Just his luck - 5. Chapter 5

CHAPTER V

“Ok
what do you have planned for today?” Toni asked as Theo got in the car. It was Friday, the start of the weekend and
Theo’s 16^th birthday.

“Jackson’s
ritual later I guess.” Theo shrugged. “Hey maybe you could come, it’d make
things so much easier. Dad’s kids are
gonna be there.”

“Thanks
for the invite,” Toni laughed. “Took you long enough to ask.”

“What
about me? I’m practically like a sister to you Theo.” Judy said.

“You
don’t know how to behave and I’m afraid you’ll fuck with Neka and Marc. On
second thoughts, yea Judes you should definitely be there.” Theo said laughing
at the thought of his brother and sister being humiliated by a 12 year old.

“Awesome,
I won’t let you down.” Judy said as they
pulled into their usual parking spot at the side of the school.

“By
the way, I got you this.” Toni said handing Theo a wrapped box.

“Oh
my God!” Theo exclaimed as he pulled off the wrapper to reveal a black suede
jewelry box. Inside was a 24k white gold bracelet with the letters TnT on the
front and small black male symbols all around the bracelet.

“Turn
it over,” Toni advised and when Theo did he saw an inscription. It read ‘When your all comes tumbling down…
my shoulder is where you can lay your head.’

“Touching,”
Judy said as Theo embraced Toni.

“Fuck
off Judy,” Theo said wiping his eyes.

“Wow
Theo, you’ve become a man.” Judy said laughing.
The top of the car was down today since it hadn’t snowed in a while and
so Judy hopped out before Toni could hit her. “Here’s my present Theo, it’ll
make you weep in a totally different way.” She said tossing a gift-wrapped box
in Theo’s lap before jogging to catch up with a few of her team-mates.

“Whatever
it is I’m apologizing before hand,” Toni said as Theo skeptically removed the
wrapper and began to open the box. “Oh tell me that’s not what I think it is?”
Toni groaned.

“What
is it?”

“A
butt plug,” Toni replied as Theo removed a huge pink butt-plug from the box.

“You
said it,” Theo said laughing as he now understood why Judy said what she did
before she left. “She’s a brat but you’ve got to love her. The question is where or how did she buy this
shit yet she’s so young.”

“No
Jackson, the question is what are you
doing with a butt-plug.” Taylor Carson asked from behind Toni’s car.

“Mind
your own goddamn fucking business Carson,” Theo said. Taylor just laughed and walked away.

“Be
nice Theo you’re becoming more like a Caparelli everyday and I can’t sleep with
my brother.” Toni said kissing Theo on the cheek before they got out of the
car.

The
day went by without as much a frown on Theo’s face. Toni ditched every class that he and Theo
didn’t have together so that he was always by his side. They even snorted a portion of coke before
the really boring ones like Literature.
Then it was lunch time and as soon as the bell rang Toni whisked Theo
away to the back of the school. People
generally avoided the back of the institution since it was rumored that
reptiles and other poisonous creatures dwelt there.

“It’s
not that I don’t trust you to lead me,” Theo said as Toni had blindfolded him
and was leading him to God knows where.

“I
won’t let you trip, fall or even get some much as mosquitoes bite.” Toni
reassured him. They stopped after ten
minutes and when Toni removed the blindfold a shout of ‘Happy Birthday’ greeted
him.

The
entire area was cleared of the grass and weeds to reveal a paved terrain. A few
members from the football team and the cheerleading squad was there as well as
the maintenance man and a couple of teachers that adored the duo.

“Are
you enjoying my present right now?” Judy asked from behind them.

“What
are you doing here; don’t you have a class now?” Theo asked not very surprised
as it was not likely that Judy would miss a party if she knew about it.

“I
have a late lunch, either that or I’m at the nurse’s station, I’m not sure
which excuse it’s gonna be today.” Judy said watching as Toni lit up his pipe then
passed it to her for a puff.

“Happy
birthday Theo,” Taylor said touching Theo’s shoulder just as he was about to
tell Toni that he shouldn’t be smoking right there, especially with all the
teachers present no matter how cool they were.
Taylor then handed him a gift bag and kissed him daintily on the
cheek. Theo looked from Toni’s smiling
face to Taylor’s smiling face in confusion but before he could ask what was
going on people started giving him gifts then someone brought out a chocolate
cake with ‘Happy Birthday Theo’ etched in the middle and a number 16 candle.

“When
did you put this together?” Theo asked Toni after posing for picture after
picture.

“Mostly
Judy’s idea, we came up with and activated operation school party at 09:00 on
Wednesday.” Toni replied saluting at the end.

“You
guys are unbelievable; this is my best birthday ever.”

“And
it’s not over yet,” Judy said coming over with her own cake plate. “See you
later cutey.

œ                œ                œ                œ                œ

“Where
is the birthday boy?” Graham asked as soon as he entered through the door. He had been away on a business trip since the
New Year started but he wouldn’t have missed his youngest son’s sixteenth
birthday for the world.

“Here
I am,” Theo answered coming out of the kitchen.
They embraced and like he had done since the first time he held Theo in
his arms Graham kissed his son on the forehead.

“How
have you been, where’s your mother?”

“I’ve
been fine, and Mom is probably out in the garden with Cye,” Theo answered
following his father into the sitting room. “I got a new friend,”

“New,
as if you had any to begin with,” Taneka said.

“She
and Marcus came in same time and Altidore met them to take their bags.

“Really,
that’s wonderful Theo,” Graham said patting the seat next to him. “Come tell me about it,” Theo sat next to his
Dad and related the story of how he and Toni met and about his family and the
party he kept at school earlier that day.
He even showed him the gift Toni had got for him.

“This
is nice,” Graham said fingering the bracelet’s design.

“I
invited him and his sister to the party tonight.”

“That’s
wonderful. I can get to meet him. I worry that you are unhappy you know,”

“Who’s
unhappy?” Geneva asked carrying Cytheria.

“Cye,
my baby, did you miss Daddy?” Graham asked as Geneva placed the child on the
ground and she ran into his out stretched arms.

“And
what about me,” Geneva asked as Graham kissed their giggling daughter. They had been married now for 17 years and
their relationship was very complicated but nonetheless based on real ‘no
bullshit’ love.

“What
about you Genie?” Graham asked with love in his eyes and a smile on his lips as
he looked at his wife.

“I
need to be satisfied.” Geneva said

“Oh
Jesus, come on Cye let’s get you ready, I have two friends coming over that I
want to meet you.” Theo said taking his sister before their parents started
getting it on in the sitting room.

“I
want my pwetty dwess,”

“Alright
baby let’s go.”

The
party started promptly at 7pm with the opening remarks by Graham and then
Geneva, Taneka Marcus and Altidore said something. Finally there was the unveiling of the car
and Theo’s proved his worthiness by driving it around the meadow in front of
the others who served as witnesses. The ritual was winding down, it was time for
the dinner and Toni was still absent.

“Am
I too late?” Toni asked catching up with Theo as he entered the house.

“You
missed the speeches and the unveiling, we’re about to eat.” Theo said smiling
enthusiastically.

“That
my friend by Italian standard is right on time.” Judy said

“Come
on let me introduce you to the family.” Theo said taking both their hands. He introduced him to Altidore first then
Marisa, Cye’s maid.

“This
is Marcus and Taneka my older brother and sister. You met my mother Toni,
Geneva and this is my father Graham Jackson.”

“Nice
to meet you sir,” Toni said

“And
who is this beautiful young lady?” Graham asked looking at Judy who was playing
with Cye.

“Oh
nobody, just an annoying pest to this handsome young man,” Judy replied smiling
as Toni hugged her to his side.

“This
is my sister Judy, don’t let her charms fool you she’s rotten.” Toni said
ruffling her hair. Everyone laughed at
how playful they were and how well they got along.

Dinner
was a three course meal served on the finest silverware the family own as was
customary for such a special occasion. Toni and Judy brought punch which was
served with dessert.

“Did
Theo tell you Mr. and Mrs. Jackson that my family is throwing him a
party?” Toni asked Geneva and Graham
quietly as Theo played peek-a-boo with Cye.

“No
he didn’t.”

“Oh
I forgot we were gonna surprise him.” So is it alright if Judy and I borrowed
him until about Sunday?”

“That’s
gonna be one hell of a party,” Taneka who was sitting on one side of Toni said
with a scoff.

“Punch?”
Judy asked loudly and collectively to the entire table. Taneka had awakened the interest of everyone
with her snide remark.

“This
is fantastic, what’s your secret?” Marcus said taking another sip from his
glass.

“A
little of this and a little of that, we Caparellis—” There was a splutter from
both Marcus and Taneka simultaneously.

“Is
something wrong guys?” Theo asked fighting back a smile.

“No.
No not at all,” both Marcus and Taneka said before putting down their
glasses. Judy, Theo and Toni laughed
quietly as both Taneka and Marcus excused themselves from the table.

∞                ∞                ∞                ∞                ∞

“Did
you see how quickly they left the table? But do you think they’ll tell your Dad
what Micah did?” Toni asked as they pulled into his garage.

“They
wouldn’t dare, Taneka doesn’t even want Dad to think she can harm a fly let
alone appear to be fucking every guy at DU.
Besides I think they are more afraid of what you guys can do to them.”
Theo replied.

“This
ought to be fun without me,” Judy said as she removed Theo’s weekend bag from
the Camry to Micah’s Honda. It gave more
gas mileage so they wouldn’t have to stop every couple hours for gas before
they got to where they were going.

“Would
you guys at least tell me where I’m being kidnapped to?”

“It’s
a surprise Theo that means you can’t know or it’ll ruin the moment.” Toni
replied. “Mom wants to see you before we leave.
I’ll meet you back in the garage in 20 minutes.”Toni said smooching Theo
on the lips before he and Judy disappeared.

“How
was the coming out party?”Angie asked as soon as Theo met her in the living
room. She kissed his cheek and wiped the
excess lipstick from it.

“You
mean coming of age,” Theo said laughing. “It was impossibly easier thanks to
your kids,” Theo said following her lead.

“Anyway,
I wanted to give you this. It’s a
replica of Da Vinci’s ‘Madonna on the Rocks.” Angie said. “I know you love art
and I thought maybe you would enjoy having this as though it was the original.”

“Wow,
I love it!” Theo exclaimed. “Wait until
Mom sees this,”

“ Just
don’t mention its authenticity,” Angie said coming to a halt at a room which
Theo was never introduced to before now. “This other gift is from Bernie, he’s
sorry he couldn’t be here to give it to you in person.” Angie said as she
handed him a key. The room they entered
was fitted with camera and microphone just like an interrogation room. Angie
flipped a switch nearby and the center of the room lit up.

“Oh my God!” Theo exclaimed as he
hurried towards the laptop there on the table.
He ran a finger over the shiny red surface of the machine before opening
it. It was newest model of the HP
notebook with 1500GB of memory, built in internet which enabled the user to
access the net whenever he/she wanted.
It also had a battery life of 2days and came with an external hard drive
of 1000GB. “This hasn’t even arrived on the market as yet. It was only rumored to be in the process of
being made.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Angie said
smiling. “He also thought you’d like this,” Angie said opening a drawer on the
table and handing Theo a small cell phone box.
It was a palm I-phone like Toni’s with a blue shell that matched Theo’s
eyes. “Toni also mentioned that you
loved chemistry, so Bernie thought you’d love these.” Angie said flipping
another switch close by which lit up the entire room. Theo noticed that there were tables arranged
in a semi-circle around the center table and they all contained chemistry set
stuff such as beakers, test tubes and other science stuff. But there were also large vials with labeled
chemicals which were supposed to be accessible only to members of the explosives
and ammunition division of the US army.

“Wow! I’m not sure I can take all
this stuff,”

“Nonsense, we want you to have them
all, it’s no trouble.”

“No I mean I literally can’t take
these,” Theo said touching the vials delicately. “This stuff is way too illegal
and if my Dad should see these in the house he’d die and then kill me.” Theo
explained.

“Oh, right,” Angie said. “Tell you
what, you can leave these other stuff here and come over whenever you want to
use them.”

“Awesome,” Theo said excited once again. Just then the cell phone he had in his hand
began to ring; it was his favorite Lady Gaga tune ‘Bad Romance’.

“Are you coming or will I have to
come get you?” Toni asked, Theo could just hear the smirk in his tone.

“I’ll be out in a minute hold on to your
cock ring.” Theo replied before hanging up.
He hugged and kissed Angie then grabbed the charger for his new cell
phone and left.

At 11 pm they were still driving,
singing along to the radio tunes and playing slug bug.

“Are we there yet?” Theo asked for
the 20^th time since they left the City of Mauko and entered Samenia.

“Here, swallow this.” Toni said
handing Theo what appeared to be a pill.

“What’s this?” Theo asked popping the
pill in his mouth nonetheless. He
trusted Toni with his life and the questions he asked was just so he got
familiar with whatever it was that Toni was introducing him to.

“Candy pills,” Toni replied with a
little chuckle. “You’ve become paranoid,
that’s good and it means you are definitely ready for where we’re going.” Toni
said as he pulled into a magnificent driveway.

“Whose house is this?”

“It’s not a house, this is Club
Utopia. Gays all over the globe comes here to party every night.” Toni said smiling as Theo looked up at the
amazing house like design. “Come on its pecks’ night,”

“Pecks

“Yea, you know contest for the man
with the hardest chest, you’ll love it.” Toni said as Theo followed close
behind him and clinging to his arm sometimes too tightly so as to relieve the
feeling of nervousness.

“Ouch, ease up Theo, they won’t bite…
too hard.” Toni said trying to pry Theo’s closed fingers open.

“Hey, what’s up Andrew, could I have
two night passes?” Toni asked a very muscular man standing next to a ticket booth

“Got ID?” the man asked Theo.

“Yea,” Toni said handing the man fifty
dollars.

“How old is he?” Andrew asked still
staring at Theo suspiciously.

“I don’t know Andrew; I’ve only
sucked his dick once.” Toni said beginning to get impatient.

“How big is—”

“I’m getting bored Andrew, just give
me the fucking passes or—”

“I’m just messing with you. Are you packing?” Andrew asked

“Only this,” Toni replied girthing
the front of his pants. “And if you touch it without my permission you won’t
live to tell the tales.” Toni added as Andrew had begun to smile and was moving
toward him for a search.

“Here you go, two night passes.
You’re a lucky lady,” Andrew said smiling as Theo passed him.