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***
-Oh, honey...
After adjusting the butterfly around my neck, Mum slowly stepped back, putting her palms to her mouth. It seemed as if Mary Sullivan would burst into tears, but as the seconds passed, the woman who had become my mother in this world only pressed her lips together touchingly, wiping away tears.
Dressed in a simple house dress, so cosy and warm in the atmosphere of our home, she looked so touching and family-like that I could not resist the impulse to embrace my mother.
-Mum...
-It's all right, darling," she took a half step back, looking me over from head to toe, running her fingers over my shoulders and neck in disbelief, "how you've grown.... It seems like a while ago you were so tiny, and now... Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I know how today's young people don't like....
-Stop it, -drawing my mother back, gently stroking her head, noting with delight how much I've overtaken her in height, -thank you. Just to be sure. I've been a good son, haven't I?
-Ha-ha," the woman sat down at the kitchen table, laughing raggedly, rather to distract herself from her tears, "a good son. You should have found one. It's a pity you grew up so fast...
-Literally, you'll catch up with me soon enough," he stood in the kitchen aisle and grinned, sometimes immersing himself in his own memories, "maybe he'll move out soon and we'll have a happy life...
-Simon! Don't you dare kick our boy out! He's just out of high school and he's got university ahead of him.
-I'm just kidding," Daddy whispered loudly, putting his palm to his mouth so that his mother couldn't see, "but you better start saving up for a flat, your mother and I are still young....
-Simon!
He saluted me with a mug, which was surprisingly tea, not bourbon, and then he stepped closer, inspecting my suit. There was satisfaction in his eyes, that subtle satisfaction that is in every labourer's eyes when he finally finishes a long and difficult job, seeing for himself that all his efforts had paid off.
-How good. Here it is, the blood of the Sullivan family in all its glory," he clapped me on the shoulder, and my father hesitated for a moment, not knowing how to continue the conversation. Don't mess up.
I just hugged my old man, who was shocked by this turn of events, but still hugged me back. His strong arms would have cracked my ribs if I wasn't a sports nerd like some of my friends.
-I'm proud of you.
-Thanks, Dad.
After a quiet whisper, we silently parted ways, smiling contentedly. The atmosphere in the house was great and I understood as much as anyone these young parents who were seeing their child off to one of the major events in life.
-Oh, boys...
Mum couldn't help but burst into tears, letting out her feelings, emotions and pride.
-Oh, Mary.
-Mum, what are you doing?
In two pairs of hands, two burly Irishmen swarmed around the frail figure of Mary Sullivan as she grew more and more agitated with the attention.
A wonderful day. Without irony or sarcasm, today I felt an unprecedented uplift. Seventeen years in this new, mysterious and incredible world. Today there was no image of Rorschach, noir, or my eternal struggle to get around town. Just a simple family idyll that would soon escalate into a teenage rampage at the prom under the arm of an incredible girl.
It wasn't until after half an hour that we were able to reconvene and head for the exit, where my parents, realising that I was only happy with the feelings they were showing, once again wrapped me in their arms.
On the flip side, my dad even slipped me a suspiciously familiar square package, giving me a final wink.
They're good people, I hope they'll be able to make the world happy with a new Sullivan after I'm gone, I told them, to my mother's blushing cheeks and my father's booming laughter.
***
Cars in America are something else. In my former life, I never paid much attention to them, not being able to afford even the cheapest model.
But here... Well, life without a car, to put it mildly, brings inconvenience, and in the eyes of others appears very little positive emotions, if in the yard of your house is not at least the most simple cramped car.After rebirth I didn't become a fierce fan of expensive things and the car was still just a tool in my eyes. Yes, it was useful, but I could do without it, although my father made me take a driving licence so that sometimes I could go to the shop instead.
Clever dad.
"I feel like when I'm old enough, I'm gonna do the same thing, go out for a beer when my mum can't see me."
A lot of American teenagers would be thrilled at the prospect. A car, confidence, alcohol... So many opportunities! But after years of drinking in my previous life, I tried not to abuse it in this one, despite all the jokes. And I've already mentioned cars... I didn't even care about the make of the car I was driving to pick up Gwen.
Approaching a familiar street, I park not far from the entrance, torn by the desire to smoke or not to spoil the girl's impression with such a trifle. But still, the inner gentleman won and the full pack went into my pocket with the hope of treating myself in the evening.
-Fuh, well, it's time. Time to retrieve my princess from the tower of the evil dragon..... He's not evil, though. Although the gun can be compared to dragon flames.
Muttering and encouraging myself with jokes, trying to chase away the sudden excitement that had attacked me, I approached the front door of the house, freezing for a moment in indecision.
-Fuck, you're fighting gangs in the back alleys! Stop acting like-
The door of the house suddenly swung open, revealing a full-blooded black woman munching pumpkin seeds.
This was something I had never expected. My cheerful mood jumped up again, and the woman's surprised face quickly took on a cheerful grin as I stepped aside and leaned in slightly, smoothly moving my hand aside, inviting her to be the first to step forward.
-There's a lot of suitors out there," she flicked her eyebrows at me as she walked past me, giving me a handful of seeds in her open palm, "I'm sorry, sweetheart, but you're too young for this juicy pie.
-There's something to look forward to....
-Ha-ha, good for you.
Wagging her finger at me, the satisfied woman turned the corner with a much more brisk gait than before.
My run up the stairs to Gwen's floor has passed by attention and here my finger already presses the cherished bell, on the noise of which from behind the door rumbles, squeals and a real chaos of small sounds.
-Shawn? Is that you?
-The gentleman has arrived.
-Come in, I'm almost-- Well, almost!
-And they say war never changes.
Walking inside, I carefully step over the boxes scattered in the corridor, treading on the small vacant areas, slowly making my way towards the room from where Gwen's voice was heard.
-I'll be right there, just wait-.
-Don't worry, I won't run away, and if we're late, I know a great Vietnamese diner!
-NO!
-Okay, okay, I was just kidding, princess...
-Who's a princess?! -Who's a princess?! Come here and say it to my face!
-And my mademoiselle is clearly on edge," I whispered quietly under my breath and was seriously considering going to help, but that's when my eyes crossed to Jodge Stacy, "Oh, hello, sir. Good to see you.
-Yeah, hi, Sean. You're early, let's go get some coffee," he beckoned me to follow him and strode into the kitchen, picking up a lit cigarette from the ashtray, "if you want, I don't mind going to the diner with you!
At the last loud comment, a real hurricane started in the room. Every now and then there was the stomping of bare feet, clashing, grumbling and swearing. As angelic and shy as Gwen seemed, living with her cop father had taken its toll on her.
-This will hurry her up. Here you go.
The man smiled sleepily as he handed me the mug, going round the table and slowly making his way to the cooker, where a pan of scrambled eggs was flavourfully crisping.
-You don't look well, sir.
-God, I hope you'll be nicer to my daughter.
-I'm Irish, honesty is my middle name.
The man gave me an expressive look of distrust and grinned wryly and put the cigarette in his teeth, stirring the contents of the pan, grinding the eggs and adding new ingredients.
-A lot of work, but nothing serious.
-When something like that is said by a police lieutenant, one begins to sweat with fear....
-Pha, indeed. I never thought about it.
Making a serious face, the man, more out of inertia than good faith, divided the food into two portions and put it on the table.
I didn't bother waiting for a sleepy Stacy to catch on, so I braved the late lunch, savouring the world's most bachelorish meal.
Sipping coffee, having a silent lunch with "bobby" in his kitchen. Oh, my neighbourhood mates would probably faint if they saw me now.
-"What are you doing here?
Fifteen minutes passed while George and I silently enjoyed our food and then our coffee. In a nice, cosy silence, not bothering each other and giving priority to our own thoughts.
In the meantime my dear partner had time to put on her make-up, to look for me around the flat, and to think of all sorts of things. Thankfully, she decided not to rush into things, but to search the flat to the end first.
And now, beautiful, puffed up, like a chipmunk, blonde, glared menacingly, hiding excitement, laughter, shame and many other feelings behind the contrived anger at my father, as a more familiar and familiar face.
-А?! Gwen, sunshine, what are you-
Just then the lieutenant's gaze fell on me and the empty extra plate on the table. Then again at my smiling face and the mug in my hands.
-You're a quick little fella, aren't you? -You're a quick little fella, aren't you? Daughter, take my birthday present with you.
-Dad!
-Well, at least Uncle Jim's present?
-No! -We're leaving!
The girl took me under her arm and dragged me out of the flat, still grumbling and mouthing at my father who was laughing after me. I was trying to loosen the butterfly clamp around my neck, for at the last moment before I left I had crossed paths with George.
The man put his index and middle finger to his eyes, then pointed them at me, staring at me menacingly unemotionally until Gwen dragged me further away.
"Creepy man."
***
-Birthday present?
-Shut up! -How was I supposed to know it was a taser?
-And Uncle Jim?
-A canister.
-Is that even legal? You're under 18, right?
-Sean, my dad's a police lieutenant, what do you think?
-Oh, that's a lot of favouritism and abuse of power.
-Tz! Let's get going. We're gonna be late.
-It's okay, I'll be the main star, so they'll wait... -No worries. I'm kidding, I'm kidding. I'm just trying to lighten the mood.
-I know, I'm sorry. I'm just too excited. I don't know anybody there, so...
-Well, you're beautiful, sexy, smart and charismatic. -Well, you're beautiful, sexy, smart and charismatic. It's rather me who should be worried, - despite all the pleasure from compliments, the girl still looked at me with the same interest, while I was slowly turning the steering wheel, - how to wave off all the hyenas that will start hanging around.
-Hmm, okay. You're forgiven.
-For what?
-We'll need apologies again soon...
With that kind of banter, we drove safely to the venue. Our school shone today. It is probably the only time of the year when it is cleaned in its entirety, touching up some areas and removing all the rubbish from the roof and window sills. It's a nice sight. After all these years of study, just for something like this it was worth coming today.
Giving the palm of my lady's hand, I helped her outside, allowing all the curious people gathered outside to see what a cute little angel I had brought to school under my arm. Under the guise of an angel was someone more interesting.... But never mind.
Gwen was a long time to admire.
Open blue dress, so light and amenable to gusts of wind, that it seemed that it could at any moment fly away, taking the girl into the clouds.
High heels on open shoes of the same colour and many trinkets like ribbons, garters and ornaments on her hands and shins.
Her open shoulders were covered by a transparent scarf wrapped in several layers around her neck. A real beauty, especially the neckline on her breasts and the open legs that drew my gaze to the girl's contentment.
As if catching my thought, familiar faces burst out of the crowd, looking approvingly at our couple.
-Wow, Sean! Where did you hide such a beautiful girl?
The red-haired wonder came rushing at us, dragging Peter's limp body behind him, who looked at Gwen's body with a bored look on his face before staring at MJ again.
A crowd of acquaintances and friends was already slowly gathering around us, pelting me and Gwen, who was blushing from so much attention, with questions. Ned and Billy, Watson's friends, and even Kristen, who was shooting her eyes up at me. Everyone had come, alone or with someone, or maybe just as friends.
A babbling crowd of teenagers, dressed, primed and ready to party.
Glancing around at my friends, I put my arm around Stacy's shoulder, giving her a reassuring, warm smile.
-Everything's going to be fine, see?
-Yes," she smiled embarrassedly, and rose up on her toes, giving me a chaste kiss that drew applause and chuckles from the crowd, "Damn popular guy. Lured me into a trap.
But despite all her grumbling, the girl continued to smile. The momentary weakness was quickly washed away by the abundance of new impressions and, leaving me alone with the guys, she easily joined the female group.
-School's over.
-Should we say something-- Something cool?
-Mum says I should keep my mouth shut.
The murmur of voices didn't get any quieter as the females left, but rather the opposite. The daredevil guys started sharing news and chatting among themselves, sharing impressions and news.
I silently put my hand on my best mate's shoulder, and Pete and I looked at each other with understanding eyes, receiving a similar gesture in return. Without a word, we led everyone we knew inside the school to walk through those main gates for the last time.
A momentous night for every schoolboy. The end of such a long and torturous process always evokes many feelings and I was no exception. Even though I have graduated before, tonight I had the same feelings as everyone else.Dancing with Gwen, chatting with my friends and saying goodbye to the teachers who had attended our modest, by local standards, celebration, a small spark in my soul seemed to go out, cutting me off from this place forever.
The long evening was slowly turning into night, while the fun was just breaking out all around. Drunken school kids, easily sneaking beer into the party, were slowly getting to the point where trouble could start, but our little group somehow got away from it all on their own, focusing more on talking about the future, dancing and making nice with their soulmates.
But all good things come to an end, and so Gwen and I set off on our way back under the grumbling of the latter, though the girl might apologise later and talk her father down. But I'd given George my word, so I wouldn't break it. And I wasn't afraid of his threats. I was just trying to keep it light. Yes.
Turning the wheel one last time, I parked outside Gwen's house, feeling a slight sense of deja vu. But if during the day it was bright, light and crowded, now it was empty and only rare passers-by were hurrying home, wanting to get to the cherished beds as soon as possible.
-Well, here we are," I turned to the girl and leaned closer to Gwen's sparkling eyes, this time touching my lips to hers, "your lips are swollen. Your dad's gonna kill me.
-Normal," the girl was pleased. Fed up, drunk with emotion and ready for anything, -my daddy is kind. He'll just threaten me and that's it. But if anything, you better run in zigzags. Just in case. Just in case.
Our friendly laughter was interrupted by a polite knock on the glass, behind which we could see the punishing face of George Stacey, who had apparently just returned from work.
-Oh, man.
Ducking down and trying to hide, Gwen squirmed in her seat under our mocking stares. I was about to say goodbye, but the shrewd man poked his finger at his watch, showing me with his other hand that we had five minutes to say goodbye.
-I was about to say goodbye, but the shrewd man poked his finger at the clock, showing me with his other hand that we had five minutes to say our goodbyes.
-There'll be time. And now," I pressed her heated body against mine, regretfully pulling my hands away from the most interesting places, "let's not lose it for nothing!
***
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