Thank you all for your patience.
Chapter 6: Departure
The school year officially ended. Ivan, Mason, and their friends were graduating and moving on to bigger things. Mason had been accepted to college with a scholarship for soccer, while Ivan had finally decided what he was going to do.
"I want to travel."
The whole family was sitting together in their living room the day after graduation. Lisa, Christian, Rhea, Andre, Natasha, Abe, and even Janine were there. Dimitri smiled. "I see. How long would you like to travel for?"
"Maybe a year. I know that it might be a lot of money… I just feel like I need to know things before I can jump into working."
"Money is no object my boy! With a promise like that I have no problem helping fund your expeditions." Abe smiled at his grandson, pride shining in his eyes. "What great news to hear! I am so proud of you. You will have a wonderful time. Any idea where you want to go first?"
"You really shouldn't spoil them so much, Abe." Janine remarked.
"Oh I can spoil them as much as I want, I'm a grandpa. You shouldn't be such a bitch of a grandma."
"Abe!" Dimitri hissed. "No fighting when we are supposed to be celebrating. Why don't you go grab the decorations from the garage. We shouldn't wait too long before setting up for the party."
"Oh! I love a party! You're friends are supposed to be coming, too, no?" Rhea squealed. Rhea was Lisa and Christians first daughter. About a year older than Mason and Ivan. She graduated last year. Lisa and Christian currently live in Vermont, but often travel to Europe with and without the kids. Rhea currently goes to a University in Vermont, while Andre and Natasha are still home. Andre was going into his junior year of high school after the summer and Natasha would be starting her freshman year.
"Yeah, our friends and their families will be coming to the party. Thankfully we have a big enough backyard and living room to fit everybody. But we are planning on pushing this couch more up against the wall to make more room."
"So exciting!"
Suddenly the doorbell rang. Dimtiri smiled brightly. "Looks like Ivan's graduation gift is here!" He jumped up, which was strange for everyone to see such a large man act so giddy, practically jumping and skipping to the front door.
"Hi Dimitri. I've got Raptor here for you."
"Yes! Bring him in."
Ivan jumped up from where he was sitting and squealed in delight. "Yes! You got me a dog!" Ivan ran to the door where the dog was, and the person who was holding onto him let go of the leash to allow them to interact. "Aww who's a good boy!"
Raptor licked Ivan's face and took his paw up and literally shook his hand which made Ivan practically die where he was standing. "Omygod. I don't think my heart can survive this cuteness."
Raptor was older. Not old enough that there would be concern he wasn't going to live very long enough with Ivan, but also not a puppy. "Raptor used to work for the military. He's 5 years old and very well trained. He never saw battle, he was mainly to help with training or sometimes help the police. Let's go to the backyard so I can teach you some of his skills and everything you'll need to know to take care of him."
Ivan and the handler went out to the backyard and began to play and learn. Mason pouted at his dad. "Why does Ivan get a gift and I don't."
"Who said you weren't getting a gift?"
"Well then where is it!"
"You'll just have to wait until the party! I already have it wrapped. I just couldn't really wrap up a german shepherd." Mason nodded in understanding. "Why don't we start setting up. Christian, would you like to go to the store with me? I'll need the extra hands."
"Of course." He stood and leaned toward Lisa, "I'll be back soon, my love."
"Ewwww!" Screamed their children.
They left and the rest were tasked with starting the decorations. Lisa told her kids to help Abe and Janine with the things sitting in the garage. Mason took this opportunity to sit closer to her. "Auntie Lisa, can I ask you something?"
"Yes, Mason. What's up?"
"I was just wondering if you'd be willing to talk about my mom."
Lisa's face went down. A small sad frown laid on it. "You don't have to, I just-"
"No, no. Don't apologize. You have nothing to apologize about. Rose was-is my best friend. No one will ever be as close as we were. She was there for me when I needed her most. She was always the type of person that would prioritize me before she would herself. But, she was also always getting us into trouble.
"Once, when we were younger, I think we had barely started high school, she convinced me to steal from a liquor store with her. It's not like either of us were lacking in money, but Rose was just a rebel and wanted to act out. She was kind of my outlet for acting out, too. I was always seen as a goody goody and Rose just made me feel more alive just by being around her. We got caught and our parents were called, it was quite the scene! I'm pretty sure Janine literally beat her up. But, I never found out about it. Rose was pretty closed off. We rarely kept things from each other, but that didn't take away that Rose was in a lot of pain when she was younger, so there were certain things she chose not to share, because she thought she was protecting me.
"When she finally was able to get away from everything, and she found Dimitri, it was just meant to be. She was like a new person, someone who was actually happy and didn't need to act out because she was surrounded by love. And she loved you both so much. Anytime we would talk it would be about something new you had done or figured out.
"When she passed away… That was the hardest thing I've had to go though. And seeing you now, all grown up. You both remind me so much of her. I hope you know that us moving away wasn't because of you. But… I needed something new and fresh to keep my mind off of her, at least for a little while."
"Thank you for telling me all of that. I miss her too. Especially now. I wish she would have been able to see me graduate, or know that I continued playing soccer."
"She knows Mason. By the way, do you want to see a picture of our friend Mason, the one you were named after?"
"Sure!" Lisa went to her phone and dug through her pictures to find it and showed him. "Woah! Not too shaby. I can see why I was named after the better looking one." That comment made Lisa laugh.
"Wow, you guys are just chatting it up while we do all the heavy lifting."
"Hey it's my party, I shouldn't have to do any of the hard work." Even though he said that, Mason did move to take some of the material from Rhea's hands and start helping out with decorating.
Meanwhile, Dimitri and Christian were having their own heartfelt conversation during their trip.
"Natasha has gotten so big!"
"Yes, I can't believe my baby is already going to high school. I know when Rhea graduated last year Lisa was pretty depressed and incredibly overbearing to Andre and Natasha afterward. Even though Rhea comes home to visit once a month at least. Of course with her laundry and to stock up on food."
"Ha! In a way I'm afraid to be alone. I mean, I know I got a dog for Ivan. I assume now that he's going to be traveling the dog will no doubt go with him. I've been thinking about what I am going to do with the time. Should I go back to teaching? I've been out of the game for a long time."
"Speaking of out of the game. Do you think maybe it's time to… get back on the horse?"
"That is a terrible phrase. I don't even know how that makes any sense." While he was joking, Dimitri felt grim at the idea. "It just feels like… Like I am still cheating. And… I just can't see anyone else trying to be my son's mother."
"I understand what you mean. Well… I guess I don't understand, but I can empathize. I don't think there is a good enough time to say when you should be getting back out there. If Lisa passed away… Yeah I don't know when I would. But, now that the kids are leaving, it wouldn't be wrong to at least make some more friends, hang out with people. I know you hang out with Rogelio and Anthony. Maybe they can get you into some fun stuff."
The conversation continued into the store. "Well, people still use Tinder if you wanted to!" That made Dimitri laugh pretty hard. "Going back into teaching isn't such a bad thing. Or maybe just doing some substituting. Kids are not the same as they were before! Oh yeah, you were literally a teacher when I was a senior. Still super weird."
"Yes, yes. I will never live it down, will I?"
"I mean if you met Rose in like, 1950 the age difference would actually be pretty normal."
"That doesn't make me feel better… Fire Crotch." Christian barked a laugh.
"Haven't heard that in a while…" He looked at the bag of chips he had just grabbed. "I can't believe it's already been so long. It feels like yesterday she would have been kicking my ass."
"Yes, it is hard. Every day I miss her so much. But, the boys look so much like her. It keeps me going. I hope I don't end up as one of those parents that never here back from their kids after they leave."
"No, I doubt that will ever happen. Mason and Ivan obviously adore you as a Dad. Natasha is always on her phone and never wants to talk to us. Its an inconvenience to even eat with us. Like, hello! We literally feed you. Can you at least tell me what your day was like?"
Dimitri chuckled as they moved into the line. "I know. But, I still get worried. I have been thinking about going back to Russia and visiting some family."
"Hey, that might be a great trip to take with the boys during the summer before they go off and do their own thing."
"Actually, that sounds like a wonderful idea. They don't get to see my side of the family very often. Oh- we have our own bags." Dimitri passed his bags to the person with his items. "What trip did you guys go on last year with Rhea?"
"Oh, we went to Italy with some of her friends. We kind of let them do their own thing for the most part."
"Yeah, but its a bit tense going to Russia right now. Especially Ivan, I don't want him to get in trouble. It has come to my attention that he is more… flamboyant. And things are especially tense there."
"Well, maybe not Russia then. Maybe you can get the whole family to meet you somewhere in the middle."
"Hmmm… maybe. I'll reach out to them tomorrow and see what they think. I know my Mama was pretty sad they couldn't come out here for their graduation."
"Well, let's just get past this party with all these people and see if you really want to see more family afterward."
They made it home to see most of the house had been decorated. Dimitri was so happy to see how his boys had grown. To have all this love and family around. He loved his family so much, a tear began to well up in his eye. If only Roza could have seen this wonderful gathering of all the people who cared about her so much. Even Janine, despite their bad relationship.
With all of them working together it finally reached evening and the party was set to go. De and her family were the first to arrive.
"Party in the hiz-house!" She yelled. De had her in box braids with her usual gold hoops in her ears. She wore a white satin tank top and white leggings-those tik tok leggings that you see often. Her parents, younger brother, and other family members followed behind her as they entered the house. Henry, Rogelio and Anthony come not much longer after that with food in arms.
"We told you that you didn't need to bring anything." Dimitri said, taking the dish away from them to put it on the table full of food and snacks.
"You know how they are." Henry said. They all laughed together and Henry went to look for Ivan.
"So, how have things been with the in-laws' home?" Rogelo asked, instantly wanting the gossip. De's parents were also in the area so they stepped closer to join the conversation.
"Yes! I was just going to ask as well, but didn't want to pry too much." De's Mom, Shaina, asked.
"I know I can hardly stand her parents. Her mom leaves her dentures on sink in the bathroom and it gives me the creeps!" De's Dad, Drew, exclaimed.
"Well, Abe comes to visit every so often and it can be crazy, but we get along pretty well in general. Although I do have to hold back on how much he spoils them. I'm not too against it, considering they aren't getting too much from Janine. Which… is to be expected. She isn't exactly the warmest person in the world. It still gives me a shock that she and Abe used to be together."
"Talking about my bitch of an ex-wife I see." Abe strolled up to the gossiping group. He had his usual swagger. A starry shawl covered his shoulders and a gold suit was underneath. His shirt was a similar shiny gold but his tie was black, matching the shawl.
"Don't say that. You loved her at some point, didn't you?" Drew asked.
"Yes, but it was a quick fleeting love. I think the best part about it was the sex, and of course Rose. But we could never really see eye to eye."
As the adults continued to talk amongst each other, the kids were doing their own gossip.
"When is Claire getting here?" Liam asked De.
"How should I know?" She gave Liam a pointed look and then laughed. "She texted me saying that her grandparents took her on a shopping spree. She's supposed to be here any minute now." Liam rolled his eyes.
While this was a very exciting night, it was also a bit somber for the group of friends. They have spent most of their lives together. Always having them nearby, someone that could be there for them no matter what. Now, their lives were changing. Each of them was accepted into different universities. Ivan was going to be traveling, no doubt going to far off lands, experiencing new things, new people. When would be the next time they were all together? Their summers were going to be fleeting. They were aware, but in blissful denial in order to feign happiness.
Luckily, alcohol is always there to fix that.
Claire and her family eventually arrive. And throughout the night, they begin to reminisce about their high school experience together. Going through their yearbook, drinking spiked juice, courtesy of Henry. They weren't snitches, ride or die was a motto of this group.
Reminiscing became nostalgia, and the group became swept up by their memories. Soon, tears began to spill and words slurred out of their mouths under the light of the backyard.
"I don't know what I'll do without you!" They cried. But, they new this wasn't forever. Maybe things would change, life would change. But, they'd always have these beautiful memories. They could look back and know that they had been supported, been cared for by the people the trusted the most.
The crying was dramatic, but not as dramatic as Claire puking into the bushes, abruptly ending the party. Parents began rushing to their kids, and they had to say goodbye. Let's be honest, they would all meet up for coffee in the morning and complain about their headaches. Maybe, they got a little ahead of themselves.