FOREVER NOW

CHAPTER 3

"Happy birthday, Patty!" They all cheered as they popped all the confetti and balloons. Patty was speechless as she blew her cake. She didn't expect anything on her 46th birthday. Her friends were there. William's and Jared's and of course other family relatives. Hailey and Jared flew around the kitchen instructing the helpers to carry trays and platters to the waiting tables outside. The tables laden with foods seemed to stretch on forever. Turkeys and capons, roasted beef and ribs and hams, peas and sweet potatoes, vegetable and fruit salads, pastas, cookies and sweets and fruit pies. It looked like enough food for an army as William helped the men open the wines.

"Happy birthday, Honey." William said sweetly when he approached his wife.

"Thank you, Will, thank you." Patty whispered but just enough for her husband to hear. She was still at owe about the surprise party that her family had given her.

"Happy birthday, mommy!" It was Hailey.

"Oh, Hailey darling..." Patty couldn't explain the overflowing joy she was feeling. She just embraced her lovely daughter a little longer then parted.

"Where's your brother?" William asked.

Hailey looked around to see if her brother was around the small living room. "Maybe his outside with his friends."

Patty smiled. "Go on, mingle with the other guests outside. I'll just be right here with my amigas." She pointed to the group of women whom she usually spent the afternoons with in front of teas and muffins.

The women waved and Hailey waved back. "Okay, be back in a few."

Hailey walked towards the tables, still laden with the food they had prepared. As she started back with her plate, she stopped and stared at this guy shaking hands with her brother. He stood out from the rest of the men he was with, he was in a gray shirt, skinny black jeans, some white sneakers and an aura about him that bespoke a world of ease far from their town.

He was only a year older than Jared and he looked different now, but they have been close friends during high school. He was a man who seemed to be at ease anywhere, his deep green eyes seemed to take in the whole scene.

"Well, I'll be damned..." Hailey heard him say. The others shook hands with him too and it all seemed that he was the center of attention. She watched them. Jared seemed to be a good companion for having a battalion of friends.

"It had been a long time!" Jared said. Their eyes meet in instant memory. They were the best of friends. "How are you, Calvin?"

Calvin smiled and laughed. Jared knew him quite enough. He was...well, both of them were playboys back in highschool. They would date several girls, one after the other then after a day or two they'll stop calling them. It was fun for them even when they got in trouble.

But during Calvin's stay in New York City, his perceptions had changed. It all started when his parents divorced. His father was the problem. He had been addicted to casinos and used all their money for all his nonsense. He was always drunk when he arrived home. His parents fought for months over it, it lasted a year until his father finally decided to leave and filed for divorce. His mother was really devastated and broken. Calvin hated his father so much and he promised himself that he will never be like him. Not even an inch.

"I'm really glad you had my message dude. Dang, thought you'll never show your ass again." Jared said.

"I'll be staying for a few weeks. I'm just glad to be back, this town had changed a lot, hasn't it?"

Jared shrugged as he agreed. Calvin looked around the place to recognize the people around him. But he only knew a few. "You've got some party goin' on here."

Jared smiled. "Yeah, I guess you can say that. My sister actually planned this."

"Your sister?" Calvin repeated.

"Yeah, you've met her before during our family day at school."

Calvin tried to recall. "Oh yes. I think I remember." They were sophomores back then when Jared introduced Hailey. Calvin had only seen her once or twice but he couldn't recall anymore.

"C'mon, my folks are inside." Calvin followed as they trailed towards the house. The ladies kept on staring as they passed through.

"Mom, dad it's Calvin." Jared pointed his friend. "You remember him don't you?"

"Oh, yes I do. You were always together before, weren't you?" Patty smiled as she remembered.

"Yeah." Jared answered, delighted that they still knew his friend.

"We haven't seen you for one--two years or so?" William said as he tried to recount the years.

"That's because he was in New York for college. He was with his parents-"

Calvin cut him off. "I was only with my mother."

"Oh that explains it. How about your father? We hadn't met though."

"I'm not really sure. They've...separated." Calvin answered. Almost embarrassed but he kept a straight face.

Patty and William's eyes resembled sadness when they heard it. "We're sorry, son. We didn't know."

Calvin smiled. "No it's okay. We're actually doing pretty good without him in the picture."

"You didn't tell me about that." Jared said suddenly feeling bad.

"Well, you weren't asking anyways." Calvin lightly laughed.

"How's your mother now, Calvin? I remember we've met, I think it was on your birthday." Patty stated.

"Mom's been good. She's still in New York." Calvin didn't want to talk about his family, its a pretty good day and he didn't want it to be ruined by a bad memory. "By the way, Mrs. Miller, here's a little something." He handed her a little box that was wrapped in blue paper. "Happy birthday."

"Thank you. It's so thoughtful of you." Patty said as she smiled warmly at Calvin.

"Where's Hailey anyway?" Jared questioned.

"She's just around--oh, there she is." William pointed.

Calvin turned and saw a young lady walking towards them. He eyed her trying to search the little girl he had seen before, but the little girl was gone and was now replaced by a beautiful young lady in a bright yellow dress that only made her stand out even more. A long graceful hand swept a mane of brown hair away from that face that startled him with its beauty.

"Hailey, come over here." Jared called out and Hailey stood beside her brother who was only inches taller than her. "This is Calvin Thompson, a very good friend of mine. You've already met him before."

"Oh..I don't remember, but it's nice to meet you though." Hailey said and shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you as well, Hailey."

"Glad you're able to come to mom's party. We hope you'll enjoy." Hailey said back, untamed of Calvin's stare. There was a polish to the young man and a quiet sophistication. Everything about him was immaculate and expensive. From the shirt, to the impeccable pants and the elegant hands.

"I'm pretty sure I will." Now that you're here. He wanted to add. "Jared told me that you planned all of this." Calvin changed the topic because he was pretty much aware of the glares that Jared was giving him.

"Yes.." Hailey answered. Cheeks blushing. "Dad helped too."

"Hey, I helped too." Jared nudged his sister.

"Of course you did, Jar. You helped drink the wines yesterday." Hailey joked and they all laughed.

Calvin was in silent admiration, aside from the beauty, she also has a good sense of humor. She's something. Calvin thought to himself.

"Haileeeey!" Her classmates called outside and there was no ignoring them.

"Sweetie, go on." William finally said and Hailey nodded.

"Well, it's nice to meet you Mr. Thompson. Enjoy the party."

"Thanks...and please call me Calvin."

"Alright, Calvin." Hailey said and finally walked away.