After being dropped off by Jo Mcguire, I slowly made my way up to the front door, and I noticed that my next door neighbor, Gavin Burns, was outside.
"Brynnigan!" he yelled, holding his hand up. "How was your first day of school?"
"If you ever call me by my full name ever again, I will hurt you," I threatened him seriously, and he didn't budge a bit.
"Whatever you say, Brynnigan Daisy-Love Matthews," Gavin joked, as he smiled his famous smile. He brushed his floppy, blonde hair out of his eyes, and started to move around stuff on the front porch.
I should probably explain some things about Gavin Burns first. He has blonde hair that is constantly falling in his face, and he is tall and skinny. He is extremely clumsy, and usually is in motion some way or another. Gavin is always knocking something over, tripping over his own two feet, or trying to fix something that he broke.
We have some major history together, and it starts when our moms were college roommates together at Berkely. Our parents, much to our dismay, had an...interesting lifestyle back then, as one can tell from my full name. They were hippies...they drove a volkswagen van, my dad had really long hair, they protested in favor of "love, peace, and happiness, and my mother walked around without shoes on most of the time.
Mrs. Burns and my mom were the best of friends, and they did everything together. They both got married in an informal ceremony by a witch doctor (how they found one in Southern California, I still don't know), they both had children at the same time (I was actually born in Dallas, because of this cross-country road trip our parents were on), and they had plans to buy houses next door to each other, and have their kids grow up together.
When I was very young, my parents were still on their vegan diet, and I was not allowed to have a Barbie doll (it was made of plastic, and it contributed to the evils of consumerism). As my father finally got a job, our family was transferred to Dallas, and I grew up there. But still, twice a year, my family and I visited the Burns, and Gavin and I came to be each other's playmate.
Gavin always liked to tease me, and I still cannot stomach mayonaise to this day because of him. Our parents always used to joke how we would end up together, and I would always wrinkle my nose in disgust, because Gavin was a boy, and he was....Gavin.
My parents decided we should move back to Hilridge when I was sixth grade, so that we could be closer to our family, and the Burns. We bought the house next door to theirs, and Gavin was there to annoy me full time.
Now, Gavin and I have both matured a little. He still teases me, but we are both pretty good friends. It's always nice to have someone to roll your eyes with at Thanksgiving, when you are sitting on a cushion on the ground, eating tofu, and sipping green tea (yes, my parents are still hippies.)
"Shut up, Gavinian No-War Burns," I retaliated, using his real name. We both had sort of a pact that we would never use each other's real names in public. "What are you doing? Raking your yen garden?"
"Actually, I am trying to move some furniture out, so the energy can function better in our house." Most people would have thought this was weird, but I knew exactly what he was talking about. "My mom is convinced that we need better feng-shui."
"Ahh," I said, shifting my backpack onto my other shoulder. "Need help?"
"Not really," he replied. "We are actually done, and we are eating some wheatgrass cookies in celebration before yoga."
Yoga class was every Monday night, and every member of our families was expected to go. Gavin and I usually found some way to get out of it, because despite our parent's weirdness, we actually turned out pretty well-adjusted.
"That's must be my mom's recipe, and since I have already tasted those, I would have to decline," I said.
"Who can resist a wheatgrass cookie?" he said sarcastically, moving the pot on the front porch to the other side. "That feels so much better."
The one thing I liked the most about Gavin, was how he could always make me laugh, no matter what. He and I were on the swim team together, but we really didn't hang out with the same group of friends.
Actually, Gavin didn't really have a "group", I've noticed over the years, he kind of floats around with all of the groups. Nobody dislikes him at all, the charmer that he is. He could be eating lunch with the Mathletes, and still hang out with Ethan, James, and Jay after school, and no one would care. He is just like that.
"I have a lot of homework," I replied, and he gave me one of his looks.
"On the first day of school?"
"Honors Geometry," I said, making my own face in return. I actually did like math, and it had always been my favorite subject.
"How is your boyfriend?"
"We broke up this morning. Turns out he was gay."
Gavin gave me a look of fake shock.
"Wow, I did not see that one coming...actually I did. He hit on me once."
"He did not," I said in disbelief, though I was still laughing.
"Yeah, he told me that my shorts looked sexy on me."
"You're making that up."
"Maybe. Are you going to be able to make it to yoga tonight?" he said, quickly changing the subject.
"Only if you promise to be there," I replied. "I still can't forget last week when you got stuck in that one position."
He made a hilarious face.
"I still hurt from that," he said massaging his thigh. "That shows me not to do any more rising suns of death."
"But the teacher almost died laughing," I replied. "Are you guys going to go to eat with us tonight?"
Every Monday night after yoga, it was almost a tradition to go to eat at this little place next door to the studio. It was owned by the yoga teacher's husband, and up until last year, everyone had to take their shoes off upon entering (they were reported by someone to the health department.) The entire menu was organic and vegan, but Gavin and I, the only meat-eaters in the group, had learned to deal with the weekly wheatgrass shakes and tofu burgers. After an incident with the brownies, however, I had learned to never eat their desserts (due to a secret ingredient that starts with a p, and ends with a t.)
"I'm not sure what we are doing tonight, but I was looking forward to having some brownies there," he said, still making fun of me for the one time I tried a brownie.
"Alright," I said. "See you there."
He waved me goodbye, as he tried to push a huge stone sculpture of Buddha over a foot.
I opened our front door, and smelled the scent of my mom's famous tofu lasagna. I instantly knew that she was cooking dinner, and I cheered to myself that we did not have to go to yoga.
My suspicions were confirmed when I saw my mother in her "cooking outfit" standing by the stove.
"Are we not going to yoga tonight?" I asked my mom, grabbing my stash of potato chips.
"Put those away, Brynn. You don't want to ruin your appetite," she scolded me, and I put the bag down. "No, we are not going to yoga tonight...your grandparents and the Burns are coming over for dinner."
I froze in my tracks.
"Grandma and Grandpa?"
Don't get me wrong-I absolutely love my grandparents, but they never can get along with my parents. My grandma is the complete opposite of my mom-she has the whole sweater set, pearl necklace thing going. She completely disagrees with my mom and dad's way of life, and does whatever she can to make sure that I get a normal upbringing.
They are also really rich, and they still resent my father for the couple of years early in my parents' marriage when they lived in a van down by the river (whenever I think of this, I think of Chris Farley's motivational speaker on Saturday Night Live....I just watched the entire most unforgettable moments countdown on E.)
My grandmother also hates the way my parents are bringing me up, to which I actually have no complaints. MY parents are extremely lenient, and they pretty let me do whatever I want. I just hope that they won't continue the screaming match from last time we went out to dinner (the infamous pot brownie incident.)
"Yes, your grandparents. And do me a favor...don't let them see your fake I.D."
"What fake I.D.?"
"Good girl."
Before you start thinking, what a spoiled brat, the fake I.D. was not on my doing. My parents were protesting censorship and age restrictions, so they got a fake I.D. for me. And, no...I never have used it.
Before I turned to go up to my room, my mom gestured for me to sit at the table.
"How is Chris?" she asked, pouring herself a cup of coffee.
"We broke up," I said, probably for the fiftieth time in the day.
"Awww, honey," she said, stroking my shoulder in the way only mothers can do. "Why?"
"He was gay," I said matter of factly.
I knew it," she said, almost happily. "I mean...that's too bad."
"You knew it too?"
"Honey, we all did. He told your dad that he just loved his shoes," she said, trying to hold her laughter in. "You know who would be the most perfect guy for you?"
"If he has dreadlocks...no, I will not do it," I replied.
"No...you and Gavin would make a PERFECT couple."
I looked at her with a look of dread, confusion, and utter disbelief.
"You're kidding me."
"No, really. You two are like best friends, right?" she said, and I put my hands over my ears, trying hard not to listen to anything she said about me and Gavin.
"LA LA LA LA!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. "I'M NOT LISTENING, AND I AM GOING TO MY ROOM NOW!"
"WHEN YOU GO TO YOUR ROOM," my mom yelled up at me. "PUT ON THAT OUTFIT THAT YOUR GRANDMOTHER GOT YOU FOR CHRISTMAS!"
I got into my room, and shut the door quickly so that I could change. I pulled out the entire outfit that my grandmother got out of the back of my closet, and looked at it in horror. It was so not me, or anyone else my age. It actually looked like something Kate would wear. I'm not making fun of what Kate wears, because she rocks that business suit (notice that is with a hint of sarcasm...sorry Kate!).
Unlucky for me, since my mom is insistent on that I wear this, I kind of have to. So, I pulled it on, and I looked about ten years older.
The outfit was totally not me. It was a black-pinstriped business coat, with a turtleneck for underneath (no way I can show any skin). She even went as far to get me hose to wear under the knee-length skirt. My grandmother also bought me accessories to match which included a three strand pearl necklace, and a pair of high-heeled shoes (of course-closed toed, and under two inches tall).
I finished putting on the finishing touches as the doorbell rang. I heard the familiar voices of the Burns, and knew that they were there already. I opened the door to my room, and saw Gavin, looking particularly restrained in pressed slacks and a shirt. He was carrying a huge dessert dish, and that would mean only one thing. The Famous Burns Carrot Tofu Cake.
I ran downstairs so that I would not be accused of being a rude host by my mother, and Gavin tried to wave to me, which was hard because he had no free hands.
"You look like Barbara Bush," he said to me, as he set down the tray.
"Thanks, I think," I replied, mocking disappointment. "You look...pressed," I said, giving him the once over.
"My mom made me wear this," he said, tugging at his neck. "There is so much starch in this, I feel like a potato."
I rolled my eyes at his lame joke, as the doorbell rang.
"Here come the grandparents...brace yourself," I warned him.
My mother opened the door, and welcomed her mother and father into our home.
"Brynn, you look so adorable," my grandmother said, coming straight to me.
"Thank you, Grandma," I said, as she gave me a huge hug. She then moved to Gavin, who was casually leaning against a wall.
"Sit up straight, boy. You don't want to slouch all your life," she commanded, and Gavin stood straight up instantly. My grandparents were extremely rude to the Burns, because in their opinion, they ruined my mother's life.
Everyone went into the kitchen, and Gavin and I stayed out in the gathering room.
"Well, here goes nothing," I said, and Gavin smiled. Despite everything that went on in my family, I always knew that I could count on Gavin and that award-winning smile.
I won't bore you with the details, as the dinner went the same as usual. Forced conversations, extreme politness on the Burns side, and my mother going against everything her mother said. I swear, they are like Lorelei Gilmore, and her mom.
After dessert, my mother casually mentioned the word "brownie", and off went everyone into a screaming match. I took this as my cue to leave, and I quietly slipped out the back door. I lifted up the fence panel between the Burns' house and ours, and retreated to their tree house.
When Gavin was little, his dad and my dad built this treehouse one summer that we visited. It is amazing. It has a stairway, a dumbwaiter, and a balcony. Since we have gotten older, Gavin and I moved a mini-fridge up there, as well as some posters. We also begged our fathers to give up a skylight one year.
We always come here, and sit and talk. One could say that it is our place. Anyways, as soon as I kicked off my shoes and laid on the couch, I heard Gavin's footsteps on the stairs.
"I saw you leave," he said, and sat down on the floor.
"There is only so much fighting I can take sometimes," I replied, and Gavin dug out his guitar.
"This will make you feel better," he said, and he began to strum the opening chords to my favorite song.
"Yesterday," he sang, and his voice instantly soothed me. Gavin had an awesome voice, and he had already made the highest choir as a freshman.
"Love was such an easy game to play..."
-
After about a half hour, we decided that we should go back into the house. I opened the door first, and nervously walked in. It was quiet, so I knew that the fighting had subsided for the moment.
"Brynn, Gavin," I heard my mother's voice call out from the dining room. "You're just in time for the big announcement."
We walked into the dining room to see the adults all sitting around the table, glaring at one another.
"Okay, now that we are all here, we have an announcement to make," my mother said happily, and my father stood up beside.
"We are going to have another baby!"
For the next minute there was no sound, except for my grandmother, who dropped her lipstick when she heard the news.
"Brynnigan!" he yelled, holding his hand up. "How was your first day of school?"
"If you ever call me by my full name ever again, I will hurt you," I threatened him seriously, and he didn't budge a bit.
"Whatever you say, Brynnigan Daisy-Love Matthews," Gavin joked, as he smiled his famous smile. He brushed his floppy, blonde hair out of his eyes, and started to move around stuff on the front porch.
I should probably explain some things about Gavin Burns first. He has blonde hair that is constantly falling in his face, and he is tall and skinny. He is extremely clumsy, and usually is in motion some way or another. Gavin is always knocking something over, tripping over his own two feet, or trying to fix something that he broke.
We have some major history together, and it starts when our moms were college roommates together at Berkely. Our parents, much to our dismay, had an...interesting lifestyle back then, as one can tell from my full name. They were hippies...they drove a volkswagen van, my dad had really long hair, they protested in favor of "love, peace, and happiness, and my mother walked around without shoes on most of the time.
Mrs. Burns and my mom were the best of friends, and they did everything together. They both got married in an informal ceremony by a witch doctor (how they found one in Southern California, I still don't know), they both had children at the same time (I was actually born in Dallas, because of this cross-country road trip our parents were on), and they had plans to buy houses next door to each other, and have their kids grow up together.
When I was very young, my parents were still on their vegan diet, and I was not allowed to have a Barbie doll (it was made of plastic, and it contributed to the evils of consumerism). As my father finally got a job, our family was transferred to Dallas, and I grew up there. But still, twice a year, my family and I visited the Burns, and Gavin and I came to be each other's playmate.
Gavin always liked to tease me, and I still cannot stomach mayonaise to this day because of him. Our parents always used to joke how we would end up together, and I would always wrinkle my nose in disgust, because Gavin was a boy, and he was....Gavin.
My parents decided we should move back to Hilridge when I was sixth grade, so that we could be closer to our family, and the Burns. We bought the house next door to theirs, and Gavin was there to annoy me full time.
Now, Gavin and I have both matured a little. He still teases me, but we are both pretty good friends. It's always nice to have someone to roll your eyes with at Thanksgiving, when you are sitting on a cushion on the ground, eating tofu, and sipping green tea (yes, my parents are still hippies.)
"Shut up, Gavinian No-War Burns," I retaliated, using his real name. We both had sort of a pact that we would never use each other's real names in public. "What are you doing? Raking your yen garden?"
"Actually, I am trying to move some furniture out, so the energy can function better in our house." Most people would have thought this was weird, but I knew exactly what he was talking about. "My mom is convinced that we need better feng-shui."
"Ahh," I said, shifting my backpack onto my other shoulder. "Need help?"
"Not really," he replied. "We are actually done, and we are eating some wheatgrass cookies in celebration before yoga."
Yoga class was every Monday night, and every member of our families was expected to go. Gavin and I usually found some way to get out of it, because despite our parent's weirdness, we actually turned out pretty well-adjusted.
"That's must be my mom's recipe, and since I have already tasted those, I would have to decline," I said.
"Who can resist a wheatgrass cookie?" he said sarcastically, moving the pot on the front porch to the other side. "That feels so much better."
The one thing I liked the most about Gavin, was how he could always make me laugh, no matter what. He and I were on the swim team together, but we really didn't hang out with the same group of friends.
Actually, Gavin didn't really have a "group", I've noticed over the years, he kind of floats around with all of the groups. Nobody dislikes him at all, the charmer that he is. He could be eating lunch with the Mathletes, and still hang out with Ethan, James, and Jay after school, and no one would care. He is just like that.
"I have a lot of homework," I replied, and he gave me one of his looks.
"On the first day of school?"
"Honors Geometry," I said, making my own face in return. I actually did like math, and it had always been my favorite subject.
"How is your boyfriend?"
"We broke up this morning. Turns out he was gay."
Gavin gave me a look of fake shock.
"Wow, I did not see that one coming...actually I did. He hit on me once."
"He did not," I said in disbelief, though I was still laughing.
"Yeah, he told me that my shorts looked sexy on me."
"You're making that up."
"Maybe. Are you going to be able to make it to yoga tonight?" he said, quickly changing the subject.
"Only if you promise to be there," I replied. "I still can't forget last week when you got stuck in that one position."
He made a hilarious face.
"I still hurt from that," he said massaging his thigh. "That shows me not to do any more rising suns of death."
"But the teacher almost died laughing," I replied. "Are you guys going to go to eat with us tonight?"
Every Monday night after yoga, it was almost a tradition to go to eat at this little place next door to the studio. It was owned by the yoga teacher's husband, and up until last year, everyone had to take their shoes off upon entering (they were reported by someone to the health department.) The entire menu was organic and vegan, but Gavin and I, the only meat-eaters in the group, had learned to deal with the weekly wheatgrass shakes and tofu burgers. After an incident with the brownies, however, I had learned to never eat their desserts (due to a secret ingredient that starts with a p, and ends with a t.)
"I'm not sure what we are doing tonight, but I was looking forward to having some brownies there," he said, still making fun of me for the one time I tried a brownie.
"Alright," I said. "See you there."
He waved me goodbye, as he tried to push a huge stone sculpture of Buddha over a foot.
I opened our front door, and smelled the scent of my mom's famous tofu lasagna. I instantly knew that she was cooking dinner, and I cheered to myself that we did not have to go to yoga.
My suspicions were confirmed when I saw my mother in her "cooking outfit" standing by the stove.
"Are we not going to yoga tonight?" I asked my mom, grabbing my stash of potato chips.
"Put those away, Brynn. You don't want to ruin your appetite," she scolded me, and I put the bag down. "No, we are not going to yoga tonight...your grandparents and the Burns are coming over for dinner."
I froze in my tracks.
"Grandma and Grandpa?"
Don't get me wrong-I absolutely love my grandparents, but they never can get along with my parents. My grandma is the complete opposite of my mom-she has the whole sweater set, pearl necklace thing going. She completely disagrees with my mom and dad's way of life, and does whatever she can to make sure that I get a normal upbringing.
They are also really rich, and they still resent my father for the couple of years early in my parents' marriage when they lived in a van down by the river (whenever I think of this, I think of Chris Farley's motivational speaker on Saturday Night Live....I just watched the entire most unforgettable moments countdown on E.)
My grandmother also hates the way my parents are bringing me up, to which I actually have no complaints. MY parents are extremely lenient, and they pretty let me do whatever I want. I just hope that they won't continue the screaming match from last time we went out to dinner (the infamous pot brownie incident.)
"Yes, your grandparents. And do me a favor...don't let them see your fake I.D."
"What fake I.D.?"
"Good girl."
Before you start thinking, what a spoiled brat, the fake I.D. was not on my doing. My parents were protesting censorship and age restrictions, so they got a fake I.D. for me. And, no...I never have used it.
Before I turned to go up to my room, my mom gestured for me to sit at the table.
"How is Chris?" she asked, pouring herself a cup of coffee.
"We broke up," I said, probably for the fiftieth time in the day.
"Awww, honey," she said, stroking my shoulder in the way only mothers can do. "Why?"
"He was gay," I said matter of factly.
I knew it," she said, almost happily. "I mean...that's too bad."
"You knew it too?"
"Honey, we all did. He told your dad that he just loved his shoes," she said, trying to hold her laughter in. "You know who would be the most perfect guy for you?"
"If he has dreadlocks...no, I will not do it," I replied.
"No...you and Gavin would make a PERFECT couple."
I looked at her with a look of dread, confusion, and utter disbelief.
"You're kidding me."
"No, really. You two are like best friends, right?" she said, and I put my hands over my ears, trying hard not to listen to anything she said about me and Gavin.
"LA LA LA LA!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. "I'M NOT LISTENING, AND I AM GOING TO MY ROOM NOW!"
"WHEN YOU GO TO YOUR ROOM," my mom yelled up at me. "PUT ON THAT OUTFIT THAT YOUR GRANDMOTHER GOT YOU FOR CHRISTMAS!"
I got into my room, and shut the door quickly so that I could change. I pulled out the entire outfit that my grandmother got out of the back of my closet, and looked at it in horror. It was so not me, or anyone else my age. It actually looked like something Kate would wear. I'm not making fun of what Kate wears, because she rocks that business suit (notice that is with a hint of sarcasm...sorry Kate!).
Unlucky for me, since my mom is insistent on that I wear this, I kind of have to. So, I pulled it on, and I looked about ten years older.
The outfit was totally not me. It was a black-pinstriped business coat, with a turtleneck for underneath (no way I can show any skin). She even went as far to get me hose to wear under the knee-length skirt. My grandmother also bought me accessories to match which included a three strand pearl necklace, and a pair of high-heeled shoes (of course-closed toed, and under two inches tall).
I finished putting on the finishing touches as the doorbell rang. I heard the familiar voices of the Burns, and knew that they were there already. I opened the door to my room, and saw Gavin, looking particularly restrained in pressed slacks and a shirt. He was carrying a huge dessert dish, and that would mean only one thing. The Famous Burns Carrot Tofu Cake.
I ran downstairs so that I would not be accused of being a rude host by my mother, and Gavin tried to wave to me, which was hard because he had no free hands.
"You look like Barbara Bush," he said to me, as he set down the tray.
"Thanks, I think," I replied, mocking disappointment. "You look...pressed," I said, giving him the once over.
"My mom made me wear this," he said, tugging at his neck. "There is so much starch in this, I feel like a potato."
I rolled my eyes at his lame joke, as the doorbell rang.
"Here come the grandparents...brace yourself," I warned him.
My mother opened the door, and welcomed her mother and father into our home.
"Brynn, you look so adorable," my grandmother said, coming straight to me.
"Thank you, Grandma," I said, as she gave me a huge hug. She then moved to Gavin, who was casually leaning against a wall.
"Sit up straight, boy. You don't want to slouch all your life," she commanded, and Gavin stood straight up instantly. My grandparents were extremely rude to the Burns, because in their opinion, they ruined my mother's life.
Everyone went into the kitchen, and Gavin and I stayed out in the gathering room.
"Well, here goes nothing," I said, and Gavin smiled. Despite everything that went on in my family, I always knew that I could count on Gavin and that award-winning smile.
I won't bore you with the details, as the dinner went the same as usual. Forced conversations, extreme politness on the Burns side, and my mother going against everything her mother said. I swear, they are like Lorelei Gilmore, and her mom.
After dessert, my mother casually mentioned the word "brownie", and off went everyone into a screaming match. I took this as my cue to leave, and I quietly slipped out the back door. I lifted up the fence panel between the Burns' house and ours, and retreated to their tree house.
When Gavin was little, his dad and my dad built this treehouse one summer that we visited. It is amazing. It has a stairway, a dumbwaiter, and a balcony. Since we have gotten older, Gavin and I moved a mini-fridge up there, as well as some posters. We also begged our fathers to give up a skylight one year.
We always come here, and sit and talk. One could say that it is our place. Anyways, as soon as I kicked off my shoes and laid on the couch, I heard Gavin's footsteps on the stairs.
"I saw you leave," he said, and sat down on the floor.
"There is only so much fighting I can take sometimes," I replied, and Gavin dug out his guitar.
"This will make you feel better," he said, and he began to strum the opening chords to my favorite song.
"Yesterday," he sang, and his voice instantly soothed me. Gavin had an awesome voice, and he had already made the highest choir as a freshman.
"Love was such an easy game to play..."
-
After about a half hour, we decided that we should go back into the house. I opened the door first, and nervously walked in. It was quiet, so I knew that the fighting had subsided for the moment.
"Brynn, Gavin," I heard my mother's voice call out from the dining room. "You're just in time for the big announcement."
We walked into the dining room to see the adults all sitting around the table, glaring at one another.
"Okay, now that we are all here, we have an announcement to make," my mother said happily, and my father stood up beside.
"We are going to have another baby!"
For the next minute there was no sound, except for my grandmother, who dropped her lipstick when she heard the news.