Aubrey, the Star

38: shockwave

Aubrey

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shockwave - "a high-pressure wave that travels at supersonic speeds; usually produced by an explosion."

"All this for a baby shower?"

Charlotte circled the island counter in the kitchen, examining a variety of floral arrangements. A few minutes ago they'd been thrusted into our hands by a courier, who appeared to be in a big hurry by the way he threw the tulips in my face. If flowers could bruise then I'd be beat-up. On top of that, the portly guy bowed more sharply than courtesy allowed before turning to get the remaining flowers. Not a word except for a grunt came after my dry thanks.

To top it off, it just so happened that Charles and Beth were at an ultrasound appointment and couldn't be here to carry the flowers by themselves.

There were white daisies, blue dyed roses, mini sunflowers, tulips, lilacs, and more. All for one single event. It was as if we were preparing for some type of gala. Who knew a party needed an ice sculpture of a naked newborn. Apparently that delivery was due to come tomorrow morning, according to Charlotte.

Beth chose to spare no expense for her son.

"Mom has always been high-maintenance," Charlotte said, smirking. She raised gentle fingers to touch the roses. The sweet, almost sickly, smell of flowers cut through the delicious scent of breakfast we'd been eating before the delivery interrupted us. "She'll be nine months next week. I guess it is time for a baby shower before she pops."

The image of a baby causing Beth to scream to death from sick pain made me smile unfortunately. I hoped the baby would let her feel the wrath she forced others to endure for no reason. The baby could rip her vagina and I still don't think I'd care because it's not my vagina to worry about. As for the baby shower? I refused to go after the first bouquet poked my eye out.

A hand ran down my face and I groaned. Babies are cute, but they scream, pooped, and stared. The thought of a wailing child disrupting the peace of the household, on top of me becoming a big sister all over again, is terrifying. Hell, I finally got used to Charlotte and that took two months of fighting before the claws retracted.

A baby and a postpartum Beth seemed like Hell. Take me now, Lord. I think I'm ready.

"Which bouquet do you like the most, Bre?" Charlotte asked, looking through the flowers like she was stuck in the middle of a jungle.

Being left in a jungle having to fend for myself sounded better than going to a babyshower tomorrow.

I walked closer to the flowers, crossing my arms around my chest. "I don't think my opinion matters any. Especially if your mom has anything to do with it."

My sister rolled her eyes and smelled the flowers. "She's not the one asking you questions."

The roses were soft between my fingers. A small trace of blue dye bled onto my fingertips when I pulled away from them. Everything was so damn fake. Who the hell dyed roses? They were beautiful the way they were. I sighed and walked to the kitchen table where a bowl of cold oatmeal waited for me.

The mixture of apple and cinnamon oats felt like chalk in my mouth. It was rough to swallow. Charlotte, taking note of my sudden mood shift, took a seat beside me and began to spread avocado onto a piece of toast. We sat in silence, the sound of chewing taking over the kitchen.

"Aubrey," Charlotte breathed, staring out the window overlooking the massive front lawn of the property. I took a bite of the oatmeal, not wanting to speak. "I know you don't care enough, or at all, about my mom, but this baby shower is for everyone. Not just her, you know?" I raised an eyebrow. "Consider it a happy time to celebrate a new life - our brother..."