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It was Friday already. And I couldn't be happier. This meant the bonfire was just a week and a few days closer. The only downfall was that it meant that Michael was leaving. Jarod did end up giving the metal dog-tags, and I promised I would wear them the entire time that he is away. Our little family bonding moment, once mom sees me wearing it.

But it was that one day of the week that I end up helping at the bar, making drinks and waitressing at a different hour of the night. Luckily Joe called and told me to come later at night, at about seven so that I could leave at a decent time of Midnight. Leaving me enough time to finish my essay, even with Mickey distracting me. For mom was still out working. 

I haven't seen her since she rushed out of the house yesterday afternoon, and I was beginning to worry about her overworking. She was taking the same strategy with me, I don't think I was clear. Or rather she was clear about what truly happened to me, honestly, she's built herself a good life. 
And I don't want to ruin it for her.

I grew up, she wasn't there. And my asshole father was nothing more than an abusive, giving me the scar on my back. At one point in time I wish they could just cut out that piece of skin on my back, it was the only evidence I am walking around with. Every day for the rest of my life.

What a great reminder in doing Law homework and reading about the different types of evidence there are, I know my fault for taking this class. But for some reason, it hurt more than I care to admit. Until my phone began to buzz, amusing to think it's Jarod or my mother was an obvious choice. But it was work. Calling to tell me that they don't need me, and at the worse possibly day as well. Considering my brother's friends are coming, and I don't want to just show up to my friend's hang out unannounced. So instead, I called my mother and explained that she could take her time returning home. 

However, she was already on her way home. Tired as all hell, so instead. I had the plan of finally customizing the bike, the paints were all set to draw on it. I just need to decide what sort of image I wish to have.

Mom soon came home, wearing the attire I have seen her in all week. Before she questioned why I wouldn't be going to work. Apparently, Joe is going to a party and her nieces are covering the entire restaurant, so in favor to me. She's giving me my Friday off, something I wish she would have saved for another time. But alas, I could use this. "Jarod texted me saying his friends will be over." "Yeah, I'm going to stay in the barn." "All night? I was thinking we could go out and do something." I honestly was not expecting her to come out of the blue with plans. Especially with little Mickey with us, and Michael coming home at the most random time throughout the week. And his deployment coming around the corner? It was just a mix of everything at once. "I wanted to get something done with my bike, shouldn't take more than an hour or two. Is it too late then?" She shook her head no, motioning her outfit. So she too needed time to get ready. On the other hand, Mickey would be joining us, the first time I am out on this side of the family. And I couldn't be more nervous.

Taking my bag full of homework and everything else, so I find myself opening the bar as my brother and his friends coming forward into the area we park our cars. Knowing well enough that this won't work well...

Uncovering the paint and readying the gun, do I sketch a few ideas in my mind that I've always dreamed of adding to the bike I was wanting to get. Of course, this wasn't it, but it's better than anything I could have afforded in my lifetime at the moment. 

The image was not to be big, but just a little customization from my own side. Normally people would want fire, I on the other hand. Felt a sort of connection to a symbol that I've to know since I was a child. A Triquetra, not too small and not too big either. Just big enough for me to see when I'm riding. 

To me, it felt like I was issuing a tattoo to my own body, and in that regard, I am pretty much doing it. For this was the tattoo I wished to get the second I turn 18. "Hey, Blake. Brother said you were in here." Ryan said, stumbling on in. The noise of the radio blaring music and the buzz of the gun had me at mute to the world outside, smiling upwards did I think it was enough to show that I was busy. "Gonna come hang out with us?"
"Mom wanted to do something with me tonight."
"Bummer. Kinda wanted to hang out before the party."
"Two weeks away, we'll figure something out." Was the last thing I said, before fixing my position and beginning to fill in the small design. 

The position I was in wasn't the best for his perspective, well for him, it's probably a sight. For me it was just the way I had always done it, that is...Until Daniel found his way into my shop. "Whoa." He muttered before I heard the gentle nudge he had done to his friend, this was weird. And I grew up in foster care for most of my life, this was just the end trail of it. "Don't like an audience when I'm working." Another quick lookup did Ryan say his goodbye before leaving, of course, the nicer of the two leaves first. Instead of leaving did he earn his way closer to me, kneeling down before me. Much too close to my bike. "You really taking Ryan to the party?" "He asked first." He muttered a curse word as I continued to fill in the symbol, at last, I was done. Stepping on off from my bike did I look to him. Still staring at me. "Please leave."
"Why? Just want to talk."
"You're not talking. Please leave." He wouldn't budge, closing my eyes thinking he would disappear was a mistake. 


Instead, Daniel gripped the handle of my bike and twisted. "Don't touch her again," I said, wiping the paint from my hands and continuing to clean up my little area of the barn. It was turning better than I expected, probably add the posters in here rather than my room. That's for show, this is my own workshop. "Can I offer you a beer?"
"Better hide that before my mom sees it." He chuckled, coming on closer towards me. The smell of booze all too familiar with my time in working in a bar, and my father. "Don't drink?"
"Not with you."
"Heard you're going to the bonfire. Sure I can't get an invite?"
"Leave now and I'll think about it." He nodded, holding his bottle up in the air before walking out backward. Sighing did I already know my friends would kill him on the spot. He made such a big argument with me that it would just hurt my image. 
Whatever it might be at the moment.

So as I round back to the house, wanting to wash up just a bit before heading out to dinner or whatever my mom had in mind. Did we end up just going shopping. I pushed the cart with little Mickey in the child's section of the thing. While she just looked at her list. "There is a few meetings at the military base...Jarod's going." Looking up from my brother playing with my one single hand did I question it. "Is it for kids or-" "Both, good for you to get to know about it a bit more." Nodding did I continue to push the cart forward, helping her grab a few items to eat. And a few little sweets for myself, she wouldn't say no. And I didn't want to take that against her, so I bought myself a phone case. And hid it under everything so she wouldn't notice. "You have enough clothes?" "Yeah. Enough for the whole school to have an outfit. Went a little overboard there mom." She put back the shirt she was looking towards, peering over at me...I did not want to get emotional with her, right here. In the store. "I just wanted you to get comfortable here." 

Pushing the cart closer to her so I could be within arms reach did I pull her into a hug. My boots making me massively taller than her might have been an unfair advantage, but she tried her hardest on her tippy toes to reach my shoulder. "I'm comfortable here. I've made friends. Michael's nice. I'm happy. Alright?"
"Just wish you didn't have to go through all that you did."
"Same goes for you too. I'm not a child anymore, and you have him to look after now." She nodded, sniffling up whatever sort of reason she started to cry before moving on. 
The total amount of money well spent here was scary, and I completely forgot to pay for my own phone case when the time came. Guess I was just too worked up about her facing the truth. 

With Mickey snoring away, and twenty more minutes in the car ride left. I started the conversation. "How did you meet Michael?"
 "Started working at the base, paid well, finally had my nursing degree." Nodding. I was proud of my mom to put past the abuse and neglect she had gotten from my sperm donor. But this was just the mess of it all. "He tried everything in his power to get you sooner."
"Not his problem to worry about."
"Now it is. He loves you like his own." I sighed. Knowing again that I have to warm up to the idea of another man in my life trying to be my father figure. It was my foster parents, the number of them I've had over the years. This was the final one, and he is leaving soon... "I'll get there soon. I promise." She smiled, taking her eyes off the road for just one quick second to look on over towards me before we finally got back to the house. Mom was quick to get Mickey, and whether the guys in the house were trying to be helpful. Or Ryan and Daniel were trying to impress me by bringing most of the bags in the house, I was beaten. 

Saying goodnight to everyone in the living room, did I manage to climb up the stairs and change into something more comfortable. The coldness outside was different in here, the heat was cranked high. Not even wanting to know what the heat bill is every month, did I decide to wear some shorts and a crop tank top to bed. 

Combing through my hair was I trying to get through all the knots from the show I had just taken. Luckily my brother's friends were all downstairs in the basement...Or I hope they were. I had no bra on and short shorts on, trying to relax while getting ready for bed. 

The knock on the door scared me, but I just yelled a normal 'enter' as I turned to look who it was. Assuming it was my mom, but it wasn't. It was Ryan. "Hey."
"Hey...I know it's late, but I was meaning to talk to you." Rolling my eyes did I grab the light sweater beside me to cover my entire stomach. Going up to him with my arms crossing over my chest did I ask the word 'what' in my body single motion. "Just wanted to say goodnight." "Please tell me you're staying, I don't want Daniel to come up here in the middle of the night." "No...I am. I am...Just...Nevermind. Goodnight." I smiled while returning the comment, him staying still didn't stop me from locking the door. 

Getting into bed with all the lights shut off, was I still tossing and turning. What the fuck was I going to do about these two jock boys?

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Date Posted: 12-22-17 // Time: 
Word-Count:2107

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