Dreaming, just keep dreaming.

Chapter 8

Angela_2:13

-Little Ty, I just left a couple of minutes ago, my father will come for me, we will go to see Mom at work, if you are around answer me, I want to see my majesty for a while.

-Ty, I’ve been looking for you and calling, I didn’t find you and you didn’t answer me, I hope you’re okay eh? We talked later <3

It would have been the perfect time to have gone as fast as possible and give him his gift... I went back to see the scarf. -But... I don’t have a wrapper or anything, I can’t give it to you like this... I think part of it was good... -I thought, we were about to leave and I saw Alex’s lipstick, I kept it, I wanted to take it to his house and leave it there, I didn’t want to have that in my house.

Tyler_4:49

-Angela, I fell asleep... I hope you are not angry, I was to tell you that I have something to give you, I wanted to give it to you today, but... fell asleep.

After a while Dad was ready, drove to Aunt Stepha’s house, we were a little late and there were five cars outside the house, apparently there were too many people there... people I didn’t get along with so well...

-Son, you can take the wine that is under your seat, I forgot it for a while, and take out the keys, I will enter your aunt’s house, I wait for you there.

-If... dad is... -As he was leaving, I did everything he asked, I kept the keys in my pocket and then took the wine carefully, I made sure the car was locked properly and I went to aunt Stepha’s house.

Dad had closed the door, I knocked on the door, they opened me, seeing who was behind it, I got a little excited.

-Ah... how are you, come in, your dad is here, he didn’t wait for you here. -Aly said.-You just bring that wine?

-Yes.

-Ah... I brought more things, come in quickly, close the door will you?

It was Aly, she was in my school, she was older than me, she was about to graduate, I didn’t like her at all, she was a bad sight in school, if not for the things she does with the teachers... I wouldn’t be in school.

As I walked in, I greeted everyone I met, Dad’s brothers who I didn’t know well, some cousins who were younger than me, babies, Dad’s cousins and finally there was Alex, Aly who everyone in school knew badly... And Aunt Stepha and Uncle Lars, who I hadn’t seen there, was Rachel, who was probably over there...

When I arrived I did nothing but sit in a place far away from where everyone was, there was too much noise and sometimes I was seen again, which made me uncomfortable, I felt bad, I felt that I did not fit among those people, my only refuge was my cell phone, Angela hadn’t answered, I just hoped she wasn’t mad at me...

In the front chair I had two more aunts, mom did not speak badly of people, but they were an exception, Mom said that: ''They are two people who were always together and did not talk about anything good, people who were able to see the defects of others with a microscope, who see the hair in someone else’s eye and not brick in their own... ''

I was on my cell phone and I heard them say.-He’s Sam’s son... I heard from Stepha, Sam had been depressed, I don’t see why, that lady wasn’t so nice or good...

-I didn’t like him, he seemed a very weak and useless person. -... Those ladies were talking about mom, I had anger for a moment, how could they speak ill of mom... They saw me again and went further away, I felt like doing something, but I didn’t want to do it because I wasn’t rude, plus knowing aunt Stepha, I would make comments to myself.

-Andy and you already have girls behind you? -Said a cousin of dad.

-No, he still has no one and he hasn’t brought, Andy you’re already big, your brother at your age brought girls his age and even a little bigger than him, you should be like your brother Alex! -Aunt Stepha said, poor Andy felt uncomfortable, I could see his face.

-Poor Andy... -I thought between myself.

A few more minutes passed and my uncles came to the kitchen, apparently they were preparing food.

-I don’t like this house much, it makes me quite uncomfortable and small, and besides that ugly tastes has Stepha... -I heard one of them say.

-I don’t like it... I have a house that I have just bought, one day you could come with your family, it is more spacious and more beautiful, and it has many more things than this and it is not in a place as exotic as this...

-I like your idea, Ray.

-How unpleasant... if it were my house I would feel terrible... -I thought between myself.

After an hour and more, Aunt Stepha came to me. -Tyler my boy, Alex will go with his cousins to play in their room, if you like you can accompany them, you look very bored, go with them.

-Ah... of course aunt... -I was not in the mood to go, but I did not have the strength to say no besides if I said no, I would have forced myself to do it, it was a dead end. I headed for the staircase where most of them were, including Alex.

-Tyler, nice of you to come, I’ll tell you where my room is. -Alex was waiting for me on the stairs.

-OK... -I started climbing the stairs, but I didn’t feel good with him behind me.

-My room is on the right Tyler.-He said.

Alex went into his room after me, apparently there were a lot of kids there, we started playing board games, after a while he started to smell like food, he smelled delicious... But I started to get bored, the kids stopped playing because they watched TV and every time everyone got distracted, I checked my cell phone to see if Angela had answered me or something, but I hadn’t, after a while I gave up. -He’s probably with his family...-I thought.

-Hey, kids, how about if I put something on mom’s TV, it has a bigger screen and a big space where you can all lie down and see what you want, what do you think? -Alex said, apparently he had noticed that the children were very distracted.

All the children seemed happy, even the smallest of them seemed so happy, it was the one that most sweetness conveyed to me.

-Will you join us or stay here, Tyler? Or I know, I have a better idea, how about you help me pick up everything the little ones did while I go with them to Mom’s room?

-... Yes... okay. -Deep down I didn’t want to stay there, I kept feeling uncomfortable, I didn’t feel I should be in that house... Christmas and good night is supposed to be a time when she was hanging out with people you love... and the one person she was there and loved a little... was Dad.

-They left... -Alex had already returned, when I returned to see him I was locking the door, which made me quite strange. -They were very happy.

-...

-Why do you make those faces, do you feel uncomfortable Tyler? Sorry if you don’t feel comfortable...

-No, I... uh, I was picking up what they did...

-Okay... Tyler, I wanted to tell you something...

I didn’t avoid getting nervous and I thought between myself. -s**t, what do you want...?

-I have not seen you many years ago... you have grown quite and even you have changed quite physically... -He started to approach me, I had laid down in his bed and I had one arm. -You’re pretty handsome Tyle...

-s**t, motherfucker, what do you think you’re doing?! -I pushed Alex hard. -What the f**k are you doing? Don’t you have respect?! What... what the f**k? I have nothing against you, but what do you do?! I am your cousin and I have hardly seen you for hours! Asshole!-s**t, I think I got too carried away and I was screaming too...

-Tyler... I... -Alex was approaching me.

-f**k DON’T COME NEAR ME! -I WAS TOO ANGRY.

I got out of bed and I opened the door, I forgot I was safe, from the rages I was with, I started shaking and I accidentally broke the door handle, I was about to leave and I was just entering Alex’s room, Rachel, I was a little scared.

-What’s going on here?! -Rachel said a little confused.

I decided not to do anything and it was also I saw Aunt Stepha going up the stairs, she was with a worried face, but I didn’t care and I passed her, I just wanted to get out of there, I was just going to tell Dad that I would leave the place and already... I didn’t want to see anyone, but when I came downstairs everyone was there...

-Who do you think you are to being yelling in this house, Tyler? -Aly said.

After that Aunt Stepha came down, she was furious...

-Who do you think you spoiled child, in my own house! To us we respect, you do not know what kind of people you are dealing with you heard me?! You are so disrespectful!

-Aunt... -Aly approached Aunt Stepha.-You don’t have to be arguing with this i***t, he’s a fool I sure wouldn’t understand.

-You’re right. -Uncle Lars got up and approached me. -Get the f**k out of my house, RIGHT NOW!

I went back to see Dad, he was just watching and saying nothing, Alex was watching everything from the stairs, Rachel was a little confused and all the guests were watching me... I had nowhere to go, I felt pressure, everyone against me... and Uncle Lars sending me out of his house...

-Mom... help me... Mom, I don’t know what to do, help me... -I said in my head while tightening my eyes, it was so wrong...

-Leave us alone Tyler, leave us alone with our guests, they did not choose to spend with someone unpleasant today.

I couldn’t take this anymore...

-Ah yes? Your beautiful guests are hypocrites, while I was sitting there I heard how they criticized you, if those are your guests then, damn it, I give them to you, saying that to me I don’t give a s**t, for me f**k your guests! -I turned around, I was about to leave when... I heard Aunt Stepha say. -What a horror as a boy, how lucky I am that my children do not... -I immediately cut what I was saying.

-My girl, every time she talks about her children, she talks to little Andy that, Alex at ten years old was bringing girls to his house, do you know what she is saying to the little boy?! -At that time I remembered Alex’s lipstick, which I had brought to leave it there. -By the way Alex, look at this. -I showed him the lipstick that fell out of his pocket the day we went to pick him up from the airport and I forgot to give it to him at the whole Christmas family reunion.

-This lipstick, which has your name written on the lid with paint on it, is it yours?

He loved watching Alex’s face fall off.

-I’m sorry, dear. -I threw her lipstick. -So aunt, don’t be proud of what a man she is or was... Your son, be proud of the s****l inclination we’ve all just discovered today, don’t you have to be ashamed of any of you, but I hope you aunt isn’t homophobic or yes? No truth? Although what you said to me the day before makes me doubt it a little, ma'am... But if you make sure of anything, Aunt Stepha and Uncle Lars, make sure that your son’s s****l inclination is not with family members, up there in his room he’s lying on top of me. -At that moment I addressed everyone. -You dear guests of Aunt Stepha... want to know why I came down so angry from up there? There you have it.

-What a disgusting guy, don’t listen to him, he just wants to draw attention... -Aly said.

-Oh yes... Aly, I was saving something for you... -I sounded a little sarcastic. -Where does your self-centeredness come from? Does your mom know how many people have been through there under you? -I showed with my finger between their legs. -Does she know you even seduce teachers? Of all what’s your favorite? Oh yeah, the Spanish teacher, does he... he moans cute with his weird accent? Do you find it exciting to watch that married man moan in another language? Excuse me, everyone here, but this is bullshit. -I went back to see the ladies who criticized Mom. -You two rot, do not dare to speak ill of mom that she has been and will be much more than you two.

I left the house and closed the door as hard as I could, I was too angry, I was going to take a bus and leave until I heard someone leaving the house, I was so nervous, too angry I felt like crying and I was trembling from everything that happened.

-Hey! Tyler! Wait...! -It was a woman’s voice, I hoped it was at least dad but no, it was Rachel.

-Hey... ahm... what you said there... s**t was too much and... Alex can be a complete i***t, and family no talk, all are s**t.

-...

-No, you have to say anything if you don’t want to... take care.

I didn’t tell him anything, and I didn’t give him much thought, I was leaving there until I remembered I had Dad’s car key... I didn’t think about anything and I decided to go in the car, if Dad didn’t think about me, then neither did I...

I was driving for a few minutes, I saw a*****e where they were selling slipcovers and wrapping paper, and I needed one for Angela’s gift, and I went to the store and I walked in.

-Good evening...

-Welcome in what can I help you? -A very sweet old woman came out to help me.

-Hey! Good night! I need a wrapping paper, it’s for a scarf.

-Oh, sure boy, I help you... -The old lady took out some gift covers. -... which one would like to take you?

-Uhm... this looks good to me. -I chose the most beautiful and shiny that I found, had some gingerbread cookies and a Christmas tree with snow around it. I paid the old woman and left. I went by the house quickly, picked up the scarf and some money, was hungry and saw places nearby that were open.

I went back to the car and while I was going to Angela’s house I went by the mall, apparently there were still people, in the parking lot I saw too many cars and people on the street asking for a taxi...

-I’m sure those people in there who work would like to spend time with their family... I could be there today, tomorrow and when another day is celebrated without any problem... -I thought.

I went to Angela’s house.

-There’s no one... -The lights were off, to make sure I got out of the car and knocked on the door. -... I’ll wait a while in the car.

I waited and waited... there was no one there and Angela wasn’t answering my texts either... , it was getting cold, there was a lot of wind coming through the hole in the car.

After a long wait I decided to leave the place.

I was too nervous about what had happened a few minutes ago...

-Mom... it was not the best thing I could do... I was not a good person today... forgive me. -Weakly I took Angela’s scarf and brought it to me, I was watching her for a few seconds. -Angela... where are you? I want to give you this... -I hugged the scarf as much as I could and stayed for a while in silence...

I couldn’t take it anymore and I shed some tears, I was crying for a few minutes, I had so many tears on my cheeks, I stopped crying and I let my tears dry, I had swollen eyes, I turned on the car, I turned off the radio and I put Angela’s scarf away.

I was totally silent, my breaths were barely heard, I was calm now... I just focused on being careful, my stomach hurt, but I wasn’t in the mood, I could take it. I got home, went up to my apartment and went to bed, didn’t turn on any lights... I just took off my leather coffee sweater and did no more, it was so quiet, I heard laughter from the house next to my apartment, they were listening to music. I kept crying for a while, I was looking at the dark ceiling of my room, I thought of nothing. After a while my cell phone vibrated three times, I came back to see it and it was Angela.

Angela_9:01

- Your Majesty <3 I have come home, I have had a great time with my parents!!!

-What about you? How was it with your family? What have you done?

-Would ya like to call u Little Ty? So we can tell what we have done?

-... I didn’t do anything, I saw Angela’s cell phone, texts and just ignored her, I turned around and tried to sleep.

The next day on the morning I woke up earlier, my eyes were dry and their keep being puffy.

I sit down on the edge of my bed, it was snowing early in the morning. After waking up at all I realized that Angela wrote.

-…Where… where are you…-I was searching my phone, it wasn’t in my bed or below my pillow.-Don’t tell me you’re on the floor please.-Yes, it was on the floor, but I was lucky and it falls into my shoes.

Angela_9:01

- Your Majesty <3 I have come home, I have had a great time with my parents!!!

-What about you? How was it with your family? What have you done?

-Would ya like to call u Little Ty? So we can tell what we have done?

Tyler_7:03

-If you know how it was…

-Are u working today?

-Yesterday I was confused and tired, I went to bed and fallen sleep… that’s why I haven’t answered.

Angela_7:03

-Hey you! Asshole! Next time I don’t care what but you reply me, did you heard me?

-Now tell me what did happen yesterday, you okay?

-And… no, today I’m not working, Mrs. Larson said we have this day free, so… I can be in my bed al the day if I want!

Tyler_7:05

-Don’t be mad :(, I’ll hold that against next time.

Angela_7:05

-I’m not mad, before you reply to the other messages, would you like me to call you? I don’t wanna be bored :(

Tyler_7:06

-Yes let me do something, I’ll phone you in a few sec. Wait.

Before phone Angela I went to my dad’s room, but he wasn’t there… I was insecure of phone to him or send a message, I decided to call him.

Dad_12:42

-I wanted to spend with you today, son…

After reading that, I went back to my room.

There, I sat down on the edge of my bed looking the snow through the window.

Then I phoned Angela.