Page 7 of Jagged Edges

“Of course!” Mrs. Frank returned. “Come on in, Brisk.”

Following orders, I crept inside and closed the door behind me. “Happy Birthday!”

“Thank you so much, B. You and Melonie really outdid yourselves. I love the mini bag.”

“But you love the big bag that Uncle Bello got you more. Don’t try to front.”

“Of course, but still. You guys did really well and I plan to wear it until the leather cracks! I just still can’t believe my wish came true! And, instantly. I’ve been making wishes and blowing out candles for fifty years and this is the first time any of them have come true.”

“What did you wish for?” Curiosity made me question.

“To see my brother this year. I missed him awfully. I raised him like a son. Hell, he is my son if you ask me. My parents were dead wrong having us twenty-two years apart. But, just like Melonie, he slipped through the cracks. He wasn’t supposed to happen, but we’re so blessed that he did.”

Twenty-eight. I did the math in my head swiftly. It explained why he looked so young and like he was at the wrong party. He’s only twenty-eight years old.Eight years. The other math was solved against my better judgment. I quickly came to the conclusion that we weren’t that far apart in age.

“I never knew you had a brother and you... “ I nodded in Melonie’s direction, “An uncle.”

“Well, my mom figured the less we talk about him, the less his absence hurts.”

“Why has he been absent?” I inquired. For sixteen months, I’d known Melonie and she’d never mentioned having anyone but her mother and grandparents.

“He…” Melonie started.

“Long story,” Mrs. Frank cut into her explanation. “It’s about time we wrapped this party up and sent these people on their way.

“Mom, we still have like almost an hour until it’s set to end.”

“Well, my feet hurt and I’ll be damned if I walk around in some flats on MY day. Plus, I’ve already received my gifts. I say we shut it down. Go ahead and get on the mic to say your goodbyes and thank everyone for coming. I’ll be upstairs getting ready for bed!”

“Wow, you’re really acting like the fifty-year-old that you are right now.”

“Well, if the shoe fits, I plan to wear it,” Mrs. Frank shrugged, “Now, can y’all get out so that I can get out of this damn dress? Call the cleaners and tell them to be on their way. I’m not cleaning up after them and neither are y’all so don’t get any ideas.”

“Oh. We won’t,” Melonie confirmed. “But, we will wrap the party up and leave you to your lonesome.”

Melonie and I left her mother alone in her room to undress and wind down. It felt like I was walking through a twilight zone as I tried processing the new data that I’d been given.Uncle?I was still trying to understand that one while simultaneously trying to overcome the heartache that the revelation came with. Yes, I’d lied straight to the man’s face, but it wasn’t because I wasn’t interested. It was because I didn’t drink, especially late at night or with a total stranger.

As well as the fact that I had never been alone with a man in all of my years. Not one. Never a date, outing, nothing. It was my nerves speaking for me, but I wanted to thank them more thanever for not leading me down the path of doom. Knowing now that Bello was Melonie’s uncle, I wouldn’t be going anywhere with him. Not another time.Not ever.

The remainderof my night went on without a blemish. The party ended and the cleaners arrived as scheduled to clean all traces of the lovely event that had taken place hours before. It wasn’t until they left that I found myself stalking the sidewalk until I reached my van. I walked around to the driver’s side and got it started without a hitch. That was always a blessing.

With everyone at or on their way home, I was able to find parking much closer. In fact, I grabbed the spot in front of the house underneath the huge shade tree. I locked up the camper and headed back inside. The Frank’s home was quiet when I reentered, confirming the fact that everyone had gone to sleep. I was next up. My journey to the basement seemed longer than usual but when I finally made it to the queen-sized bed, I planned to make up for every ounce of sleep I’d lost in the camper over the last few weeks.

Girl’s night my butt, I chuckled as I thought about Melonie’s proposal. She had no intentions of staying up until the wee hours and chatting. She simply wanted me over in a nice, clean bed and less worries dangling over my dome. Admittedly, I was thankful for that and thankful for her. As I drifted off to sleep, images of Bello’s insanely addicting smile flooded my vision.Oh, God, Melonie. I’m toast.

Five

My arms,legs, and shoulders popped into place as I expanded them and released them from the warped position they’d been in all night. I smoothed the sheets around me and sighed in contemplation. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to rest a little longer or get my day started. Though this bed wasn’t as cozy as mine, it was more comfortable because of the setting. It almost felt like home. A home, for sure, even if it wasn’t mine.

The smell of eggs and bacon made the decision easy enough. My stomach growled almost instantly, politicking for its emptiness. Instead of laying back down underneath the white duvet covers, I stood and stretched a little more.

“Ahhhhh,” a massive yawn caused the inside of my mouth to tingle and saliva to hydrate the dryness the night had caused.

Before taking the first step, I grabbed my cell to check the time. It was going on eleven. I’d certainly slept much longer than anticipated, and obviously, the family who lived upstairs must’ve too. It was pretty late to be starting breakfast, but I wouldn’t complain. We all must have needed the rest.

Two hours.That’s all the time I had to clean myself up, eat, and get to work. Though it seemed like plenty of time, I was certain that I’d want more. Two hours felt like ten minutes when it was all you had left to get on the clock. A clock that you dreaded being on and a kitchen that you hated entering. I was hoping to get a call from someone soon. I’d filled out millions of applications, or at least it felt like it.

However, everyone wanted a nineteen-year-old to have at least five years of experience, which was just impossible. Five years ago, I was being cut off by my mother at fourteen. Not in the professional workforce, racking up years of experience. The thought alone was exhausting.

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