Volume VI: And Introducing Harley Morrow As - Herself

39. Resident Psycho

        Lucidius wouldn’t call it quits, no matter how hard I pushed him away. I tried like hell but nothing seemed to be good enough. He had given up harassing other people, reserving his time and patience special for me. I explained this to Serkis and Layne. They told me I was being childish. I explained this to them multiple times. They told me they’d talk to him. And they did. And he only persisted more. I swear - that guy was impossible. Then again, most guys are.

        I turned 19 as the time slipped by. I didn’t really celebrate. I didn’t tell people or make a big deal. Serkis knew. And she knew that I knew. I snuck out of my apartment and got to work before anyone could come over. I locked the door meticulously behind me. And I went to work. I went to the bar, my second home. The family had told the regulars, who insisted on buying me drinks all night. Lucidius just smiled and grinned all night. As much as I hated to be the center of everything, the attention was pleasing. It put my mind at ease and my heart to rest, knowing that people gave a damn about me. Even if it was just something simple. It mattered the world to me.

        I was left to lock up late again tonight. Lucidius stayed with me. I couldn’t get that boy to do anything I wanted him to.

        “Why don’t you go on home, I’ll finish up here.” He was across the room wiping down tables. I laughed out loud, stifling myself when I realized he was serious.

        “I’m sorry,” I muttered. “You want me to give you the keys, leave you here alone, give you control and power over my job? This is my life, I’m not quite sure if you understand that.”

        He shrugged and cleaned faster. We got out of there in slightly less time then if I’d had to do everything alone. He waited with me again.

        “Lucid, come on, please go on home?”

        “Aw, come on, it’s your birthday.”

        “Who told you?”

        He smiled. “Come on. You should go home.”

        I gave him a look and he returned it, raising a brow at me. I gave up and let him walk me upstairs to the apartment. He wouldn’t quit and I was too tired to try and make him. I might have been slightly intoxicated to boot.

        We got to my door and he swung it open for me. I remembered specifically locking it, but I could have been mistaken. He helped me stumble in.

        “Surprise!” I heard Serkis’ voice as I looked around. Layne, Serkis and Pandora were standing around, still working on setting things up I think. It was kind of funny. They all froze where they were standing and just yelled when we came in. Lucidius couldn’t stop laughing. Sylum was standing around something, probably working on getting drunk early. They had the babies...somewhere. I couldn’t help it - I started laughing too. It was really funny to walk in to them on chairs and things trying to hang up decorations and be cute and fluffy. And they’re working to industrial rock music. And the kids are sleeping to this. Only us.

         We all sat around for hours and just laughed. We talked about everything under the sun and then some. Pandora ran back and forth to check in on the children. At one point I think Serkis and Layne held her down so she’d stay still. Sylum consented to the job when Pandora was stuck. I didn’t mind it either, but the longer we all stayed together, the more things got blurry. They insisted that Lucidius stay. At that point, I really didn’t mind. We sat around, played music, sang, laughed, you name it. We had a good time, and that was the point. We enjoyed each other’s company. That was the purpose of family. After the longer hours had passed, Serkis and Layne decided they should get the kids home. Pandora agreed. We all hugged and kissed at the door as they left. Sylum excused himself on his way out, explaining that he had work tomorrow and he needed an early start if he was going to attempt to sleep off the hangover he’d have. I laughed as they all left. I turned around and collapsed on the couch. Lucidius was still lurking around. I waved a hand for him to sit down.