Bending Under Pressure (23 page)

Haley: Hey, did you know how to do #5 from science homework? Don’t you want to help me? :D

Crap. Science homework. I forgot.

Me: Haven’t done it yet. Hold on and we’ll figure it out.

I head back upstairs, the rest of my night spent on the phone doing homework with Haley. I have to say, it’s not a bad way to spend my time.

R
ival games always bring out the most crowds. Everyone who usually attends our home games is here, plus everyone who has even a little bit of school spirit in them. You’ll never find a game with higher attendance, even if we are the away team. Mom, Dad, Haley, and Jess are here, even though Jess and Cameron still aren’t speaking to each other. If they keep it up, I may have to intervene.

We’re already standing on the sidelines as the other team breaks through the banner their cheerleaders are holding and rush out onto the field. Their fans go crazy, stomping on the bleachers, cheering at the top of their lungs, and clapping their hands. Our fans, the adults that they are, boo as loudly as possible. The noises clash into one another to create one loud sound that mixes together.

Cameron is standing next to me; his eyes glued to the fifty-yard line as his hands grip the neck of his shoulder pads. At least he’s focused. While we’ve only lost one game, our rivals have lost two. It gives us a slight edge. We definitely don’t want to lose this one, so we have even more motivation. Coach has already crawled down our throats like this is the State Championships or something. It sure is as important as one around here.

A steady huff of air exhales from my lungs. The pressure sits tight on my chest, constricting even more knowing the people I care about are in the stands watching. I don’t want to let them down, and I don’t want to let my coach or teammates down either. On top of that, no one wants to have an early practice tomorrow as punishment for losing.

After the coin toss, the game gets underway. The cacophony of the crowd nearly becomes too much for my ears, so I try to block it out. The football players in front of me in their blue and white jerseys are much more important. Cam is flawless tonight. I almost wonder if he’s doing so well because he’s trying to show off for Jess. Trying to understand them, however, is beyond my abilities.

It’s a fast paced, back and forth kind of game. It ends up coming down to the wire, those torturous last few minutes where we try to keep our lead. Hopefully, if we win, we can pack up and get out of here. Last year, a group of guys got into a fight. They were fans from each school and it was stupid. I love football as much as the next person, but I’m not going to get into a fight with our rivals. The game is important, but it’s not worth all of that.

We hold our lead, the crowd cheering louder than they would have been if we’d been at home. I’m tired, sweaty, and ready for a shower. Because it’s an away game, once Coach talks to us, we’re back on the bus to the high school. I was hoping to see Haley later tonight, but I think I’m too tired. I’ll have to make it up to her tomorrow.

“T
ext me when you get there. If you make any stops along the way, text me to let me know. You have your GPS already set up on your phone, right?” Mom asks.

“Yes. It’s only an hour drive, Mom. I’m not going to Richmond or D.C. by myself.”

She’s been fussing over me for the past twenty minutes, and she’s really starting to annoy me. It’s her fault I’m going because she told me I could!

“Text me when you leave, too,” she adds, ignoring everything I just said.

“Yes, ma’am,” I reply to satisfy her.

Mom hugs me, kisses my cheek, and I’m finally able to leave the house. I make sure to set up my GPS, placing my phone in my lap, and then find a good radio station to listen to before I leave the driveway. Natalie has only texted me once today to make sure I was still coming. Even through those messages, I got a sense that she was really excited. It’s throwing me off. Why is it such a big deal? I don’t think she was as excited for me to meet Kiera as she seems to be for me to meet my aunt.

It’s put me on edge more so than usual where Natalie is involved. The plus, of course, is that Keira will be there. Her dance was earlier this week, but she said it was too much recap in a text and she doesn’t like talking on the phone. She’s supposed to tell me all about it today.

The hour drive seems to pass quickly. Traffic isn’t bad at all. My phone directs me to take a left, instructing me that my destination is on the right ahead. I frown when I realize my destination is a white community building where row after row of cars are parked. This can’t be the right place. It’s not a home, which is what I’m expecting. There are people milling around the entrance to the building and even more walking that way. I find a place to park and recheck the address Natalie sent me. I glance to the sign for the building.

The numbers match.

How is this where I’m supposed to be?

I call Mom and she answers on the second ring.

“Is everything okay, Keelan? You were supposed to text.”

“I don’t know if I’m in the right spot,” I tell her.

“What do you mean? You’re lost?”

“Not according to the address Natalie gave me. I’m at a community building and there’s a bunch of people here.” My stomach drops when I see Keira jogging my way. I glance around at all the people, hugging, laughing, and seeming happy to see one another. “Mom, I think she lied to me.”

“What are you talking about, Keelan?” Her voice is stern like she’s about to chastise me, but I know it’s just from where her frustration.

“I’m saying I think she’s bombarding me with a freaking family reunion!” I snap. There is no way I want to meet all these people! “Hold on; Kiera is about to say something.” I get out of my car just as she approaches with a smile on her face. “What is this?” I ask, not giving her a chance to speak.

Her smile falls. “Mom didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?” I grit.

“She wanted you to meet more of the family. She said she told you it was a reunion.”

“Keelan,” Mom’s voice sounds in my ear. She must have heard what Kiera said. “You’re already there. Stick close to Keira if you want. Give it an hour before you come home.”

“But—” I start; no, I shouldn’t have to stay when I was in no way expecting to meet what looks to be fifty people or more.

“I know, and I’d be angry too, but I’m telling you what I want you to do. Once you’re on the way home, I will have a conversation with Natalie and handle it, okay?”

I groan. “Fine.”

“I love you.”

“Love you too.” I hang up and stuff my phone into my pocket.

“Sorry, I thought you agreed to it,” Keira says, looking as if she’s the guilty party here.

“She told me I was meeting her sister. That’s it. Don’t feel bad; it’s not your fault.” I take a deep breath. “Let’s go, I guess.”

Keira smiles, happy I’m not speeding out of here like I want to. She loops her arm through mine and begins dragging me toward the madness. We bypass the people hanging around the entrance. There are rows of tables lined up and at the front of the room is dish upon dish of food. At least it smells good, and I’ll get a good meal out of this.

I spot Natalie, but she doesn’t see us yet. Keira doesn’t take us to see her though. There’s a woman who looks older than Natalie, but not as old as my mom, sitting at a table alone for the moment. Her face lights up when she sees us.

“Aunt Frances, he’s here and you’re the first person I’ve brought him to meet,” Kiera says as the woman stands, this woman who is my aunt.

“Thank you.” She looks at me. “I’m a hugger. Is that okay?”

I nod, thankful she asked. Aunt Frances steps forward and hugs me tight.

“It’s so nice to see you again,” she whispers. Her perfume seems familiar. “I’ve thought about you a lot.” She pulls away. “Have a seat.” We sit back down at her table. “Keira has told me a lot about you, but I’d like to hear it from you.”

Something about her puts me at ease. Is it odd that I almost, sort of, kind of remember her? It’s like this vague memory with a younger image of this woman. The overall feeling is positive; maybe that’s why I seem to like her already. she was the one who took care of me the most when I was younger.

“Where do you want me to start?” I ask.

“Tell me about your family.”

I grin. She recognizes them as my family, and that’s already more than what Natalie has done. “I have a brother. His name is Cameron, and we are the same age. My parents, Octavia and John, were looking to adopt one kid, but they adopted us both to keep us together. We play football for our high school and we’re pretty close. My whole family is. My parents are in their last year of teaching at the local elementary school before they finally retire. They’re truly the best people I know. I couldn’t ask for better parents.”

Aunt Frances smiles. “I’m glad to hear that. I hope I can meet them one day. Keira said you have a girlfriend, too.”

I glance over at my sister. “Is that the only thing you do? Talk about me all the time?” I tease.

She laughs. “Not
all
the time, and in my defense, Aunt Frances asks me like twenty questions about you every day.” Keira rolls her eyes. “I’m going to catch up with some cousins. You’re in safe hands, Keelan.”

“Thanks,” I reply as she stands.

Once she’s gone, my aunt leans forward. “So, how are you doing with being here and getting to know Natalie and Keira?”

I shift in my seat, unsure if being honest is the best thing. Even though I like her enough already, I don’t know if I can trust that feeling. “Fine. Kiera is a good kid. I didn’t know I was coming to a reunion though, so it threw me off at first.”

She shakes her head. “I told Natalie she needed to be honest with you about that, but she wouldn’t listen. She didn’t think you would come if she did.”

“I wouldn’t have,” I interject.

“And don’t think I didn’t notice how you didn’t comment on her either,” she continues. “She wants you to know us, but I don’t agree with her on her methods. We’ve never agreed on a lot of things, even now. There’s only two things we ever agreed on; her kids were better off with me, but then I couldn’t take care of you both.” Her inhale is slow and measured as if she’s trying to stay in control of her emotions. “The image of you being taken away has always haunted me. I’m so happy that you ended up with good people. I’m certain they’ve given you a better life than I or Natalie ever could.”

Before I can respond, I unfortunately hear Natalie’s voice shout, “Keelan! My boy is here, y’all!”

Her boy?

I wonder if there will ever be a time when her claiming me as her kid won’t bother me. Glancing over my shoulder, I see her walking quickly toward me as everyone has momentarily stopped talking to watch. I begrudgingly stand. She lays a hand on my shoulder blade and speaks to the room.

“This is Keelan, everyone. I’m sure you’re as thrilled as I am that he came to meet his family. This truly is a reunion.”

If I wasn’t the center of attention, I would roll my eyes. Instead, I have to will my facial muscles into a smile as a few hoots and claps sound around the room.

“Let me introduce you to everyone.”

Natalie drags me away from the safety of the corner of the room. She’s not even going to apologize or mention how she set me up? I guess I’ll have to double check with Keira from now on about the plans I make with Natalie. My anger rises more and more as she introduces me to countless people as her son. The longer she pretends we’re some sort of happy family and I’ve just come home from an extended trip or something fuels the fury.

Eventually, we sit down to eat and Natalie frowns when I sit between Keira and Frances. Tough shit. I’ve stayed beyond my hour. Partly because I want hang out with the people on either side of me more and partly because Natalie wouldn’t let me walk away from her for five seconds. I’ve had to tell my life story like a million times. As soon as I finish eating, I’m leaving, no matter what. I’m tired, annoyed, angry, and ready to go home.

I ask Keira about her dance, so she’ll talk about that while we eat. Natalie can’t try to make conversation with me if someone else is talking and has my attention. In fact, I ignore her completely and only speak to either Kiera or Frances. It’s weird to be here with them. I mean, it’s weird to be surrounded by people who are related to me whom I’ve never met, but to enjoy hanging out with at least two of them startles me.