Luminous

How does no one notice that smell?

Am I the asshole for leaving my handicapped friend at the bus terminal? Yes, yes I am, but when your friend keeps on staring at you like you were just diagnosed with an incurable disease, you leave. Or at least that's what me and Percy did.

One thing I should warn you about before we get there. Sally Jackson. Otherwise known as Percy's mom and Mrs. J. Mrs. J is one of the sweetest people ever and runs a candy shop. She was my mom's best friend and my godmother. Percy's super protective of her, him around Smelly Gabe -Mrs. J's husband- is so funny. I swear everytime Gabe speaks I have to convince Percy not to drown him in the nearest lake. I'll never understand why he loves water so much.

I can honestly say he is the worst person on earth. He's mean, weird, and he stinks! I'm not talking BO, no honest to god he is the worst smelling thing on this planet. I mean, he must spray himself with skunk spray every morning to smell like that. I don't understand how Mrs. J puts up with that. It's safe to say me and Percy are both antiGabe, which is exactly what he reminded us when we walked into Percy's apartment.

Yes, I'm putting off going to my house, but I'll get there. Eventually.

"So you're home," Smelly Gabe says, smelling just as potent as ever. How can his friends stand the smell?

"Where's my mom," Percy says, while clenching his jaw.

"Working. Got any cash?" That's it? No hi? How are you? How was school? I missed you for the 6 months you were gone?

Just as I'm about to give a very explicit answer, I feel Percy slip his cool hand into mine. Taking a deep breath, I give a short and concise 'no'. Suddenly, Gabe is staring at me as if he didn't even realize I was there. Though, knowing him, he probably didn't.

"Ah the girlfriend," he mumbles, letting me know he's drunk way too much. Before I can tell him we aren't dating, he starts talking. Again. Because while gabe can't seem to smell how bad he smells, he can always sniff out money from twenty miles away. Seriously though, is no one else's eyes watering?

"You took a taxi from the bus station," he says, " probably paid with a twenty. Got six, seven bucks in change. Somebody expects to live under this roof; he ought to carry his own weight. Especially if he wants to keep bringing his girlfriend over. Am I right Eddie?"

"Come on, Gabe. The kid just got here," Eddie stutters, sticking up for us although I'm not sure it was because he wanted to or from the glares I was throwing him.

"Besides, if he wanted to pull his weight he'd give it to Mrs. J seeing as she's the only one with a job," I hissed, while glaring at Gabe.

"What was that girl? Don't get smart with me now."

"What do you think this is? The 60's, old man," I say, while pulling Percy quickly into his room.

"I hope you lose!" Percy shouts, throwing a few dollars behind him. Behind us, I can slowly hear Gabe get off "his" couch. Locking the door, I sigh, turn around and stare at percy. For one second it's completely quiet, then we both burst out laughing.

"Did you see his face," Percy burst out.

"I know! I thought he was gonna explode," I giggle, trying to catch my breath from laughing so hard.

"I can't wait to see my mom," Percy says with one of his special smiles he saves for his mom.

"Right," I say, feeling unwanted. Okay, look don't get me wrong, I love Mrs. J. What's not to? It's just when I see her, all the memories of my mom come rushing back like a tsunami. Whereas, when I'm with percy, they slowly come in, like a calm wave crashing against the sand. Speaking of calming waves, I look up to see Percy's sea green eyes staring at me with concern. Just as he's about to ask me what's wrong, Mrs. J comes in. Saved by the mom!

"Oh Percy. I can't believe it. You've grown since Christmas!" See this is how a real parent acts. Take notes Gabe.

Turning to me, if possible she seems to get even happier than before.

"Annie, my darling, I haven't seen you in so long!"

Smiling uncomfortably, I say, "I missed you too Mrs. J." Opps, wrong thing to say, I think when her smiles fall a little. Let me explain, before my mom died Mrs. J wasn't Mrs. J, she was just Sally. Now I can barely look at her without feeling sick. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath trying to calm down. Wrong idea! Suddenly I see thousands of memories in my head at once; my special birthday waffles, us going to the park, when we did our new years party, my 4th grade play. Swallowing, I blink back the tears I can feel growing. I need to leave and quick!

"Well as nice as it was seeing you, I have to get going," I say trying not to hurt their feelings, but I know that if I stay any longer, I'll end up crying on their floor. "I was going to stop by the house."

"Oh," she says, forcing a smile that makes me want to punch myself in the gut. Worst goddaughter ever!

"Ok well I'll just let myself out," I mumble mostly to myself, already anxious for where I was headed next.

Author's note:

The reason Annie calls Gabe 'Gabe' is because her mom taught her it was disrespectful to call an adult their full name. The only reason she's allowed to call Sally 'Sally' is because that's what her mom, Lauren, called her, so her first word TO SALLY NOT HER FIRST WORD was 'Sally'. That's all!