.
Skai and Shepp get in their early graduation gifts while the rest of us head to our respective vehicles and begin the caravan to the compound. When we finally get to the compound there are tall poles set up and on the poles are pictures of Shepp and Skai from babies to the graduation ceremony we just left. It’s pictures of them crawling, playing, their first day of school, first date, high school graduation proms, and their first day at the community college, that graduation, and their first day at the school they just graduated from.
The other decorations are amazing, just like we planned. We head to the party house; the front doors are open and there are lights, balloons, hanging lanterns, a professional photo booth, a table for guests to write well wishes, and sign the guest book. Beyond that is tables and tables of food and a professional D.J is playing music. We head to the house to change into something more comfortable as the guests begin to eat, talk, and enjoy themselves.
We look like we planned to dress alike when we walk back out. We all have on jeans and t-shirts with sandals for the women and sneakers for the guys. Alayna’s family did not come to her graduation, so she is there with us, and they invited more of their friends who didn’t have a family. Overall, it is a full house. The food is amazing even though Jaasiel didn’t cook it, and the kids are having a good time. The adults moved to the back corner of the room and are talking with each other.
“Savvy, this is an amazing party you put together for the kids. I should’ve called so I could help out with the planning. I’ll send you some money to try to offset the cost,” William tells her. I guess he realized this was not the time or the place to continue to act an ass.
“I appreciate that, Will, but we were all more than happy to do this for the kids. Everyone here chipped in to make today a success. Why don’t you give the money to the kids instead to help them out until they can get their first checks,” Savvy says.
“I don’t know why you bothered offering they don’t look like they are hurting for money. I’m sure this didn’t even dent their bank accounts,” Robin says.
“Someone sounds bitter and jealous,” I say. “What’s the matter, backed the wrong horse?”
“Excuse you!” she says
“No, you’re not excused; I have seen you trying to size everyone up since the ceremony. Keep your eyes on your own husband,” I tell her completely over her not-so-subtle flirting with all the men here.
“Savvy get your boy, talking to my wife reckless,” William says.
“No one gets me, but you need to get your wife since she is definitely partaking in reckless behavior,” I tell him calmly.
“Who is this Savvy?” William asks
“I’m her other father and while her real dad is too close with the Lord to cuss anyone out, I am not!” I say tired of Robin's antics.
“Savvy you better get your other dad before you go back to having only one dad,” William says looking at me.
