Fifty Shades After

Chapter 19: James Kavanagh

Mom, Dad and Phoebe laugh and tease for maybe about five minutes after my half assed attempt of playing the Happy birthday song on the guitar. They beg me to play something else but I pout and refuse. "Come on, play Twinkle, twinkle!" Phoebe laughs and I violently shake my head, which just makes them laugh even more.

We're interrupted by what I believe is the door bell. Holy shit, where are we, in church? "I'll get it." I jump over the couch and make my way to the exit. "Gail can get that." Dad calls out to me. I turn to see him. His whole top half is twisted to face me. And he's frowning. Oh no, I ruined the family bonding moment! If making fun of my horrible acoustic skills counts as family bonding. I grin. "Nah. I got it." I say strolling out the door.

I'm whistling the happy birthday song while walking towards the door. I reach the entrance hall and twist the big doors open. My whistle ends lamely as soon as I'm about to hit that last note.

Happy birth-day to... you.

I see Uncle Ethan waving, Aunt Mia wrapped around his other arm.

And in front of them, James.

"Teddy! Hiya, sweetie!" Aunt Mia greets me with a hug and I hug her back. She's so energetic. James passes by with a cold shoulder. And Uncle Ethan firmly shakes hands with me and pats me on the back. "Hey, bud." He says in a friendly manner. "How's it going? I haven't seen you since the boat ride." He says and I smile. "Great. I'm having an awesome time so far. Phoebe and I are catching up with Dad, and best of all, he and Mom are getting along." I stuff my hands inside my pockets while we take our time walking towards the music room.

He's asking me all these questions, almost like if he were interviewing me, and strangely, I have no problem answering them at all. In fact, I feel pretty comfortable.

"Must've been difficult living in a single parent household." He says and I shrug. "I never really dwelled on it much. I knew I had a dad and I knew the reason why he wasn't by our side. I rarely asked any questions about it. Maybe I didn't want to bother Mom, or maybe I just didn't want to know more. Until recently, that is." He chuckles.

"But still." I exhale. "As a kid, coming out of school and watching my friends leave with their dads by the hand. It would some times get to me. You know?" I look to him. He's regarding me. "I see." He simply says.

"Hon, please stop pestering Teddy. He's not one of your patients, you know!" Aunt Mia peeks from around the corner. My eyes widen. What! Patient!? My head twists to him. "Hey!" I growl. And he chuckles embarrassedly. Damn it! I forgot he was a psychologist! I don't have problems! And here I thought he was just getting to know me. I mean, he is, but in a diagnostics kind of way. Jesus.

We arrive and Phoebe is in deep conversation with James on the far end of the room. He has his arms crossed and slightly nods  as if analysing her words. I wonder what they're talking about. Aunt Mia is all over Dad and Uncle Ethan is talking to Mom. I bet he's diagnosing her too. "Maybe. Well, yes, I think so. I just want-"

- "Hey, Mom. Isn't Uncle Ethan a great shrink?" I butt in. She tilts her head to me and she finally gets it. I turn to Uncle Ethan with a grin. He's frowning at me.

Gail attends to us and brings beverages. After some conversation with the adults, I excuse myself to go to the bathroom.

Most normal people would refresh and release before coming to visit the Grey mansion and dumping in one of the  intricate, fancy toilets. But I'm living here. I don't have a choice.

I turn the knob to exit the restroom with one hand and dry my other hand on my jeans. I'm about to step out, but he- James is standing there, blocking my way. What does he want now? His face scrunches up. "Hell!" He pinches his nose. "What, did you eat, a whole cow?" I frown.