Playing the Field

I'm Weird

"So how is little Casper? He's three now right? I heard the Coles are expecting a five year old girl in no less than a month, I'm sure they're excited but what about Casper?" Mother eyes Ivy. Though her transformation into a kinder person is still on going, mother can't help but look at Ivy with subtle disdain. 

"He is three and they plan on keeping him. The deal was five years and they're following through with it. Austin is graduating new year, ahead of time. So we should be set on taking our son back and raising him while giving him the life he deserves." Ivy doesn't meet my mothers obvious crudeness. Her own transformation has been set in longer. Believe it or not but Ivy is almost a totally different person. She has grown in so many ways since we left high school two years ago. Her hair is extremely short, an inch or so from her shoulders. Her clothes are much more tasteful, yet still form hugging. Today she wears a simple peach sundress with ballet flats and her makeup is natural and minimal.

"And what is your major again?" Dad not so discreetly elbows mom for her question.

"It was fashion but now I'm not thinking of continuing that path."

This shocks me, "Why not?"

She awkwardly shrugs, "I'm not very good at sewing or drawing or coming up with the next hot look. Yeah I can pull together a killer outfit but I'm no good with making the stuff."

"And Austin, you still majoring in financial business?" Grandpa asks suddenly.

He nods, "You bet and like Ivy said, I'll be getting my masters early though I feel like I'm not done with school. I might go for sports management as well."

"Well whatever you decide, boy, you know I've got connections and would love to help you get ahead start." Grandpa says.

"Thanks, Gramps, but I'm the best friend to Avery Skinner. That only is kicking doors open," he grins.

"He's right you know," Drill said, bumping fists with Austin.

I roll my eyes, "I don't see how."

"Avery, you're only the talk of the nation," Cash said.

"Yeah but lets not let that get to her head," Dad warns, "So, Cash, who's the lucky fella of the week?"

I love how at ease everyone has been since Cash has come out as gay. The support has been amazing and I always knew Grandpa and Dad were more open minded and welcoming than most folk in Stonehenge and this just proves their endless love and acceptance.

"Myself," Cash smirks, "Honestly done with these boys for a while. But I do have my eye on some older men,"

"Oooooh," Ivy and I say in a high, girly voice.

"Now, now," Grandpa says.

"Cash," Dad frowns.

But its Austin that says, "Any old motherfucker that so much as puckers his lips at your underage ass is looking to be buried early."

"I was kidding." But we all knew he wasn't.

We had placed our order earlier and the appetizers were finally making their way to our table by the waiters. Dad wasn't joking when he said this was one of moms favorite expensive restaurants. The prices were through the room and though affording it was no problem, I still always feel a little awkward when either Dad or Grandpa show their obvious wealth.

As Austin digs into the small wings he requested, I study him. His hair is a dirty blonde and though he used to keep it long and shaggy but now my best friend has the man-bun. At first when he was growing his hair I thought it was silly but now his hair is almost as long as mine and, thick and full. Ivy has fun braiding it and from the photos on Instagram and Snapchat, he doesn't look bad. Right now he has his hair in a low, twisted man-bun and he looks incredibly handsome.