Page 10 of Jagged Edges

“How old will you be, Brisk?” Mr. Frank asked.

“Twenty,” I nearly mumbled, eyes finding Bello’s.

The orange juice - that was obviously spiked according to the shot glass beside it - that he held to his lips nearly spilled as the word exited my mouth. My heart ached at the thought of discontent that must’ve crossed his mind by me revealing my age. I had searched for his eyes, waiting to discover his approval but I’d failed. Miserably, so.

“I remember when I hit my twenties.”

“Oh, do you? That was over thirty-nine years ago. I’m surprised you remember anything,” Mrs. Frank joked. I did the math in my head, narrowing their age difference to nine years apart. The two had met while Mrs. Frank was in college, which was around Melonie and I’s current ages.

“Oh, I remember!”

“Ummmm. Hmmm,” she challenged. “Anyway, is there anything you want for your birthday that we can make happen?”

“It’s no big deal, really,” I tried, “It’s just another day.”

“Bullshit,” Mrs. Frank countered. “Name it and we will try our best to make it happen.”

“You really don’t have to.”

“Name it.”

Everyone at the table quieted. The silence was so loud that I wanted to carve my ears out the side of my head and toss them in the trash. But, through the silence, my wildly beating heart didn’t falter. It sped. Thumping harder and harder… louder and louder.

He’s talking to me. I confirmed.

Swallowing the displaced pride I thought I owned, I responded with, “I haven’t given it any thought, but maybe a hotel with a view of the hills and a pool. A weekend getaway, but still in the city.”

My eyes never faltered, though my pride had as I stared into his dark rounds. Had there been a choice, they would’ve been in my lap as I spoke but his demeanor commanded my attention. He commanded my attention. Too afraid to miss a blink, bat, smile, or displeased glare of his eyes, mine remained focused.

“That sounds like a plan,” Melonie responded with the save, knocking me from the trance her beloved uncle held me in.

“Yeah?” I asked, wondering if it was too much for the family to handle.

“Of course,” Mrs. Frank agreed.

“A weekend getaway in the city is definitely doable,” Mr. Frank confirmed. “But, I’m going to have that camper looked at for you. I’ve been meaning to ask if it was alright.”

“Maybe soon,” I nodded, not wanting to become the charity case. It was my greatest fear.

“I’m working on a few things inside. Still getting it ready for my world tour,” I chuckled.

The Frank’s were aware that I planned to travel once I had enough money in my pocket. I could use the break, but not until my finances permitted. Hopefully, one of the applications I’d filled out in the last few months would pan out and I’d begin seeing a bit more income.

Brunch continued without flaw. Happy that I was no longer the topic of discussion, I remained quiet as the Frank’s carried on. There were so many moments that I felt pain in my abdomen from the belly-curling laughter that the family brought out of me.

Every so often, I stole glances in Bello’s direction, but to my dismay, they were all empty attempts. Deep in thought, he kept his eyes trained on his chiming cell or in the direction of his niece and sister. I didn’t allow his cold shoulder to occupy too much space in my head, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that it stung a bit. Before I knew it, it was going on twelve-thirty and my time at the Frank’s had come to an end.

“Work is calling my name,” I sighed in Melonie’s direction.

“I knoooooooow. I hate that you even have to go,” she frowned.

“I’ll call you when I get off, okay?”

“Yeah. Let me walk you out.”

“Okay, I need to clean my plate, first.”

“Leave it! I’ll clean when everyone leaves the table,” Melonie insisted.

---