107: Unmasked Part 3
Luci
“Hi.” I step closer to Vince and Catalina. She turns immediately and her eyes light up. They wear Jessica and Roger Rabbit masks if I’m not mistaken. “I’m…”
Immediately she has me engulfed in a hug. “Luceeeee.” Her beautiful Spanish accent comes through immediately. “I have been so ready to meet you since Vee came home and told me all about that hijo de puta, Maxass.”
I can’t help but laugh at her nickname for him. “Now, dulce dama, I want to thank you soooo much for all the ideas for Celestina and Leandra. I am not good at that type of thing in any way. I’m the tea party, dress up costume mamá.”
“You’re very welcome. This is Easton.” I introduce him as he steps up behind me.
“Yes, Vee gave me everyone’s names. You need to meet some more brunettes, Luci. It’s like a blonde entourage.” She gives me a wide smile. “I saw you on tv too, with the football team
before we knew you. I wanted to march there and kick them all in the balls. Even that b***h, the wife. She definitely had balls because she had no brains.” I hear Sydney laughing next to me. She already met Catalina.
Vince shakes his head. “She’s intense. Tell her when you need breathing room and she won’t
take offense, Luci.”
“I’m sorry about what’s coming.” I sincerely apologize to them both.
Catalina snorts. “Don’t be. If she steps out of line, she will lose a tooth or two. Messing with
your little one. Nothing gets me more fired up than messing with los bebes.”
Vince gives me a lopsided grin. “Keeps life interesting.”
Two more people move in as Vince pulls Catalina away to meet others.
“Luci, this is our coach, Matt and his wife, Jade.” I shake their hands. They are Fred and
Daphne from Scooby Doo.
“Nice to finally meet you, Luci.” Matt says with a smile.
Mrs. Isabelle and Mr. Logan are laughing with Baker and Mr. Jason. They make their way over to us and hug Easton and I. Mrs. Isabelle’s searching gaze sweeps over me. “You are happy sweetie. I love to see it. Maybe prod my daughter a bit. And my son. The romance rascals need some business.” She winks before they step away.
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Cole and Barrett come running. “Mommy, can we make a hat?”
“And a confetti blaster. Like a big one, Luci?”
“Yes. Go finish your dinner first and we’ll make both.” I point to their plates they abandoned. They nod and run back over. Grandpappy moves to sit with them along with Banning. Marco leans on the wall behind their table. A reminder that while this is a party, we have an unwanted guest coming later.
“Maybe Kylie can come help Banning with Barrett’s arts and craft time.” Easton whispers in
my ear.
“Instigator.”
“Not yet. It’s coming though. For now though, photo booth. You need something other than me
with a rabbit to frame.”
I laugh. We end up visiting it again after Cole finishes his dinner. He laughs so hard as we make funny faces in the last of the pictures. I won’t let anyone spoil his night.
“Go grab Barrett and let’s make confetti blasters. You know you are going to have to outdo
your uncles.” I point to Kingston and Becker making some kind of cannons.
As we are about to go make hats and guns, Becker leans down and whispers into Barrett’s ear.
Banning comes to join us. To no one’s surprise except Banning, Kylie moves in to join us
laughing. I stare at her mask for a minute and Sydney whispers in my ear. “Jem and the
Holograms.” I nod recognizing it now. The light pink color with a little silver fringe on the
edges and two big distinct reddish pink star shapes on each side. “Good thing we all watched
80’s cartoon DVDs.” She whispers. “Now who put Barrett up to fetching Miss Jem?”
“I can’t imagine who….” I say as I stare at Becker who sticks his tongue out at me and then
moves away with his confetti cannon.
“Got any new year resolutions, Syd?” I ask as I catch Jackson staring at her.
“You know we don’t believe in those.” She scoffs at me and continues to decorate her hat.
Stormi comes to join us. The guys have taken over the confetti blaster project with Kylie
helping the boys decorate them.
“I find myself believing in a lot of things lately. Maybe yours should be ‘find your star and follow it home‘ hmm?‘ I squeeze her arm and Stormi leans in behind me, laughing in my ear.
“Is star a code word for the IceWall?‘ She whispers so Syd doesn’t hear me.
“Synonym.” I joke and she laughs. I don’t mention that she might have her own stargazer.
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107: Unmasked Part 3
“How are you doing tonight, Luci Lou?” Syd asks me and I see Banning and Stormi both
staring at my face.
“I’m alright so far. This is much better than how I usually spend tonight. Much happier and lighter.” I reassure them.
Mr. Jason joins us and looks over our hats. “Hi Octopus Prime.” I say with a grin and he
laughs.
“I mean it almost fits. Those two are having a blast. I think we will make this a new tradition.
Maybe go more elaborate and add fun costumes. Doing ok, Luci?”
“Yes thank you for the no alcohol.” I tell him, very touched he would do that.
“Not a problem, sweetheart. I know today cannot be easy for you. You are very tenacious Luci.”
He hugs me for a minute before wandering away to go talk to Dean Rogers, who I didn’t even
realize was here. Before long, he gets everyone’s attention. “Since it’s getting late for those
closest to four feet tall, we will award the best hats and let our two smallest rascals tell us
confused tall people who they are and set off their confetti blasters.”
Cole, Barrett and Kylie win for best hats. Cole steps up “I’m Bumblebee the car robot.”
Barrett follows him “I’m a ninja turtle….which one am I, Luci?” I whisper in his ear and he
smiles. “Leonardo.” Everyone applauds for them and they set off their guns, showering
themselves in confetti pieces.
“Ten minutes and then bedtime you two,” I tell them and they nod obediently before running off to see if they can get Grandpappy to give them another cupcake. He crouches down to talk
to them before lifting them in his arms with a big grin. Barrett seems to have an honorary
grandfather already. All around us, everyone is laughing and I close my eyes to let that image
take root in my memories. Two familiar arms wrap around me. “Luci, are you alright? Too much?” Easton whispers in my ear.
I shake my head before opening my eyes. “A better memory to hold onto.”
“I don’t want to get rid of you but it’s time for you to take the boys. Syd and Stormi are going to
go with you.”
I grip his shoulders. ‘Promise me to be careful.”
“I will. I’m going to have lots of help.
Barrett
“Barrett Look! Cole stops running. I run into him.
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“Sorry Cole.”
“S’okay. Look. Over there.” He points his finger and I look.
“I knew it.” I clap my hands.
“Luci said we have to wait. She will tell us when we help them.” Cole scrunches his nose up
like I do when Dad tells me no.
I smile. “Luci said we had to wait for candles. She didn’t say we can’t help them.”
He smiles. “They need tons and bunches of help. That’s what Daddy and Uncle Becker said. I
heard them.’
“Uncle Becker can help us. We’ll ask him.” I tell Cole. “Will Baker let us have more chips?”
“Uh huh. The please eyes work on him really good. I show you. If he’s your grandpa, you will
need them. Grandpappy says they do him in. Not know what that means but I always get ice
cream when I ask with them.”
Baker gives in for more chips as Luci, Aunt Syd and Stormi come to say bedtime. Cole pokes my arm and I nod. We give them our please eyes. Stormi laughs. “Can you say no to that?”
“Yes sometimes. But not for chips. Bring them with you boys. You can finish them off during
story time.” Luci says with a big smile.
Vince
“Ready, Cat?” I check in with my wife.
“Yes. I’ll behave unless she touches you beyond your arm.” Her eyes flash with the truthfulness
of her statement.
I nod to Easton and leave the house before sneaking through a side gate. My car is parked right outside on the road. I drive to her house and she’s waiting by the front door. I act like I
don’t notice Wallace hanging around in his car off to the side.
“Hi Vincent. You’re running a little late.”
“Had to finish having dinner with my parents. You don’t cancel on an Italian family.” I tell her truthfully as we make the short trip to the Reed house. Once I park, she waits expectantly and I go around to help her out. She has her purse with her and she fits a Cleopatra mask over her head along with a black short wig. “Umm did you forget it was 80’s cartoon heroes?”
“No. I just think that’s stupid. I prefer something more elegant. I mean this was made by a famous costume designer and I wore it in my last movie. Let’s go. I’m sure you want to see
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Luci suffer sooner rather than later.” Her nostrils flare as she says her name. She does hate
her.
We enter the party room and no one really bats an eye. Jason warned all of his extra guests. Catalina has put on a gray oversize cardigan and has her back turned to me. “Ah the nanny dressed up a lot tonight.” She mutters. “Don’t forget to follow my lead. And avoid Jason Reed
at all costs.”
“Got it. There’s the big blonde frosty devil.” I say lowly in her ear. Her lips twitch as she looks
Easton over. “He thinks I’m his friend because we worked on a project together and I told him
no hard feelings for dating Luci after she ended things with me.”
“Don’t worry. He’s going to wish he hadn’t done that.” She pats my arm and I want to roll my eyes. “I assume he’ll accept a drink from you.”
“Yeah.” I say arrogantly.
“Let’s go grab a few then.” She smiles brilliantly up at me. I walk over and make three lemonade cups. The lemon should disguise the taste. “Stand behind me and make sure they
can’t see me.” She orders.
Jackson’s eyes are on her and they narrow as he scowls harder. “There, all finished.” She hands me two cups. “It’s the one in your left hand.” I tap my left foot lightly and Jackson nods subtly. I wanted to make sure she didn’t drug both. I put nothing past a desperate toad no
matter what mask she wears.
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