Since chapters 2 and 3 were so short, here is chapter 4, and it's long. Love my comments :-)
Chapter 4
September 28, 2000
“What’d you get me?!?” I squealed impatiently. I hated that Kevin made me wear a blindfold. On any other day, I would have trusted him, but it was my 14th birthday, and his being secretive made me worry.
“One more minute.” This time, it was Nick who was speaking to me. I heard someone light a match and I tensed. “Ok, take the blindfold off.” I did as instructed, and had to blink a few times to adjust to the sunlight. “Happy birthday, Cali!”
“We’re supposed to say it all together, dork.” Joe said, ruffling Nick’s hair. The four of us, Kevin, Joe, Nick, and I were all at the park, seated at a picnic table. In front of me sat a lopsided cake with gray icing. On top of the cake were 15 lighted candles…14 and one for good luck. “Happy birthday, Cali.”
“Happy birthday, Partner.” I groaned. Why did Kevin always have to use that stupid nickname? He knew I hated it. I no longer had my southern accent, and yet, he still felt the need to call me that like I had just come straight out of a John Wayne flick. But he insisted that it was tradition…yeah, a whole 6 year tradition. And it’s not like he called me that all the time, just when he knew I’d get irritated by it the most.
“Thanks, guys…and Kevin.” I stuck my tongue out at him. “Nick, did you make the cake?”
“How’d you know?” I smiled. “I did it all by myself, too.”
“Well, I made the icing.” Joe said, trying to outdo his brother.
“Chill, guys.” I paused, looking around the table. “Did anyone bring plates or forks or anything that would be useful in eating this, um, cake?” All three turned to each other, then back to me with sheepish grins on their faces. I rolled my eyes. “Thanks, guys.” I stuck my finger in the icing and then tasted it. Not too bad, even though it’s gray.
“Oh, and we got you a present!” Nick exclaimed.
“I got you a present.” Kevin said to me. Nick either didn’t hear him or chose to ignore him.
“This is from us.” Nick handed me a box wrapped in shiny purple wrapping paper. I grinned and ripped the paper from the box.
“You got me a toaster?” I looked up at Kevin, puzzled.
“No, silly. Look inside the box.” I opened the box and inside was an official Atlanta Braves jacket.
“Oh, oh, Kevin. This must have cost you a fortune!” I said sadly. I really liked the jacket, but, man, guilt would eat at me if he’d spent too much on me.
“Psh. Try it on.” I pulled it all the way out of the box and slipped it on…perfect fit. “Now, when we all watch games, you can feel like you’ve got some team pride.”
“Yeah, when your team gets creamed!” Nick laughed. I lightly punched his arm.
“Boys!!!!” All four of us turned to see Mr. J yelling out of their car’s window. “We have to go. Get in the car. Cali, your mom’s expecting you.” His tone left no room for argument. The guys ran over to the car and climbed in. Puzzled, I tossed the box and the paper in the trashcan next to the table, grabbed my cake, and walked home, still wearing my jacket.
“Mom?” She met me at the front door. She took the cake from me and put it in the kitchen.
“Nice jacket, dear. But, come on. We need to get going.” She grabbed the car keys and practically dragged me out to the car.
“Wait, what’s going on?”
“Denise is having contractions. We think Franklin may be on his way.” I gasped and jumped into the car. The whole way to the hospital, I kept asking mom to hurry.
“Kevin!” He grabbed me in a hug, the moment he saw me. “How’s your mom?”
“Screaming.” He smiled. We were standing just outside his mom’s room.
“You two ok out here? I’m going to go in and say hi.” Kevin and I nodded and my mom left us. We were soon joined by Nick and Joe.
“Dad says we have to go to the cafeteria.” Nick said, grabbing my hand and dragging me in the direction of the hospital cafeteria. “Man, did mom scream that much when she had me?” He asked, once we were all sitting at a small table in the back of the room.
“More. You were a chunky baby.” I smacked Joe on the back of his head.
“Like you’d even remember, dork.” Kevin said.
“Do you guys realize, if she does give birth today, that Frankie and I will have the same birthday?”
“That’s pretty cool.”
“Would you guys have to, like share presents and stuff?” I put my head down on the table, just flabbergasted by Joe’s question.
“Joe, you cannot seriously be asking me that question. I’d be 14 years older than Frankie. We wouldn’t exactly be twins.” I sat back up, and felt my head spin. “Uh-oh.”
“Cali?” Kevin looked at me as if he’d just seen a ghost. “You just got so pale.” That explains the look. “You ok?”
“Give me a second.” I closed my eyes, waiting for the feeling to pass. When it did, three pairs of eyes were staring at me. “I’m fine guys. Just need something to eat.”
“Go get some chips or something.” Kevin reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He handed both Joe and Nick a few dollars each. Once they were away from the table, he turned back to me. “What just happened here?”
“Easy, Kevin. I just felt a little light headed is all. I missed out on eating my cake, so I’m a little hungry.”
“Maybe, since we’re already at a hospital…”
“Kevin, it’s no big deal. I get like this when I get hungry.”
“Have you had your blood sugar tested?”
“Yes. And it’s fine. The doctor said as long as I eat before I do strenuous activities, I’ll be ok.” I decided to quickly change the subject. “Thank you for the jacket, Kevin. I really do love it. But, how did you know what size to get?”
“Your mom helped me.” Joe and Nick suddenly reappeared and the conversation went back to the new baby that was on his way.
“Oh, Mrs. J, he’s sooooooooo cute.” I said, leaning over to see the baby wrapped in a soft blue blanket.
“He’s gonna be the coolest younger brother.” Joe said, earning a punch on the shoulder from Nick. “I’m gonna be the coolest older brother.” This time, one from Nick and Kevin. “And I’m gonna teach him lots of things. Like how to ride a bike, and how to build snowmen, and how to make s’mores inside…” This time, I punched him.
“S’mores…inside?” Mr. J looked at me.
“It was just once, and we cleaned up the mess.” Kevin jumped in, trying to defend me.
“Is that why my microwave was so sticky for the longest time?” Mrs. J smiled softly, finding humor despite feeling so weak
“No, that was when I wanted to try warm soda.” Joe said, smiling. I reached out to hit him again, but Kevin just had to step in and grab my arm. “We used candles for the s’mores.” Kevin let me hit him that time. “Ow!”
“Cali, what do you have to say for yourself?” My mom stepped in. Joe really did seem to have a death wish.
“Why do I have to miss all the fun stuff?” Nick pouted.
