Aquarius_Mr. Humanitarian_The 12 Signs of Love

by Tiana Laveen

  “How long is the treatment?”

  “Ninety days. Then they have aftercare programs. My boss knows about it and was kind enough to promise my job back to me. He even said he’d give me half pay while I was away, so I could still keep the rent going. Once I get on my feet, I’m moving out of here and getting me a nice place… like the one I had before.” Aiden didn’t dare speak, for fear of breaking the spell. “I wanna tell you both that I’m sorry. Aiden, I called you a piece of shit. Well, I’m the piece of shit.”

  “Mom, self-deprecation isn’t going to help.” Aiden leaned over and placed his hand on her shoulder. She avoided her sons’ gazes as silent tears flowed down her face.

  “Who said anything about helping?” She swung her leg back and forth stared at a blank, dirty wall. “A fact is a fact. I want to tell you two something. Something I never wanted to talk about until now. I take that back. I still don’t want to talk about it, but maybe it’ll help. Aiden, when you were about eleven, and Perry was eight, I was working a second job down at Wilton’s, the bar. Remember?”

  “Yeah, I remember. They’re closed now. You did janitorial work for that bar, got the bathrooms cleaned and stuff.”

  “Yeah,” She reached for her cigarette and took a drag, then placed it back down. “It was a way for me to get a little extra cash. One night, there was a robbery. It was just me and Big. You probably don’t remember Big. He was a bartender there, had been there for years. Big guy, a teddy bear. Anyway, these fuckers came in and they asked me to open the safe. I freaked out. I started screaming. I told them I didn’t have the combination to the safe, and I didn’t. Why would I?” She shrugged. “They didn’t believe me. One of the guys pistol slapped me because he said I was screaming so much. He then jammed the pistol in my mouth and threatened to shoot. He made like he was going to pull the trigger.” Mom’s leg swung harder and faster and her eyes glossed over. “Big jumped up to help me and they shot him in the head, right in front of me.” Perry and Aiden locked eyes. “I lay there, with Big dyin’ in my arms while they ransacked the place. One of ’em kept a gun to my head.

  “By the time they left, I knew Big was dead. I closed his eyes; his blood was all over me… he had a pregnant wife and kids. I wasn’t the same after that. A few years before that, your grandmother died. You know how close she and I were. I have had a string of bad luck, boys… But you’re not boys, you’re men. You grew up without me.” She sniffed and ran the back of her hand across her wet eyes. “A lot of things have happened in my life, some I have no plans of telling. It wouldn’t serve any purpose, but I chose to tell you about the robbery because that’s when I hit my lowest low. They never caught the guys and I always felt like his family blamed me. I blamed me, too. I felt like it was my fault that Big was dead.”

  “But that wasn’t your fault, Mom,” Perry spoke softly.

  “It sure seemed like it though. I carried that guilt for a long, long time. Maybe if I could have just stopped screaming… maybe if I had known the safe combination… maybe if as soon as I saw them I got us both outta there instead of waiting for them to get closer to see who they were. Well, that’s when my drinking went from casual to habitual. I needed that alcohol. I needed it like we need air to breathe. I couldn’t function without it. I was having nightmares. I kept seeing him being shot in the head over and over again. I wasn’t a perfect mom, but I had tried my best up until that point. After that, I ain’t even feel like trying anymore.” Aiden reached for his mother’s hand and squeezed it. Perry grabbed the other and did the same. The three of them sat there, quiet, while Mom shed silent tears. “My bad choices showed in men, too. I was tryna fill a void all my life. My daddy died when I was just a little baby. I think I was always looking for someone to take care of me… someone to be human in a world filled with cruelty.”

  “Mom, you actually hit on something I’ve been wondering.” She turned in his direction, her cheeks stained with black mascara streaks.

  “What?”

  “Remember our fight outside my job? I brought up Perry and my father. Let’s settle this. I want you to tell us all you know about our fathers, even if you think it’s something small or not important.”

  She looked at him long and hard, then got up from her seat and disappeared into what he presumed was her bedroom. She returned with a large photo album and set it down on the table.

  “Aiden, your father, Gregory, is right here.”

  She turned the book in his direction and his heart thumped hard in his chest. All of these years he’d asked if she had any photos of the man, and she’d always said ‘no.’ He wanted to throw those lies in her face, make her answer ‘Why?’ but he swallowed the anger and simply listened.

  Mom smiled as she looked down at the faded picture of the man in a black leather vest, resting against a big Harley Davidson. His long hair flowed over his shoulders and he had a thick mustache and a sneaky smirk. “This is us when I was pregnant with you.” He couldn’t help but smile at the photo of Mom’s rounded belly in a red dress. The man had his hand affectionately placed on her stomach. They looked happy… They looked in love.

  “What happened between the two of you? The real story.”

  “I guess he just didn’t want to be tied down any longer, Aiden. One day I came back to our apartment and all his shit was gone. I finally tracked him down, but he treated me like some girl he barely knew. Just like I told you before, I told him when I had you. He saw you one time, held you, then that was it.” She slammed the photo album shut, a special pain bleeding in her tone and the way she closed that book.

  “What about me?” Perry’s voice broke through like one of the tiny fractures on the wall. “What about my father?” Mom turned and looked at him, then shook her head. He turned away, and his little brother’s pain instantaneously filled the room. Mom didn’t know who Perry’s father was. She’d told them that many times, but as she sat here stone sober, Aiden supposed that maybe, just maybe, she’d have something new to say.

  “Perry, I’m sorry. I was dating a lot when I got pregnant with you… sleepin’ around.” She swallowed. “I have no idea who your father is. I meant that when I’d said it. Some of the guys I didn’t even know.”

  Perry nodded in understanding, but he knew his brother didn’t actually understand. For a moment, he’d probably entertained a sliver of hope, but that flame died out as quickly as it was lit.

  “Mom, I want to try and find my biological father, Greg. I looked him up online, but I have no idea if any of the profiles I saw were him or not. Do you know anything about where he might be?” After a long hesitation, she opened the photo album back up, pulled out the picture of the man on the motorcycle, and handed to him. A dark, rectangular frame remained on the album in its stead.

  “There you go. I think I told you everything I could… I have no idea where he is, Aiden. He could be living right under our noses, clear across the world, or dead. Use this picture. Maybe it will help you.”

  He looked at the photo, blinked a few times, and swallowed his anguish as he put it in his jacket pocket. Reaching across the table, he took her hand in his again. Perry wiped his eye, and took her other hand, too.

  “We’re proud of you, Mom,” Perry uttered. His voice was choppy, wrought with agony. “Get healthy so we can be a family again.” Mom began to cry loud this time, nodding and breaking down, letting all the pain out.

  For the first time in a long time, Aiden believed his mother was embarrassed of some of the things she’d done… downright ashamed.

  “Mom, I don’t have a father and I accept that that’ll never change, but I have you, my girlfriend, my friends and Aiden,” Perry said. “I’ll be all right… Isn’t that right, Aiden? It’s only been us three since day one. We’re a strong bunch. Some things I may just never know. And you know what? Maybe it was just meant to be…”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  A Wedding, A Honeymoon, A Buffoon and A Monsoon

  Three and a half months later…
/>
  The Hyatt Regency Lake Washington proved to be the perfect venue for their wedding and reception. The elegant waterfront view was simply breathtaking. They had the place decorated in ivory and gold, with no detail spared. Addison was floating on cloud 9, so elated that when her father walked her down the aisle, she burst out in giggles several times. She was certain many probably thought she was intoxicated, but it was simply pure joy.

  Her soon-to-be husband waited for her with his entourage. Boy did Aiden know a lot of people! Not until the wedding did she discover just how damn popular he was. But, it didn’t surprise her in the least. They exchanged vows, and there was not a dry eye in the place when Aiden got down on his knee, took her hand, and said, “If courage was a woman, it would be you… If love had a voice, you wrote the song… If being a best friend is a gift, then you were sent to me straight from God.”

  Now here they sat after their first dance, laughing and carrying on at the large bridal party table. Her sisters and friends sat to her right, and Aiden’s posse to her left.

  Suddenly, someone stood with a fork in one hand and wine glass in the other, and clinked them against each other for a toast.

  “Excuse me!” said the woman Addison had gotten to know quite well. The DJ raced to her and pinned a microphone on her gold lapel. Aiden’s mother was all done up, her hair in a gorgeous updo. She’d put on about fifteen pounds and she looked damn near like a movie star. Lips painted red and kitschy grin, she began to speak. “I’m the groom’s mother,” she stated proudly, and was greeted by a round of applause. “I got to meet Addison a couple of months ago. My son brought her up to visit me. I needed that visit more than anyone could possibly understand.”

  The woman paused and locked eyes with her. Addison’s eyes glossed over and she patted them dry before Aiden took her hand and squeezed it.

  “She’s a wonderful young woman. I finally have a daughter and I’m so happy my son found somebody who makes him happy. This is their special day, and I want you both to know how happy I am for you, and how much I love you.” Her voice shook, and everyone kept silent as the woman’s emotions poured forth in open view. “Addison, I know you’ve not been at your job long and may not be taking on more patients, but have you ever noticed that Aiden has been pronouncing the word, ‘cummerbund’ wrong? It drives me bananas! Do you think you could help him?”

  “Aww, Mom! Come on!” Aiden yelled, full of annoyance, which only sparked an eruption of laughter, including from his mother.

  “Yes.” Addison giggled. “I noticed it, too. I will work on it with him.”

  “Good. Anyway, I love you both and may today be the first day of the best years of your life to come!” Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them together. “And this is apple cider, just lettin’ it be known before the gossipers decide to spread lies about me!” her mother-in-law exclaimed, drawing a few bursts of laughter from people who knew exactly why she’d made such a declaration.

  Addison leaned in close to Aiden and placed her head against his shoulder. The alcohol had made her drowsy and she’d had too much of a good time but now, she was dead tired. She just wanted to look around for a moment, take it all in. She sat there and listened to her husband talk to his best man and brother, Perry but soon she was no longer listening, only relaxing, comforted by her husband’s body so close to hers.

  I spent a lot of time finding the perfect dress for this day. It’s a Zak Posen snow white mermaid gown, the dress of my dreams. Fourteen bridal shops, and I finally snagged the perfect garment. I drove all over town to find the bridesmaids’ gifts that I wanted. Diamond stud earrings with personalized necklaces. I spent days with my sister Mary getting the corsages and bouquets just right. I searched day and night to find the perfect wedding band for my husband. Aiden didn’t care; he said something simple was fine, but I wanted it to be distinctive, to add my special touch. So, I had the date of our first date engraved on the inside, along with our wedding date. I picked out a gift for my parents and wrote them a letter thanking them for being so loving to me and giving Aiden a chance. I think they love him already…

  And now I sit here, realizing that only a little of all of that running around, tossing money here and there, and making a big deal over cakes and veils meant anything. What matters most is that I am helplessly, madly in love! I’ve never felt this way about anyone in my entire life. When he held me in his arms and told me I could do anything I put my mind to, I knew he was the one…

  She turned and looked at Aiden, who was laughing super hard at one of Tim’s loathsome jokes. She smiled and ran her hand up and down the man’s firm, muscled arm…

  And just to think, I met my husband at one of the worst times in my life, when I’d hit rock bottom. When that happens, there is nowhere to go but up. He didn’t judge me. He didn’t make me feel lowly and insecure. He looked at me and saw the potential, the good and beauty in me. I’d been through so much, and his kindness, humor, and compassion soothed my soul.

  She leaned in close to him and placed a kiss on his cheek. He paused from his discussion and looked into her eyes. He looked so fine in his black and white tuxedo. She wanted to taste him… As if reading her mind, he lifted her chin with a tilt of his finger and placed a soft, heated kiss on her lips. Her eyes fluttered closed. He smelled so damn good.

  “We haven’t cut the cake yet,” she announced as she glanced at the obscenely expensive and gorgeous five-tier monstrosity.

  “Let’s get ready to do that.” Aiden tossed his napkin on the table. As she stood up to join him, he leaned to her and whispered in her ear, “But make sure we save a piece for later, too. You should know all too well what I like to do with cake…”

  And with that, the nasty man cast her a wicked wink…

  Honeymooning in the Piedmont Region of Italy was something Aiden had never imagined he’d do, and yet, here he was with a beautiful bronzed beauty sporting a white bikini over glistening skin. Not only had they seen some sights that left him awestruck, but they’d managed to squeeze in a tour of Barolo, too. Then, they returned to the hotel room where he’d ravished her body well and good. He’d fucked his bride like his life depended upon it.

  Something about the place sent him into sexual overdrive. Maybe it was the fact that now she was officially his, and life had been so good to them after such a rocky and rough start. He ogled her ass as she stood on the terrace of their fancy room looking out at the spectacular scenery. He’d kissed, licked, and bitten those ass cheeks more times than he could count. When she turned to the side, he got a glimpse of her breast sitting pretty in her bikini top. He hadn’t been able to keep his damn hands off her. In fact, he’d fucked the woman to the tune of four times since they’d arrived, and had plans for many more romps in the hay before they departed.

  “Didn’t you just love Turin?” She turned to him, her hair still wet from their swim in the indoor pool.

  “Yeah, it was great. A lot of people were there, too.”

  “It’s a tourist attraction. That’s some architecture you just can’t forget. I’ve been posting photos all day online, but no picture could ever do the Mole Antonelliana justice.”

  “I am just in awe at everything, quite honestly.” He lazed about on the luxury bed in their hotel resort bedroom, sporting a plush, white robe. Ankles crossed, he nursed on a glass of white wine without a care in the world. “I’m glad I got my passport in time. Like I told you, I’ve never been out of the country before. I wonder if I have any Italian people in my family?” he asked half-jokingly.

  She chuckled. His smile dissipated when he suddenly recalled tracking down a certain Gregory Bernard online two weeks prior. The man looked a bit like the man in the photo Mom had given him. He lived right there in Seattle, and there were photos of motorcycles he either liked or owned on his page, too. He had one of his daughters tagged in a picture he’d posted, and her name was Rebecca.

  So, Aiden had reached out to the man and explained the situation. The message had b
een read…

  Day after day after day, he waited for a response.

  Nothing.

  He’d kept the disappointment to himself. Hadn’t told a soul. Perhaps some sleeping dogs were just meant to lie and play dead…

  “Tomorrow, let’s go to the Automobile Museum. I’ve heard it’s excellent.”

  “Come here, I’ve got something you can start up and ride.” He jerked his robe open, exposing himself. The naughty bride stared lustfully at his rock hard cock, waiting to be mounted. Without a moment to spare, she sauntered over with her sexy ass and discarded her swimwear in a flash. Moist heat surrounded his nature as she enveloped his dick in a tight mouth stroke that made his toes curl. Pumping his hips into her oral embrace, he held the back of her head and fed her the feast that threatened to erupt and spill into her awaiting mouth.

  “Mmmm, yes, baby,” he said with a groan. “Suck it good…”

  She moaned and hummed against his shaft, driving him into a frenzy. Grabbing the woman by the throat, he pulled her up. She gasped as she released him. Coaxing her to straddle him, he watched with anticipation as she guided her wet pussy over his slick throne. Gazes hooked into each other, they sighed in unison as she rode him, her speed increasing. He gripped her hips and pumped hard within her, daring himself not to explode.

  Slicking his thumb over her clitoris, he rocked back and forth, timing his thrusts just right. Her eyes glossed in that all too familiar way, her full, lustrous lips parted and she shuddered, then paused, her body locked into position. He continued to pound upwards inside her, jostling her beautifully tormented body into a series of orgasms… He gawked at the stunning spectacle, turned on with how he got her off. As she shivered against him, he brought her flush to his chest and buried himself within her to the hilt. He came hard and in full force to the sound of her screams.