Dial Drunk - Post Malone

38

Max's arrival party is held at Cecilia's parent's house and in true Grassy fashion it is over the top. All of Dre and Cecilia's family are there including their friends. Cecilia and Dre are sitting in a cordoned-off section with Max like royalty. People can only look from afar because Grassy is freaking out about germs. He has also posted Timmy near them so people are weary of getting too close. There is a photo stand where you can have your picture taken with a cardboard cutout of Dre, Cecilia and Max. Grassy is also handing out hand sanitiser and 'fantastic facts' cards about Max - eye and hair colour, height, weight, his poop chart, feeding and sleep schedule, and what he wants to be when he grows up - a cowboy. Apparently Grassy had a long conversation with him and they both want to be cowboys.

There is a pamper station for the frazzled, mothers, grandmothers and Aunts. As well as a man station with cigars (cubin or weed) but no lighters because no one is allowed to smoke around Max. There is a baby safety station with midwives and paramedics who will give you a full tutorial around baby safety, and a baby sign language station where you can get a crash course around both baby sign and ASL - apparently that's Max's first language. Austin is a little taken aback by how many people at the party can communicate well with Levi through choppy sign, but between Stella, himself and Grassy they are always on hand to interpret when need be. But, it's as if sign language is as natural as talking - everyone lives in Levi's world.

It's an amazing party and Austin is having a great time even though Colter Wall has decided to pitch up with a mound of gifts. He saw the way Levi's face lit up when he walked in and they spent ages talking. Austin greeted him as amicably as he could but kept his distance for most of the party. About midway through the party Grassy picks up his glass and announces that speeches will begin. He starts first and then hands it over to Cecelia and Dre's parents. Austin says a speech too and so does Levi which Austin translates for her. They open the floor and other family and friends get a turn to say something if they like too. It's a good time and Austin can see Cecelia and Dre are beaming constantly.

"Why does she insist on doing that?" Cassidy asks once the speeches are all done. "Why does who insist on what?" Austin asks. She has been a handful today with her constant groaning and moaning. She does not want to be here and she has made dame sure Austin knows it. He is also beginning to think she is trying to sabotage him because he purposely left his silver hip flask at home and has had to force himself to steer clear of any drinks laced with alcohol - it's been a fucking challenge and his hands have remained in his pockets for most of the day because of how much they are shaking. He has received a few soft side glances from Levi who has made sure he always has a glass of grapefruit juice in his hand. Strangely, the acidic drink has helped elevate his want for whisky just a little. He is not sure if Levi realizes that, but she keeps them coming toward him at a constant flow. Cassidy's solution was to pack a small bottle of whisky in her back and whip it out, thank fuck Levi had just so happened to be walking past them at the time she held it out to Austin. Levi had quickly and quietly plucked it out of Cassidy's hand on her way past. Austin has not seen the little whisky bottle again, but he can't stop thinking about it now as he sips on his grapefruit juice.

"Austin! Hello? Are you even listening to me?" Cassidy whines. He was lost in thought. "What did you say?" Austin asks as he watches Levi hand a glass of grapefruit juice to Stella and point to Austin. "I said, why does Levi insist on talking with her hands?"

"For the nine thousandth time, Cassidy, she is deaf. That is how she communicates."

"Well, it looks dumb. If I was deaf I would never," she says rolling her eyes. "Also this party is dumb. Grassy throws stupid parties, there is no point to any of this," she says holding up the card of 'fantastic facts' about Max. "He is excited. We all are. Dre and Cece have been waiting close to a decade to become parents and Max is a miracle. I think it's sweet that Grassy does things like this - he loves with his whole heart. How is that dumb?" Austin asks. "I don't know, Austin," Cassidy sighs and takes a sip of her drink, Austin has to fight himself not to ask her for a sip. "Grassy is just dumb and you know I don't like him. I don't like anyone here," she says. "I hate to break it to you but no one here likes you either. So we are not cut up about it," Stella says walking up to them. Cassidy gasps and looks at Austin expecting him to back her up, but honestly, Austin can't see the point. She has been awful all day, she has done nothing but bitch and moan, and beg Austin to get Dre to start calling new modelling agencies for her even after Austin has made it clear that now is not the time due to Dre focusing on his family right now. That was selfish of Dre according to Cassidy.