Chapter Seventeen

Sonny

My dad is renovating Coverton, the whole damn town.

He has bought the material, hired some manpower and even got a bunch of kids from school signing up as part of the community project. "And I can't think of a better place than a place that has embraced my son after a tough ordeal." He says in front of everyone in the town hall and has the mayor backing him up.

This giving back thing, I wish he would give me back my space.

Looks like it's a done deal and being the son is an automatic graduation to face of the campaign and a part of the community service.

That and football, I have time for little else.

It's hard when all I want is Kelly by my side. Thing is I can't force her to be a part of the project.

Kelly does whatever Kelly wants to do whether it's picking up Nate from nursery or wearing an oversized Jersey. She will do it.

"Why won't you just tell her?" Matt asks me as he is puffing on a joint behind the public basketball court.

"I can't she will cut me or something." Matt laughs.

"Why do you like her anyway? I mean what happened to cheerleaders? You got all these options bro. Look Kelly is my fam but when it's comes to it- you could be chasing a ghost."

"Kelly is as real as it gets. I don't know... I just do alright?"

"Okay just don't be writing sonnets or some shit like that. I won't listen."

I can't help but laugh at that one. "I know you're testing me."

"Damn right I am. I told you she is fam. Don't get it twisted. She a dime."

Today is my mother's memorial. She died eight years ago. My dad has planned a big day like he always does every year.

During this time of the year I normally spend hours in therapy sessions addressing the same dream where I'll be wearing a pair of St Vincent shoes and pulling out the weeds from her grave site. I got to say - it's been a while since I have had that dream and I feel elated.

"So little bro, Robert tells me you have got a situationship..." Karmen my older brother and only sibling talks to me from the passenger seat. He is also in a tux hired by my dad like each and every one of us in the car. My dad is also having us chauffeured to Liebenberg.

"First of all we are just good friends. "

"And does dad know about this Kelly Martins?"

Robert laughs."Oh he will know.'

"Can we not..." I dismiss the whole thing.

"Wow sounds serious to me."

"Yeah he has already punched a bunch of guys on her behalf."

"And I feel like punching you right now."

"Okay boys play nice."

After the memorial we head out in disheveled tuxedos trying to grab drinks at the local store in Liebenberg.

Mr. Wesson, the owner, recognizes me and is happy greeting me - asking me how I've been.

Somewhere between the alcohol and non alcoholic beverages Preston, Ethan, moyana, Steve and Brandon pop up in their familiar Jerseys with the rest of the Liebenberg football team including my arch nemesis Sadie - hand over my ex girlfriend Theresa, who's face turns a shade of guilt.

"Whoa, Davis!" Brandon gives me a bro hug, Preston, Moyana and the rest of the squad follow suit except for Sadie who still has Theresa by the shoulder and his minions Tate and Harden follow behind.

"Fancy seeing you back in town Davis..." He says in that exaggerated tone.

"It's just for my mother's memorial."

Steve jumps in with that energy I always remembered him for. "The team hasn't been the same without you Davis!"

"Yeah we miss you captain."

If Sadie only knew it was a term of endearment he wouldn't be angry right now.

"Oh well... I heard you guys are doing well." I play it down.

"Besides."

Robert shut up.

"Liebenberg's loss Coverton's gain."

"Wait you're repping Coverton now?" Moyana comes in surprised.

There it is. Sadie is happy I got caught out. "Yes. They took me in."

Brandon is sincere. "That's great Sonny can't wait to hand your asses over to you."

I laugh as Preston and I shake on it.

Phew. Thought that was going to go the other way.

"Yeah? Can't wait to prove otherwise?"

"Whoa!"

When the noise simmers down Theresa speaks, "You look well."

Yep. It's awkward I mean she is still in a chokehold.

"You look well too Theresa."

She fidgets at the mention of her name.

"Great meeting you guys gotta bounce."

"Sure. Davis, have a safe one."

"Aaaw wait come on..." I knew it had been a long time since Sadie had spoken a word, "Guys tell him how we won against the hawks. We are throwing this huge party at my house everyone is going to be there."

Yeah? Because everyone wants to see me.

"Thanks but like I said it's my mum's memorial I can't..."

"No worries."

"...You know..."

"Come on Sadie let it go." Moyana intervenes.

"No listen, it's only right for the sake of the good old days that I pay for those drinks. That's our boy. Right boys!"

There is a bit of a celebration but I'm not buying it.

"That's unnecessary." Karmen cuts in.

"Oh come on, Sonny is like family. The Son-ny we never had."

Only Tate laughs.

As soon as we get to the counter, he pulls out a credit card and pays for my six pack and energy drinks and everything else.

"Thanks." I say picking up the drinks. "No, anytime. Sorry about your mum. Do you know who's memorial the whole town attended a month and a half ago?"

There it goes and it hits like a knife down my back.

"Sadie..." Theresa pulls him back.

"Or did you get busy? Was it not much of a big deal to you? After you took his life."

Karmen knocks him out and as expected a brawl ensues. Robert is punching Harden.

"All of you get out of my store or else I'm calling the police!"

"Go back to the slums you have been hiding in. Heard daddy's renovating that piece of trash town to make you feel better."

Karmen points at him. "You're the piece of trash Sadie, you know you wont be lucky next time!"

"Come on let's go." I pull Karmen away from Sadie. I took the bet. I deserve it.