It's Billy's Favorite

Chapter VII

The next two years felt like a cycle with a few changes; Jane kept getting into occasional trouble at school, but she did make a friend, Serena. She became friends with her in first grade. They always spent time together, but Jane made sure she and I spent time with each other on each other's birthdays. I also made a few friends, Ryan, Enzo, and Henry. They were cool and always got me to sneak out at night just so we could hangout in grocery parking lots. They all had a different personality that helped me feel better about school. Ryan was very smart and obsessed over Basketball since his father pushed him into it when he was a kid. Enzo was more into skateboarding, and rock concerts and he ending up being my best friend. Henry was a huge athlete and played almost every sport in school, he was also way into girls like the cheerleaders. I think Enzo and I got along better because we both could relate on how much we hated school. I also like to skateboard myself and we both liked the same music. He told me he never met his mother or father and lived with his aunt who had six kids and six different fathers for those kids. But he didn't hate her because she was always nice to him even if she didn't tell him where her sister was or what she was doing. The point is, him and I grew pretty close when we were in seventh grade. If you're wondering who won that bet from the previous chapter, it was no one. My mom was still with Jimmy at her job but it was obvious she only liked him because he gave her free alcohol and cigarettes.

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"I was thinking you and I could hangout this weekend. My aunt is gonna take me to the amusement park and I was wondering if you want to go." Enzo said. "I'm sorry man I really can't." "Got a hot date?" "Funny no I don't." "Then what's up?" "It's my brother's birthday this weekend and I have a lot of shit I need to handle." "Oh no man you good. Spend time with your brother. How old he turning?" "He's gonna be five." "Shit. You guys gonna have a party or something?" "Yeah. My mom is inviting all his friends from school and a few of her friends from work. If you want to come you're more than welcome to." "Yeah I think that's cool. I just have to ask my aunt if it's good with her. She might just have one of her kids go so the tickets don't go to waste. Sure I can tell you where we going." "Sure what is it?" "You know that huge lake house that's like ten minutes away from the gas station on Montvale?" "Yeah isn't that the place where they host all those camps and parties?" "Yeah. My mom is paying for it this weekend and we're going their Saturday." "Sure when does it start?" "It starts at 2 goes until 6." "Yeah. I'll call you tonight and let you know what my aunt says but I'm sure she will say yes." "Alright." "No more talking you two!" Mrs. Jenson yelled. "That woman is one loud mouth." Enzo whispered.
  I chuckled and we ended up just talking by passing notes and we somehow didn't get caught. When I got home my mom was on the phone talking with some of the moms from the neighborhood.
  "Yes. Alright sounds good thank you Michelle I'll see you there." "Hi mom." "What is it?" "I'm just saying hi." "Can't you see I'm busy? I need to finish the guest list for your brother's party. Don't make me mess up!" "We might have a potential guest." "I don't want to here it right now. Just get the fuck out of this room so I can focus!"
  I grabbed my bag and headed to my room. I finished my homework and waited until I stopped hearing my mom talk. Once that occurred I went out and saw her grabbing her coat while ashes flew down the tip of her cigarette.
  "I'm going out with April and Janina tonight. See ya." "I didn't tell you who I wanted to invite." "Yeah yeah tell me tomorrow morning. Bye!"
She slammed the door and I turned around to see Jane looking at the list.
"Enzo?" "What?" "You're inviting Enzo I'm assuming?" "Yeah." "Cool. I asked Serena if she wanted to go but her family is taking her to Italy." "What do you want for dinner?" "We only have toast, butter, and cheese." "We can make something out of that." "You're optimistic. It's a good feature. No I think we should grab some drive through." "How? We have no money." "Not true. Grandma offered to take us." "You talked to her?" "You do it once every two weeks, she needs to speak with her granddaughter occasionally." "What about Billy?" "He's coming don't worry." "And mom?" "Robbie, she's going out to drink with her bartender friends. She will not be back tonight."
I thought about it but eventually agreed. Grandma took us to get burgers and made sure we got home by eleven. Jane was right. When we got home, mom wasn't there.
"Where is mommy?" Billy asked. "She is out. Let's get to bed." "Okay."
  Jane put him to bed and walked back over to me.
"I'm worried about her." I said. "Why?" Jane asked. "Because she is not safe when she drinks." "Yeah go figure. She's a mess when she is drunk." "I feel like I should go find her." "Stop." "Stop what?" "I can't let you do that." "Do what? I'm trying to help." "I know you are but it won't work. She is never going to regret her decisions. She wants to drink let her. I would rather that because you and I can take care of ourselves and Billy. We don't need her." "I still worry." "It's best we don't. She is always gonna come back and do it all over again. There isn't anything we can do." "Fine." "Btw Enzo is on the phone." "How?" "I have a phone in my room and you weren't listening."
  I grabbed the phone.
"Enzo?" "Good news, my aunt said yes." "That's great. I just have to tell my mom." "Sure. I'll see you tomorrow." "Alright bye." "Bye man."