A Girl Named Callie

<Jasper> A Boy Whose Life Is About to Change

Chapter 38

<Jasper Coven>

I'm dressed in my gray suit and black button-down shirt. A thin gray tie is tied around my neck and the lavender corsage my mom picked out is pinned to my lapel. There are two new injection sites in the crook of my elbow, the heroin making me feel airy and pleasant. My dyed black hair is brushed over my left eye, trying to disguise the purple shadows that are staining the skin underneath. The inside pocket of my suit jacket is heavy with syringes and an almost used-up bag of heroin. I texted Mateo this morning to bring me more after the ceremony. He responded with a place to meet, which calmed my spiraling mind and allowed me to get ready.

I walk out of the bathroom and find Abigail sitting on the couch in a lavender dress, per the request of my mom. She looks up when she sees me and gives a nod of approval as she pushes herself off the couch. She wraps a purple shawl around her shoulders and grabs her purse before the pair of us walk out of the apartment. Abigail walks slow because of her stiletto heels and I walk slow because of the heroin coursing through my veins. We reach her car in five minutes, a walk which should've taken less than two. She unlocks her car and slips into the driver's seat. Once we're both buckled in, Abigail pulls out of the parking garage and heads towards the Baptist church.

"You need to go make up with your mom. I'll park." Abigail says as she pulls in front of the church.

I nod and step out onto the sidewalk. She speeds away, leaving me to walk gingerly into the church and down a hallway to a classroom where my mom is getting ready. Women are bustling around in floral dresses, applying blush and perfume in a way that creates a hazy cloud in the room. I don't recognize any of the women, but I assume they must be my mom's friends from church that I have yet to meet. A few of them spot me and the room goes quiet as they all turn to me. They don't look angry, but there is a definite air of concern about the room. I walk in without saying a word and lean against the wall, waiting for my mom to notice me.

She is standing at a mirror on the far left wall of the room, pinning back pieces of her hair into a low bun. She is dressed in a cream lace gown that hugs her body and doesn't flare obnoxiously. It seems to flow when she moves like waves on a beach. She accepts a flower hair comb from one of her friends and slides it into place right above her bun. Her friend helps her to put on her veil while another friend applies a pink lipstick to my mom's lips. I tuck my hands in my pockets and look up at her.

"You look beautiful, mom." She turns around, her eyes wide with surprise.

Her friends let go of her as she walks towards me and pulls me into a tight hug. I hug her back, even though the gesture has caught me completely off-guard. She kisses my cheek and runs her fingers through the overgrown hair on the back of my neck.

"I didn't think you'd come," She whispers, her voice choked up.

"I shouldn't have said all those things or made such a scene." I reply, holding her close. "I want you to be happy and I want to be part of your life. I know I'm a lot to deal with, but I'll try to be better. Ashley is great and I would be lucky to be part of a family that has him in it."

"I know it's an adjustment, Jasper, and I know you miss your brother. I miss him too, every day. I've known him and loved him since I was 17. I've known and loved you since I was 20. I spent all of my life being your mom and that's not going to stop because of Ashley."

"I know." I say and kiss my mom's head. "Ashley is going to be good for you. You won't have to feel alone anymore. You'll finally have the love you deserve, and I'm happy for you."

"That's all I wanted to hear." My mom says as she pulls away from me, fanning her face to keep her tears from messing up her makeup.

"I love you, mom, I'll meet you outside the sanctuary doors." I blow her a kiss as I walk out of the room.