Odd Living

Thirtyone

"Ian, what the hell was that for," I say at him as I playfully hit is shoulder. "I don't want everyone rushing out here as we get home."

"Shit sorry. The guys missed you, that's all." Ian says.

He unbuckles and gets out of the car. He opens Jay's door and lifts him out of the car while somehow being able to open my door. Such a gentleman. I was just about to give Ian a peck on the cheek when we saw a stampede of boys charging at us.

"Mackenzie!" George, Max, and Chad all scream at me. They are all too excited and they try to tackle me.

"Hey, I recognize you guys now." Jay attempts to say over all the guys yelling. "You guys are on YouTube. I recognize Joji the most. Oh, I'm Jay by the way. I'm going to be staying here until my mommy gets out of the police station. She must have done something pretty bad again to be in there again." He was finally able to complete his introduction after everyone calmed down.

"Shit kid. That has to suck." Chad says, squatting down next to Jay.

"It does. But my grandma, she really loves me. She watches me whenever my mom is in the station. But now Mac is watching me. She loves me too I think. She is such a nice person. Pretty too. I am eleven but don't treat me like a kid. I am almost twelve and I act like an adult a lot. Except for when I cry. I don't mean to cry sometimes, it just happens."

"Jay, stop and breathe. That is the most I have heard you say today. How about we go inside and show you around? Calm down for a bit." I say attempting to calm him down.

Without another word, Max and George pick up Jay and hold him on their shoulders. Chad was walking behind them so Jay wouldn't fall backwards. He is really going to fit in here. I was trying to follow behind Chad but Ian grabbed me by the waist and picked me up like Shrek did to Fiona in the first movie. It was more romantic the way Ian did it though.

When we got in the house, Max showed Jay his Pokemon collection. George showed him his prop closet. Chad showed him the fridge. Ian showed him around the living room and the bedrooms. I showed him all the movies I own so he could pick one for us to watch tonight.

He decided on Beetlejuice because that is what his dad played for him every night when he was a little boy. Jay knew all the words to the movie.

Max and I used to watch that movie back in Oz quite a bit. Not enough to know all the words though. We were both amazed at Jay's skills.

Almost twenty minutes before the movie ended, Jay fell asleep on my lap. Ian scooped him up and brought him to my bed.

The boys and I waited until the movie was over then we went out on the back porch. Chad brought some booze, George brought the bowl of popcorn and stuff for smores, and Max came out with matches so we could light a fire.

Ian pulled me to the side while Chad, Max, and George were trying to start the fire.

"That was an amazing thing you did by saving Jay."

"I would hope someone would do the same for me. He is a good kid who doesn't deserve to be with a neglecting family." I tell Ian.

"Still. Good karma will be coming your way." He kissed me on the cheek and went to help with the fire.

It had almost been 15 minutes amd still no fire. I went over the the boys huddled around some wood. I sat down and rearranged the wood into a pyramid. I used some newspapers to scrunch up underneath the wood and lit that on fire. I had a fire going in less than five minutes.

George poured us all some booze into solo cups as we sat around the fire with marshmallows on top of sticks.

"What did I miss while I was gone?" I asked

"I started on a new album for one of my characters." George said proudly.

His music is very good regardless if It is "Joji music" or "Pink Guy music." I love how meaningful his Joji stuff is but if he enjoys the Pink music, I will support.

"Chad here fixed himself up and got a girl friend." Max shouted. He was very drunk.

"Hey, asswipe. It isn't your news to tell." Chad said punching Max's shoulder.

"That is great Chad. What is her name?" I aksed genuinely curious.

"Her name is Beatrice but I have the right to call her 'B'. I met her at the grocery store and we jave been non-stop talking ever since."

Chad seemed very happy about this change in his life. I told Chad that he should invite her over for dinner sometime and he is in love with the idea.

"Max anything happen with you?" I questioned.

"I got my new Pokemon cards in the post yesterday. Filmed myself opening them up. Got some good rares, I did." Max said swaying in his seat. He was shitfaced drunk now.

"That is good news. I hope you showed them to Jay earlier."

Ian excused himself from the group and went inside. He didn't drink much, half a cup maybe.

Chad leaned to my ear, "Ian didn't get any sleep while you were gone. He was calling all of his connnections. He really cares about you Mackenzie."

I also excused myself from the guys. I went to look for Ian in his room but he was in my bed curled up with Jay.

My boys.