Salted Wound

Chapter 41 Zamari- Dec 22, 2018

"Jade, is this good for the party?" I call, pushing her bedroom door open. She looks up from her perch on the edge of her bed putting on jewelry. She does a double-take when she sees my outfit and cocks her head to the side in thought.

I turn slightly in a model pose and she bursts into laughter, no longer able to take me seriously. I'm wearing chanclas, boxers, Mardi Gras beads I had found in a shoebox in my closet, a tie - knotted correctly thank you - an old top hat, and sunglasses.

"You look dashing." She says, putting small gold hoops in her ears.

"I know." I sigh dramatically. "I'm gonna steal that baby's thunder."

Jade nods sagely. "Jenny better look out."

Mom's bedroom door opens, and I lock eyes with Jade. If she sees me fucking around like this she could either laugh or deck me for taking too much time getting ready. It's a 50/50 chance that I'm not willing to take. I lunge for my room and kick the door shut behind me, breathing a sigh of relief when I hear her walk by without knocking on my door wondering why the hell I'm slamming doors. I pull on the white button-down mom told me to wear, and toss the tie back into the closet. I ain't that respectful. A timid knock comes on the door and I can tell it's Amari because he's the only one who would bother to knock.

"Come on in bud," I say, sitting on the edge of my bed to pull on my shoes.

He pushes the door open and crosses his little arms, a mild pout on his face.

"How come you guys get to go to the party? I want to go too."

I lean back and blow out a breath. "It's not gonna be a fun party Mar, it's gonna be full of grown-up, vegetables, and all kinds of boring stuff. They won't even have games." I say, making a face.

He uncrosses his arms, his expression slightly more relaxed at the prospect of missing out on something boring.

"I don't even want to go," I say honestly, and he tips his head to the side.

"Why are you going?"

I shrug. "Why do you eat carrots when you don't like them?"

"Mom makes me." He replies matter of factly.

"Exactly." I nudge him out of my doorway and we both walk into the living room. Mom is in the kitchen putting together a simple dinner for her and Amari while Jade is perched on the counter chatting.

"You ready to go?" I interrupt, ready for this night to be over, and my sister nods.

"I got a purse big enough to sneak snacks into, we're good." I snort, and mom wipes her hands on a towel before kissing Jade on the cheek and turning to me. I want to turn away, show her I still don't want this, but I know how much that would hurt so I let her kiss me on the cheek too.

"Be safe and try to have fun."

"We'll try," I say, holding the door open for Jade. I text Ana that we're on the way to get her and slide into the driver's seat of the car, immediately switching the heat on and blowing on my hands to warm them enough to actually steer the car. The sky rumbles and I look up to see thick clouds starting to collide together. I hope it rains. The aftermath smell always hits me, especially since we don't get it that often. Jade turns on the radio and I don't miss her eye roll when we pull up to Ana's house and I text her to come outside. Suffice it to say she hasn't fully warmed up to Ana yet. She's civil, but likes to mess with me about our friendship, and often finds excuses to remind me I'm in the friend zone.

Ana bounces out of the house and hurries to get into the backseat, a sweater wrapped tightly around the dress she wears. Estrella pushes the blinds aside in the front window and waves goodbye.