Our Love Page 18

  "Why the key won't go in?" I asked myself as I tried to put the key in again.

  "You sure that's the right key?" Chris asked.

  "Of course man. I been living here for the past eighteen years; I think I know which key it is."

  As I tried to open the door, the door flew open, causing me to lose my balance on the concrete. My mom was standing at the other end, with a cocktail in hand, looking at us like we were disturbing her afternoon.

  "A little early for a cocktail isn't it?" I asked.

  "Why are you here?"

  "To get the rest of my things. What's wrong with the lock?"

  "You didn't think the locks would still been the same, did you? We changed them the next day."

  I rolled my eyes and sighed.

  "Can we come in to get my stuff?"

  "I don't think so. You think you can come in here when you want to and..."

  "Let him in Irene," My dad yelled. He walked by the door and opened it wide enough for us to come in.

  "Come in, son. Excuse your mother. She's not herself right now."

  "Just now? I thought that was every day," I said as I walked past my parents.

  "And don't think you're keeping the car we're paying for!" My mom yelled out at me.

  Charlie, Chris, and Ashley all walked in behind me without saying anything to my parents. As we went upstairs, I quickly slammed the door, that way neither of my parents would walk in.

  As I was putting stuff in boxes, I looked over at Charlie, who looked at me and smiled. I didn't tell her yet about my apartment. I wanted to surprise her when we all arrived there.

  "So Mike, how does it feel to have your own place?"

  I looked at Chris with a mean look on my face. I didn't want Chris to blab out about the apartment! I looked over at Charlie who had a surprised look on her face.

  "You have your own place! Wow. Why you didn't tell me?"

  "I wanted it to be a surprise, but since Chris decided to tell everyone, it's no secret anymore," I said as I threw a sweatshirt at Chris. Chris ducked, causing the shirt to hit the headboard.

  "Sorry man. I thought you told Charlie."

  I shook my head and started to laugh.

  "Since Charlie knows now, I can't hold it in anymore. I got him this great job and awesome place to crash..."

  "How you know this place is great? I haven't even seen it."

  "Because I have. My uncle subleased it when he brought his house. He kept it around just in case things didn't work out with my aunt."

  "That's horrible. Your uncle automatically thought his marriage wasn't going to work?" Ashley asked.

  "You haven't met my aunt. That woman is brutal," Chris said laughing.

  "What is this big thing you can't hold in?" I asked.

  "I was thinking that maybe you should have a belated birthday and housewarming party. That way people bring you stuff for your place and you can throw a party that people will be talking about for the whole semester."

  "I don't know Chris. Your uncle's been really good to me. I don't want to mess things up."

  "Come on Mike. One thing I know about Uncle Ken is that he's young at heart. He was your age at one time, so he won't mind if you have a few friends over."

  "A few friends who will turn into the whole school,"

  "Trust me dude. That won't happen. I will do everything. Inviting people, the food, music, even the gifts. Come on man, this will be the party of the year. You have to say yes."

  I looked over at Charlie, who looked at me.

  "Don't look at me. It's your place."

  I looked at Chris and nodded my head.

  "Fine, but on one condition,"

  "Name it."

  "You can't invite a lot of people; only immediate friends, the football and basketball team. That's it."

  "Thanks bro. You won't be disappointed."

  "I hope not." I said.

  What did I get myself into? I thought as I started to stuff another box with clothes.

  "Since there's a party in the works, I would be glad to help," Charlie said.

  "And me of course. I am the queen of parties," Ashley said smiling.

  "Really, I'll be glad for you to help me," Chris said smiling.

  Ashley looked at Chris and smiled.

  Charlie started to clear her throat to get the two's attention.

  "Excuse me. What about me here?" she said playfully.

  "Of course you're more than welcome," Chris said smiling.

  "Now that is over, is it cool if I invite Eva? It would probably be good to have everyone there to celebrate your new beginning. But if you feel uncomfortable having Eva there, I won't invite her. It's your call," Charlie said.

  Chris looked at me and shrugged. I looked at Charlie in confusion.

  "I thought you two weren't talking anymore?"

  "We made up before the game. I guess I forgot to tell you with everything happening."

  I couldn't believe this was happening. I thought since Charlie and Eva weren't friends anymore, I would be in the clear of my one- night stand with her. Now, I have to be around her pretending nothing happened between us. I looked over at Chris, who gave me another shrug. I turned around to face Charlie, who was looking at me with a confused expression on her beautiful face.

  "What's wrong Michael? It seems like you're disappointed that Eva and I are friends again."

  "It not that, it just..."

  "Just what Michael? What is going on with you two? Every time I mention your names to each other, you two seemed tense. Now tell me what it is that you two are hiding."

  "We're not hiding anything, Char. I hardly knew Eva until I met her at homecoming," I lied.

  I didn't want to lie to Charlie, but I had to in order to keep her from finding out about Eva and me.

  "I don't want to step on anyone's toes, but I agree with Charlie. What is going on with you and Eva? It seem like she hates you or something," Ashley said.

  Chris looked at Ashley with a "don't-go-there" look.

  "If you want to invite Eva, then that's fine with me. It will give us a chance to get to know each other."

  From the look on Charlie's face, she wasn't buying what I was dishing out to her. Instead of confronting the situation some more, Charlie nodded her head in agreement and went back to folding some clothes into boxes.

  The room suddenly became silent as everyone was beginning to put things into boxes. Several minutes later, there was a knock on the door, causing everyone to jump.

  "Can we talk son. It will only take a minute," my father said through the other end.

  I looked at the door as a lump started to form in my throat. I went toward it and opened it.

  "Yeah, Dad,"

  "I didn't think you would open the door." my dad said in surprise.

  "Why wouldn't I?"

  Charlie looked at Chris and Ashley and they all started to walk toward the door.

  "We're going to take a break."

  "And have my mom kick y'all out. Stay and we'll go down the hall," I said as I closed the door behind me.

  I looked at my dad. I could tell he was hurting over what has been going on. But I had to do this. I had to move to keep my sanity.

  "Dad, I know you don't want me to move, but I have to. I have to live my life."

  "I know son. After you left, I thought about all the things you had to go through while growing up. You basically took care of us through our late night partying and unexpected mishaps. I can't believe we put you through so much. We really haven't been good parents. I'm so sorry you had to go through life thinking that we didn't love you. But you have to realize that we do care about you."

  "You have a funny way of showing it, Dad. All my life I had to wonder if my parents, the people who were supposed to be there for me, would love me enough to come see me play football, or come to a basketball game. You know how it feels to walk out on that field and look up in the stands and realize that the two most important people in your life are not even
there to cheer you on? You know how it feels when people make promises to you and never keep them? You two felt that a charity function was more important than being with me."

  "That's not true Michael.""Oh, isn't it? Remember that time when you two promised to come to my sports banquet last year. Instead of coming to it, where were you two? In Vegas, for the hundredth time, throwing back drinks at the Palms Casino. You know how that made me feel? It made me feel like nothing because my parents weren't there to support the most important night of my life."

  "I'm so sorry son," my dad said in tears.

  "There's no point in shedding tears now. What's done is done. I learned to live with the fact that you two let me grow up without you. But I learned today that life is what you make of it. It's not about who treated you wrong. It's all about forgiving and moving on. Even though what you and mom did over my eighteen years was horrible, I will always love you."

  My dad looked at me and took out his checkbook.

  "You think money is the solution to everything. I don't want your money."

  "Son, let me talk, please. I know money is not the way to solve a problem, but what I do know is that you are the most important part of my life. You may not think that, but you are. I know I haven't been there for you. I messed up as a father and as a person. I hate to think that I ruined your life. You deserve so much more than what I could had given you."

  "Stop it Dad. I don't need your pity, because it's not working. I never said you ruined my life. I just wish you were there for me, that's all. As far as Mom goes, she was never fit to be a mother. You and I both know that. She never wanted me around. She always thought I was a nuisance."

  "You really think your mom didn't want you? I remember the day when we brought you home from the hospital. The look your mom had on her face when she held you in her arms. She loved you then and she still loves you."

  "If you say so," I said as I was walking back to my room.

  "Michael, wait."

  I wanted to walk into the room, but I also wanted to hear what my dad had to say.

  He went up to me and handed me the check that he was writing out earlier.

  "I said I didn't want your money."

  "It not my money, Mike. It's yours. It's the money your mother and I have been saving for you since you were born. It was originally for college, but I think you need it more now."

  I looked at the check in my hand deciding on whether I should keep it and rush to the bank and cash it, or rip it up and throw the pieces in my dad's face.

  I looked at the check and put it in my jean pocket.

  "Thank you, Dad. Thank you so much."

  My dad nodded his head as he started to walk towards the stairs.

  "Dad, wait."

  My dad turned around and looked at me.

  "Yes, son,"

  I reached in my pocket and took out a pen and a receipt from earlier today, and started to scribble on it. I remembered the address to the new apartment by heart now, so it was easy to write down.

  "Here you go. I don't know if I will ever come back, so here is the address to my place. I know that things between us are on shaky ground and we can't take back what we lost, but maybe with a little help, we can try to get back on track."

  My dad looked at the paper and gave a tiny smile.

  "That would be nice son. I would really like to try."

  "Me too. It going to take some time though,"

  "I know. You can take all the time you need."

  "We, Dad. We."

  I went up to my dad and gave him a hug that was long past due.

  "I didn't get to tell you, but happy birthday, son."

  Tears started to flow down my cheeks as I stood there by my dad. I knew that the relationship I had with my mom would never be the way I wanted it to be; what I did know was that it going to take some time for my dad and I to regain our relationship back. I was willing to do what I could to have my dad back in my life.

  23. Charlie

  "That's great that you and your father decided to work out your relationship. I'm proud of you," I said as I kissed Michael on his cheek.

  "I figure I should start somewhere with my parents. What better way to start while I'm not staying with them."

  "What about your mom?" Ashley said.

  "Did you see who my mom was when we went to the house?" Michael asked as he opened the door to his new place.

  As soon as Michael opened the door, all four of us stopped in our tracks. The place was amazing! The loft was completely furnished, with a tan love seat in the corner with a big plasma TV facing the couch, and a small kitchen with black stainless steel appliances. A deep brown wall divider separated the kitchen and bedroom, where a queen sized bed was placed draped with a tan and black comforter. I wished I had some of the things that were in the loft, such as the beautifully placed pictures and sculptures displayed on the cream colored walls.

  "This is amazing," I said as I walked in with a box in my hand.

  "I can't believe this is my home," Michael said as he walked inside.

  "Believe it. I knew this place would be wonderful. And it is spacious enough to have a party."

  "When is this party going to happen?" Michael asked as he went over to the kitchen.

  "This weekend. I already made some calls while you were with your dad. So it's on."

  While Michael and Chris were talking about party plans, I was by the bedroom area putting away Michael's clothes in his mahogany bureau. Ashley came over and put an arm around me.

  "How does it feel to have a man who has his own place?"

  "I don't know. I guess it hasn't sunk in yet. Besides, it not like I'll be over here all the time."

  "Oh please girl. You know you will be over here pleasing your man," Ashley said laughing.

  I smiled at the thought of Michael and I having late nights together, lying in bed, talking about life.

  "Maybe I will," I said smiling.

  "I know I shouldn't be bringing this up, but what's the deal with Michael and Eva? It seemed like ever since you and Michael got together, Eva's been kind of out of it."

  "I know. Eva and I have been friends since preschool. When Michael came along, she tried everything in her power to stay away from me and him. How has she been acting when she's around you?"

  "About the same. I don't try to bring it up, but one time when we were at school, I did mention it to her."

  "What happened?"

  "For some reason, she started jumping down my throat. She told me that if I mention anything about Michael, she'd stop talking to me. I still didn't understand that."

  "Now that I think about it, I had this strange conversation before the game Friday. I was talking to Eva when Theresa came up to me. She said that she's surprised that me and Eva were friends again and that it seemed that we could overcome anything. What was that supposed to mean?"

  "With Theresa, anything is possible. Why do you worry about what she thinks anyway?"

  "I don't know. I know I shouldn't, but it was something in her tone that made me curious. She also said that she knew a thing or two about being with a football player. When she said that, she was looking at me."

  "Girl, I wouldn't pay any attention to Theresa Sherman and her comments. The girl is nothing but trouble, and she would find anything to cause more of it."

  I looked at Ashley, and glanced over at Michael. Could he be lying to me about knowing Eva?

  Ashley looked and sighed.

  "Oh honey, you have that look on your face. It only means one thing."

  "I don't want to do this, but I know something happened between Michael and Eva. At first I thought it was the fact that Eva didn't like Michael because of the lack of time we spent together, but that's not the case. There's more, and I'm going to find out what it is."

  Michael came over to me and put an arm around my waist. He kissed me on the cheek.

  "What are you two doing over here?"

  "Nothing, just talking,"

&nbs
p; "I hope you two weren't talking about me."

  "And why would we be doing that?" Ashley asked.

  "We were talking about Parker stuff. That's all."

  Michael looked at me and smiled.

  "I was thinking since I'm sort of moved in that maybe you would like to spend the night?

  Maybe we could christen the loft in various places," He whispered in my ear.

  "I wish I could baby, but I have a lot of homework to do. Maybe this weekend though."

  Michael smiled and kissed my lips.

  "Okay."

  "Is it alright if we head out now? I don't want to stay out too late on a school night. My parents are already on my back," I said.

  "Nah, go ahead."

  "I'll call you later," I said as I gave Michael a kiss on the cheek.

  "Bye baby."

  As I was heading toward the door, Chris and Ashley were by the couch talking.

  "We better go Ash. We have a long ride ahead of us."

  "Okay," Ashley said. She slipped Chris a tiny piece of paper as she was heading out the door.

  "Call me," she whispered.

  "Definitely," Chris said smiling.

  As we went out the door, Ashley went over to the driver's side of her car and opened the door.

  "You're up to something, aren't you?"

  "You know me so well. I have to make a stop before we go home."

  Ashley looked at me as she started up the car. I looked out the window and sighed.

  "I have to know the truth. No matter what it takes,"

  ~

  After the thirty minute drive from Michael's place, we finally were back in our neighborhood. As we walked into Chester's, we immediately went to our favorite booth and sat down. I called Eva when we left Michaels so that she could meet us at Chester's and we could talk, but it seemed like we beat her there.

  "What Eva's doing? She just down the street from Chester's," Ashley said as she took out the menu that was stuck between the ketchup and mustard bottles.