Party in confusion.
~*~
"Well," I smiled teasingly, "That was something."
"Megan is not for me." He answered.
"Oh, so you have a type? I mean, she's beautiful though."
James gave a soft, short laugh, "You can be the most beautiful woman in the world, but if you're heart' is full of shit, that's not for me."
I honestly hadn't expected him to say something like that. It wasn't a 'Sinister Response'. His way of thinking was so different from what I assumed it was.
"Kid," Marc called me as he poked his head out the door, "You all can come on in here if you like, I would like if you meet Martha."
I hesitated a bit, but James indicated to me that I should go.
James got kept back with a phone call, so I followed Marc through the room and up a flight of stairs where we came to a cozy living area with a few doors to the side and a small open concept kitchen at the corner.
"Oh this is lovely," I smiled. The atmosphere gave such a welcoming hug.
"Oh, you must be Becky!" a hearty voice called from behind me. A thick dark woman with short curly hair and a beautiful smile came up to me and gave me a short embrace, which I returned politely.
"I am, and you must be Martha?"
"I sure am, hope you heard nothing but good things come out of this stinker's mouth." She laughed looking at Marc.
"Oh I've heard only good," I smiled assuring her "Marc didn't step out his line."
"He better not,"
"Ladies, please, calm yourselves." Marc interrupted teasingly. "Caleb is in his room with some of his friends, you all can go on in." Martha showed us to the room.
There were a few kids around the age of seven all playing with Nerf guns and balloons. I could distinctly pick out who was Marc's son from the set as he looked like a copy and paste of him. Well, a smaller version.
"Daddy!" the child ran up to him cheerfully embracing him.
I missed hugging my dad like that and being with my brother. I missed my mother a lot, and truthfully, it hurt that I could never have that again with her.
"Who's this?" Caleb asked his father a bit confused as he looked at me.
"This is a family friend, Caleb, her name is Becky," Marc answered.
"Hi Caleb," I smiled politely as he also returned a wave.
"Hi, today is my birthday!" He happily told me.
"I know cutie, and a happy birthday to you love." I smiled at him.
"James!" the little boy beamed and ran up to him standing near the door.
"Hey Little one," James gave a half-smile as he knelt on the ground to reach Caleb's level, "How do you feel now buddy?"
Pouting, the little boy folded his tiny arms at him, "I don't feel much older. I want to be old and strong like you."
"Well, then you know what that means. You ate countless vegetables. I heard you love them."
*Bleh," Caleb stuck out his tongue and surprisingly hugged him, "Thank you for the gifts, I love them!"
After cutting the cake, a few of the girl children came up to me asking to play with them because the boys weren't playing the types of games they wanted to play. James, who sat next to me, continued speaking to Marc and Martha.
It had been a while since I had been around normal people, so I grabbed the opportunity and helped them build a house with large puzzle pieces making obstacle tracks for them to fit through. It was honestly the most fun I had in a while. I liked how carefree the environment was.
"That's my girl!" I high-fived Samantha, the cute little brunette with the glasses.
I turned around to observe Martha pouring juice into glasses, so I excused myself from the kids to help her.
"Oh honey, you don't have to."
"I couldn't let you do all this by yourself." I smiled when I noticed James looking at me curiously, almost confused.
"So which do you want, Novy? Fruit punch or apple?" I asked with a laugh.
"What did you call me?" he arched an eyebrow.
"Oh, James is too common, Novy is cute. You know, like a soft little bunny rabbit that just wants to cuddle in your hands."
"You're reasoning is impeccable."
"I know right."
"I am so happy James," Martha sighed and looked at me, "I've been waiting for the day he finally brings home a girl, but he's always too busy."
"Oh, I'm not-"
"You don't have to feel shy," she laughed.
"Martha, she's not my-"
"Oh shut up, James, I don't want to hear your nonsense." From the back, I heard Marc snickering and crunching on Pringles.
"Aunty Martha, can I have the juice?" Caleb stretched out his hands smiling.
I was about to give him the glass of fruit punch
when James interrupted, "Apple, he likes apple juice,"
As time went by, I observed how close and caring James had been with Caleb. It was as if they were family by blood.
Marc suddenly got a call and stepped aside when he came back, I noticed a saddened expression.
"I have to leave for some important work now, "
"What?" I frowned.
"Buddy, I have to leave,"
"Daddy no," Caleb rushed up to him, "Don't go."
Hearing that broke my heart.
"Hey," Marc smiled and knelt to face his son, "I promise I'll be back soon, kiddo."
"You always say that, and you never come back until weeks."
"This time- I will, son." Marc sadly held his child's hand, "We'll all be together soon."
When he said that, I quickly glimpsed at James who had been staring, with a serious expression, out the window. As I turned in that instant, I saw the shadow of a woman on the balcony who turned and left.
"James?"" I asked confused, and unsure of what that was about.
"Excuse me." He sternly stated and left the room.