Chapter 5: Broken Vocal Cords
I awoke early the next morning; I wasn't sure whether or not I was supposed to leave silently or to hang around. I took a chance and chose to stay put, to my relief Clara seemed pleased to find me still here and gestured for me to sit in the kitchen, where she produced some cereal. Once seated, she got down to the inquisition, which I had been dreading,
"So, where's your parents?" I squirmed uncomfortably, I may not exactly worship my mother but, well, I didn't want to badmouth her.
Clara, sensing my unease, skipped over it, "okay, what happened last night?"
I swallowed, hoping she wouldn't think badly of me, after hearing the sorry tale. I told her everything right up to the appearance of Gordie, which then leaded to a question of my own,
"How are you related to Gordie?"
"He's my cousin, Eyeball doesn't come round here much because of him...Ace told you the story?"
I nodded, "I wasn't sure how to take it." She laughed, "that makes two of us."
I really liked Clara, once hearing the story she offered all the right words, and didn't make any snide comments or interrupt- I couldn't help but think, my old friends would have.
Clara glanced at her watch, and leapt up when she realised the time, "holy fucking monkey balls in the butt face, I'm late! I promised I'd meet Eyeball and the rest of them in half an hour!" she glanced at me, "do you want to come along?"
I wasn't sure about this idea....
Noticing my hesitation, Clara tried to persuade me, "come on! Show Ace nothing he does will affect you! Don't worry; I'll make sure he doesn't try anything."
I considered it. Clara, realising I was about to cave, brought the point home, "and," she added excitedly, "it's not like your needed elsewhere." Which was an obvious reference to my lack of family. So mother still wasn't home? Maybe she had abandoned me, I thought flippantly, maybe I'll be on my own forever.....
No. I was being silly.
But, I didn't have anything better to do, so against my better judgement, I agreed with her.
"Great!" she looked me up and down, "come with me, you can't go out wearing that."
Once again, I had to concur; my clothes were travelling, comfy clothes, not exactly fabulous fashion.
After a quick period of getting ready, we were prepared to go. Both of us wore yellow dresses, patterned with flowers, we looked pretty good, if I do say so myself.
Clara and I walked to Irby's again; I assumed this was the teenage hang out. It certainly didn't feel like it had been only one day, it felt more akin to weeks.
This time a waitress showed us to our seats and I held my breath as she neared the one I had occupied the day before, luckily she bypassed it and moved to another closer to the pool tables.
I felt unusually relaxed, probably due to the fact I was accompanied by Clara, who radiated confidence. I had almost forgotten our original reason for coming here. Clara hadn't though.
Perhaps about twenty-something minutes later, which was filled with a lot of Clara's irritated sighs about the lack of punctuality Eyeball had, when her tone began excited and she stood up jerkily,
"Eyeball!"
Eyeball paused in the doorway and looked for the source of the noise. His eyes lit up when he noticed Clara; he raised his arm, "hey!"
