C9 Amelia Rose

The window was open, so I heard the car pull up. We already had the lights off in the front rooms of the house, so he wouldn’t notice. We all knew Aria had probably given it away, but we still wanted him to see how much we cared and missed him. What better way to do that than with a little spook as you walk into your house? I peeked through the curtain and waved for everyone to get in their places.

Tasha decided she wanted to greet him before we jumped out. I know that means she wants to rub her relationship in Aria’s face. As good of friends as they were, I’m surprised she held that grudge for so long. She really isn’t a good girlfriend. She cheats and uses most of them for some kind of gain. The only thing I can think of is that she actually liked Ryan, and it hurt her feelings to hear her friend say she wasn’t good for him. The car doors shut, alerting me back to the window. He had the jeans and the ‘I Am a King’ T-shirt Aria bought him.

“Mom, I need to breathe.”

“Oh, just let your mother smother you for a minute.” Aria didn’t even try to stifle her laugh. This was rich entertainment for her, and me too. His mother, Mrs. Melina, was thoughtful, compassionate, and hilariously embarrassing in all the right ways. In an, you will always be my baby, give mama some sugar, kind of way. Or tell awkward childhood stories kind of way.

Mrs. Melina let him go after about ten kisses on each cheek. “Oh, son, I’m so glad you’re home!” Three more kisses. “And Aria,” her turn for kisses and big embraces, “thank you for getting him home and keeping his spirits lifted all these years.”

“Yes, how does one repay such” Tasha paused, clenching her jaw. “kindness?” She said it sweetly, but it was full of venom. Tasha was standing at the front door, watching them. “You have always been so good to Ryan.” She was walking towards the car like the driveway was her runway.

Ryan stares deep into Aria’s eyes, lingering a bit too long for Tasha’s taste, I’m sure. “Yeah, she has.” His mom noticed it, too. Tasha wrapped her arms around Ryan’s neck and pressed her lips to his fiercely, staking her claim. Aria looked down at the ground to hide her frown, but I could see it. I could feel it. Though his gratitude was making it hard for me to feel much else. Any more and I might have a channeling problem. Mrs. Melina put her hand on Aria’s shoulder and gave her a small smile. There was another feeling there, strong and fierce-love.

“I’m going to go on in and say hi to every, uhh,” Aria looked at Mrs. Melina with panicked eyes frozen in step, “every plant your mom has because they say that makes them want to grow. You know, if you’re nice to them.” She scurried up the driveway to the house, quietly laughing with them. I mouthed for everyone to wait.

“Come on. If I know Aria, I know she has already done that several times today.” Mrs. Melina chuckles, and they follow behind Aria toward the house.

I gave the signal that he was coming.

“You have no idea” Ryan’s smile was so sincere. I could feel his love radiating through his gratitude. I was on the verge of an explosion and I wasn’t even drunk. I dampened the connection. I tried not to think too far into and get into their business. There were simply too many ways to love a person to know for sure, anyway.

“Why does no one think I can keep a secret?” Aria whispers as she gets down beside me.

“You can, just not this kind.” I shoulder-bumped her gently, smiling.

“SURPRISE!” We all jumped up as Mrs. Melina turned on the light.

Ryan made his rounds with Tasha tucked tightly around his arm. Between family and both his friends and Mrs. Melina’s, they kept Ryan busy for a while. I noticed Aria spent that time stuffing appetizers and cake down at the kitchen island. I sat down next to her, grabbing a piece of cake. I didn’t expect this to be so hard for her. Tasha was always all over him, most of his girlfriends usually were. She usually hid how much she hated seeing him with other women pretty well. Something must have happened. Before I could ask, Mrs. Melina walked around to the other side of the counter.

“Despite how great I look now, I’m getting old.” She narrows her eyes at Aria, a smile playing at her lips. “Tell my son how you feel so I can get some grandbabies.” She winked at Aria, who was now choking on her cake.

“What?!” I sputtered.

“Don’t even try it. I’ve always known and stayed out of it, hoping you two would figure it out on your own, but time is ticking, sweetheart” Melina handed Aria a glass of punch.

“Have I been that obvious, mama?” She thumped her head on the counter.

“Yes, love can never be hidden, not really. Besides, if it wasn’t obvious before, that kiss Tasha gave him made it clear. Stevie Wonder could see how hard that was for you. ”

“I can’t tell him.” Aria’s voice was slightly muffled from talking through her arms on the counter. I rubbed her back in small, gentle circles, pulling out some of her sadness. She gave me a small smile, knowing.

“Why not?”

“He’s dating my friend,” Aria sat up, reclining on the barstool, “sort of; I hurt her feelings. That kiss was more for me than him.”

“Eh, she didn’t want to be labeled for leaving him like that. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had another BF.”

“A BF? When did you start text talking?” We both laughed.

“Oh, I am hip, Amelia Rose.” Mrs.Melina put both hands on her hips. “Now about my grandbabies. Any name ideas yet?”

“Bye, Mrs. Melina.” Aria winked at her and we both went into the living room. We played a few games, joined a few conversations, and danced around. It wasn’t long before it became a full-fledged dance party. Ryan and Aria were always the life of every party they walked in. Tasha was playing hardball with Ryan’s time all night, though, and the dirty dancing was a nice touch, too. Aria didn’t dance long, despite my efforts.

There were so many people in the house I knew Aria would need a breather, too. Large crowds equaled large quantities of emotions. I went to get us a glass of punch to take outside with us, but when I came back into the living room, I couldn’t find her. I knew there was only one place she would go alone, Ryan’s room. She had been in his room a million times over the years; we both had, but it was practically her second home. I bet she didn’t think twice about flopping back on his bed. I walked down the hallway to join her. I stopped when I saw Ryan standing in the doorway to his room.

“Comfortable?”

“Completely and utterly.” I heard her sigh from down the hallway; it was so loud. “Absolute comfort.” When he moved to walk in, I gave them some privacy. I hoped they would work out whatever happened on their trip. I hoped she would finally get her kiss.