Elizabeth
“That was the most god-awful bestest movie I have ever seen.” I am laughing so hard, tears are streaming down my cheeks. We’re all a mess, clutching our bellies and falling over each other on the sofa and floor.
Brea, like me, is wiping tears off her face. “Whose idea was it again to watchVelocipastor?” Jayson raises his hand. “You’re the best Jayson!”
Jayson is next to me on the sofa and pulls me to him, kissing my temple. I lay my head on his chest and listen to his heartbeat. So strong.
After my shitty day at school, I was surprised and very appreciative when Jayson brought me to his house, and I saw all my favorite people waiting for us in the living room. It got even better when Freda gave me a “mom” hug and handed me a plate full of her homemade chocolate chip cookies.
I look around me at each and every laughing face and feel so blessed. This is what friendship should be. This is family. I think about Maria and my heart stings like tiny little paper cuts. Maria should be here enjoying this with us. I sigh against Jayson’s chest.
“You ok, babe?” he squeezes me.
“I will be,” I promise. “Just wishing things were different.”
“I know, sweetheart. I wish they were too.”
“Who wants more pizza?” Freda calls from the kitchen.
You would think that after we devoured the four large ones she already made and two dozen cookies, we would be full. But of course, Ryder, Julien, Hailey, and Elijah all cheer yes as a meat lover’s is placed on the coffee table before them. Freda made a special gluten-free pizza just for me using Daiya cheese.
“Thanks, Mom,” Julien tells her.
“You know, we should do this more often,” Brea says munching on a cookie. “I mean, I know you guys have your breakfast thing every morning now that we aren’t invited to,” she sticks her tongue out at Ryder. “and you guys will be off to college soon leaving me and Hailey here to fend for ourselves. It would be nice to do stuff like this together before you guys leave to become adults and all.”
“I second that,” Hailey agrees.
“I don’t see why not. Maybe a once a month thing since we’re all so busy,” Ryder suggests as he takes a slice of pizza and blows on it to cool it down, the gooey mozzarella creates strings that stretch from the pan to his hand.
Julien rolls over on the floor to his stomach. “I got one for you guys. It’s called this or that. You have to pick your favorite from a choice of two things. Like beach or mountains?”
“Mountains,” Ryder, Elijah, and Brea say.
“Beach,” from me and Hailey.
“Black sand beach.” Jayson smirks down at me, wiggling his eyebrows and I giggle.
“Oh yeah. Definitely black sand beach,” I agree. That was an awesome night.
“Are we missing something?” Brea asks.
“I am a vault,” is Jayson’s remark.
“My turn,” Hailey says. “This one’s for the boys. Boxers or briefs?”
“Boxers,” Elijah and Ryder say.
“He’s definitely a briefs man,” I tell everyone as I poke Jayson in his side.
“Ok, smartass,” Jayson replies, “thong or underwear?”
The girls all say “underwear.”
“Neither,” is my answer.
“You have to choose, Liz. Which is it?” Julien says.
“Neither. Because I’m not wearing any.” The girls burst out laughing, Ryder sucks in a sharp breath, and Jayson stands up and tosses me over his shoulder. “Not this again! Jayson, put me down!”
