|
|
|
The phone rang at two and Craig dropped the book he was reading into his lap and snapped up the receiver.
"Talk to me." He said.
"I don't wanna." Brent said.
"Well then why the fuck did you call me?" Craig teased.
"Maybe I called to talk to Mandie." Craig chuckled.
"Hang on, I'll get her."
"Wait you ass!" Brent said loudly. "I just wanted to tell you that I took the plunge into the icy water yesterday." Craig raised his eyebrows.
"Is that the lyrics from a new song you're writing Mr. Talented?" He teased. He heard Brent sigh on the other end.
"Hey," Brent thought a moment. "It could be, lemme write that down." Craig laughed. "Nawww, I asked Annie to marry me yesterday."
"Well, it's about goddamn time don't ya think?" Another sigh from Brent.
"I just got the fucking ring! The rock was so big it took 20 guys to carry it!" Craig laughed out loud.
"Ohhh, okay, that tells me that I'll need a magnifying glass to see the chip!"
"That's it you shithead, next time I see you I pummel you." Craig laughed again.
"I like talking to you Brent, you're good for a laugh."
"Man, glad I can add some humor to your life. Like your life isn't funny enough as it is ..." Craig thought a moment and the smile on his face faded. No, his life wasn't humorous at all ... At the uncomfortable silence, Brent said; "I met Andrea's younger sister yesterday." Then he whistled.
"Bad?" Craig asked. Brent chuckled.
"No way, man, GOOD! She's fucking hot!" Craig cleared his throat.
"Really?" He asked curiously.
"Oh yeah, jeez. It's a damn good thing I didn't meet her first."
"Why? She's probably on the pill ..."
"Hey! Listen, Annie was on the fucking pill man!" Brent said defensively. "She just forgot to take one or two ..." His voice trailed off.
"Unh huh, that's what I thought ..." Craig said teasing Brent again. He heard Brent huffing in the background. It was always fun to yank his chain and watch him get frustrated. He used to do that a lot when they were little, he'd tease Brent and watch him get all pissed off and it wasn't long before he'd start to cry and run straight to Mom. Of course, the punishment from Mom came swift but it was worth it to watch Brent cry like a baby!
"Fuck you Mr. Father of children all over the goddamn world!" Craig laughed.
"Ouch, that hurt! Don't be mean to me Brent!" Silence on the other end told Craig that Brent couldn't think of anything better to say. "Okay, I guess I win."
"And the horse you rode in here on Craig!" Brent said starting in the middle of a sentence. Craig sighed. He was bored with this conversation.
"So, what about Annie's sister?"
"Well, I found out that she's an artist. She's dating some dumbass fireman. She's freaking hot, Craig. She looks like she could be Annie's twin but her hair is short and blonde and it's ... sassy." Craig laughed loudly again.
"Sassy? Sassy? Did I just hear Brent say SASSY??" Brent sighed.
"Stop fucking with me, I'm trying to tell you something!" Craig held his hand over his eyes while he giggled.
"Go on ..." Craig said finally.
"Anyway, this chick's a pistol, man. She was flirting with me BIG TIME. I really held back though. I didn't think it would be right to flirt with Andrea's sister while she was standing right there, ya know?"
"Hey, your brain DOES work Captain Obvious!" Brent gritted his teeth and growled.
"Listen, she was in my face!" Craig sighed.
"Okay, Brent, do yourself a favor ... stay away from that chick. She's trouble. And she's gonna come between you and your woman, especially if she knows WHO you are!"
"I know, I know, I'm not stupid." Craig raised his eyebrows.
"Well, it IS your middle name!"
"You bastard!"
"No, correction, I KNOW who my father is ..."
"Oh, I'm SO telling Mom ..." Craig laughed. He sounded just like he did at 10. It was pretty cute, he had to admit. "So, dumbass, what are you doing today?" Brent asked, changing the subject.
"Mandie and I are going to the bar tonight. I have to play tomorrow night. Other than that, nadda."
"Well, Curt popped in out of nowhere and, since Annie's working at the hospital, Curt, Terri, and I are going to that brewpub in Downers Grove and cop a beer and listen to some bands they got playing there."
"Hmmm, sounds like fun. Wish I could be there, oh wait, no I don't! Then I'd have to put up with YOU."
"You fucker, you just want me to drive 8 hours to kick your everlovin' ass, don'tcha?" Craig giggled at Brent again.
"Well, it would give me something to do!" Brent laughed too.
"Yeah, and the colors you would turn from the bruises would be amusing as well!"
"Me?" Craig asked, pointing to himself. "I don't think so -- you may be SASSY but you aren't tough by no means!!" Brent sighed and Craig laughed. They chatted a while longer and then, when Craig was going on and on about beating the shit out of Brent, Brent hung up on him mid-sentence. Craig laughed and hung up the phone. Mandie breezed in the door moments later. She hung up her coat and flopped down on the couch beside Craig.
"I got a booklet with homes for sale." She waved it at him and began to flip through it. He set down his book and eyed her.
"Anything good in there?" He asked scooting closer to her.
"I did see one thing that looked good ... It's a little further from work but not too bad!" He slid his arm around her shoulder and looked down at the booklet feigning interest. She looked up at him and smiled. He smiled back and then reached his hand up and ran it though her silky, blonde hair. He leaned down and smelled it. He loved the smell of her hair, so fresh and clean and slightly floral. He kissed her head. Suddenly he grabbed the booklet with his other hand and tossed it away. He pushed her down on the couch and crawled on top of her.
"What are you doing Craig?" She asked, her eyes twinkling. He looked her over and smiled a sly smile.
"Ohhhhhh, nothing." He said pushing her hair out of her face with his hands. He leaned down very slowly and kissed her mouth. "Mmmmm ..." he mumbled as he kissed her a few times more. She just lay there and let herself be kissed. He slid his tongue out of his mouth and licked her lips. It tickled and she shook her head. He did it again and she giggled. She grabbed his head and pulled him down onto her mouth. This time she bit his lower lip. "Oooooo, playing rough, eh?" She smiled. They kissed again, he licked and she bit. It wasn't long before the clothes were coming off and they were licking, sucking, and biting at each other. They made love on the couch and then dressed again and lay together.
"Do you really want to go out tonight, Mandie?" Craig asked. He really wanted to rent a movie, grab some Chinese and hang around the apartment. They were going to meet some of Mandie's old friends and the way he had been feeling lately, he would just rather hang out at home ... Mandie sighed.
"Yeah, I really do. You don't?" He touched her arm softly creating little goosebumps where ever he touched.
"Not really, no." She looked at him with a frown.
"Please tell me you're not bailing on me!" He made a face.
"Would you be mad if I didn't go?"
"Yes, Craig, I would." He shrugged.
"Okay, then I go!" She leaned back against him. He rubbed his eyes. Mandie got up from the couch a short time later and got into the shower. Craig changed from his flannel pjs into a pair of jeans and a Henley. He was tying his boots when the phone rang again. Once again, he picked it up and said "Talk to me."
"Craig?" Mom said.
"Yeah, Mom." Craig said holding the phone with his chin while he tied the other shoe.
"I just got a letter in the mail." She stopped talking. He thought about asking "and that's unusual how?" but knew he would get smacked down for that smartass remark.
"Oh?" He asked instead.
"And there was a picture in it ... of a baby." He felt his heart skip a beat. Charlotte, up to her new tricks!
"Oh?" He managed to choke out.
"That baby looks like you." His shoulders slumped. He heard the water turn off in the shower. "Craig?" Mom asked when he hadn't responded.
"Can we talk about this another day?" He asked turning his head toward the bathroom, listening for Mandie.
"I'm worried, Craig." Mom said. "That baby looks like you." It irritated him that she said it AGAIN.
"I know, you said that already. Listen, Mom, what is it with you mothers? How can you look at something that doesn't look like anything but wrinkled up red flesh and say it looks like someone? Jesus, I don't see it! Mandie and I are going out and I can't talk about this now! If you're gonna be mad at someone, why don't you call Brent and ask him how he feels about Andrea's sister right about now? That's where you should be focusing your attention!" Right after he said it he felt bad! He had just siced his mother on Brent just to get her off his back. "Mom, I'm sorry. I am worried about it too. I have to apologize for Charlotte. I think she's just desperate. And, really, can we talk about this another day?" Mom was silent.
"What is Brent up to Craig?" She said finally.
"Nothing, Mom, I'm sorry I said that. How about this, how about I come over Monday and we can talk about it."
"I want to see that baby." She said taughtly. Craig closed his eyes tightly and turned his head. He could not allow this ...
"Mom, I'll come over Monday and we'll talk." Mandie was going to walk out of the bathroom any second now ... Mom sighed.
"All right. I'll call you Sunday." He heard the bathroom door open and Mandie came out in nothing but a towel wrapped tightly around her.
"Okay, Mom, looking forward to it." He said lightly. "Bye, bye." And he hung up. Mandie looked at him as he hung up the phone. He pointed to it.
"It was my Mom." He said cheerfully. Mandie nodded. He went out into the kitchen while she got dressed. 'Motherfucker!' He seethed quietly while pacing the rooms. He had to talk his mother out of wanting to see that baby and he didn't know how. He paced until Mandie came out of the bedroom looking radiant and ready to go. He faked a smile at her and held up her coat. She slipped into it and he held the door open for her and she breezed past him. He slammed it closed.
