Chapter 4: James Birthday
¤(Jasam)¤
"Table six, Jasam! Mr. Thor Locket, Miss. Hailyee Harrington, and Mr. Kennedy Atone!" Yells Mickey. I nod my head and walk to the table. I usually get them if they come here.
"Hello, I am Jasam Rye. What can I get you to drink? Our specials include shrimp and casserole." I smile.
"I would like a bubbly water please." Miss. Harrington says. I tap that into the tablet.
"A glass of water will suit me." Mr. Atone says. "Thor would like a Dr. Pepper."
"Is that all for drinks, Mr. Atone, Miss. Harrington, Mr. Locket?" They all nod their heads. I walk to the back room and get them there drinks. I return and hand them it." What can I get you for starters?"
"Shrimp." Miss. Harrington says. I nod my head.
"Nothing for me. Thor wants the fruit dish." Mr. Atone says. I nod my head and smile. I send in the reports for the head cook to get.
When I get to the kitchen I see my order for table six. I take it and walk back to Mr. Atone, Miss. Harrington, and Mr. Locket. I cannot help but notice Mr. Lockets white silver hair and cold steel grey eyes. Its mesmerizing in a way.
I take a break outside in the freezing winter air. I light a thin long cigarette and drag in letting the poison leak into my lungs threatening them. I feel my chest fill with hot air and then back in with bitter cold. A cigarette is like life when you are smoking in the winter. Its warm for a small period of time then the bitter comes back but for long. Its a fantasy. The heat is. All fake.
I finish the cigarette before heading back inside to do my job. I grab a big tray with table six's order on it. I return it to them. Fruit dish for Mr. Locket. Shrimp for the girl.
"What may would your order be?"
"Caesar salad. No tomatoes. Also ranch dressing." Miss. Harrington says.
"I would like crab please. Thor here would like a calzone. Pepperoni Pizza calzone to be exact." I nod my head and type the orders into the kitchen. I can't help but notice how Miss. Harrington is wearing purple slim dress rimmed with rhinestones and Mr. Atone is wearing black jeans, dress shirt, and vest. Wheres Mr. Locket is wearing a vest, dress shirt, dress slacks, blazer, and a little white napkin thing sticking out of his pocket with a pocket watch all the way connected to his vest. I see he has white gloves on. Its like he has to dress like that. A permanent scowl is on his beautiful face. I have never called a boy beautiful but he is. His hair is wild like he didn't care. I push my glasses up and walk to the back room.
My leg vibrates. More accurately my phone vibrates on my leg. I pick it up and answer. "My office now!" It was Wyatt. I hang up and dash to his office.
"Hi, sir." I see another man sitting across from Wyatt. Its Mr. Locket from career day. "Hello, Mr. Locket. "
"I was going to read your file but I seen there was nothing in there. Its alright. I had assistants look you up. Found a great deal of things."
"Oh." I whisper. He probably found my record with the police.
"Yeah. You still have a job here if you are worried about that. Just trying to make money for your brother and son. Beautiful must I say." I nod my head. "You may go back to your job." I nod my head and walk to the kitchen.
I see my order and I take it to the table. I watch them conversant. I walk back to the back room to smoke again.
***
"Brush, brush, brush your teeth to make them all clean! Good-job, Luka!" James sings. They are brushing their teeth and getting dressed to go out. I am taking them to a jungle themed restaurant with a indoor playground for Jamie's
birthday.
"Ready boys?" I yell down the hallway. I fix my tie just as they bounce down the hallway. I get Luka's coat on and then mine. I put on his dress shoes and my dress shoes. We get in the car and drive to RainForest Palace.
Jamie and Luka run to the door as I grab presents for Jamie form the trunk. We take a seat. I order a pepperoni pizza and a pitcher of root beer. I crack out the presents.
"Happy birthday, Jamie." I hand him his first bag. He looks throw it to find art supplies. I found this big art set for sale at a store. He pulls out a notepad.
"Thank you."
"There's more." I give him a small bag from Luka and another bag from me. He goes for Lukas bag. Its a macaroni necklace and a heart made of dried play dough. Jamie kisses Luka's head. Then he opens mine. Its a white dress shirt, blue striped tie, black dress slacks, and black dress socks.
"You got me what I asked for! Thank you so much. Can I go play with Luka in the jungle?" I nod my head yes. He runs off holding Luka.
As I wait I drink root beer and eat a piece of pizza. They giggle and laugh playing with other kids. I can't help but notice they are the only nicely dressed kids. I feel like crying or bettering puking. For some odd reason I do. I leave a note on the table stating I am having a smoke.
I shakily put a cigarette to my cold pale lips. I light it with my right hand and I smoke the son of a bitch. I feel someone burn holes through my back.
"Underage, aren't you?" A man as I know as Mr. Locket laughs. I nod my head and pull my lips into a tight smile. "Why? I have a sixteen year old son too. He doesn't smoke. Not that I know of. He has never told me smoking was 'in' or is this just you?"
"Just me, sir." I hesitantly say.
"Ah. How long?"
"Since I was eleven. Once in awhile before then. Eleven was when I would call myself a real smoker because I really did it daily." I remember this one time with my dad for the weekend when I was seven. I picked up his bag of weed and got slammed against the wall. Me being seven didn't even know what it was. I only knew what cigarette and liquid drugs looked like and coke.
"Ah."
"I didn't know you have a sixteen year old son."
"Yea. Thanatos Jay is his name. He lives in the mansion a few miles away from town. "
"Why?"
"Its always been that way and some can't cope with change. Change scares men like me and my wife. We have always had my eldest distanced from me. Why change something he as a child grew up knowing and me a man changing it? No sense. He will be an adult soon. "
"Still isn't fair for him to not have anybody watch him. Everyone needs attention. "
"Not to the ones growing up alone. My son thinks I don't care. Maybe I don't maybe I do. All I know is he has thirty nannies, twelve cooks, and two-hundred play dates. He still chooses Kenner Atone and Hailyee Harrington and my assistant. He chooses to keep to himself more than anything." I wearily watch this man talk of his eldest so casually like he visited him daily.
"How many times a year do you willingly see your son?"
"Once a year. The rest are set up dates with him by my assistant. Everything is on this app. Its an app for him. I used to get a schedule while he was growing up until apps came about."
"Thats sad. I would never think of leaving my son alone."
"I have to. He is uncontrollable. I can't control the white haired demon. He just isn't right in his head. Never has been. I swear. Hes like his grandfather. Something is wrong with him. Its like he lives off information and animate objects like he doesn't need human contact. He is a great hidder then compared to everyones little game. People will underestimate you and turn against you in snap. Be careful of the quiet ones, Jasam. Now I must go. I have to lay Sophie down."
With that he disappears from my sight. I put my bud in the back telling myself to remember to put it away later. I see Luka sleeping on the booth. Jamie is half asleep. They must have played hard. I pay the bill and pick Luka and Jamie up. They are not very heavy.
I buckle them and drive home. I get them out of the car. I take off all of Luka's clothes and put a diaper on and then shorts and a shirt laying him down. I then tend to Jamie. Changing his clothes and then tucking him in.
I text the usual babysitter to get here. I have to go to work at nine. Its already eight thirty. I get my uniform on.
I meet Misty my friend and babysitter at the door. "They are in bed sleeping. Just sleep in my bed or something. Good bye. " I run to the car. I hop in and on my way to work!