The Pain That Grows Us

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Growing up I couldn't wait to attend the parties my Father threw during the holiday season, but now that I am old enough to attend one, I don't want to go. They are always filled with people that think they know who they are in bed with when it comes to business and food that is not worth the money. Besides, whoever designed the tux never wore one for a long period of time.

"Tugging at the bowtie won't change the fact that our attendance is required." Alice sighs barging into my room, shoving me out of the way so she can check how she looks in the full length mirror I normally keep tucked away in my closet.

"You never know, the earth could open up and swallow me whole." I grumble, yanking on the bowtie one more time before throwing my hands in the air.

"One of these days you boys will learn how to tie these things yourselves." she rolls her eyes, turning her attention to the piece of fabric hanging around my neck, she clucks her tongue at me looking at herself in the mirror one more time before turning around to help me with the bowtie.

"One of these days I will just stop showing up to this shit." I tell her staring at the ceiling, I never know where to look when she ties my bowtie for me.

"That will be the day." She snorts, shaking her head at me. "Just be thankful you don't have to buy a new dress every year."

"I would gladly go dress shopping if it meant I didn't have to wear this shit." I pull at the collar of my tux just to prove my point.

"You wouldn't be able to make it through dress shopping. You have no idea how much thought goes into picking the right dress." she complains, and I raise an eyebrow.

"You don't believe me? Do you know how many hours I spent looking for a dress this shade of red?" She stares at me daring me to say something, "First I had to ask twenty different people what the theme was this year, and then I had to find a color that didn't clash with the theme. Then I had to find out what your fathers current whore was wearing so I don't show up in the same fucking color, because I think we all remember the last time that happened. Then I had to find a shade of the color I could wear that didn't stand out too much, or blend in. Every fucking year I go through this, and all you boys have to do is wear the same fucking tux every year, and yet I hear the most complaints from all of you."

"We aren't going next year." I huff, I don't ever want to hear that shit ever again. Fucking color, and shades and themes. Who gives a shit? Women apparently.

"Didn't you say that last year?" Danny asks fidgeting with his bowtie in the mirror in the hall.

"I didn't have to listen to Alice talk about shades, themes and all that nonsense. If I am going to hear her go on about that shit it better be about a party we are throwing. Not a party we are forced to attend."

"Imagine being me. I have been hearing about her damn dress for the past three months." Ryan groans, pouring himself a drink, "Why couldn't he just skip the damn party this year?"

"Because he is trying to expand his ever growing empire." I grumble under my breath.

"I fucking hate this party." Max complains coming out of his room bowtie in his hand.

Alice wasn't exaggerating when she said she had to tie all of our bowties, I tried to learn at one point but got pissed off after the tenth time restarting the video. Ryan to his credit can tie his very messily, but at least you can tell what it is. Damon and Zane never even bothered, and Max was in the same boat I was in, except he still tries to do it himself every year. When tying a bowtie is a must have skill for a gangster give us a call, then we will fucking learn, but until then we are all fine having help from Alice two times a fucking year.