Or any at all. “Okay.” I relent. “I don’t know how amazing it will be.”
“As long as it’s a costume, you’ll be fine.”
“I can’t just show up?”
“Nope. Costumes are mandatory per the party rules.” Of course, they are. This definitely feels like something Stella would put on at the bar. Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s doing that very thing as we speak.
“I’ll see what I can come up with.” I don’t know what else to say to her, and she’s with Kelly. As much as I’m cool with her friends, I don’t like being on the phone when they are all around. “I need to get back to the house. Talk to you later?”
“Yeah,” she pauses for a second, “bye, Patrick.”
“See you later, Jay.”
With that, I disconnect the call. I guess I need to search through all the closets at home and see what I can throw together. Hopefully it’s enough.
8
Jaylen
Tonight,is the night. The work day felt like it took forever to end. Not only am I anxious because of my date tonight. I refuse to see it as anything else. But the kids were amped up about going out and getting candy.
Patrick and I have talked to each other on the phone the past couple of days when I get home from work. Honestly, I feel a little bad he has to listen to me vent about the school day. He hasn’t complained about it once. In a lot of ways, it feels like that connection we had all those years ago is back. I know I can go to him with anything and there will be no judgment.
I didn’t want to call him today, though. My girls are needed, even though I’ll see them in a few hours. Both of them decided not to get ready at my place. Which sucks because I could really use their help.
Kelly and Hannah are on the phone with me as I get ready. I tried to get them to hop on a video call so they could make sure I didn't look ridiculous, but they were serious about me not seeing their costumes. I’m going to be mad if it isn’t epic.
“How does everything fit?” Kelly asks. I can hear Hannah singing, badly, in the background. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she’s already tipsy.
“Okay, I think.”
“What do you mean, you think?”
“I have no idea how I’m going to get the wings on by myself.” We tried them on when Kelly was here last weekend to make sure they felt alright, but it took both of us to get them on.
“You don’t need them yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because you still have to get in his truck to drive to Generations Hall.” She sighs, “as spacious as I’m sure his truck is, I don’t think it’s big enough for your wings to be on your body and not get smashed at the same time.”
“You have a point.”
“How’s the hair and makeup?”
All these questions could have been avoided if they were here or if we were on video. “Both look okay.”
“Send me a pic.” I don’t hear Hannah in the background anymore. There’s no telling where she disappeared to. Possibly to get another drink.
Picking up my phone, I open the camera, snap a selfie and send it to her. Crap, my battery is getting lower and lower. I pull the cord from the side of my dresser and plug it into my phone before I prop it up again.
“Did you get it?” I don’t like the silence coming from the other end. I’m not sure if it’s good or bad.
“Yep. Add a little more glitter to your cheekbones and you’re good to go.”
“Thank God.” I grab the body glitter from the dresser and tap it with my finger. “I was worried it was horrible.”
“You look amazing! Patrick isn’t going to know what hit him.”
