I knocked on my sisters door as I got inside the building easily as one of the neighborhood kids let me in.
"Uncle Sid !" Said one of her kids as they opened the door for me,
"Hey you guys, how y'all been ?" I asked as I gave her a hug, I see my sister in the kitchen.
"Good, what are you doing over ?" Asked the kid as I let the hug go and replied
"Uhh- I'm just visiting for the night and seeing how y'all been doing- now go play your room I have to talk with your mom …."
She was curious as the kid asked
"About what ?" Her mom answers for me,
"That's none of your business- go to the room now !" She yelled as the kid left the area and closes the bedroom door.
I approached my sister as I was afraid, anxious and a little happy to be with her again.I haven't seen her in person in a while, I miss this; she's like my second mother.
"Hey I'm sorry I have to do all this-" I said as she interrupted me with such a calm but angered demeanor.
"What's the name of the baby ?" She asked as I sat down aside her on the kitchen table and replied
"I don't know-" she interrupted me again as she asked more and more questions,
"When's the baby shower ?"
"Did you apply for welfare ?"
"Is she feeling okay, who's taking care of her tonight ?"
I was too overwhelmed with such questions that I froze up at the thought of how many more were to come.She noticed and snapped her fingers as she said
"Sidney, Sidney !- wake up you idiot…."
I snapped out of it as I we locked eyes with two different reasons.
"Yea yes, I get your questions but I have to be honest with you sis, I don't know what the fuck I'm doing !" I said as I got up and walked around the room.She sighed as she got a box of chocolates she had nearby and began eating them slowly as she was thinking, I don't what but she was scheming something.
"Alright let's just get the simple things out of the way, a baby shower….let's do it soon; I'll set it all up….it's the least I can do …." She said as I was relieved as I thanked her, I went to hug her.
She accepted it as she smiled but kept her serious demeanor,
"Alright cut it out….give me Aileen's number, I'll talk with her tomorrow and have it straightened out with her …." She said as I got out my phone and began saying it to her as she put It in her phone.
"Alright good, now go to bed….." she said as I went straight for her couch.
"Do you have a charger ?" I asked as I waved my phone around, she got up and threw me hers as it was still connected to the nearby outlet.
"Imma need it back so charge it for the night and go to bed !" She demanded as she turned off the lights and went straight for her room.
It silent now and I went to connect the charger to outlet and it started to get power; I was on 15%.Before I slept, I looked though my photo gallery as I looked at picture of me and Aileen; I still can't get over the fact I got to be such a woman; I'm the luckiest man alive.
May 27, 2023
My sisters home
6:35 pm
The baby shower is upon us as my sister and Aileen had set it all up well with a budget of $6,500; such a pricy experience.My sister invited some of her work friends and old friends and some family members I never thought I'd see in my lifetime again.Aileen invited Janis and Ross and some of her old friends from an old friend group she had and some of her work friends.With these friends come kids and children that's have little friends too so it multiplies.
And with those friends of sisters and Aileen, they have family they'll bring and friends they'll bring and the multiplication is infinite for a moment; $6,500 seems low now.I was back at Aileen's home for the moment as I prepared myself.I dressed in dress pants and a white long sleeve shirt with black dress shoes and my striped coat jacket.I haven't seen Aileen all day as she and Janis went out or get ready and look nice.I have no responsibilities today but getting to my sister house by 7:00 pm.
"You look good " said the old man as he was with me for the moment.
"Thanks, I try to everyday " I said jokingly as I got my blue tie out but felt confused, all my life and I hadn't learned to tie a tie.
"Here, let me help you …." Said the old man as he began to do my tie well around me.
"There's many ways to do this but the proper way is the first time you learn…"
He said as he gave a good tight firm grip around my neck and under my shirt collar.
"You look like Paul Newman in the 60s kid …." He said as I don't know who the hell that is.
"Man how old are you ?" I Asked as he laughed and replied
"I'm old enough to be yo daddy's daddy hehe …."
We both laughed as we headed out of the apartment.I locked the door as he sadly said
"I'm sorry to say kid I can't make it, I apologize but tell Aileen I said hi …." I was saddened by the news as I said
"What why ?- you can't leave man, I need you there….it'll be fun- come on, what you gotta do right now that's more important ?" The old man turned and said rudely
"Look kid, I'm tired, I'm going to bed; which shouldn't surprise you, I'm old and tired….I'm really sorry but I can't and won't- that's that…."
He turned again and walked towards his apartment door which was down the hall.I was mad as I yelled
"Well fuck you !" I walked off as he gave me the finger on his way into his apartment.
I got to the front of the building as I called for a ride, this altercation ruined my mood for now but I won't let it bother me all night; my ride arrives in 3 minutes.I won't let the idk bastard kill my vibe, I can't let anything ruin this day.I looked at my phone as I see I got a few messages from Aileen.
"Don't be late please, I'm already at your sisters, get here now …."
Christ, now she's down my neck and giving me anger; doesn't matter, my moods still good.My ride arrived as I see the license plate,
"For Sid ?" I asked as I Opened the car door as the driver replied
"Yep Yep Yep …." I got in as he started drive as I tried to start a conversation with the driver.
"Having a good night ?" I asked as the driver ignored me and the rest of the ride was silent.I still won't let this bother me now, I texted Aileen.
"I'm on the way !" I texted as I turned off my phone and stay quiet for this 12 minute car ride.
6:55 pm
I got dropped of in front of her apartment building as I thanked the driver got out.I see a mess of people hanging out as I Could tell this will be an aggressive night.The door was open as a man sat on a bucket having held open, he was with his little group of friends drinking already; I don't know these men at all.
I got upstairs as I see the apartment blasting with music, Dance 4 Eternity by Kid Cudi played.I look inside as the doors open freely for anyone to enter, it's not too crowded but dozens were inside.It feels nice I see old relatives, my aunts and uncles and my cousins and even some other nieces and nephews.Most noticed me entered as they cheered me on as I entered.
"Sid !" They chanted as they all congratulated me one by one as I got myself to the kitchen to see Aileen, Janis and my sister talking and laughing.The party continued I looked at them and Aileen looked stunning, I've never seen her dressed like this.
She was in a white A-Line dress with a Pearl necklace and dangle earrings with high white Nylon socks with red slippers.She had on a gold bracelet on her left arm and a leather bracelet on her right arm.The song changed to We Are Young by Janelle Monáe and I couldn't help go lean in for a kiss.Aileen accepted it as we held it for a brief moment, I let go as I said
"You look- you look, great …." We laughed as I didn't notice her mascara and she had her eyebrows done and that glossy lips.
"Thanks- you look- the same…hehe …." We laughed more as I held her tight again.
I let go as she went and sat down again, I see Janis as I said briefly
"Janis …." She simply replied
"Sid …." We let it be by gone for now as I see my sister and I happily thank her again as I gave a great big hug for this.The place was decorated nice and themed blue and pink as my sister had gotten pink and blue little paper hats to wear as one of nieces approached me and gave me one.
"Who's playing the music ?" I asked her as she showed me her phone as she had some songs in queue.Strangers In The Nights, Unforgettable, My Way Of Life, Do For Love, etc .
She had a diverse choices as I nodded and asked
"Where's the food ?" They all pointed at the food in the foldable table in the living room that I completely missed.The food choice was dozens of boxes of pizza, a shitload of garlic bread and ground beef with heated tortillas to make tacos with.There was lean cooked meats and beans and rice with collared greens as well.
For drinks there was enough beer to make prohibition look like a joke.a bunch of 12 packs of sodas and four cases of 36 packs of water bottles, not many touched the water.It's a good amount as the whole apartment was celebrating something but the main celebration was inside this house.
I went over as disposable plates and cups were next of the food as I got a disposable fork and knife.I went through it all as I got some pieces of garlic bread, two slices of pepperoni pizza and some lean cooked meats.I didn't even notice the fruits and vegetables along side it.I got mean a few scoops of grapes and carrots.I went back to sit in the kitchen table as they saved me a seat.I placed my food down as Aileen gave me another kiss as she held her head on my shoulder; god how do I forget her hair.
She had it dyed pure black with brown highlights as it was straightened and in a Bob hairstyle.I fed her grapes as we looked around the party to see everyone seeming to have a good time.My sisters kid approached as they asked my sister if they could play outside.My sister allowed as she said
"Go ahead, we'll down there soon anyways …."
I was curious as I asked
"What do you mean ?" She laughed and said
"Look …." She opened window from her kitchen which showed the parking lot having tables and seats as people were there, I didn't even notice another little party occurring there.
"How many people did you invite ?" I asked as She replied
"Don't worry about, just enjoy the night …."
I got back to looking at Aileen as she tried feeding me a grape, I messed around as I playfully big her arm.
"Stop !" She said laughingly as we kiss again.
10:35 pm
The day went on as we migrated to the parking lot area of the apartment building where the rest of the party was; a majority of people here understood the reasoning for the party but the rest were just happy to be here.
Me and Aileen were slow dancing as my sister and her kids were eating.Janis and Ross slow danced as well as they were a few feet beside us, many danced.Something Stupid by Frank Sinatra played as I couldn't think of a better song.We locked eyes again as we couldn't stop smiling, we held each other tight as I felt at peace with her for once.I finally remembered as I asked her
"What are we naming the boy ?" She replied
"Buddy…." I never noticed the name but it seemed odd but I guess it worked.
"Do we have to stick with that name ?" I asked as she smacked my shoulder as I added on
"What it's okay- it's just- can we at least make it the middle name ?"
She thought about as we slowly turned in dance as she asked
"What's the first name then ?" I now thought about it as I Was put on the spot,
"John " I said as she scoffed but said "okay, John Buddy Ford ?"
I was stunned to see my surname being given but I was fine with it.Janis looked over as she signaled Aileen to switch dancers.I now danced with Janis as Ross danced with Aileen.I watched my distance and positioned myself when dancing with Janis as I lost my composure.
"Listen, I know we have our differences but let's just forget all that and start fresh, okay ?" She said as I replied
"Alright and Im sorry for what I said-" she interrupted me as she said
"No no- forget it all, past is in the past, but remember….don't hurt her anymore ….."
I was baffled by this as I replied
"Ha- alright …."
She got more defensive as she said
"No I'm serious man- you hurt her anymore, I'll kill you …." I scoffed as she scratched me on my neck with her sharp nails.I let a groan for a minute as Janis and Aileen switched again as me and Aileen danced again.
I don't really know if they planned that but I let it happened as I got back my moment with Aileen as I couldn't believe how far I've come in life.
"You're bleeding …." Said Aileen worryingly as she got some of my neck blood on her fingernails.
"Oh gosh, I'll go get cleaned up …" I replied as I let go and headed back upstairs into my sisters bathroom.
I got inside the home to see a whole different atmosphere as I can see my sisters husband got home and has some of his work friends over; a whole different song was being played.I go straight for the bathroom as I lock the door on the way in, as I slam it the noise around muffles.
I'm left alone with my thoughts and the sound of my own heartbeat.I got disoriented as I nearly collapsed at the moment, I don't know what's my reasoning for such reaction but it can't be unwanted now.I got my phone out as I looked though social media to see all the post from Aileen and her friends and my sister posting about today as I felt disconnected from this all.I turned off my phone when I hear someone knock and ask
"Aye almost done- I gotta piss man ?" I cleared my throat as I turned on the faucet and replied
"Yea-yea !, hold on man !"
I got some paper towels as I cleaned up my neck and looked through my sisters medicine cabinet to see bandaids.I put one on my neck as I dried my hands up after the fact; I opened the door.
"Break On Through ( To The Other Side ) by The Doors played as I see my sister's husband fighting another man in the kitchen.A crowd formed as I tried to go in to break it up, some cheered and others yelled for them to stop the fighting.
"Hey- hey hey, cut it out !" I yelled as the man who was fighting my sisters husband punched me.I didn't fall but damn it stung, right to the nose.
My sister's husband was furious as he yelled
"That's my brother you bitch !" He grabbed the man and hit him with a beer bottle; making him fall to his knees.He proceeded to drag the man out of the party with some of his work friends as they all yelled
"Fuck that guy !"
"Get him the fuck outta here !"
"Fuck him !"
About four to five men, along with my sisters husband; dragged him from the stairs- all the way to the front door gate as that man on the bucket still had it open.
"Kick the bastard !" Said one of the men carrying him as they threw him out like a bouncer would.
"Aye don't let this dickhead in anymore …." Asked my sisters husband of the man on the bucket and his friends.They all agreed as the rest got back in, the best up man got up and walked away defeated as the man on the bucket threw a beer bottle at him as his friends made fun of him as he left.
Back to me for a moment, I was hurt badly but I wouldn't say a life threatening injury.I walked back for the restroom as it was still occupied,
"Hold on man ….ahhhh " he groaned as I was angered, I went into my sisters room.
I looked around as I found a tissue box and rubbing alcohol.I began to use them both as it stung a little, I sat on her bed as I felt my day ruined more now.All I can here is rumbling outside as my sisters husband had entered the room again, he's looking for me.
"Where is he, oh there he is !" He yelled as he went entered the bedroom.He picked me up forcefully as he yelled out into the living room,
"My brother, my own flesh and blood now is having a baby boy, my future little nephew….a little bastard like his father- hehe …" he said as he gave me a shoulder hug, I was embarrassed but can understand his nice gesture.They all gave a cheer around the room as most didn't know what the party was about at first.
"I love you man !" He added on as I exited the place with a fake smile.I got back to the parking lot as I see Aileen dancing with Janis as Ross sits and talks with my sister.My nose still bled as I kept two tissue in between each nostril.I sat down aside them as my sister asked
"What the hell happened ?" I sighed and said
"Nothing- no big deal, aye aren't we suppose to open gifts or something ?" I replied as she got up and called for her work friends as they went and got the gifts out as a people brought out what they could; it was overwhelming.
Aileen noticed as she sat down aside as she then asked
"What happened ?" as I simply replied
"It doesn't matter baby, let's just open your gifts …"
11:22 pm
As the hour passed, we'd gotten through dozens of gifts with thanks for each one.We we're down to the last two as it was from my sister and one from Janis and Ross.She opened the one from Janis and Ross as it was in a little birthday bag as she got out a stuffed monkey and an Elmo doll.She accepted it with warm thanks as Janis replied
"We were on a budget ….."
Ross have a disapproving look as he knows they weren't.She put the two dolls to the side as she opened my sisters gift which was wrapped in blue wrap and a red ribbon.She opened the box as she saw a bunch of Dr.Seuss books and a box of diapers.
"Thank you, thank you a lot …" said Aileen as she hugged my sister.I looked on in happiness as Aileen thanked everyone, the party commenced again as I don't know how long we'll be here.
"Don't you worry about these, I'll have em hidden for now …." Said my sister to Aileen as my sisters work friends moved the gifts away from the parking lot and upstairs into her room.I looked at Aileen as she had her head on my shoulder again as I heard Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
I don't know when we'll get home but I know it'll be soon, I hope it's soon.You get the image of my nostrils clogged as Aileen had her arms around me as we sit and look around; most of these people are useless in my life, all I need is Aileen.