Silvy
Goof has been acting a little odd since we got up this morning. But I’m not sure in what way. Almost like he is excited and nervous. It is weird to watch. We had breakfast together since it was Saturday and I had the day off. We talked about what we wanted to do today. I wanted to rest at home and Goof said we should go out for lunch. As much as I didn’t want to get off the couch I agreed. I said I wanted to give us a try as far as a relationship was concerned. So as tired as I am I’m going to go. If I told Goof I was tired he would agree to stay home. He would do anything I asked. He always did. But part of being in a relationship was making compromises and it is my turn to make a few. Besides it is just lunch out. It isn’t like he asked me to go for a long walk, dance, or major shopping.
And he always doing taking me to some of the best food places. I know a few have been suggested by ol’e ladies or some of the brothers but the rest are all Goof’s ideas. I’m always hungry these days so it works out great that he wants to go for lunch. I change into a loose sundress to try and be comfortable. Try is the magic word. I’m always hot and the weather isn’t helping. It has been in the high nineties lately. I am a human incubator right now so with the weather I am constantly burning up. Goof has to be freezing with how low I keep the air conditioner in the house and car. And no matter what I wear it is too tight. Or at least it feels like it most of the time. I hate to say it and hide it the best I can from Goof but I am miserable. I know it will be worth it in the end. This is what I signed up for.
Goof has been a champ about the temperature of the house, my mood swings, cravings, and my crumblings. Never once complained to me. So if he wants to go out for lunch we are going out for lunch. After Goof helps me put on my flip flops, because you know I can’t see my feet, we load into the van. As I buckled my seat belt asked Goof where we were going he said it was a surprise. I do like surprises. We drive for ten minutes then pull into Gretchen and Speed’s house. Well, what we could. There are cars and bikes everywhere. I look over at Goof getting ready to ask him what is going on. Goof beats me to it by saying “ I have to grab a few things from Brick before we head out. What to come with me and say hi?”
I look around the driveway. “ I don’t think it is a good idea. It looks like they have company.” I said. It looks like the whole damn club is here and a few more. Goof gets out of the van and walks around to my side opening my door. He holds out his hand to me “ Come on babe. It will be alright. Just a quick hello and we will go. I promise you they would love to see you. It has been a while.”It has been a while since I have seen them. A quick hi won’t hurt I think as I grab his hand so he can help me out. As we walk up the steps of the porch to the front door I notice how quiet it is. That is very odd for many reasons. With all the cars and bikes you would think you would hear loud talking at least. Some laughter maybe. And with their kids it shouldn’t be this quiet. It is a little creepy, to be honest.
Goof knocks twice before opening the door. Goof walks in first and I follow closing the door behind me. Goof leads me through the entry room towards the living room. I can hear my flip-flops hit the tile floor it is so quiet. Most of the lights are off too. We turn the corner to stand at the living room entrance. Just as I am about to ask Goof what was going on the lights flip on before me and several voices shout “ Surprise!” I’m so startled I scream, almost jumping out of my skin and stumbling backward. Goof reaches out, and grabs me, pulling me to him to keep from falling. I press my hand against my chest to keep my heart from beating out of it. “ What the hell?” I ask using kid-friendly language since I see several around.
Lilly walks towards me with the help of Harley, her seeing-eye dog. When she is at my side she turns and waves to the people standing before me and the decorations I just noticed. “ This my dearest friend is your baby shower,” she said as she escorted me into the living room with Tank on her side, Goof on mine and Harley leading. Everyone moves out of the way so we can go through. I was right about the entire club being here and all the ole’ladies, their kids, my dad, Gena and Xavier. The decorations are light yellow, green, and white since we don’t know the sex of the baby. Streamers are hanging from the ceiling from one end of the living room to the other then cross in the middle. There are balloons tied to the corners of the tables and on one chair. A large banner hangs on the back wall that says “ Congrats on the new bundle of joy.”
Lilly leads me to the chair that has balloons on it and says “ Now you sit and enjoy. We know Goof got you here with the promise of food so we are going to start there.” Before I know it Goof brought me a plate overloaded with pulled pork, cole slaw, macaroni salad, a yeast roll, cucumbers, tomatoes and black olives with a light vinaigrette, and some smoked sausage. The man knows me too well because I am going to eat every bit of it and most likely ask for more. He sits next to me with a plate of his own. I eat a few bites because I’m starving. While I eat I think back to the way Goof has been acting this morning. It all makes sense now.
“ So this is what you have been up to lately,” I said to him waving my fork around the room. “ I wish I could take credit for this but I can’t,” he said. “ All I did was confirm we don’t know what we are having and get you here. The rest was the ol’e ladies,” he told me. I move my plate to the side table so I can lean over and kiss his cheek. “ Thank you for what you did do. I know you had a part in getting my dad and Gena here.” I say to him. Goof leans over and kisses my forehead. He looks into my eyes and I swear I see love in him directed at me but that can’t be that. It is too early. “ For you, babe I would get you the moon if you asked.” “ Okay, you two enough of the mushy stuff right now. Save it for later. Let the guest of honor eat so we can get gifts, games and cake.” Merigold giggles.
I laugh but get back to eating. I want cake too. I look around while I eat as it has been a while since I have been here. I don’t usually have a reason to visit the ole’ladies houses unless they are having a get together they have invited me to. Still I think it has been almost a year since I have been to a house event. I see my dad and Gena talking with the brothers and ol’e ladies like they are old friends and I love it. I think it is good for both of them. I am about to give my plate to Goof since he won’t let me get up when Xavier and Erin run over to me. “ Sissy, is it true?” Xavier asked. “ Is what true?” I asked not knowing what he is talking about. “ Erin said her aunt Speed drives a race car and we could go watch her one day. I asked Dad and Mom but they told me to ask you because Speed is your friend.” Xavier rambles out quickly. I have to hide a chuckle. “ It is a true Speed race. As for watching her race that is up to your mom.” I said. Xavier’s eyes get comically big. “ These people are so cool,” he says before he goes off with the other kids. Goof and I laugh at him when he is gone.