Struggling Forward - 3. Hustle and Bustle

Hustle and Bustle:

Blu and Davis were pulling the ropes off the trailer holding the new lounge suite down. Kyle came out from the house watching the two boys at work, waiting for them to ask for his help. Once the ropes were off, Blu climbed in the back of the trailer and Davis opened the tailgate at the end to reach for the recliner part of the sectional lounge handing it off to Kyle.

“UH… Guys, don’t you think we should move the old couch first?” Kyle sniped, “Where did the grill come from I didn’t know we were buying one?”

“He was selling it, and the sale fell through so we grabbed it. He gave it to us for fifty bucks,” Davis grinned.

“Shit!” Blu said under his breath as he ran into the house, he pushed the small, lightweight couch into the kitchen for now. They could always put it on the back patio or in Kyle’s new music room. He quickly made his way back and climbed into the trailer, “You okay with that by yourself Blondie?”

Kyle tightened his grip after adjusting his hands, “I got it,” a few grunts later and shimmying the section off the trailer he headed toward the house. Blu and Davis watched Kyle struggle, trying to get the recliner through the door in one piece. He must have tried every different angle to get it through the door. Kyle eventually put the piece of furniture down, throwing his hands up in the air as he rounded it looking for a way to get it through the door.

“Why don’t you push the buttons on both sides at the bottom of the back and lift the top piece off and take it into the house in two parts,” Davis said trying not to laugh. Not that he really knew, but the guy they bought the lounge from had shown them before they took it away.

Kyle flipped Davis the bird, “Why are you just telling me now?” he chuckled.

Davis shrugged his shoulder, “Just remembered.”

Doug pulled up outside the house. Blu stood straight up and watched his Dad get out of the car, then Nan and Kaleb stepped out of the car looking like scolded children.

“Aren’t they supposed to be at the races?” Blu called out to his Dad.

Lily pulled up behind Doug, in their work van. Doug walked over to Lily to help her out of the car. Nan and Kaleb stood beside each other wearing indecipherable expressions. Kyle walked down toward the road where the cars were parked.

“Can somebody explain what these two have done now?” Kyle stared at Kaleb before glancing at Nan.

“How do you know we did anything wrong?” Nan said sheepishly.

Blu threw his hands up in the air and jumped off of the trailer as he and Davis moved down next to Kyle just as Lily and Doug approached the growing crowd. Kyle rolled his eyes and nudged Blu, as if to say, “well, say something,”

“For starters Nan, whenever you and Kaleb are doing anything together it’s what creates new laws. I warned you, Nan, not to get Kaleb into trouble. So what did you two do?” Blu was waving his finger at his Nan irritated.

Doug swiped his hair forward, showing he was furious, “This freakin’ genius here,” Doug pointed at Nan, who hung her head, “decided that she would have a few drinks. The other genius thought it would be okay to drive – without a license,” Doug thundered, leaning forward berating Kaleb.

“They got caught and called us. We had to drive up from Bristol, so we could bail the jailbirds out,” Lily added, she was pissed. Lily paced with her hands on her hips, not happy with the situation.

Blu stiffened at the thought of what could have happened. Davis sighed and shook his head at Kaleb. Kyle glared at Kaleb, “Get in the house and sit there until I come get you and don’t try sneaking out. I will hunt you down,” Kyle pointed to the door, “And be of some use, take that section of the lounge into the damn house.”

They all watched as Kaleb slowly trudged to the house. He walked up to the recliner, pushed the two buttons on the bottom and pulled the back off and walked the furniture into the house one piece at a time. Kyle turned to Blu and punched him in the arm. Blu just shrugged and put his now aching arm around Kyle’s waist pulling him in close, then kissed the side of his head.

“Go and get your things together Mom so we can get home,” Doug said disappointedly to his Mom.

“I’m sorry Dad,” Kyle shrugged his shoulders, “He’s never gotten in trouble like this before. He knows better, when those two are together it’s like they both lose their common sense. I’m so disappointed in them right now.”

*****

Davis came back through the door with a smile on his face carrying one bag, while Kaleb came in loaded like a pack mule.

Kyle smirked at Kaleb, “So how do you like hard labor, Kaleb, if you do the crime you’re gonna do the time,” Kaleb snarled at Kyle but didn’t dare say a word, being punished by Kyle almost felt worse than if he were sent to jail. Kyle turned to Davis, “Did he stay out of trouble?”

“He wasn’t any worse than usual, he’s not that bad,” Davis grinned, “Guess what?”

“What’s up D?” Kyle focused on him while ignoring his brother.

“Oh… Doctor Death here got a job playing with stiffies,” Kaleb cracked a grin at Davis, Kyle turned and scowled at him.

Blu came in through the back door taking his dirty work boots off and leaving them outside. He caught the end of what Kaleb had said, “Gay porn?” he asked Davis while walking to the fridge for a bottle of water. He grabbed two handing one to Kyle and quickly kissed him, “Hey Blondie.”

“I have no clue, the jailbird thinks he’s cute,” Kyle snarkastically replied.

“No, I’m not doing gay porn. I didn’t know it was an option. Anyway, since I’m pre-med, I went online before I moved here and applied for jobs at the local hospitals and funeral homes. One of the funeral places called me back, and I got a job. I’ll be the guy transporting the bodies from the morgue back to the mortuary,” Davis said happily.

“So you’re the grim reaper?” Kyle turned looking at Davis.

“Whatever, it pays, and I’m desperate. I’d even do porn at this point,” Davis chuckled.

“Just make sure the delinquent doesn’t get you in trouble,” Kyle looked at Kaleb, “Or you’ll never get to finish med school.”

Kaleb slammed the bags down on the counter, “OK! I know I let you down Kyle, the point was made, can you please just let it go? I feel bad enough already.”

“Don’t talk to your brother that way, he loves you, Kaleb…” Blu stepped forward, Kyle put his hand on Blu’s shoulder giving it a gentle squeeze after he felt bad for putting his brother down.

“I’ll let it go but if you and Nan can’t be trusted together,” Kyle swiped his hand over his face, “You’ll both be chaperoned by one of us!”

“Did I hear my name?” Nan said as she entered the kitchen quickly followed by Doug, Lily, Brandon, and Jenny.

There were hugs throughout the greetings, “What are you guys all doing here this early, we haven’t even started to set up yet?” Kaleb and Nan started out of the kitchen together, “I’m gla…”

“You two freeze,” Kyle shouted at the pair, “Where are you going?”

“Why do you want to know Stud? Jealous perhaps?” Nan snickered, Kaleb stood nervously chewing on his lip, giving Kyle puppy dog eyes.

“Nan if either of you gets in trouble together again, Kaleb knows anywhere you go together will be chaperoned,” Kyle pointed at Nan, “Now I’m telling you.”

“You tell ‘em Son,” Doug laughed then gave the two mischief makers a pointed glare.

Nan and Kaleb sullenly walked off without another word.

Kyle yelled to Kaleb, “Make sure your pigsty of a bedroom is clean before the guests arrive, it’s embarrassing.”

“Put us to work, we don’t have much time until your guests arrive,” Lily said as she moved to the bags with Jen and they started unpacking them.

“Come on Blu, I’ll give you a hand with the grill,” Brandon indicated outside to Blu as they wandered out the back.

“Dad, did you remember to bring the ladder; would you mind giving me a hand hanging decorations?” Kyle looked at Doug.

“I’m on it,” Doug went out to his car to get the ladder.

“Jen and I will get started on the salads and nibblies, Kyle,” Lily stated.

“Davis, do you mind getting the meat ready to go onto the grill for Blu and Brandon?” Kyle asked as he grabbed a bag of decorations.

“Sure Kyle,” Davis grabbed the steaks coating them in seasonings. He put the steaks in the fridge, Lily then showed Davis how to put the rissoles together. After the first few he was an expert and had them done in no time at all. He whacked them in the refrigerator next to the steaks. Davis cleaned up his mess, thinking he was finished. Davis went to go out to the grill, but Lily put a cutting board, knife and a handful of onions with a piece of bread in front of him. Davis picked up the bread and raised an eyebrow at Lily.

“You hang it out of your mouth while you're cutting the onion, the myth is, it stops your eyes from watering,” Lily smiled warmly.

Davis thought she was nuts, but it couldn’t hurt to try. So he held the bread in his teeth and started cutting into the onions. About halfway through, Lily asked him how he was doing. Bread still hanging out of his mouth, his nose running and his eyes running like someone died. He gave Lily a dirty look and pulled the bread out of his mouth, mumbling obscenities to himself. Davis finally realized the ladies were having fun at his expense. After he finished the last onion, Davis took off out the back door to where his brother and Blu were cleaning the grill.

“Hey little brother, how are you liking Boston?” Brandon said to Davis giving him a one-armed side hug.

“Yeah, it’s not too bad. Living with these yahoo’s is always entertaining,” Davis chuckled, “how’s married life?”

“Awesome,” Brandon’s smile could have lit up the entire backyard. It made Davis elated his brother was so happy, “Jenny’s pregnant, don’t tell the folks. I wanted to tell you first. I’m sorry Dad’s been a real dick to you, Bud. I’m glad you moved up here early.”

“Congratulations Brandon! I’m so happy for you both. Awesome, I’m gonna be an Uncle,” Davis did a little dance before hugging his brother.

“Alright, I think the grill is ready to be used. Thanks for your help Brandon, I’m going to find Dad and see if I can con him into doing the cooking,” Blu said.

Davis threw his head back and laughed, “Probably safer than any of us doing it.”

Blu heard Brandon laughing his ass off as he walked into the house, Davis was telling him about his new job. Blu was suddenly being pushed out of the way.

“Dude! What the hell?” Blu yelled tripping over a box of decorations.

“Onion, the onions. In my eye…I’m blind…” Davis ran into the house through the back door squealing. Brandon was still at the grill laughing so hard, Blu thought his friend might piss his pants.

“The decorations look great guys,” Blu said looking pleased with the result.

Kyle and Doug hung the last of the decorations and admired their artistic abilities, “Thanks, Babe, it looks pretty good Dad, thanks for helping.”

“You’re welcome Son,” Doug smiled as he jumped off of the ladder like a little kid.

“Are you going to slide down the stair banister next?” Blu chided his Dad, “We all took a vote Dad, we’ve all decided you are the best person to man the grill.”

“Uh… Ya… Dad unless we are all making a trip with Davis to his new job permanently, just trust me for all of our well being,” Kyle kissed Blu and smiled.

“If you say so, it will keep me out of the house, and away from all that boom, ting, bang, crap music you kids are so fond of, “Doug shook his head, “stuff gives me a migraine.”

“Thanks, Dad, you’re awesome,” Blu looked around, “Nan and Kaleb have been awfully quiet, has anyone seen them?”

Kyle looked around the downstairs, “Kaleb Marcus Remmington,” he shouted up the stairs, “You better pray you aren’t getting into trouble with Nan!”

*****

The guests had all arrived for the boy's engagement party, food was being devoured at an astounding rate. Music rumbled through the house, with people dancing in the living room and dining room. The older folks were out on the back patio, sipping at their drinks conversing about ‘back in the day.’

Kyle and Blu made their way around the well-wishers and found a spot to dance. Blu spotted Nan dancing with their former RA, Wesley. Blu pointed them out to Kyle. He pointed to Wesley’s ripped shirt that had no buttons left on it, and the spatterings of rose-colored lipstick all over his neck and face.

Kyle snickered, “At least her and Kaleb aren’t going to jail,” shrugging his shoulders, “unless Wesley claims sexual assault on Nan.”

Blu caught Kaleb and Davis grinding up against each other in the corner of the dance area. He turned Kyle away so he wouldn’t be able to see them. Then made out with him to distract him from his surroundings while they danced. Jenny wedged her way between the boys and danced with them grinning from ear-to-ear.

“Brandon won’t dance, so you’re stuck with me,” Jenny pouted.

“We would be honored Jenny,” Kyle smiled, “Now shake that bootay!”

As the trio continued to dance something caught the corner of Kyle’s vision, turning he spotted Davis and Kaleb making out in a darker corner of the room. Kyle nudged Blu with a smile, “Babe look at them,” He pointed to the two.

Blu looked and then said, “Are you cool with that? I thought Kaleb was… actually, I have no idea what I thought. He’s never shown interest in anyone at all.”

“Oh my god, how cute is that,” Jenny squealed and clapped her hands together then swooned.

Smiling Kyle nodded his head, “Yeah, I’m cool with it. I just wonder why he didn’t tell me?”

“Awesome, maybe Davis can settle the shithead down,” Blu smiled, “Oh, for Christ’s Sake.”

Blu walked over to his Nan, “Hey, Nan, give it a rest will ya. There are impressionable kids around here that don’t need to see that. Me for one, take it elsewhere. And I don’t mean my room.”

Kyle and Jenny stood behind Blu laughing their ass off, while they watched as Nan adjusted her boobs. She then cuffed Blu over the head and got back to grinding up against her new beau, who had to be at least forty years her junior.

“Come on Blondie, I need some air. Blugh!” Blu gagged while shuddering as Nan danced with Wesley provocatively, “Sorry Jen, maybe Davis and Kaleb will dance with you,” Blu smirked.

“Yuk, she has her hands kneading his ass like a ball of dough,” Kyle chuckled as he grabbed Blu’s hand trying to drag him out of the room without looking, “Honestly I can’t believe she’s manhandling Wesley like he’s a side of beef.”

Blu turned to Kyle once they were outside, “Are you kidding me? You can’t believe it. Every time I turn around she has her hand on your ass,” Blu said incredulously, while Kyle started laughing, “It’s not funny Blondie, it’s icky and gross.”

“What’s going on Blu?” Doug called out from his seat.

“Your Mother is on the dance floor with a twenty-something, like it’s a scene from ‘Dirty Dancing.’”

Kyle started laughing harder with tears running from his eyes, “uh sees reepin hes close eff,” He gasped for a breath, waving his hand in front of himself, “is soooo gr….ooo….sss…” Kyle fell against the wall bending over trying to catch his breath from laughing so hard and still trying to laugh at the same time.

Doug looked at Kyle and Blu curiously getting up from his chair. He walked inside, Kyle was finally down to gasp, then quick laugh, repeat. Two minutes later Doug came back out grasping Nan’s upper arm. He pulled out the chair next to him and sat her down. She was mumbling under her breath. Nan looked over at the back door and blew a kiss. Kyle looked at the door, and Wesley was giving her a little wave pouting. He blew her a kiss back. Kyle started laughing all over again and couldn’t stop. Blu wasn’t impressed at the spectacle his Nan was providing.

Blu sat Kyle in a chair and got Kyle to calm down. Every few minutes, Nan muttered some profanity and accused Doug of being a ‘cockblocker,’ and Kyle would start up again. Just as Kyle finally stopped laughing, and now had a bout of the hiccups. Kaleb joined the party guests on the patio. He was trying to appear innocent, probably would have pulled it off, if he didn’t have the mother of all hickeys on his neck and his lips weren’t swollen and red, whisker rash on his face. Kyle just lost it all over again.

“What have you been up to numb-nuts?” Blu smirked at Kaleb.

Kaleb straightened his hair as best he could, “Nuthin’,” trying to look innocent.

Kyle literally fell out of the chair laughing at the hilarity of their engagement party. All the old folks had stopped talking and were watching the circus in front of them. Poor Doug was shrinking smaller and smaller in his chair, while Nan was mouthing off at him. Kyle was on the ground, laughing so hard he was slapping the concrete on the patio. Lily was sipping on her Margherita, oblivious to everything, her foot tapping while she bounced along to the beat of the music coming from the back door. The other family and friends were giggling along with Kyle.

“Uh guys,” Davis come out of the back door – disheveled, “the cops are at the door.”

What a night…

*****

There was quite a mess left for the boys to clean after the guests left. Once the garbage bags were removed from the patio next day, Kyle and Blu sat out on the patio with a stack of cards and wrapped gifts.

Kyle handed Blu part of the stack of cards, “Let's open our cards first, and then we can do the wrapped stuff, just in case we have fines to pay,” He sighed, “It’s really beautiful and relaxing out here.”

“I like this outdoor furniture the Colonel gave to us,” Blu answered, “Make sure you remind me to send them a thank you card.”

“Remind me never to have alcohol in the house when Nan and Kaleb are together,” Kyle laughed, “Poor Wesley is probably scarred for life after that crazy ass shit, but I hope Davis can handle Kaleb because I’m not sure he realizes what he’s gotten himself into.”

“Hmm… He didn’t seem to be unhappy about it last night. I wonder if Nan was sharing and helping him with a bit of liquid courage. It’s not like Davis would have gone after Kaleb if there wasn’t a reason. Let’s face it he’s pretty shy, maybe Kaleb went after him,” Blu giggled.

“Kaleb was the one that had Davis pinned to the couch with his tongue halfway down his throat,” Kyle snickered, “Time will tell where it leads.”

Davis came out the back door cuddling a cup of coffee like it was his lifeline. He sat heavily on a chair and groaned, “Don’t ever let me drink again.”

Blu and Kyle laughed.

“Not so loud,” Davis leaned his forehead against the table.

Kaleb pushed the sliding glass doors open and came out wearing a turtleneck shirt which caught Kyle’s attention considering it was 85 degrees Fahrenheit, “Kaleb what the hell are you dressed like that for in this heat? It’s not like we don’t know what the two of you were doing last night, hell half of Boston witnessed it.”

Kaleb sat down in the chair beside Davis, “I uh… It was Nan’s fault,” slouching in the chair, “God, how can you both be so cheerful at this hour?” Kaleb said trying to change the subject.

Kyle studied Kaleb for a second, “Kaleb let’s cut the shit ok?” Kaleb nodded his head and looked at a spec of dirt on the patio, “I honestly don’t care if you’re gay. As long as you’re happy,” Kyle leaned his elbows on the table, “You’re my brother, and Davis is a great guy, just don’t hurt one another. Be sure of what you both want before either of you regret it and destroy your friendship.”

Kaleb gulped, “I’m pretty sure of what I want,” he glanced at Davis who busied himself in his drink, “Kyle it’s a bit embarrassing when everybody assumes I’m straight. How am I supposed to act?”

“How are you supposed to act? How do you think it felt when I told you that I was gay?” Kyle felt a tinge of pain that his brother didn’t tell him the truth before now, “It hurts that I trusted you with the one thing I feared the most about Rudolph and Penelope finding out, but you didn’t trust me.”

“Kyle if I’m supposed to be a hundred percent honest,” Kaleb was fidgeting with his hands, “I have to admit I didn’t know how I felt until this past year happened. I watched Blu and you together, and it’s like everything just made sense, what I wanted, and I knew who I was,” Kaleb bared his soul, “I want to be happy just like the both of you are Kyle. As far as for Davis and me, we are friends at this point. If we become more, I will let you know once we figure it out.” Kyle nodded his head at the both of them in agreement.

Davis stood up from the table and walked away…