Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 161899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 809(@200wpm)___ 648(@250wpm)___ 540(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 161899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 809(@200wpm)___ 648(@250wpm)___ 540(@300wpm)
“Auggie,” she whispered.
“But I should be above that. I shouldn’t let it get to me. I should just let them say what they’re going to say to each other and wait until they lose interest in me.”
“From what I saw, you had no choice but to be in it.”
“Everyone has a choice, Pepper.”
It was like he said nothing when she continued, “And no child should have to wait until their parents have lost interest in them because no child should ever feel like their parents have lost interest in them. I don’t care if you’re eight or eighty.”
“Pepper, they didn’t make sure I had breakfast, they forgot more birthdays than they remembered, and you answer the door faster to me than my mom did when they were on the outs and she lived somewhere else, and I came over for her visitation.”
Something clicked in her face, he saw it.
But he was where he was at in his head, and he had to finish giving that to her so she’d get it and not wonder what the fuck was wrong with him.
“That’s my life with them, and I wish I could say it’s only on occasion that happens, but they fight all the goddamned time and somehow have convinced themselves I give a shit when they do. It’s calls. It’s texts. It’s showing up like you just witnessed. It’s asking me out for a beer so they can drown their sorrows but mostly bitch about the other one, to me, their son. Like I’m a bud or some-fucking-thing. I’ve tried ignoring it. I’ve tried talking to them in their rational times and telling them I don’t wanna be involved. Outside moving, changing my number and making as many plays as I can to disappear from their lives, which honest to God, I’ve considered, I don’t know how to get rid of them.”
She opened her mouth, but there was a knock on the back door and a “Yoo hoo.”
Auggie looked that way to see through the glass-paned door that both Tod and Stevie were out there.
Fantastic.
He moved to the door and opened it, this time stepping aside without hesitation.
Tod and Stevie came in, Tod with eyes to Pepper, Stevie with eyes to Aug.
“Girl, that sweater dress is eh-vree-thang,” Tod said to Pepper.
No introductions necessary since they already knew each other. Tod and Stevie were part of the Rock Chick tribe, which was Lottie’s sister, Jet’s crew.
And there was a lot of intermingling.
“Thanks,” she replied.
Tod turned to Stevie and declared, “I need a sweater dress.”
Important to note at this juncture: Tod was a drag queen known as Burgundy Rose.
Not missing a beat, Stevie replied, “The sequins of your gowns will snag on the knit when you shove it into your drag closet.”
Tod visibly contemplated this, putting an extended index finger beside his mouth to do it.
“Is everything all right?” Stevie asked Aug.
“Sorry, you heard. My parents are having a thing,” Auggie told him.
“Heard and saw,” Tod stated. “They are right now performing a heretofore unknown Tennessee Williams play on the front walk.”
Auggie looked that way, seeing fridge, cupboards and stove, hearing nothing, but not doubting Tod for a second.
“Now, we’re here to ask if you’re okay but also to ask if we should pop some popcorn in case we get peckish should it do what it looks like it’s going to do and take a while,” Tod finished.
“Fuck, sorry,” Aug muttered, feeling something sour hit his gut and beginning to make a move. “I’ll get rid of them.”
He didn’t get far because, all of a sudden, Pepper was standing in the doorway.
“No, you won’t,” she said.
“Just to point out, we’re here mostly to see if you’re all right,” Stevie amended.
Aug looked over his shoulder at Stevie and said, “Thanks. I’m fine. And I’ll take care of it.” He turned back to Pepper and ordered, “Babe, please get out of the way. I gotta go out there and try to get them to their cars.”
“They’ve had enough of your time today,” she returned.
“And if you make them leave, what are we gonna do with our Sunday?” Tod asked. “I’m all for a lazy Sunday. I’m never all for a boring anything.”
He twisted to the guys again and said, “You’re being cool. I appreciate it. But—”
“No buts,” Tod broke in. “And the girl in the fabulous dress is right. If those are your parents, about ten seconds is enough.” He waved a hand in the air. “I’ve lost interest anyway. It’s time to talk about how you two finally got together. And so you’ll be out of their target range should they decide act three involves you, we’re doing it at our place.” He turned to Stevie. “Do we have Freixenet?”
“Do we ever not have Freixenet?” Stevie replied.
“Omigod!” Tod did a little jump and looked at Pepper. “We not only have Freixenet, we have a Freixenet Rosé in this cut-crystal bottle. Perfect for christening the two of you getting your heads out of your asses about each other.”