Comfortable Chaos

Chapter 3

Brandi

I'll see what I can do.

Mama and Daddy are cheesing ear-to-ear at this dinner table. As much as I'd like to think it's about me, I know better. Daddy's Army buddy, Chuck Ealy, is here and they are ecstatic. He and Daddy served in the Persian Gulf War together. We've always had pictures in the house of him and their other comrades in Desert Storm. But most of the pictures are of Daddy and Chuck. They're like brothers or something. So whenever he's in town I know it's going to be all about Chuck.

One thing is for sure; Chuck loves the attention. He tells story after story, joke after joke to his willing audience. My parents lap it right up. I sit across from the wide man wearing a black stretch shirt, black jeans and black boots. His massive arms flex periodically while he talks with excitement.

"So, I walked back to my truck and do you know this dumb ass is blocking it." Chuck laughs, his loud, booming voice echoes through the whole house. "I tell ya this fool had no idea who he was dealing with."

Daddy laughs so hard he has tears running out of his eyes. I like seeing Daddy laugh. I like to see him happy. It usually only happens when Chuck is in town.

"Look at me monopolizing your dinner with my violent stories," Chuck said.

"It's okay. Nothing you and I aren't used to," Daddy said.

"We're always happy to have you over," Mama said, smiling.

Chuck places his hand over his heart. "Thank you. And I have to say, Rose, you slayed the meal tonight. I mean, this is always the highlight of my visit."

"Thank you. It was nothing." Mama blushes and squirms in her seat a few times. I've always suspected that Mama had a little crush on Chuck but now I feel like I have confirmation. I swear...the complexity of adult relationships.

Daddy double takes in Mama's direction. When she catches a glimpse of his suspicious expression, she straightens up.

"Oh, no. It's always something. That's for sure. I wish Lisa had cooked this good," Chuck said.

"How is Lisa?" Mama asked.

Chuck takes a swig of his lemonade. "Lisa filed for divorce."

"Aww, man. I'm sorry," Daddy said.

Chuck shakes his head as if to shake the sentiment away. "Eh, I'm not. What is marriage anyway? Two people forcing each other into an unnatural arrangement."

"I don't know about that," Daddy said.

"Don't get me wrong. You guys are perfect but she and I were a mess," Chuck said.

"Did you try counseling? Sometimes people need to talk things out." Mama sips her lemonade.

"No, it's passed that. Too many hard feelings...I'm not perfect but I'm positive she did her share of sluttin around, too."

Mama turns to me.

"Uh, Brandi? You can go to your room now."

Chuck brushes his hand over his mouth and looks at me. "Sorry, honey. This mouth of mine has its own rules. Sometimes I'm surprised what comes out of it. Forgiveness..."

"No worries, man. Listen, why don't we go fishing while you're here. Catch up some more?" Daddy asked Chuck.

"Sure. Unless you want me to fish while you talk. I know how hard it is for you to catch," Chuck smirked.

"Oh, naw. I have a new bait now. Yeah, you haven't seen this one," Daddy said.

"Is that so?"

Daddy nods, proudly.

"Well, you and your new bait can catch me up while I fish," Chuck said.

Mama and Daddy laugh as she stands up to clear the table. Chuck and Daddy migrate to the living room and I dutifully get up to help Mama. As I clear off the table, I can't stop thinking about her exchange with Chuck. I feel like I've discovered a secret. I wonder how many other secretes are lying dormant. I smile as I hand Mama the last dish on the table.

"I've got this. Why don't you go start on your homework?" Mama tells me.

"Aww, Mama. You just don't want me to hear any more adult conversations." It's true.

Mama mean mugged me quick. "Go." She pointed toward my room.

I huff and stomp out of the kitchen toward my bedroom.

"What grade are you in now?" Chuck said as I'm about to pass him. He sits alone in our recliner, smoking his cigar.

I stop and turn to him. "Tenth."

"Hey. You're almost out of here, huh?"

"Yeah, I'm glad, too."

"Um. I remember being your age. I couldn't wait to be on my own. Do things my way. Fuck the world."

"Why are parents so suffocating?" I ask him.

"They're trying to protect you from the shit out here."

"But wouldn't it be easier to teach me how to deal with it so when I get out there I can handle it?"

"Perhaps but it's a lot to teach."

"I'll have to deal with boys some time." Why couldn't anybody understand that? They were avoiding the inevitable.

Chuck laughs. "Oh, so that's what this is about. I should have known."

"So, you see my point?" I gasp. "Wait! You could help me."

"What?" Chuck looks thoroughly confused.

I dart over to his chair and sit on the arm. The smell of his cigar is intense up close. UI choke back my discomfort. "Why don't you help me?"

Chuck licks his lips. He looks me up and down as if he's trying to figure out where I'm going with this. "How?"

"Talk to my parents. Tell them that they're overreacting."

"About what?"

"They won't let me talk to boys on the phone. Notice I didn't say date. I said talk to boys."

"If you're going to talk to them, eventually you have to date. Otherwise, what's the point?"

"Eventually, I would date but why not let me start talking to them now?"

"So you want the preliminary actions before dating?" Chuck laughs.

Don't laugh at me. In some ways, I feel discouraged, thinking he's not taking me seriously but, mostly, I'm way too ambitious to let this opportunity go by without taking it. I really feel like my parents will listen to him.

"Please talk to them. Help me," I plead.