Redemption

by Dexx Peay

  “So what’s this about?” Airez said, walking through the door.

  Nobody said anything.

  “Are you guys deaf?” He badgered.

  “Chill out,” I barked.

  “I’m not sure you guys. Big Brother Airin called and said they had something important to tell us. He told me to call all you guys and get together. I’m going to call him now and let him know we are all together in my room.”

  He began to call Big Brother Airin, and the room got silent.

  The conversation was brief.

  “He said he’ll be over in a minute to tell us something,” Evan said. “In the meantime, I say we pull our books out and start going over some history and rules.”

  We collectively began utilizing our time. Hours flew by and we all remained silent. The small room quickly began to heat up by the way all the guys slowly started taking off layers. Some were sweating and others began to fan themselves.

  I helped them out a little bit.

  The evening pursued.

  A ringtone from a text blared from Evan’s phone. He picked it up and read it.

  “Airin just sent me a message guys. He said he’s on his way up and none of us better be sleep,” Evan said.

  Everyone went back to reading. These rules were crazy. There was a rule that said we couldn’t drink soda. Welp, already broke that rule. There was another that said we had to sit in the front row in every class. That was gonna be a little tough. I had to make sure I got to class first so I can actually get a seat.

  More hours flew by and still no Airin. The guys started to pass out one by one. Noel looked at me when he noticed they were all asleep.

  “Just let them; they need the sleep.” I said.

  He nodded.

  We both went back to reading more history, and a few minutes later we heard banging on the door. All the guys jumped up and wiped the slob from their mouths. Evan got up and ran to the door jumping over all the guys.

  “Good morning Big Brother Airin,” Evan greeted.

  We all stood and followed. “Good morning Big Brother Airin,”

  Airin walked pass Evan.

  “You pledges weren’t in here sleeping were you?”

  “No Big Brother Airin.”

  “I see you got your books out. Good job.”

  I’m sure he was well rested. Noel yawned. I saw him try to hold it in.

  “You tired pledge?” he asked.

  “No Big Brother Airin,” Noel replied.

  “Okay listen up. From now on you guys must all choose a different color and wear something of that color everyday. Once that color is chosen you cannot change your color. Understand?”

  “Yes Big Brother Airin.”

  He opened the door and left.

  “Is that really all he had to tell us?” Jacob ranted. “He kept us up all night to tell us about some fucking rainbow? He could have just texted that!”

  “You guys know it’s not going to be that easy,” Ricardo whispered.

  “Can we just pick the colors so we can go back to our rooms. I need a nap before class,” Drake moaned.

  “I pick orange,” I said.

  It was my favorite color so I had plenty to wear.

  “Why do you get orange?” Airez snapped.

  “Because I called it first, and are you really about to pick a fight over a color?”

  “It’s one of my favorite colors.”

  ‘It is my favorite color.”

  “Come on guys, let’s not argue about this. Dylan called orange first so let him have it,” Evan chimed in to mediate.

  Guess since Evan was the oldest, he had that natural instinct to look after us. The rest of the guys talked and all picked out colors. Evan texted all the colors and who they were chosen by to Airin. After that everyone went back to their rooms and tried to get a quick nap in before class. Evan reminded us to make sure we’re not breaking any of the rules.

  I got to my room and rested for about an hour. I took a shower and got dressed for the day. I wore khaki shorts and an orange polo and a black jacket. I went to the kitchen to make a bowl of cereal. I sat on the couch while I ate and turned on the TV. Marcus came out of his room. I looked up and looked back at the television. He took a seat next to me. I didn’t say anything. I could feel him staring at me. He punched me on the shoulder.

  “What do you want Marc?” I said.

  “I’m sorry bro.”

  I turned, looked at him, then went back to eating.

  “I got you something.” He pulled out an envelope. “Open it.”

  I put my bowl down and opened the envelope. “Happy 19th birthday” it said on the front. How could I forget my own birthday?

  Again.

  I had so many things going on in life right now that I really forgot what day it was. I put the card down and started to grunt and beat on my head.

  “Dylan are you okay?”

  “Yes, I am fine,” I exhaled.

  “You forgot your birthday again, didn’t you?”

  “I forgot my birthday.”

  After I freaked out, I picked the card back up. I opened it and read:

  Sorry about overacting yesterday. I know we are both busy. I just want us to be prepared for what is to come. Thank you for always being there for me. I couldn’t ask for a better brother and friend than you.

  Marc p.

  I hugged him.

  “Thanks Marc.”

  “The gang and I were thinking we can all met up and treat you to dinner tonight. You in?”

  “Count me in bro.”

  “Hopefully no one starts a food fight or anything.”

  “Hopefully. Listen bro, I gotta get going to class.”

  “No problem. Meet us at Gino’s at seven?”

  “That’ll work.”

  When my first class was over, I called Dad back. He had me on speakerphone with Tracy. She was chipper as usual.

  Weird.

  “Happy Birthday Dylan,” they both said.

  “Thanks Dad.”

  “Did you hear Tracy too?” Dad snarled like I owed it to him or to her to acknowledge her.

  “Maybe he didn’t hear me Jack. Happy birthday Dylan!”

  Jack?

  Get out of here.

  “Thanks. How is everything going Dad? And why are you not in class?”

  “I’m actually headed into my next class. Tracy stopped by the office and I have to run. I’ll put some money into your account when I leave work Dylan. Tracy just leave my phone in my desk when you leave.”

  I heard them kiss then she got back on the phone.

  Gross.

  “So...Me and your dad was thinking about coming to visit one weekend so you could show us around the City.”

  “Ehh…” I looked around for lie.

  “I know you probably don’t want to hang around us when you could be doing more exciting thing with your friends.”

  Right.

  “I just need to find a weekend when I’m not so busy. I really need to get to my next class so I’ll —”

  “I really like your dad Dylan. I really like Dalton and I’m making the effort to get to know you. I know it’s hard with you being gone, but just give me a chance.”

  What?

  “Sounds good. I have to go. My mom is calling me.”

  “Good-by—”

  I clicked over in mid-sentence.

  “Mom,” I exhaled. “Guess what?”

  “What is it hun?”

  “I forgot my birthday again this year.”

  “Ughhh, what am I going to do with you son?”

  “I know, I know. I’m trying to get it together. And what’s all that noise in the background?”

  “I’m at the hospital, I’m about to go prep for a surgery so I need to call you back. I love you Dylan and check your account.” She hung up.

  Hearing mom’s voice was always refreshing and reassuring. I missed Mom. But I was still upset at the both of them.

  After all my classes
, I did some homework in the library. I had two tests coming up at the end of the week, and I wasn’t ready for either. Still needed to learn more of the fraternity history and had no idea how I was going to fit in these training sessions.

  Right as I finished up, Big Brother Timothy called and said I needed to stop by the house for a second. I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed my things and left.

  Got there as quickly as I could. I was nervous. Couldn’t imagine what he wanted or what I did to make him call me. Hesitantly, I knocked and Big Brother Timothy answered. He was welcoming. Didn’t seem angry so I knew I wasn’t in trouble. Wasn’t sure if I’d broken a rule and didn’t know it. He invited me in and began some small talk. Basic stuff: how I’m doing, how are classes, any issues with the process, etc. I followed him through the house and I was still confused as to what was going on and why I was the only one there.

  He led me into the kitchen, then...

  “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” they all screamed.

  Inside, the whole circle and the Executive Board greeted me. They moved and behind them was a full sheet of cake. It was massive, with orange and white frosting, along with two candles on it, a one and a nine. They told me to blow out my candles and began to sing. I walked closer to the cake, closed my eyes and made a wish. I wished that I could fly. I blew out the candles, and they began to cheer.

  “Happy birthday youngin’,” Noel said.

  Hadn’t dawned on me that I was the youngest guy in the circle.

  “Thanks Noel,” I said.

  “Like I said pledges,” Big Brother Timothy interrupted. “I’m here to look after you guys in all aspects of your life. Now I didn’t pay for all this cake, your circle chipped in. They even put their monies together and got you something. Airez.”

  Airez pulled out a gift bag and handed it to me. I opened it. It was an orange backpack with Dylan stitched on it in black.

  “You needed a new one,” Jacob said. “We all agreed the one you had was pretty worn.”

  “And since orange is your favorite color...” Airez chimed in.

  He sounded like he almost cared it was my birthday.

  “Listen up pledges, you guys have another chance to bond tonight. You guys are going to hang out here for a few hours and play some board games. That will force you guys to talk. Also, this cake, yeah, I need it all to be eaten by the time I call. Airin will be upstairs, just in case you guys try anything. Don’t waste this perfectly good cake. I’ll be calling someone’s phone when I decide you guys can leave. Dig in!”

  They all walked out of the kitchen. The circle stood there. I could tell everyone was sick to their stomachs because I was.

  “How are we going to eat all this cake?” Drake asked.

  We all just stood there looking at it like it was an alien.

  “I don’t have good luck when it comes to cake on my birthday,” I said.

  “No…no you don’t,” Airez said shaking his head and still eying the cake. “I know this was Airin’s idea.” Airez looked at his phone. “I just got a message guys. It’s from Airin. He said to look in all the cabinets.”

  We all started to open all the cabinets and they were all empty. Noel opened one and found a note inside with a fork. The note said ‘Enjoy.’ There were no plates, no utensils, not even a toothpick. They really removed everything from the cabinets.

  “We have to share this one cake between eleven guys with only one fork?” Noel said. “I don’t like ya’ll that much.”

  Airez grabbed the fork. He walked over to the cake and started to cut it with the opposite end. It wasn’t as neat as a knife, but it got the job done. He cut small pieces for everyone. We ate them with our hands. He cut two more slices for everyone, and ate more. We moved the cake into the living room, grabbed three games and split up. All of us spent the night playing board games and rotating. Every time somebody lost at a game, they had to eat more cake.

  At the end of the night, we all grabbed a piece with our hands and dug in. Airin came downstairs. He was half asleep and we had cake all over our hands and faces. He stood at the edge of the stairs, body stiff and leaned forward. Rubbing his half-closed eyes, he waved us off.

  “Go, get out, clean up,” he barked.

  We were all so loud laughing from the good time we were having, I’m sure it woke him up.

  “Yes Big Brother Airin,” we said.

  We cleaned the house and everyone left.

  I got to the door of my room when my phone started to ring. It had a message that read I miss you, from Imani. I don’t have time for this, I whispered to myself. Right as I unlocked the door, a voice chimed. “So make time.” I recognized it—barely.

  It startled me.

  I jumped and turned around.

  And there stood Imani...smiling.

  I didn’t speak. I didn’t know what to say. Did she follow me to my room? Had she been watching me?

  “I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday,” she said after we literally stood there breathing for five minutes.

  “Ugh…” was all I could come up with.

  An almost normal, yet, still creepy smile formed on her face and she walked off.

  The circle was getting closer everyday and the process was getting harder and harder to keep secret with all that I had going on. These days all I wanted to do was sleep. Sleep wasn’t an option this semester.

  Yesterday was Marcus’s birthday. We haven’t really been talking lately. He was upset that I missed the birthday dinner he had planned. As a matter of fact, I haven’t spoken much to Hudson or Hachi either. It was like my life was nothing but school and the circle. I was happy to say that in the midst of all this mess, my grades were doing well.

  Marcus and the gang went skating for his birthday. I put his gift on his bed while he was gone. It was a pair of sneakers and a box full of all his favorite snacks from when we were kids. I also wrote him a note in one of his journals and left it on the bed as well. I just wanted to tell him how much I loved him. I had to remember that he was my little brother and I needed to watch over him.

  Dad called more and more these days. He wanted to come visit. I knew it was Tracy who really wanted to visit. I have a mom and didn’t need another. I didn’t mind if my dad came to visit, but it would just need to be him or him and my brother. The closer I got to the circle, the more distant I got from my other friends and family.

  Had to stop training with the group, I couldn’t balance it with everything I had going on, however, I still managed to train on my own whenever possible. I mainly just shot a few ice beams here and there and called it a day.

  Both Big Brother Airin and Timothy were out of town for the weekend. Big Brother Timothy had something to do with his internship and Big Brother Airin went home along with Airez. We had the weekend free to just do whatever we wanted as long as it was within the rules. Noel and a few other guys from the circle wanted to chill, but I had to pass.

  This bowl of cereal I was eating had to be the best bowl of cereal ever. My diet had changed drastically. Wasn’t eating like I should and often skipped meals because I found myself either too busy or too tired. My weight started to shift. If my stomach had allowed me too, I would have eaten the entire box. I finished my last bite and slurped the fruity milk after that. The sound of the spoon clinging against the bowl made me hungry all over again.

  Marcus came out his room. I looked at him. He glanced over at me as he walked by and made his way to the kitchen. I exhaled. I couldn’t believe he was still going to ignore me over something that happened over a week ago.

  “Marc,” I called out.

  I looked at him and he ignored me. I was nervous for our friendship. We have never gone this long mad at each other.

  “Marc man, you can’t keep this up. I don’t know how many times I can apologize to you.”

  He went on making his breakfast as if he didn’t hear me. He didn’t want to talk so I was going to make him. I floated the bowl of oatmeal off the counter and into my hands.
<
br />   “What Dylan?” he hissed, slamming his fist on the counter.

  I smiled.

  Finally got a reaction out of him.

  “You ready to listen?”

  He shook his head no.

  “Come on Marc, you know you want to.”

  His face turned red. He didn’t want to admit it, but I knew he wanted to talk again. He walked over and took a seat next to me. He picked up his bowl.

  “I hate you,” he said.

  A smile cracked before he took a bite from his oatmeal. I nudged him. He nudged back.

  “Aww… I love you too brother,” I said.

  “Where have you been?”

  I wanted to tell him. I wanted to tell him about me pledging and the circle. I wanted to tell him about Imani and everything else going on in life, but I didn’t.

  “You running off on any secret missions today you wanna tell me about?”

  “Nope, none that I can think of.”

  “Care to go with me to the mall later?”

  “Yeah we can do that. You need to get something?”

  “Delilah has some ball or something for us to go to for one of her plethora of organizations. I need to get a shirt and tie.”

  “Well you could just borrow something of mine.”

  He got up and picked my bowl off the floor, then placed both in the sink.

  “I figured I need to start dressing like a young, professional, educated man. I think it’s time I get my own clothes for occasions like this.”

  “Cool, just let me know when you’re ready.”

  I got up, went into my room and laid down. I watched the ceiling. My mind drifted so far that I noticed every crack and discoloration it had. I don’t know what my mind was thinking about. It felt like nothing but at the same time, it was going a mile a minute. Time quickly passed. My eyes started to relax but sleep was interrupted when Marcus walked in. I looked at my phone and hours had passed.