Moving Forward

Chapter Nineteen

The week passed by in a blur and Saturday had finally come. Zach stayed the night since he lives a little far and we planned on getting up at four to gather and organize the things to head to the park. Kandy had lost all of her cheery attitude and was now in serious mode. I could tell she was stressing out over this because she's afraid of how the people will take all of it in. I mean, having been banished from a family because of my sexual orientation for many years and suddenly getting a call to come back for a family reunion? Yeah, if I can't forgive my mom then I doubt these people would forgive Kandy.

ON THE CONTRARY, I know they aren't like me. I don't know why but I have a feeling they really will forgive her. After all, I talked to each one of them on the phone. I know my judgment and nobody seemed ill other than the dude who was avoiding my call.

Anyways, Tyler just arrived with his family and they are a lot! I've been an only child my whole life and the people I am friends with only have either one or two siblings or none as well but damn. Tyler must deal with a lot every day. My dad also joined us since he wants to hang around me which I don't mind. Unless he brings up embarrassing stories. Then I'll have to send him home.

"Meet Sebastian and David, and Avery and Kylie, and little Diana, too," Tyler sang.

"I'm not so little," Diana protesting, throwing a punch at Tyler. "I'm only four years younger than you!"

"Wow, you all look about the same age," Kandy pointed out. "Other than you, Diana."

"Well we all pretty much are kinda the same age," the guy introduced as David said. "Mom and dad did a lot of fucking when we were babies." A middle-aged women came up behind him and hit his head, making David recoil in pain.

"Keep that mouth shut if you aren't going to say anything appropriate," she scolded. She looked at the rest of us with a big grin. "Hi, I'm Alexis Jenkins, but you can call me whatever you like."

"Alright, Mrs. Jenkins," Zach said politely. "Thank you for coming to help us set up the event." Alexis looked between Zach and Tyler with narrowed eyes in suspicion.

"So you're the friend Tyler said needed help," she said slowly, eyeing Tyler with amusing suspicion. Tyler placed his face in his hands and groaned loudly.

"MOM. It's not him! The gay friend is her," Tyler pointed at Kandy who nodded in agreement.

"Oh, I see," Alexis laughed. "I was about to say, 'is he really just your friend?'"

Soon after, we all started setting up the streamers and decorations on the park tables and benches under the surprisingly big park shelter. It was five when we started. It was twelve when we finished.

Sitting down on one of the benches, I leaned all the way back and groaned. Finally, it was done. Now, all we need is to wait for the guests and the party is on. Then it ends but I will not let anyone leave until this place is spotless. The park office was hesitant to lend us the day for such a big event so I will not disappoint them by leaving a mess.

"Who wants pizza?" David asked us, hopping off of the table he was laying on and walking towards Sebastian.

"Me!" nearly everyone yelled. I laughed and agreed as well. As long as we don't end up eating the boxes set out for the guests it's fine by me. Sebastian pulled out his phone and ordered three pizzas: pepperoni, sausage, and cheese. The pizza's we pre-ordered should be ready within the next twenty minutes so we went ahead and added them to the order. Once they arrived, we engaged in small talk.

"So you know your son is gay?" I asked Alexis. She nodded, her mouth stuffed with pizza.

"Seb and I were the first ones to know," Avery said. "Little Ty here was rehearsing how to say it to mom and dad and we just happened to walk by. It was actually hilarious and at the same time startling for us."