Chapter 50
Soon enough, I found myself squished on the couch—Tori on one side, Missy on the other. Trina hovered near the snack table like she was auditioning for a reality show.
My aunt leaned toward my mom with a smirk. "Jake's already popular. That's impressive."
The doorbell rang—again. I stood up. "What now?" I muttered.
I opened the door—
"Jake!" Joanie launched herself at like a missile, arms wrapping tightly around my waist. "I missed you!"
Behind her stood Frankie—the woman who once totaled her therapist's car. Yep. That Frankie.
Tori and Missy both shot Joanie synchronized glares. Joanie, glowing with joy, remained blissfully unaware.
I glanced at my dad, gritting my teeth.
Charlie looked at Alan. "You're an idiot."
Then—another ring.
I sighed. "Maybe we should just leave the door open."
This ti, I saw soone I truly didn't expect: Paige Swanson.
She looked at Joanie glued to my side, then at Tori and Missy with their crossed arms, and imdiately sized up the situation. A sly, mischievous smile curved across her face.
"Hi, darling," Paige said sweetly, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Did you miss ?"
"I knew you were trouble," I whispered. Her laugh was muffled into my shoulder.
"How did you even get here?" I asked, genuinely curious. Last I knew, she was at Harvard.
"Your grandmother invited . Paid for my whole family's flight."
Alan and Charlie turned slowly to Evelyn.
"What?" she said. "The girl goes to Harvard. She's clearly the best one."
Charlie stepped closer to and murmured, "So, how's it feel being the center of this... fan club?"
Missy on my left. Tori on my right. Joanie on my lap. Paige's arm around my shoulder.
I sighed. "Like I'm a Japanese MC from an Isekai."
Charlie blinked. "A what?"
———
Later, Tori nudged . "Play sothing. It's your birthday."
The others chid in, encouraging.
I sat at the piano. Silence settled. I played the first notes and sang:
(7 years – Lukas Graham)
♪ Once I was seven years old, my mama told Go make yourself so friends or you'll be lonely ♪
Judith watched from the corner, her expression softened.
♪ It was a big big world, but we thought we were bigger Pushing each other to the limits, we were learning quicker By eleven smoking herb and drinking burning liquor... ♪
Everyone slowly turned to look at Charlie. His eyes widened. "That wasn't my fault, he was twelve when he ca here..." he whispered.
♪ Never rich so we were out to make that steady figure Once I was eleven years old, my daddy told Go get yourself a wife or you'll be lonely... ♪
Everyone looked at Alan now.
He shrugged, red-faced. "It was a joke!"
Paige just looked teasing at Tori and Missy
I kept going:
♪ I always had that dream, like my daddy before So I started writing songs, I started writing stories... Sothing about that glory just always seed to bore Cause only those I really love will ever really know ♪
♪ Once, I was twenty years old, my story got told Before the morning sun, when life was lonely Once, I was twenty years old... ♪
The room was still now. Focused. A little awed.
♪ I only see my goals, I don't believe in failure 'Cause I know the smallest voices, they can make it major I got my boys with , at least those in favor And if we don't et before I leave, I hope I'll see you later ♪
♪ Soon we'll be 30 years old, our songs have been sold, We've traveled around the world and we're still roaming, Soon we'll be 30 years old... ♪
♪ I'm still learning about life My woman brought children for So I can sing them all my songs and I can tell them stories Most of my boys are with , so are still out seeking glory And so I had to leave behind, my brother, I'm still sorry ♪
My voice lowered with the lody:
♪ Soon I'll be 60 years old, my daddy got 61. ♪
"Hey!" Alan snapped indignantly. "I'll go beyond that!"
I laughed and kept going:
♪ Rember life and then your life becos a better one I made a man so happy when I wrote a letter once I hope my children co and visit once or twice a month ♪
Charlie and Alan were looking guilty to Gramma.
♪ Soon I'll be sixty years old, will I think the world is cold? Or will I have a lot of children who can warm ? Soon, I'll be sixty years old ♪
♪ Soon I'll be sixty years old, will I think the world is cold? Or will I have a lot of children who can hold ? Soon, I'll be sixty years old ♪
I ended with:
♪ Once I was seven years old, my mama told Go make yourself so friends or you'll be lonely Once I was seven years old. Once I was seven years old. ♪
There was silence. It kind of hit hard for most, until Trina said:
"He's cool, he's cute, he's rich, and he can sing??" she exclaid. "He's going to be my boyfriend!" she declared as she jumped on top of .
And just like that, the chaos returned.
Way to ruin the mont...
———
Later.
"Isn't our lover boy," said Charlie, smirking.
The girls gave kisses on the cheek. It started when Trina went in for a kiss on the lips, but I dodged—so it landed on my cheek. Missy and Tori followed right after, probably not wanting to fall behind. Even Joanie gave a kiss—with encouragent from her mother. What was her mom even thinking? She's eight. Not that I'm ok with the others...
Paige added one too—just for the fun of it.
"To be honest, my first attempt was Rory," Uncle Charlie said. "But she quoted, 'I have nothing to do with a soon-to-be thirteen-year-old boy,' and hung up."
"Figures..." I muttered.
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