Confessions of an Heiress

Chapter 22 - Be Our Guest

I could hear guests arriving. I was going to have to face them. Hiding was only making things worse - in ways I'd never even imagined. I could hear Izzy's kids outside the door. They were asking Grandma where I was. I dried my eyes and took several deep breaths. It was going to have to be enough.

Aunt Cali! Aunt Cali! We're here! And we brought our new baby!

His name is Mohavi and he wants to play with Atlas!

Yeah, and I want to play with Atlas too! And I want cake!

Are we going to have ice cream too?

Where's Uncle Robi? Can we play the video games?

Can I ride on the elevator?

Woah guys! One at a time! Yes, Yes, ask Grandpa, Yes, and Uncle Robi is helping the caterer. I think.

Even if Atlas was too little to be excited about his birthday, his cousins more than made up for it with their enthusiasm.

Oasis is almost the same age as James. She's at the age where she can't make up her mind if she wants to be a grownup or stay a kid. Sahara is the classic little sister. She wants to do everything Oasis does, but never plans on growing up. And Sands. I think Sands is just glad to have a new brother. I think he finds it hard to keep up with his sisters, and he's not even sure if he wants to keep up with them. He's very independent. Izzy said he's had a hard time since Mohavi was born.

"The party is in the back of the house. Sands, why don't you go with your sisters back there and see if you can find James and Molly?"

But they're girls.....

James is not a girl and I'm pretty sure boys are immune to sister cooties.

Geez. Sister Cooties. That's one problem I hadn't thought about today.

So this is is the new model eh?

Yes, this is the Mohavi Edition.

Mohavi was only born a few months ago, so he's definitely the baby of the family. I'd only seen pictures of him. Izzy lives out in the country now, and although it isn't that far she and Randy stay pretty busy raising 4 kids and running their baby store Stork Supplies, and well, I've been busy with everything else. I don't know how Izzy does it.

He looks like Randy, Izzy.

Oh he's his clone. He doesn't have colic like Sands did, so it's much easier this time around.

What is it Cal?

What's what?

Something's wrong.

Oh you know parties. There's just so much to do.

That's not what I'm talking about Cali. Something's wrong. I can tell.

My eyes burned. Why does a sister always know?

I'm ok. I'm ok.
deep breath, say it quickly, don't think about it
I just can't talk right now. I'll be ok. I. I...

It's ok Cal. Don't say anything else. But I'm here. Ok?

Ok. Thanks.
Breathe slow. Don't make eye contact. Here come some more people. Where is Robi?

Uncle Apollo and Aunt Meadow had arrived. Their six kids are mostly grown now and they seem to be enjoying retirement. There are rumors that Uncle Apollo might even retire from "The Burke Life" and pass the torch to Euphrates. They're trying to put a "younger spin" on the show. Draw in some of the 18-25 YA audience. But I'm probably not supposed to tell you that until there's some kind of official announcement.

"Well, do you remember what you were doing a year ago today?" Uncle Apollo asked.

"I was probably screaming" I laughed. It seemed like such a long time ago now.

"Well this day is for you too. You're doing a good job with little Atlas, Caliopie. Come over to the house next week for dinner. Meadow's got a garden and the tomatoes just came in."

"That sounds great Uncle Apollo."
I always liked talking to Uncle Apollo. No matter what you talked to him about, you were always left feeling reassured and accepted.

How's my little guy doing?

My cousin Marva was #5 of Apollo's 6. She's been babysitting for Atlas on weekends when Robi has to study and I have to work and my parents have gone out of town to one of Dad's tree hugger conventions. Atlas really seems to like her. She's going steady with Kipp Ridgeson - Kissimmie's little brother. I can't believe little Kipp is old enough to date but he and Marva make a cute couple I guess.

Oh he's great. He's getting a little nap right now to get energized for the big event.

My cousin Nysa (#3 of Apollo's 6) and her husband Anthony just bought a house in our neighborhood; they're only about one street over from us. Their little boy Zeiss is only a few weeks older than Atlas. Nysa and I will sometimes take the boys for walks in the neighborhood. We're looking forward to them being able to play together. Her husband Anthony is a teacher at the highschool. I don't think he owns a shirt... Well, I'm sure he wears one to work, but that's probably the only time. I've never asked why he doesn't wear one, I think I'm afraid he'll go put one on if I do and I think he's just fine the way he is. Nysa just found out she's pregnant - with twins. I don't know how she's going to handle a tolddler AND twins. This is probably why I'm so paranoid about getting pregnant now. Nysa scares me. She wants to have a bunch of kids like her mom did. Not only can I not think about having any more kids. I'm not sure I can think about having any more birthdays either....

Chapter 23
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