Talent Hall

“Crack three eggs,” Lisa says as she flips the page in her cookbook. I do as she and the book say and crack the eggs, placing the hard eggshells in a bowl we’re using for what needs to be disposed. Part of the yoke lands on my thumb, but falls into the bowl. I smile and watch Lisa dump some chopped walnuts in the Brownie torte mixture. Then I add the butter and two cups of freshly sliced strawberries and start mixing everything together. Lisa rubs soothing circles on my back and moves the dishes to the sink and runs hot water while I continue to mix.

Last night when I said I was hoping Aiken would wait until the two of us are alone to lay down some ground rules and father to boyfriend threats… Well I guess I had high hopes for that. We’re having a family dinner and Kayiah and Aiken are invited. It’s a recipe for him to threaten and show me his gun. Lisa tells me she’s known him for a while and that I have nothing to worry about, but any boy who is crushing on a girl knows better than to believe such folklore. We may have only spoken a few times and he was smiling at me at the red carpet the other night, but he’s a father. He has a reason or two to want to have the talk with me. Either he hates me for wanting to date his daughter or he hates me because he believes I might take her away from here and make her into a disobedient rebel. Neither one of those assumptions sound good.

Angelia turns the chicken over in the greasy and popping pan, sprinkling some type of seasoning salt all over the side facing the ceiling. Holly hugs Blake’s legs and pouts, her eyes glued to the floor. Lia sighs and take a sip from her sprite. Lia’s been acting… different. She could be okay, but it seems like something is wrong. She almost refuses to look me in the eye. Part of me wants to believe I’m being paranoid, but I highly doubt it this time.

Holly’s been kind of mouthy. It’s strange for her because she’s usually submissive and obedient. Normally does whatever Blake and Lisa ask of her, which isn’t much since they do everything and she’s only five. She’s such a good girl. It scares me that she’s acting out like this. It’s something we’re not used to. It’s very unexpected too. I wonder if the reasoning behind Holly and Lia’s behaviors are connected somehow.

Blake stirs the boiling vegetables and smiling glancing between Lia and I. “So the awards are coming up. How do you guys feel about it? Excited? Energetic?”

“Nervous.”

Lia smiles and pokes my cheek. “You’ll do great. I know you will. It can be nerve wracking. I just hope I do well in front of the world.”

“Get real, Lia. You’re painting on a white canvas. I have to dance and not trip over a flat stage. If anyone should be nervous, it’s me.”

“Bull.”

Lisa giggles. “You’re both very talented. We’re very proud of both of you. Don’t sell yourselves short. If they know talent, they’ll acknowledge you both.”

I’m tempted to mention that we are acknowledged for our talent if we’re in London because only those talented enough are here, but manage to hold my tongue. Good thing too because she can give a speech about how amazing Lia and I are, and I’m not trying to hear it again.

Blake grins and pulls Lisa into his arms, kissing her softly. He seems to forget about Holly hugging his legs and I think she knows that. She whispers to him and then flash a bright smile at Lia and I, like whatever they’re whispering and smirking about pertains to us. We glimpse at each other and chuckle nervously.

“They say good news help with anxiety.”

“Depends on the good news, I guess,” Lia states. “What is it?”

Blake and Lisa share another kiss before Lisa delivers the good news. “I’m pregnant.”

The room falls into dead silence until the chicken or steak or whatever meat Lia’s making starts to pop. I smile and cover my mouth. Lia is just as happy as I am, but Holly isn’t. She’s staring at Lisa in disbelief. Maybe anger. She isn’t responding physically so a few things could happen. She could become rebellious. She could be a mean sister to her sibling. She could break car windows and make Blake and Lisa pay for it.

It’s beautiful news. They’re having a baby together. Blake is so happy and excited about it. This is all he’s ever wanted. A woman to love and cherish. A home full of joy. A child to care for. Sure he loves Lia and I, but he has a baby to care for from Lisa. If that isn’t something to look forward to in a committed relationship, then I don’t know what is.

“That’s beautiful news, guys,” I say “I have a cousin coming. It’s amazing.”

“I feel bad for her,” Lia smirks. “She has a crazy dad that will threaten her totally innocent boyfriend.”

“Don’t be jealous, baby girl. I’ll threaten yours too when the time comes. Don’t worry.”

“You’re too kind, Daddy.”

I snicker and take a deep breath, pointing a finger at Blake, not believing what they’re trying to say. “Wait, you? Threaten someone? Yeah, right.” He raises an eyebrow. “I’ve known you long enough to see how you really are twenty-four seven. There’s no way you’rethe type to harm or threaten someone.”

“Harm, no because I’m not going to prison for the scum of the earth, but threaten…? I’ve done it before, Danny. There was this kid Lia was crushing on at the beginning of freshman year and I might have, possibly threatened to shoot him when they went to an ice skating rink. He never came back around.”

The thought of Blake threatening someone and proving he has a gun makes me laugh so hard I’m on the ground, pounding the floor. Blake, Lisa, and Lia just stare at me. Holly doesn’t seem to think much of it. Lisa picks up the bowl and mixes the torte, rolling her eyes. It must be done because Lia dips her finger in and licks the mix, her eyes lighting up. I try to take some deep breath and stand up.

“That was the funniest thing I’ve ever heard come out of your mouth since I met you.”

He rolls his eyes. “You didn’t hear me threaten the photographers on the phone before we came to London.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Ha! That wasn’t a threat, Strawberry. You just said he’s lucky Holly and I were behind you. Your point is invalid.”

“Trust me, he’s fully capable, Baby Eyes,” Lisa says.

Lia giggles. “Baby Eyes?”

“Hush… Baby Girl,” I mock, using the nickname Blake has for her. She flicks me in my forehead.

“Alright, I guess we should keep cooking so we can be ready in time for the boyfriend dinner,” Blake says with a wink.

I start to clean up the mess Lisa and I had fun making while she sings and mixes the torte. He laughs and goes back to the stove with Lia and picks Holly up.

“You’ve been quiet. How do you feel about a younger brother or sister, sweetie?”

She looks down and whimpers a faint answer. “No…”

“No?” Blake whispers.

“No, Daddy! Not another baby! You can’t,” she screams, jumping down from Blake’s arms and leaving the room without another word. Lisa looks down at her stomach and takes a deep breath. Blake sighs and is about to run after her until I beat him to the door and ask he keeps working He thanks me and goes back to stove. Holly sits by the window and looks down at the black and white tiled floor. As I sit next to her. She weeps and covers her eyes. I pat her back lightly and sigh softly, clearing my throat.

“You must think I’m a terrible child.” I shake my head and even chuckle a little.

“That was nothing compared to how I was when I first met Caleb. You’re five and I was twelve at the time. That’s a seven year age difference, Holly Ryan. Trust me, you aren’t a terrible child at all.”

“I have a tough time believing you could be that bad. You and Caleb are best friends, Danny. You guys talk nearly every day.”

“But we weren’t always that way, Holly. It’s a long story to explain.” Do I really want to go through my mistakes and regrets with a five year old just so she understands why I don’t want her to act out like she’s been doing?

She sighs. “We have a while before Kayiah and Aiken will be here.”

I notice Blake in the doorway, keeping his eye on both Holly and I, and the food on the stove.

“I was twelve when Caleb came into my Mom’s life. At the time, I was afraid he would hurt Mom or even me. I’ve had that irrational fear since I was five or six. I don’t recommend behaving like this and it’s because I’ve done it. But I was rude to him. Come to think of it, I’m surprised he didn’t just sell me for money instead of giving me to Lisa and Blake. I threw paint balls at his car and put a paint balloon in his steering wheel so that when he honks…” Holly winces. “Yeah… Don’t make the mistakes I’ve made, kid. I also dumped hot sauce in his coffee.” She covers her mouth. I peek back at Blake and his eyes widen too. He looks down at his coffee mug and stares at me. The scary thing is he’s staring at me like he’s afraid to leave his coffee sitting with me around.

“Anything else or were you generous to only do that?” Holly asks.

I laugh.“I was a twelve year old boy with an irrational fear and some anger and jealousy issues. Generous is the last thing anyone would call me at the time.It sounds… crazy, but I was afraid. Fear can make you do some crazy things. I almost don’t forgive myself for doing that to this coffee. I thought if I acted out enough, my Mom might notice, dump Caleb, and he would be gone and out of our lives. One thing I didn’t realize at the time was he could be gone, but the fear would stay until I learned to deal with it.”

Now Blake just looks sympathetic, but I’m sure he’ll be hiding his coffee mug from me until I’m twenty one and living on my own. He might not trust me after that either.

“Looks like it didn’t work. Am I right?”

“I got attention, but it wasn’t the attention I was hoping for. She did notice and she listened, but she didn’t dump him. She told me to give him a chance and try to get to know him. She swore on her best friend’s grave I would love him. And she was right. I do. I’m glad she didn’t dump him when I told her to.”

She gasps. “Weren’t you in trouble?”

I laugh. “Lots of it,They were more upset with me ruining his coffee and burning a fifty dollar bill. I had to give up my allowance. Fifty dollars to pay him back. I cleaned his car. Made him new coffee and he had to watch to make sure I didn’t poison it. Gave up my right ear and Caleb an apology. Then I lost my YouTube privileges.”

She winces.

She knows the pain of living without YouTube. We’re both pretty dependent on YouTube and Netflix. She’s a barbie and play-doh type of girl and I stick to YouTubers, Vlogs, and weird factual videos like top ten channels.

“Ouch. The worst punishment in history. What did you ever do to get past it?”

“Wasn’t easy. Mom made me play outside and took me to the park twice a week. To me, being outside my room was torture. Especially since I was in trouble. I almost never left my room otherwise.”

“Well, not much has really changed. You still don’t leave your room. You only make exceptions for practice, school, and Kayiah. Not even food is that important to you.”

I shrug. “Point taken,” I say.

She softly sighs. “I’m just scared Daddy will forget about me. My mom has a baby and hates me. She forgot about me. I don’t blame her. I’m probably easy to forget about, but Daddy is all I have left. Biological wise. I can’t lose him. He’s the only one who understands what Mom is really like. He can’t have a baby and forget about me. He just can’t.”

“He won’t forget you, Holly. I know he won’t. He loves you so much. If he’s going to forget any one of us, it would be me.”

“Don’t say that.”

I grin. “But if he did forget about you, we’ll kidnap Lia and live in a treehouse in the forest until he remembers.”

She jumps in my arms. I wrap an arm around her. The door creaks open slowly. Aiken closes it after Kayiah stands on the other side, holding a chocolate cake. I kiss her cheek, take the cake from her, and shake Aiken’s hand. Well, I guess we didn’t need to make a torte.

“How are you doing, Mr. Ross?” I ask with a smile.

“Please, call me Aiken,” he chuckles. “Danny, I want you to be as comfortable as possible when I threaten you for dating my daughter.” His smile makes me feel less anxious about what he could say.

“I appreciate your act of kindness, Aiken.”

He picks up a giggling Holly from me and carries her to the kitchen, asking her if she’s behaving herself. She glances at me and then nods her head. I snicker and carry the cake to the dining room. Lisa’s placing the torte in the center of the table and sniffs it.

“Hope you’re not allergic to chocolate, Danny,” Kayiah says. “My idea of a nice family dinner doesn’t involve a dead boyfriend.”

“That might put a damper on things,” I laugh.

Blake runs to the living room and stares at me in shock, says something about me having black magic or just being good with kids. He’s the second person to mention me having some type of magic. “How did you do it, Danny?”

“My mom took a parenting class when I was twelve, maybe before I turned thirteen. The instructor told her that kids cause trouble or are acting out for a reason. It may be a stupid reason, but there’s a reason.”

“Wow.”

Kayiah changes the subject, probably feeling awkward about not knowing what’s going on. “There’s a lot of dessert. Will we even eat all of this?” I shrug. “If I had known, I would have made something else.”

“We’ll have more than enough for the royal ball after the awards,” I say.

“Not if I eat it all. They have plenty of chefs. They can always make more,” Lisa says.

“You eat like you’re pregnant,” Kayiah says. Blake, Lisa, and I all grin at each other. She gasps. “You are? Oh, my gosh! That’s amazing. When did you find out?”

“Yesterday. We just wanted to tell the kids today since we’ll all be together.” Blake kisses Lisa’s forehead and wraps his arms around her waist. “We have a few months until we can find out what the sex of our baby is.”

“Doesn’t matter. If Blake fails his duty, I can kill him. Hey, I’m threatening Blake and Aiken’s threatening you,” she says and nudges me. “What an eventful night, isn’t it?”

I shake my head. “You’re so adorable.”

Holly skips to the table and sits down, lightly touching Lisa’s stomach. Blake shakes his head. “Witchcraft…”

Aiken shakes Blake’s hand and hugs him. They spend the next five minutes talking about a football game, work, and how crazy this month has been for everyone. Blake glimpses at me, agrees, and then proceeds to tell him about how I’ve been on my feet more than I’ve been asleep.

“I’ve heard about that. He’s been a busy boy… Haven’t you, Danny? Word’s going around London that you’re inspiring kids in the other kingdoms under Henry’s rule too. Because of that, I won’t threaten you too bad. I admire what you’re doing too. I won’t say this again, but I love you for what you’ve been doing. I mean, you should focus on you now, but it’s sweet on your part.”

“It really is,” Kayiah says. “I don’t know how you managed to do it. I need sleep and coffee before anything else.”

“I can lose sleep, but coffee… Not going to happen. I had more coffee since we got here.”

“Or else he goes crazy. I’ve seen him with no coffee…” Lisa says. “Not a pretty sight.”

“How bad can he be?” Kayiah smirks.

“If we keep him off coffee for three to five days, we could send him to war against The Elimination and he’ll come back with more kids and the king of Savadonia on his knees begging for mercy.”

I glare at Lisa.

Aiken laughs. “I think I like him a little bit more, Kayiah. SR building leadersall over the world will pay big money for a man like that. Should we start training him?”

Blake pats his back. “If Lisa wouldn’t kill me… It’s alright. He’s almost of age to drink, he can make his own choices.”

“He has two more years to go, buddy,” Lisa says with a giggle. “He just turned fifteen too. You’re not sending my baby to war against some psychos. I said that hypothetically.”

“The more mental issues they have, the easier it will be to trick them,” I shrug. Aiken pats my back.

“That’s the spirit, child! He’ll make a fine soldier one day. Now let’s sit. We have much to discuss.”

The rest of us sit at the table. Holly’s already digging into her food. He pats her head. “I know. I’m hungry to, Holly Polly.” I’m fighting the urge not to laugh. It is cute though.

We pass around food and put some on our plates. Everyone has meat on their plates, but me. Lisa is the first person to eat some chocolate. Holly sips on her juice and nibbles on some chicken. Aiken cuts up a piece of chicken and looks to my plate.

“Aren’t you going to eat some real food, kid?” Kayiah looks to Aiken and sighs. “What? It’s just a question.”

“I’m a vegetarian.”

“Isn’t that dangerous? I mean, I hear all these stories about vegetarians not getting enough protein and they end up sick or dying. Have you ever felt… dizzy or nauseous?”

“Aiken,” Kayiah whines.

“Not at all. Cutting meat out of my diet has changed my life. Makes me feel energized,” I say, not feeling the need to mention I starved myself for weeks at a time for two years.

“Well, as long as you’re happy I guess. I do admire you vegetarians, but sometimes I think it’s weird. It’s admirable that you guys are so determined to stick to your… diet plan, but I could never do it.”

I nod slowly. Kayiah rolls her eyes and mouths an apology. Aiken takes a bite of his chicken. Blake pours gravy over his and mixes his mashed potatoes with it. I eat some broccoli and take a drink of my glass of water. Lisa smirks at me silently and sips on her water.

“So… based on some of your interviews, it sounds like you have some pretty bad memories in Seattle…”

“You could say that.” Not as bad as Montana though. I’d probably go back to Washington before I go back to Miles City. Dad and Maura ruined my birthplace for me.

“Well, I can assure you, I know how you feel.”

“You do?”

“Absolutely. I don’t talk about this very much, but if we’re going to get along as boyfriend and father, we need to be honest with each other, wouldn’t you agree, Danny?”

“Of course.”

Blake looks down and softly sighs. Like he knows something about this. Well, they are in the same building. I’m sure he does know about his background. More than I know. That’s for sure.

“I had to leave California because of my family. They… they were emotionally abusive. Occasionally, things got physical. They always told me I would amount to nothing. I’m just a dirty cashier at a gas station. That’s where I was at the time until I found another job. Then they told me I was disgrace at the age of seventeen and that life would be easier without me. That I don’t belong there and I never will. I ran away the very next morning. Kayiah has never been to California because of that. The thought of letting my baby girl go there with my family in the state terrifies me. I realize eventually she has to grow up, but for right now, she won’t cross the California border lines for any reason.”

I’m shocked.

I never would have guessed Aiken went through all of that. Whenever I’ve seen him, I only saw a strong head of a building best known for standing up against The Elimination and raising money for the children they’ve inflicted severe pain on. Sure I was bullied without mercy for my overall appearance, but at least I had Mom and Caleb. Even if I didn’t tell them anything about my life at school, I somewhat knew they loved and would support me. He didn’t have that. Not having someone to confide in is enough to drive anyone to the point of literal insanity. I guess everyone has a story they aren’t the most comfortable sharing, but sometimes it’s hard to believe others have dealt with hell in the past. I can’t see Blake or Aiken dealing with that kind of stuff. Or even Lia, but it happened. And they’re stronger because of it.

“Weren’t expecting that, were you?” Kayiah asks. I shake my head. Kayiah turns to Aiken. “He thinks your life is perfect.”

“Not anymore,” I say.

“I’m flattered, but no none has a perfect life,” Aiken says. “A happy life with some bad days is more realistic, but my life has had plenty of downfalls. We’ve all had some of them. I know you have.”

I nod. “Bullying. Psychotic father. Lost my mother in a blood bath. Not feeling I belong anywhere.”

“You were told that too?”

“Every single day. Told me I don’t belong in Seattle.”

“You don’t. You belong at Talent Hall. I’ve seen your dance moves and your paintings. You don’t belong in an ordinary school.” He grins. “Kids like you are the reason this schooling and talent show arrangement, was created,” he continues. “To give the creative kids a place to be themselves. The world isn’t very kind to kids like you. Talent Hall was created to be a safe haven for you guys. I’m proud to be able to help kids like you. Helping one child covers a multitude of my past sins. It makes me happy. That’s one reason I really respect you. You’ve taken a lot of time helping those kids who were afraid and rebellious against the rest of us. How you did it, I’m struggling to understand, but you helped them, and I’m grateful because one of them threatened to have my head on a stick.”

“They’re children. I’m sure their threats were forced and aren’t likely to happen.”

“Forced or not, the kid that threatened him meant business,” Blake adds. “I never heard such a violent threat before…”

“Do you not go outside?”

Aiken laughs.

“You know, you remind me of myself at your age. When I was fifteen, I was slightly sarcastic, but caring.”

“Except he knows how to act his age,” Blake smirks.

“You mean like you totally act your age now?” Aiken asks with a raised eyebrow.

Lisa laughs.

“Kids, don’t be like these two,” Lisa says. Be your own person. Someone better than these two.”

“You love me,” Blake says.

“I do,” she admits. “But it doesn’t mean I want the kids to act just like you.”

After dinner, dessert is served and eaten. Brownie torte and the chocolate cake Kayiah and Aiken brought over. Holly is the first to taste both and says we should be on a cooking show. Aiken pinches her cheek and tries the torte for himself. Then he stares at Lisa, demanding to know who made it. Blake points to Lisa and I, smirking. “You know I can’t bake a cookie without burning it. I’m sure you remember Holly’s burnt fundraiser cookies from last year.”

“That smell is still in my coat,” Aiken teasers. “Well, it’s delicious, Lisa and Danny. I didn’t know you could cook, Danny.”

“I can bake. I overcook macaroni and cheese sometimes,” I correct. “But thank you.” Mom tried to teach me how to make macaroni and cheese, but I burnt it the first time. Now I just overcook it and I can’t eat it.

Kayiah giggles and holds my hand under the table. My cheeks go bright red, filling with blush. Lisa pokes my cheek and makes a sizzling sound with her teeth. I glare playfully.

“Overcooked macaroni is six times better than burnt cookies. I’ll tell you that now, kid,” Blake says.

I chuckle. “I could help you.”

“Don’t waste your time. You’ll be throwing a graduation party for your child before he learns to bake anything that’s at least edible,” Aiken says.

“He’s probably right. Holly can bake some brownies for a party and I can’t bake a single cookie that someone could eat and swallow without having to go to the emergency room,” Blake adds.

“I love you anyway,” Lisa says and kisses Blake.

Holly looks at me and fakes a smile. I wink and mouth, “They love you too”.

She nods and reaches for the cake. I’m pretty sure it’s to get Blake’s attention. Either way, she gets it. Blake helps her cut another piece and pours some juice in her cup. She hugs him and gives him a chocolate kiss. Aiken rolls his eyes. Mom and I used to do that when I was really young. I remember having chocolate on my lips. Jack was there, but he was almost never around if that makes any sense. Mom and I would bake. I would have chocolate lips and so would she. Chocolate kiss. Then we’d have to clean up. Jack and the people he worked with at the time thought it was weird. Probably because they never learned to love. Although if Aiken thinks it’s weird, he’s probably never done it. Kayiah’s the only child he’s ever had as far as I know. Maybe he doesn’t have a reason to.

“That’s adorable, but weird,” Aiken says.

“It’s really not,” I say. “My mom and I shared chocolate kisses when I was really young. It’s fun at the time, but I wouldn’t do it now. The memories are enough though.”

“I’ve worked with people who do that.Blake and Holly make it look cute. I guess I could see you doing that if you were younger. A woman I work with does it with her four year old every time they bake cookies.”

Angelia sighs and smiles. “This is weird…” Kayiah raises an eyebrow. “I never pictured you two would end up together. I kind of suspected you guys had some crushes, but not on each other. I pictured you two with different people. Not sure why, but I pictured you, Danny, with Kamron and then Kayiah with a bunch of cats.”

“I did too,” Lisa admits. “As long as I’ve known you, Kayiah, you’ve been the independent woman type to never date and always have a kitten and a book. Of course, that might not change. Danny, a rule thumb, respect a woman’s cat.

“Yes,” Aiken says. “I’m telling you this as a good Samaritan, not your girlfriend’s father. Disrespecting any woman’s cat is not something I recommend. I promise you, anything I tell you is for your own good. I’ve made plenty mistakes and I don’t want you to repeat them. For you and for Kayiah. Seriously. That’s a brutal way to go. I almost threatened to throw away her stuffed kitten, mittens… I’ve never seen an eleven year old act so much like the devil in all of my years as a manager over a rebellious building, and I’ve done this for a long time.” Kayiah flashes a perfect and angelic smile. “I pretty much starting calling her spawn of Satan after that. Lia, you know how she is.”

“Don’t have to remind me,” she giggles and then clears her throat. “Now I’m in a tough position here. I’m Danny’s cousin, but I’m Kayiah’s best friend. All I can say is both of you, be smart. I don’t have a problem screaming at both of you.”

Blake wipes an imaginary tear. “That’s my girl. So Aiken, what do you think? About those two?”

Aiken wipes his face with his napkin. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about Danny. From you guys, the king, queen, princess and just about everyonein London right now. I think we would know if he was a bad match for my daughter. I give them my blessing to date.”

His statement causes a wave of relief to wash over me, but at the same time, it feels like my lungs are being crushed.