Just Another Brushstroke

Chapter 26

Angelo's POV

I never understood why people in this world celebrated birthdays.  Birthdays are just another day except you're one year older.  I understand the celebration and having cake, but some people go way to far out.  Just for a birthday.

I didn't get it, until now. 

I wanted to do everything I could to make Jeremy's birthday something that he would enjoy.  Something that he could remember.  I wanted it to be perfect.

I watched his chest go up and down as he breathed peacefully.  The way his lips were parted as breath came out and the way he always clung onto the blanket when he slept.  He was immaculate. 

I heard my phone buzzing on the nightstand.  I grabbed it and went into the bathroom to answer it.

"Are you here?" I asked them.

"Almost, the flight was delayed." They said then I heard a laugh.

Then I heard a girls voice speak into the phone.  "Yeah he got into a fight with the passenger in front of us and the flight attendant had to help them work it out." She said with a laugh.

"That doesn't surprise me.  I've to go." I said and then hung up.

I crawled back into bed with Jeremy as I prayed he would like this surprise.  He curled up next to me as he sleeps.  Light soon starts pouring through the windows as the sun comes up.  I know that Jeremy will most likely try to sleep all day.

That's what he does when he doesn't deal with the day.  I've seen him do it many times and I know that's not healthy.

His phone rings and I know that has to be his mother for the hundredth time today.  Jeremy rolls over but stays asleep.  After fifteen minutes, I start to shake him awake.

"Wake up, Jeremy." I say in his ear.

"No, I just want to sleep today." He said and I rolled my eyes.

I knew it.

"You need to wake up.  You also need to call your mother back." I said and laid the phone down next to him.

"Who are you?  My father?" He said sarcastically, earning another eyeroll from me.

He finally sat up and rubbed his eyes.  He always looked so cute in the morning.  Even with his smartass attitude.  His eyes were filled with sleep and his voice broke as he spoke.

He reached for his phone and dialed her back.  I was actually surprised he did, I really thought he would ignore her for today.

"Hey mom." He said lowly.

I couldn't hear what she said but I heard her voice slightly.  It was laced with panic. 

"You seriously didn't have it in your good graces to wait to give me the invitation once I came back?" He asked, almost sassily. 

I again could here her voice, and it sounded like she was scolding him for "manners," and "talking back."  Jeremy sat there with his eyes closed as he waited for her to finish her speech.  I knew Jeremy was more hurt then angry at her but sometimes you can't tell the difference.

Jeremy eventually hung up on her.  

"Was she done talking?" I asked her.

Jeremy grinned, "Yeah but she sounded mad."

I thought it was cool that his mom cared enough to continue to call him.  She wanted to check up on him.  My parents hadn't even tried to call me once on this trip.  I've learned to deal with it so it doesn't bother me like it used to.