Picking Up The Pieces

ch.16

summer

It was close by the end of May, the thirtieth on a Sunday morning when Phoebe, Chelsea, and Theo arrived at a vacation home in upstate New York. Phoebe and Theo's mother, Janet had rented out a home nearby to stay temporarily for the summer. Chelsea's mother, Patricia came along as well for the summer which was a good fit for Chelsea to enjoy herself even more.

Four bedrooms, two baths, and a rooftop floor that views the beach. The interior of the house has marble floors, a security system, and high-quality finishes throughout the house.

It was bright early, ten in the morning when they all arrived at the house. Janet and Patricia began to unpack and make breakfast for Theo, Phoebe, and Chelsea.

Theo was busy doodling on his notebook nearby the window in the living room. He packed a few things for the mini-vacation but didn't try to unpack his belongings. He was a bit drained from the driving and wanted to take a sit back and watch his favorite anime show Hunter X Hunter.

Theo kept his eyes on his notebook and didn't bother engaging with anyone yet.

As Janet walked into the living room and tugged on Theo's hair, that's when he turned to her and frowned. "What the hell?!" He shouts.

He held up his hands in surrender, his expression irritatingly surprised. "Mom!"

''Get your lazy butt off this couch and come help around.''

''Okay, okay, fine. But, you didn't have to yank my hair.''

''Well that's too bad,'' Janet said after patting Theo on his back. She went back to the kitchen and Theo quickly puts away his notebook on his bag and went out to help around the house.

Meanwhile, Chelsea was done organizing her things in the closet and met up with everyone else in the kitchen. Phoebe tied her hair into a messy bun and begin to set up some plates for breakfast.

''--Then later tonight, we are going to a local party at Ricardo's Lakehouse and he wants us to wear something casual for the event. Just supposed to be a fun get-together thing that we're doing and I expect everyone to be there, no excuses,'' Janet said, putting cinnamon rolls on a plate.

Ricardo is a close friend of Janet and had invited her including Patricia to a fun party tonight at his lakehouse. He thought it would bring Theo and Phoebe together since they are siblings and may want to connect with other young adults over there too.

''Can I invite some friends?'' Phoebe adds a question after eating a cinnamon roll.

''Yes, it's fine,'' Janet replied. ''But be on your-''

''-- Best behavior, yes mother,'' Phoebe finishes her sentence and Patricia lets out a giggle along with Chelsea.

''What about me?'' Chelsea asked Patricia and she gives her a ''really'' look. Her lips pouts to the side and looked at Chelsea signaling if she asked that silly question. Chelsea smiled and eats her banana and kisses Patricia on the cheek.

''Be good to me,'' Patricia finally speaks.

''I will, I promise.''

♡

Later that afternoon,

Patricia parked the van nearby the parking lot and placed the handle on P after turning off the van. Everyone got out of the van and walked over to the lakehouse where they saw Ricardo standing in front of the some with an all-black suit.

He was tall, six feet, brown-skin with black hair and a soft-shaved beard. He was wearing glasses that fit onto his nose perfectly along with a necklace and a glass of champagne in his hand.

''Patricia, Janet, so glad you came!" Ricardo said to the ladies. Patricia tucked her light blue dress on her hands, gripping tightly as she heads up the stairs to where Ricardo was standing.

''Ricardo, so good to see you,'' Patricia responded with her famous air-kiss from side to side. It's a tradition in her blood that she does it to almost everyone. Everyone must know that when it comes to Patricia, she enjoys it when people learn that about her.

Ricardo air-kiss to Janet and he waved to Theo, Phoebe, and Chelsea.

''Cool kids in the back,'' He said with a wink. He knew that he didn't want to waste their time to be there. It was their friends who they had invited that they wanted to see.

As Ricardo fills Janet and Patricia in on what happened, The three went over to the back and met up with some friends. Phoebe and Chelsea had invited a few from her class including Oliver and Ben to come along. Theo didn't bother to invite anyone but went along with what the girls were doing.

There were servants around the area passing some food and drinks to everyone there.

Phoebe was with Oliver as Chelsea was with Ben. The two hang out by the porch along with some friends that were nearby the lake.

"-- What's the point of me telling them what to do when they won't f*****g do it?" Ben snapped at the server. He disliked the nachos that they served and thought it was okay to demand a new batch of nachos.

"Maybe you shouldn't curse at them and growl?" Phoebe asked, batting her eyelashes like she was so sweet.

"I was being nice,'' Ben responds taking a sip of his drink.

Chelsea furrowed her brows. She knew something was wrong with Ben just by his posture and the way he scolded the server earlier. With a soft gesture, placing her hand on his thigh, Ben quickly turn his leg closer to his making it clear he didn't want to be bothered right now.

"I think they taste just fine, Ben," Pheobe said, dipping her chip into some sour cream.

''Ben, are you okay?'' Chelsea speaks, hoping that Ben would respond. His brows moved upwards as he quaffed the drink down on his throat. His Adam's apple was moving in an up-and-down motion to the rhythm of his drink.

''Fine, Chels, " He whispered which sounded more like he was whimpering.

Chelsea got up from her seat and extends her hand to him so they could talk in private. Without hesitating, Ben got up and took her by her hand, and left the area leaving Phoebe and Oliver behind.

''-Hey guys wanna go for a swim?" A girl said to Phoebe and Oliver who Phoebe recognized and remembered she invited her here. '' The wind picked up her red hair whistling through in a fast motion and Phoebe stood up from her seat handing her an extra scrunchie.

''Sure,'' Phoebe laughs after the girl lets out a smile when Phoebe gave her the scrunchie.

Ben and Chelsea were by a fountain next to a bush of roses. A dawn chorus of birds erupts the sound of the water falling onto the surface from the fountain. The sun washes the garden with a golden glow and the bench next to them.

Ben sat down and Chelsea joins him sitting with her legs crossed and giving Ben his undivided attention.

Chelsea looked at his brown eyes melting lightly from the rays of the sun dimming to sunset. She sighed and shakes her head, yes, knowing he head to be somewhere else and not with her. Not wanting to spend a moment with her at all.

"I'm sorry if I dragged you out here, but, if I did something you have to tell me. Please,'' Chelsea said.

''Chelsea, I'm sorry,'' Ben said, looking up to her. His eyes were dark filled with tears ready to stream on his face.

''Sorry?'' Is there someone...?" Chelsea swallows hard.

Ben's heart was hammering.

If they say anything, the consequences will be dire, for both of them. But tears are gathering in their eyes as Chelsea gingerly squeezes Ben's hand. They can't take this anymore. They don't want to bear this alone.

"Ben...?" Chelsea prompts again, watching him closely.

Ben can't bring themself to say it, but he offers a tiny nod. Chelsea tenses and Ben feels guilt and nausea sweep over them. One nod could be what's just doomed them both.

''I got her pregnant, my ex,'' he mummers.