Learn From Cigarette Burns

I stared across the table at the two dirty band boys that had been on the road with my husband for the past two months. One stared tiredly at his phone as he read a newly received text message, while the other smiled shyly back at me. The latter boy, Jack, reached up and ran a hand through his hair. I’m not sure if this action was meant to smooth this hair, or ruffle it up some more because his hair stubbornly remained in the same style as it had a few seconds earlier.

“You’re a lot prettier than John let on,” Jack said, giving me a warm smile.

“Thank you,” I blushed, “so are you.”

Jack and his companion, Alex, laughed at my remark, and I couldn’t help but smile, seeing as how it was the first time a hint of happiness shined in Alex’s eyes. From what I understand, his girlfriend had broken up with him a week or so prior, and it’s my guess that that’s whom he had been exchanging texts with.

“Jack is quite the looker, isn’t he?” Alex asked.

“I didn’t tell you babe,” John said, “because I didn’t want you to be jealous.”

“Too late,” I said, “I already am.”

“You’re doing pretty good,” Jack said, leaning back in his seat, “most girlies pass out within two minutes because of my good looks.”

“Maybe we should take a chance and see what else I’m good at.” I smirked.

All around the table, every one’s eyes widen in surprise, and Jack let out a small gasp.

“Dee,” he said, shaking his head, “you’re going to get me beat up by Johno over there. Look at him, he’s literally pulling a Darth Vader and trying to choke me with his Jedi powers!”

I glanced over my husband and couldn’t help but laugh at the dirty look he was giving Jack.

“Lighten up, babe,” I grinned, “I was just joshin’ you, you know, ‘cause your name’s Josh.”

The dirty look on John’s face faded away, and he laughed quietly to himself. “No matter how many times you say that, I still can’t help but laugh.” He muttered softly as the waiter approached to take our orders.

I shot him a small smile in return, and reached over, squeezing his hand tightly. As everyone took turns giving the waiter their order, my mind drifted over the last twelve hours.

In an attempt to cheer Alex up, he convinced him to come to Arizona to visit, seeing as how he’s never done so. Jack, wanting to avoid a few faces at home for a few more days, decided to tag along as well, and together, the three of them surprised me by showing up a day earlier than they were supposed to.

I filled them in on the situation with my brother, but have yet to break the news to John that we’re expecting twins.

After giving my order to the waiter, I turned to John and gave him a loving look. “Babe, can I talk to you for a second?” I asked.

A tiny hint of fear shown in my husband’s eyes, but he agreed with a quiet ‘sure’ and then stood up. After apologizing to Alex and Jack, I let John help me to my feet. As we walked to the back of the restaurant to the small patio, John placed a hand on the small of my back, guiding me between the tables and chairs.

Once outside, I walked to the rail and looked out at the beautiful Arizona sunset. John stood beside me, but instead had his back to the rail so that he could look over at me.

“What’s wrong?” He whispered. “Is it Ava’s pregnancy?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head, “Nothing’s wrong, babe. It’s just … I haven’t exactly told you everything yet.”

“Oh,” he whispered. “What is it?” He asked hesitantly.

“We’re going to have twins.” I said simply.

After saying it, I didn’t realize how easy it was. I looked up at John and saw look of surprise and happiness in his eyes.

“Twins?” He repeated. “Are you shittin’ me?”

I laughed quietly and shook my head. “Twins, John. We’re bringing home two new O’Callaghan’s, not just one.”

“I … holy shit,” he smiled before engulfing me in a hug, “why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Because,” I grinned, “I wanted to see the look on your face for myself.”

“Babe, we really have to start cracking down on the names, now.” He laughed. “Twins?!”

“Yes!” I laughed.

“Can we go in and tell Alex and Jack?” John asked.

“Of course.”

With a giddy smile on his face, John led me back into the restaurant, and all but shouted our news for the entire building to hear. Seeing the happiness and excitement on John’s face, I’m glad that I decided to wait and tell him in person.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dee stared at the entertainment center, her head cocked slightly to the side as she determined whether or not it was exactly where she wanted it. Finally, she wrinkled her nose and then shook her head before jerking her head to the left, indicating that she liked it better before.

“I want it back over there,” she said, as if we hadn’t been able to understand her body language.

“Babe,” I whined.

“Cornelius,” she snapped.

On the other end of the entertainment center, Alex’s eyes widened. “Demanding,” he muttered.

“You’ve kept my husband away from me for two months, Gaskarth.” Dee said, standing there with her hands on her hips, “I can be demanding if I want to.”

I bit my lip, suppressing a smile and without another word, Alex and I did as we were told. Finally, after a couple of minutes, Dee nodded her head in approval and then disappeared into the kitchen.

“Desk in the den is set up,” Jack announced, “Dee?” He asked, glancing around the living room.”

“Kitchen.” I informed him. “Be nice to her and perhaps you can talk her into baking us some cookies.”

Jack laughed quietly in response and then nodded his head. “Alright, I’ll give it my best shot.” He said, and then followed in my wife’s footsteps, disappearing from our sight as well.

While I began moving the television and all its components back into place, Alex took a seat on one of the couches and watched me.

“This is a pretty nice house you guys got,” he said, looking around. “I take it you guys never got around to a house warming party yet?”

I laughed and then shook my head. “Not yet.”

“Jack and I will be in town all week,” he reminded me. “We should get you guys all unpacked and get a house warming party going by the weekend.”

“That sounds good.” I said, “Listen, Alex … thanks a lot for helping us unpack. You guys don’t really have to do that you know.”

Alex put up a hand, waving off my words. “It’s no big.” He said. “Keeps the mind off of other things.”

I frowned softly, thinking about the problems he was having with the girl in his life.

“Any progress yet?” I questioned.

Alex shrugged his shoulders and then ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know.” He finally said. “I think I just need to give it some time, let both of us cool down you know?”

I nodded my head, knowing that time was usually the best thing to offer when it came to fights. Not knowing what else to say, I resumed my job of putting all the correct wires back into their proper places so that I could catch up with all my shows that I had missed while I was out on tour.

After a couple minutes of silence, Jack joined us with a look of triumph on his face. “Not only did I convince her to bake us some cookies, but I also got us some root beer floats heading our way.” He said.

“I said ‘maybe’ to the root beer floats,” Dee laughed as she walked into the living room.

I eyed her and found her carrying her purse and winter coat, indicating she was heading out.

“Where are you off to?” I asked.

“The store.” She replied. “I gotta get some things for the cookies.”

“Oh, you’re not making a special trip just for us, are you?” Jack asked, his triumphant look replaced by guilt.

“No, I have to get a few things for dinner too, and drop off a few things with the rents.”

I stood up as she approached me and then took her coat, helping her put it on. When she was done, she turned around reached up, giving me a quick, yet loving kiss. I hugged her as tightly as I could, without putting any pressure on her belly, and then released her.

“Drive safe,” I mumbled.

“I will,” she insisted. “Can you think of anything else you need, or want, at the store?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head, “I think I’m good.”

Dee stood on the tips of her toes and kissed my cheek one last time before she turned to Jack and Alex. “How about you boys? Any special requests from the store?”

“Hey,” Jack said, “you’re making us root beer floats. I will be contempt for the rest of the day.”

Dee laughed quietly and then shook her head as she tried to keep her smile from getting any bigger. “Alright, I’ll see you guys in a few.”

As soon as we heard Dee close the door behind her, Jack looked up at me with a smile on his face. “I know I’ve only met her yesterday, but I swear I could have grown up with Dee.” He said. “She’s just so, well … cool!”

“I told you,” I grinned, “you telling me you didn’t believe me that whole time?”

“Well…” Jack shrugged his shoulders. “Honestly, not really. I feel bad for doubting you though. It kind of makes me what to buy you guys something as an apology for not believing you. And by ‘you guys’ I mean Dee.”

“I have been thinking about getting her a dog,” I joked.

“Done,” Jack said, “where’s the nearest animal shelter?”

I stopped fiddling with the DVR and looked over my shoulder at my friend. “Seriously?” I asked.

“Yeah, why not?”

“I … well … okay.” I said. “I’ll get my coat.”

As I headed toward the hallway closet, I secretly couldn’t help but wonder if Dee would get mad about a dog. Her mood seemed to change so rapidly during the pregnancy now that it was hard to predict how she would react. Hopefully this was a good decision, otherwise Jack would go back to Maryland with a new dog.