Chapter 2: The Birthday Boy

282 Words
Chapter 2: The Birthday Boy In March we celebrated Brad’s birthday with the family. Brad asked if he could have a few friends over on the weekend for a party as well and we agreed. The few friends turned out to be half his class. We didn’t really mind. Brad’s friends were a pretty nice group of kids. Besides, many of them had been in my classes and in my afterschool weight-training club. They knew I knew where they lived. There was lots of laughter and loud music. Andy and I played bartender and waiter, keeping them well-supplied with pop and pizza. We tried to stay out of their way as much as possible. At some point I noticed Brad was gone. I asked Andy about it. “I haven’t seen him for about an hour, or Jenny either,” Andy said, handing a Pepsi and almost an entire pizza to a guy who was as big as both Andy and I put together. Just then a very disgruntled Jenny came downstairs looking disheveled. She seemed about to cry. Brad followed her down the stairs. “Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…Jenny, please.” “Mr. Bennett, would you take me home, please?” I looked at Brad; he appeared to be on the verge of tears. Andy gave me a look that said, Go ahead, I’ll take care of this. “Sure, Jenny.” We left. I didn’t probe Jenny for an explanation as I drove to her house and she offered none. The party went on for a couple more hours after I returned. Brad seemed less enthusiastic than earlier, but he still functioned as a good birthday boy and host. After bidding his last guest goodnight, he started for the stairs. “Brad?” I asked. He stopped, turned and said, “I’m okay.” “If you want to talk about it—” “Nothing to talk about. Goodnight.”
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