Chapter 26
"It's April 17th man you're getting old!" Kevin yells at the top of his lungs and I jump up in my spot on the couch where I must have fallen asleep last night.
"I'm the same age as you, wait still younger," I watch Avi poke Kevin in the chest jokingly, and they're laughing and smiling until they notice me and then it's silent and awkward.
"Happy Birthday?" I say to Avi with a question in my voice and I know they heard it, I should have just said it normally, like a normal person would, not someone messed up like me!
"Thank you Kirstie," he nods and gives me a small smile. At least it was his birthday and I hadn't read the situation wrong.
"Are you guys wanting to come to dinner with my family tonight? We're going to a barbeque restaurant, so it's not exactly fancy," he shrugs, and I know he's asking me more so than Kevin, because he answers with of course and I don't know what to say.
Do I know Avi's family? How many siblings does he have, have I met them all before, is this including grandparents… if so which ones are there? There are so many questions running through my head and I start to panic when two sets of eyes fall on me.
"Who's gonna be there?" I almost yell out, good one Kirstie, I should give myself a mental high five because that was the correct question and he doesn't seem taken aback by anything but your tone. A small smile crosses my face as Avi starts to answer.
"Mom and Dad, Esther, Josh and their partners Darien and Zoe and then both my grandmas. I mean Esther did say though that was all regarding Zoe's mood with the pregnancy and all. Hopefully Josh will come regardless cause I hardly get to see him anymore."
"Well I'm not surprised Zoe's kind of a bitch anyways," I shrug then my shoots up to my mouth, "Oh damn… sorry," I apologise.
Avi laughs, "No you're absolutely right, I can't stand her."
That's another point for me, I don't know where it came from but that theory was correct, I am on a roll.
I walked into the restaurant closely behind Avi with Kevin almost as close behind me, I was nervous.
Actually nervous is an understatement, I'm trying my best to keep myself from hyperventilating.
I'm supposed to know some of these people, and I've supposedly met them all but of course I don't remember that, heck I don't even remember the names Avi told me earlier that were going to be there. I have to stop, I can't go in there not knowing anything.
Avi waves over to what must be his family as we round the last corner, but I grab the sleeve of his blue patterned shirt to stop him moving on. "Avi?" I question as he turns to me.
"What's wrong?"
"Can you just give me a refresher, I mean some things are still blurry," I take nervous almost hiccupy breaths as I ask.
"You want a who's who?" he asks kindly and I nod slowly glancing over at the people who were all watching us, if I had to say something on their reaction, I'd say they were a little surprised to see me, but why? "Of course. Firstly the man with the glasses, that's Mike, my dad, next to him, the beautiful blonde woman, that's my mom. Then that's Grandma, mom's mom, And the brunette with the glasses that's my sister Esther, next to her is her boyfriend Darien. Kev will sit next to him and then you can sit between us okay, that means next to me will be my brother, Josh and his wife Zoe. And then last but not lease Nana, dad's mom. Did you get all that?" he asks and I nod even though I only half got it.
"Yeah," I add with a smile for good measure, then with a smile back Avi turns and leads Kevin and I over to the table. He receives hugs from most of the people there as they all scramble around to wish him a happy birthday. I even get a hug, from who I think is Esther, she must know me pretty well.
"How's the head sweetie?" she asks in a whisper, holding me at half arm's length.
"Better," I say with a small smile. So she knows about me hitting my head, for someone you have told her I must really know her well, at least I'd hope.
"I'm glad to hear that," she nods before stepping back to sit in her seat with a last smile at me.
I offer each of the older ladies a smile just to be polite and I look away as I sit when I hear one of them speak up.
"I don't like your top, too revealing." All small talk stops as eyes fall between me and her.
"Grandma," Avi says in a slight scold, slightly joking, with a hint of question and confusion as his brow furrows.
"I'm entitled to my opinion," she states lifting her just slightly as she looked across at me, judging me.
"Of course, but Kirstie is also entitled to dress how she wants Grandma," Avi says as everyone else stays quiet and I feel my face starting to heat up.
"I don't like her Avriel, you're much, much too good for her," she sighs leaning back in her chair, "Any girl that dresses like that is only out to corrupt you and steal you from us, we cannot have that Avriel."
"I never even told you we were dating, you're making assumptions Grandma," Avi starts as I push away from the table and stand up then he turns to me. I back away a few steps and watch as Avi stands up. "No Kirstie, please just take a deep breath," he steps closer to me and I can feel the tears stinging at the corners of my eyes. "Let's just go and take a breather round the corner okay."
He steps around me and takes my hand to pull me back along the way we'd come and rounding the corner I speak.
"Why would she say that Avi?" I ask as one tear falls down my cheek.
"Because she doesn't approve, it's ridiculous, but Kirstie I know," he sighs.
I squeeze my eyes shut in confusion, "You know, you know what?" I ask.
"That you don't remember anything, that's why her comment has upset you so much, that's why you asked about my family and then why I gave so much detail with my answer. You have to be honest with me so that I can help you Kirstie."
I shake my head slowly before looking up at him guiltily, "Avi I don't know any of those people, but it scares me because I'm supposed know them. And why were they surprised to see me if we're together?"
"Because we haven't been together that long, I haven't actually told them. It was only a couple of days before you got hurt that we made it official, but we've known each other for years… damn it I'm not supposed to tell you things, we're supposed to let you remember," he runs a hand down his face, clearly frustrated.
"No! Please keep talking Avi I want to know everything, I'm sick of not remembering, because now I know I've forgotten stuff. I want to remember you Avi, because I know inside that I love you, but then I don't know you and that hurts so, so much. I want to know how we fell in love, I want to know why we fell in love… or maybe that's just because you're the sweetest guy on the planet. Please Avi just tell me!" I step forward grabbing his arm. "Please, I'm so sick of remembering halves, like why does your apartment make me think of Game of Thrones, and what is Game of Thrones? But I know I like it. Avi I'm so confused."
"Kirstie, honey I know you're confused and I'm so sorry for that, but the best way to help you is to let you remember everything on your own. And Kirst that kills me, but if I have to make you fall for me all over again, I will because that is something I'm sure I can do, because I have to I just can't be without you Kirstie."
"See you are the sweetest guy on the planet, that's why this is so hard Avi."
"I know honey, I know," he sighs as he pulls me in for a tight hug and I just cry into his chest.
I felt comfortable.