#i just think alex wearing sunglasses is much funnier

[not-a-heretic]

me too alex.

[calumance]

omg pls write something about soccer mom’s who drool over cal when he and the reader watch their games but they get shut down when cal only has eyes for his baby mama 😍😍😍

I had a completely different idea of how I wanted to write this until I started writing it, and then this is what it turned into 😂😂

        Calum was sitting outside, Aiden was swimming in the pool, and Logan was running around the yard kicking the soccer ball that belonged to Aiden around. “Just come to the game with me,” You told you best friend, Alex, over the phone. “It’s actually hilarious to watch all of the soccer mom’s drool over Calum. It’s like they think I can’t see it, but I see it. Also, the boys need to see their Auntie Alex.”

        Alex laughed into the phone. “Okay, what time should I be there?” You gave Alex all the details just as Calum looked up from his book and smiled at you from a far. Alex continued talking into your ear but you were focused on Calum. He was wearing a pair of black swim shorts, and no shirt. He shielded his face from the sun by wearing a black bucket hat and a pair of sunglasses. His dark skin, which was still slightly wet from the last dunk he took, glistened in the sun. You bit your lip and tilted your head, who in their right mind wouldn’t drool over Calum?

        On Saturday morning, while Calum loaded the car, you prepared iced coffee for him, Alex, and yourself. You skipped down the front steps of the house just as Calum finished buckling Logan into the car. “Your coffee, my love.” You cheered as you handed him his cup.

        “Ah, thank you, this is just what I need.” Calum kissed your cheek and took a long swig of his coffee. You flicked your hair out of your face and pushed your sunglasses up on your nose before climbing into the car.

        There was a group of soccer mom’s that were at every game. You knew by the fact that none of them had wedding rings that they were all single. They loved Calum and it honestly just made you laugh to watch. As you pulled into the parking lot of the fields, you spotted Alex’s car immediately. Seeing Calum’s car, Alex popped open her door and started grabbing her things out of the back seat. The second Calum stepped out of the car, the same group of mom’s turned and stared. You handed Alex the iced coffee you prepared her and nodded your head towards the group of mom’s, “Watch this.”

        Alex nodded and sucked on the iced coffee. Aiden ran towards the field while Calum unbuckled Logan and set him on the ground. Calum handed you your lawn chair, then grabbed his own and then the cooler full of snacks and water. Calum held out the hand that wasn’t holding onto his coffee and waited for you to grab it. You laced your fingers with his and he smiled, heading through the grass towards the edge of the field. He nodded towards the group of women whose jaws were hung. “Good morning, ladies.” Calum always said good morning to every person he walked by, but every time he said good morning to them, they physically swooned over it. Alex laughed when she saw then women start fanning themselves and giggling.

        Once you found a spot to sit at, you sat in between Calum and Alex and Alex put Logan on her lap. Logan was more than excited to see Alex, she was one of his favorite aunts. The group of moms sat a few feet away, continuing to talk amongst themselves while eying Calum. Calum sipped on his iced coffee as he watched Aiden warm up. Calum loved watching Aiden’s soccer games, it always reminded him of how much he enjoyed the sport. “So, does Calum notice the way they look at him?” Alex asked in a hushed tone.

        You shrugged and looked towards Calum and the group of women. When you turned back to Alex, you laughed. “I don’t think so.” You turned to Calum and gently placed your hand on his arm. He looked at you and raised his eyebrows. “I left my little spray fan in the car, do you mind going and grabbing it for me?” Without a second thought, Calum pushed himself out of his chair and made his way back to the car. The women watched him like hawks, and you looked at Alex, continuing a conversation that you had been having since you sat down. When Calum came back, he handed you the fan and pressed a kiss to your lips.

        After the game ended, Calum invited Alex over to the house. Since she agreed, Aiden begged to drive home with her. You agreed to let Aiden drive with Alex and they parted from you. The car was silent for a while, other than Logan singing to his favorite song in the back seat. You thought about the soccer mom’s drooling over Calum and a laugh slipped out. Calum looked at you and pulled his eyebrows together, “What are you laughing at?”

        You let out another laugh and shook your head. “I need to ask you something,” He responded by nodding and looking back towards the road. “Do you really not see those women swooning over you at Aiden’s games?”

        Calum looked at you and smirked before letting out a single chuckle. “I’d be concerned if anyone there didn’t notice it. They don’t hide it very well.” Your smile dropped, it was funnier thinking that he didn’t know. Knowing that he could see it just made it aggravating. “Why should I pay attention to it when I only have eyes for you?” You felt your cheeks flush and you looked down at your hands. “What? What’s wrong?”

        “It was funnier when I thought you didn’t notice. It made me feel like I had this weird sense of power because it was like ‘ha-ha look at me, I have a hot husband.’” You shrugged and looked out the window.

        Calum laughed and reached over to grab your hand. “Well, if you look at it that way, touch my butt in front of them or something.”

        You laughed and looked over at him. He raised his eyebrows and you lifted his hands to your lips and kissed his fingers. “Ha-ha, look at me, I have a perfect husband.” You kissed his fingers again before he let go of your hand and gently pinched your chin before resting both hands on the steering wheel.

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

Tag list: @mantlereid @notinthesameguey @viiirg0 @wheniminouterspace @thinkofmehlgh @another-lonely-heart @limer-encia @itsmytimetoodream @babyoria

[whatareyousearchingfordean]

Happiness Begins

Part 23

Chapter Summary: It turns out going home to Austin wasn’t all it cracked up to be. Elsewhere, Jensen has an interesting conversation with an old friend. 

Warnings: Language, angst, dealing with mental health issues

Word Count: 3.2K+

Author’s Note: I just want to start here by reiterating that this is a work of fiction and should be treated as such. I mean no harm to Danneel or her beautiful family, and I have a zero-tolerance policy on this blog. I see and legit forms of hate towards any wife and you are blocked. That being said, I hope you enjoy this part xoxo Alex

Catch up with the series masterlist and check out Alexandra’s Library for more works by yours truly. 

Two months later…

When Y/n had stepped onto the tarmac in Austin, she had believed wholeheartedly that this could be a fresh start for her. Or at the very least, she hoped going back to her status quo would help to dull that empty feeling she now held in her chest. And it had worked, at first. Catching up on everything had been just the distraction she was looking for, but as time went on and the workload steadied off, it became harder for her to mask all the emotions.

It was something she had done numerous times before. A coping mechanism that as much as she knew how unhealthy it was, she always found herself reverting back to. This time was no different, and Y/n had found herself working herself into the ground. She was doing everything she could to make sure that work was all that could consume her thoughts, which turned out great in the end for Et Cetera. 

Last week, she had received an email from the conglomerate Coty, one of the world’s largest beauty brands, requesting a meeting with her and her lawyers. Obviously, she had been immediately interested, the butterflies in her stomach on full alert even after the meeting had ceased. 

 “Just… think about our offer. We don’t need an answer right away, we understand that this is a big decision for you. We hope to hear from you soon.” Mr. Baltussen, the CPO for Coty, slid her over a copy of his business card along with the legal documents that spelled out their offer. 

“Of course, thank you.” Y/n nodded her head as the small group of executives let themselves out of the conference room. As the door closed behind them, she snapped her head to her lawyer next to her, who already had her nose in the paperwork. 

“What do you think?”

“I think this all looks pretty legitimate. Y/n this is a more than generous offer.” Her lawyer’s eyes quickly scanned the words before flitting up to meet Y/n’s. 

“So you think I should accept it?”

“Honestly?” Y/n nodded, pleading for an honest answer. “Only you can make that decision, but this says to me that no matter what decision you make, you’ll be just fine.”

“Damn, I was hoping for a more definite answer.” She dropped her head into her folded arms on the table top.

“Sorry I couldn’t be of more help, but I’m here for you no matter what.” 

 That conversation had been all that she thought about for the rest of the night and was the first thing on her mind when she had woken the next morning. Having the day off, since it was the weekend, meant she had more time to dwell on it. At first, she had been adamant about declining their offer, but the more she thought about it the more appealing it became. After all, her method of shoving everything down to avoid feeling was no longer working for her. Being in Austin, where he also lived, tended to grate on some of her nerves. She often found herself tense when out in public, which she fully understood how irrational it was, afraid that she would run into him somewhere. Her heart just wasn’t ready for that quite yet. Even with her and Jared talking again, things still hurt. He was family and she would never be able to get away from him, but Coty was offering her the ability to get about just as far away as she could from the mess she had created. 

Y/n had pulled her laundry from the drier as she went about doing her weekend chores. She plopped onto the couch with the basket in front of her and turned on the news for some background noise. The program was just finishing up as she paid no attention to it and its switch to Entertainment Tonight. She was just about finished with folding when the host’s words caught her attention. 

“Coming up next, Supernatural star Jensen Ackles and ex fiance Danneel Harris caught cozying up to each other for lunch in downtown LA.” Y/n snapped her head up to the tv and dropped the panties in her hand back into the basket at her feet. She searched blindly for the remote to turn up the tv as the program returned. 

“The two ex lovers were seen having what seemed like a friendly, and funny, lunch together. Could this be the start of a rekindling romance? Only time will tell as their reps declined for comment.” Images of the two flashed across the screen, paparazzi photos of the two of them, both had wide smiles on their faces as they sat next to each other on a patio table. A pair of sunglasses sat on both of their faces, but even she could see the small crinkles around his eyes from that beautiful smile on his face. 

Her heart sank into her stomach as she sat back on her couch and pulled her knees into her chest. All those emotions she had fought so hard to push down were now bubbling back up to the surface and threatening to explode out of her throat in a sob. Tears pricked at the corner of her eyes as she fought the stinging in her nose. 

Deep down she knew she had no right to feel the way she was. After all, Jensen had ended things with her, and she certainly didn’t leave the door open for him to come running back in. But all she could think about was his promise to her, his promise that he was over the one woman that had the pleasure of wearing his ring on her finger. The images on her television now told her a different story, though, and that brought up every insecurity in her. 

What was it that Danneel had that she didn’t? There were the obvious physical differences that she wouldn’t even dare to delve into in her fragile state. But what else about her made her more desirable? Was she smarter, funnier, better in the bedroom…

Ugh! Y/n ran her hands through her hair, tugging gently at the roots. She was so far beyond over feeling like this. She was supposed to be better at handling herself when she got this way, but more so, she was supposed to be over comparing herself to other women. It had been so long since she had relapsed like this, and she had reached her breaking point. Y/n was not okay anymore, and she needed help. 

****

Y/n rifled through her living room, tossing pillows and cushions from her couch. She had been so sure that she had left her laptop on the coffee table when she went to bed last night. It was nowhere to be found. Not in her bedroom, living room, not even in her kitchen. 

“Damn it.” she growled to herself. There was no more time to look for it, she had to be at Jared and Gen’s soon, so she would just have to push back this search until later. Quickly she put her house back into a semi clean order and ran out the door. Luckily, her brother didn’t live too far from her and she was still on time when she pulled up in their drive. 

Three little bodies had the front door pulled open before she could even open her car door. “Aunt Y/n!” Odette was the first one out the door. Y/n knelt down in front of her niece, sweeping her up into her arms and squeezing her tight. It had been longer than usual since she had seen Jared and his kids, in person at least. Things were still… tense to say the least between them. They were still working on their issues… slowly. 

Y/n picked up the toddler and made her way inside, hugging the boys as she went. Gen was waiting just inside the door, offering her a tight hug as well. 

“We miss you around here, you know that?” Gen smiled as she let down Odette and the kids ran off to continue what they were doing before she had pulled up. 

“I know. We are getting there.” Y/n agreed, it really had been too long. She missed her family more than she had thought. They had been so close since forever, that she never understood what it was like to be at a distance from them. 

“Then come around more often, please?” Gen urged her sister in law to follow her into the kitchen. 

“Gen,” Y/n tried, casting her glance away from the woman who was pleading with her. That was the last thing she needed to hear right now. “I have some news.” 

“Should I grab Jared…” She started towards the stairs that lead to their second floor before Y/n moved to stop her. 

“No please, just listen.” Gen leaned against the island, giving Y/n her full attention. “I had a meeting on Friday with executives from Coty. They uh,” She chuckled, still in disbelief that this was even happening. “They want to buy my majority shares in Et Cetera.” 

“Wow, Y/n that is huge.” Genevieve’s word’s didn’t match the inflection in her voice or the crease that appeared between her brows. She was just as skeptical as Y/n had been when they first presented her the offer. 

“That’s not all. Coty offered me a VP position where I would be in charge of US operations. My lawyer said it’s a more than generous offer since I get a seven figure salary plus benefits and bonus’, not to mention the money from the sale of my shares.” Y/n played with the fruit in the bowl in front of her. 

“There’s more, isn't there?” The woman was too smart for her own good, Y/n thought to herself. Of course Gen picked up on that fact that she was holding something back. 

“I would need to relocate to New York.” Her face scrunched up as she prepared for some sort of outrage or surprise from Gen, but nothing came. Her next words were softer than she deserved.

“Do you want to accept the offer?” 

“I didn’t, at first.” Y/n admitted. That was the easy part, admitting to what had changed her mind on the other hand would be a lot more difficult, because she didn’t even want to admit it to herself. “But I don’t know now. It feels like everyone around me is moving on with their lives while I’m just stuck on some sort of endless corporate hamster wheel. I don’t feel the excitement for what I do anymore. Hell, I don’t feel anything anymore. Moving to New York could be just what I need.”

“And what about us? What about your family here in Texas.” 

“We have facetime. And I’ll always just be a plane ride away. I mean, it's not like I’m going to Yemen or something. We will have the holidays too.” The catch in her voice broke on her last sentence. She didn’t know who she was trying to convince more, herself or Gen. 

“Is this about Jensen?” Gen stood up straighter, her head cocking slightly as she spoke. 

Y/n huffed, what a stupid question. “Of course it is. He’s clearly moved on, our time together just a distant and horrible memory. Why shouldn’t I be afforded that same luxury?” 

“Come on, you don’t really believe that? Y/n, you have worked so hard for everything you have. And it is all yours, right here in Austin, where your family is too. Why throw all that away over some guy?” Gen’s hand found its way to Y/n’s shoulder, her fingers squeezing the flesh there to try and ground her. She hated seeing her making emotional decisions, especially ones that would affect not only her. 

“Jensen wasn’t just some guy, Gen. But I did lose him, and I’m trying my damndest here to move on, but I just haven’t found the ability to do so yet. That’s all I’m looking for.” Y/n cast her gaze down into her lap, where she was now picking at the cuticle on her thumb. 

“And all I’m saying is, don’t make this kind of decision without talking to the people around you. Get all the perspective you can, because I don’t think you are seeing this clearly right now.” 

“I hear you Gen, but I don’t know if I’ll change my mind again.” Gen nodded her understanding, only wishing she could get through to her sister in law somehow. She pulled her into her chest, hugging her again, because she didn’t know what else she could do. 

Neither of them noticed Jared standing on the landing of the stairs, catching every word his sister uttered. His heart sank as he listened to his sister talk. Never before had he heard the defeat in her voice. Y/n was one of the most strong willed people he knew, but she had just… given up. 

Before now, he hadn’t noticed how far she had fallen. But maybe that was because he wasn’t looking. The two of them didn’t talk like they used to, and right now he was feeling incredibly guilty about that. Why hadn’t he seen it before? Was it because all he could focus on was the steam coming out of his own ears when he found out she had been sleeping with his best friend? Or was it because as much as she chastised him for it, he still saw her as his baby sister and not the independent woman she had become. It was not like her at all to give up on something she had been working so hard towards. Y/n was not the type of woman to balk at money, and she certainly wouldn’t be the one to walk away from her family for any amount of it. 

Jared couldn’t see anymore why he had ever been so adamant that the two of them should not be together. Maybe it was because he knew too many of the intimate details of Jensen’s sex life to think about his sister in that way, or maybe it was even because he thought they wouldn’t be a good match. He could see it now though, having known both of them for so long. Jared shook his head at himself for not seeing truly how much those two were made for each other. He had only stood in their way when he should have been playing matchmaker. After all, didn’t he owe it to two of the most important people in his life to help them find their way to each other?

Jared vowed in that moment, he would fix this. He had to fix this. 

 Meanwhile, in Los Angeles...

The waiter set down their plates in front of them with a quick ‘enjoy’ before running off. Danneel bit into the salad placed in front of her, chewing delicalating as she decided on what to say. 

“You know, I have to say I was surprised you called me.” She thought back to his cryptic text that he had sent. ‘I’m in town and need to talk, can we get lunch?’ was all that it said. He had sent her the name of the cafe when she had agreed on meeting him. The two had exhausted the small talk in the time it took for their food to come and she wanted to get straight to the point. 

“I was too, to be honest. But I’ve been thinking a lot lately, and I think you may be one of the few people who can help me.” Jensen took a drink of his water, not looking in her direction. 

“Me? We haven’t exactly been pen pals all this time.” 

“I know, that means you have an outsider's view point on all of this. And you know me better than almost anyone, I trust your opinion.” Jensen stated. Danneel mouthed a ‘wow’ and sat back in her chair, wiping her face with her napkin. 

“This must be big then.” Danneel eyed the man sitting next to her, waiting for him to start with whatever it was he wanted to tell her. 

“God, where do I start, uh… I met this woman.” He began, his hand fiddling with the fork against his plate. 

“Mmmm.” Danneel hummed, the realization finally hitting her. 

“I… she is probably the best thing to ever happen to me. Actually, she’s a lot like you in some ways, brilliant, witty, and beyond beautiful. I fell for her, and I fell hard.” 

“So what is the problem exactly?” 

“I had to break things off with her. I thought what I was doing was best for her and me, but as time has gone on I’m not so sure. I can’t seem to get rid of this churning in my gut.” His tongue jetted out to wet his lower lip as he poured his heart out. This was not an easy thing for him to admit, the last thing he wanted was to hurt Danneel. 

“This girl wouldn’t happen to be Y/n Padalecki, would she?” A small smirk graced her features as Jensen snapped his gaze up to hers. 

“H...How?” 

“Well you weren’t exactly subtle when you ran after her at your birthday. Not to mention both of you were gone for too long and you returned with that little post coitus smirk you tend to get.” Danneel swirled her finger in a circle to emphasize her point. Jensen chuckled under his breath, his head shaking in disbelief. The noise grew in his chest before bubbling up into a full bellied laugh. Danneel couldn’t help but to join in, his laughter having that effect on people. 

“Would you believe that Jared asked me not to get involved with her?” Danneel nodded, she had known Jared for a while, and that did not surprise her at all. “We saw each other behind his back and when he found out, all hell broke loose. The two of them weren’t talking for two weeks.” 

“Oh, Jay…”

“Am I an idiot?” He asked her, his voice soft, as if afraid of her answer. 

“No, you are not an idiot. You’re in love, but you’re not an idiot.” Danneel held out her hand for him across the table. He took it and she squeezed his palm. “Listen, I know what it’s like to walk away from something because it is the best option for both of you, but I also believe that what’s meant to be, will be.”

“What are you saying?” 

“I’m saying if you truly love her and she loves you, you’ll find your way back to each other.” Danneel reiterated. 

“And what if we are too late?” Jensen tried. 

“Then don’t make yourself late. The least you can do is go to her and tell her how you feel. Then it’s in her hands.” 

“You make it sound so easy, Dee.” 

“Oh it’s not.” Danneel dropped his hand. “It’s downright terrifying. But do you want to live your life wondering what if?” Jensen shook his head. “Then go get her.”

Part 24

Forevers: @spn-impala​​ @22sarah08​​ @turtlepad​​ @callmekda​​ @chaldei​​ @hobby27​​ @cowboysnwinchesters​​ @tranquility-or-chaos​​ @pikabootoyouchu​​ @dawnie1988​​ @grease222​​ @awesome-badass-cafeteria-sauce​​ @polina-93​​ @clarinette07​​ @moonlight-babeh​​ @suckerforfanfic​​ @witandnargles​​ @sleepylunarwolf​ @stiles-stilinski-24-dylan​ @geeksareunique​ @akshi8278​ @superfanficnatural​ @malfoysqueen14​ @deanwanddamons​ @waywardbeanie​

Et Cetera: @jbbarnesgirl​ @hillface89​ @arses21434​ @thevelvetseries​ @sslater34​ @mrsirishboru​ @smoothdogsgirl​ @spnfamily-j2​ @encounterthepast​ @facadeformyrealblog  @supernatural-bellawinchester​ @screechingartisancashbailiff​​ @rebeccathefangirl​ @squirrelnotsam​ @heartinmyhead1​ @1d-killed-me​ @samsgirl93​ @deans-baby-momma​ @deanmonandnegansbitch​ @woodworthti666​ @supraveng​ @onethirstyunicorn​ @heartsaved​ @know2grow​ @littlewhiterose​ @surprisinglysarah​ @stoneyggirl​ @carryon-doctor-lock​ @thebookisbtr​ @youaremyfiveever​ @kalesrebellion​ @lilulo-12​ @winchester-fantasies​ @vicmc624​ @supernatural3002​ @winchester-writes​ @maralisa124​ @therollingstoners​ @parinarain​

[joshuazev]

On R&R:

I don’t even know where to start.  

I’ve been fortunate enough to have so many teachers in my life that have made such a huge impact that I carry their lessons with me to this day and will continue to carry for the rest of my life.  Then there are others who don’t necessarily have that formal title, but when you look back at it all and you examine and revel in the memories, you realize—sometimes too late—that they had taught you as well.  

My friend Rodney Rabanal passed away today.  It’s not for me to share how.  It’s only the sickening reality, like so many other deaths before him, that he is no longer with us.  I hadn’t seen Rodney in years.  I had really hoped to see him at the Hamilton Reunion last winter, but he was sick and wasn’t able to make it.  I had hoped to do another reunion soon and looked forward to seeing him there.  He was a wonderful human being.  He had told me on Facebook to “let everyone know I said wassup and wish I could be there” and I’m sure everyone wishes they could have seen him there too.

Rodney was a heavy part of my life from elementary school to the end of middle school.  Off the top of my head I can’t remember which years I had class with him—for sure in fourth grade in Ms. Sawyer’s class.  He had all the energy in the world, knew everyone, and was a friend to all.  In retrospect, I don’t think anyone could have gotten away with wearing a rat-tail, but he could.  It was one of his signatures in those early years.  He had a vibrant personality and it was absolutely contagious.  You wanted to be around him.  Wanted to be enveloped in that energy.  It must have been in those last couple years, fourth or fifth grade, when I really started to hang out with him.  I can remember his house on Corliss Ave. vividly and his wonderful grandparents, whose names I can’t remember, but who had this wonderfully warm, sweet energy that emanated from them as well.  

Rodney taught me how to rock a mustache.  His mustache, like his rat-tail was also one of his signatures and earned him a certain popularity among us youngins.  I know I, for one, wondered how the hell it could be so full and thick when I hadn’t sprouted so much as a whisker.  He was a man amongst boys in that regard.  

Around that time, probably fifth grade or so, my mom, sister, and I went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  It was one of those really fancy resorts with a bajillion rooms and a wide open middle area for the great big pool, equipped with slides and all that jazz.  When I went down to jump in the water I ran into Rodney and his little sister.  It was such a great surprise.  I remember being so happy to see him even though he wasn’t going to be staying there for much longer.  There were  a few photos that were taken; one of which was of me and him at the top of the slide happy as could be and the other was one of him headfirst at the base of the slide right before he was about to dive in.  

In middle school, Rodney elevated his game to another level, connecting with what seemed like everyone and immersing himself as one of the more well known kids in the school.  After school one day later in sixth grade Rodney, another eighth grader and I gathered in the back of the school and Rodney taught me how to smoke some weed.  It was my first time.  At first I didn’t think anything was happening, but after a while of sitting around and giggling I started to trip a little bit.  Rodney sensed that I was reacting a little stronger than normal and we all walked to Durn Good Grocery together to sit down, eat and chill out.  Even though I was high as hell it seemed like he went out of his way to make sure I was OK.  By eighth grade, Rodney assumed his throne as the president of the school and everyone loved it.  He was cool with teachers, especially with Mr. Davis, which garnered him even more respect.  Mustache in full effect, hair long and wavy, the perpetual pair of sunglasses covering his eyes; Rodney was that guy.  Just like in elementary when he seemed groomed for middle school, this was a guy who in middle school was already grooming himself for adulthood.  

Had it not been for baseball I would have probably disconnected with him after eighth grade, but the following year he and I were both selected to be on Sam Stokes juniors North Central squad.  It was an awesome team.  Tyler Johnson, Kyler Korsmo, Max Holmberg, and Matt Stokes among others.  I’m fairly certain Rodney was the fastest player on the team.  I don’t think it was up for debate.  The dude could fly and it was so entertaining watching his feet blaze like the road runner and his long hair kick up behind his hat like a male Flo-Jo.  We used to always do sprints after the games, win or lose.  Rodney loved it.  We’d have to cheat in order to beat him.

Some of the funnier memories I have can be encapsulated into one birthday that occurred around that time.  From the series of pictures I can remember Alex, Jackson, Nathan, Morgan, Ryan, and Rodney.  It was just after we had all returned from the first part of the party in which we went to the pool next to Ballard High School.  It was one of the best places to go swimming because it had a massive rope that hung down that allowed all of us to swing in the middle and drop.  There was a slide too, but it paled in comparison to the rope.  After we got back from the pool we headed home for pizza and Thomas Kemper.  In the midst of drinking our Root Beers and Cream Sodas there were a couple of photos taken on my couch where we all posed for the camera, but one in particular where we all had our backs to the camera and exposed our boxers.  I’ll have to find it.  It was a great idea for a photo.  Shit, I wouldn’t have been surprised if it was Rodney’s idea!  That night he wore a fedora.  I didn’t even know what a fedora was.  Rodney was rockin fedoras in middle school.  Rodney was trying to teach me how to be stylish, but I was too dumb to take notes.  As the night went on and we got closer to sleeping hours, shenanigans ensued.  My brother Jackson told me that at one point Rodney tickled Morgan to the point of tears.  Rodney was the principal spokesperson.  At that age, we’d spend the night at birthdays and never go to bed.  At Morgan’s we’d spend all night playing video games.  At Ryan’s we spend all night getting mayonnaise put in our hair and dicks drawn all over our body.  They were great times.  If you didn’t invite Rodney to a sleepover it didn’t have any potential.  At mine, I think there was a point where my mom, who was sleeping upstairs, had to tell us to be quiet.  I lament her not being able to sleep on behalf of us being blitzed out of our minds on testosterone, Thomas Kemper, and chocolate cake.  

That’s one of the last times I remember being with Rodney.  Through high school and early college I’d see him around every once in a while.  I think there was a time where he worked at Pudge Bros. pizza and during that time I’d see him more often.

Rodney could not be contained.  He was a man long before I ever was.  That energy of his comes around once a blue moon and last time I checked, I haven’t seen any blue moons.  I already miss him.  I selfishly wish on behalf of all of us that that reunion last year was bigger and that we all could have enjoyed him being in attendance.  Laughing with him.  Talking to him.  Seeing how he was doing.  Updating us on his life.  

I remember the time I spent with him in so much detail.  That’s a testament to he was.  Gone, but never ever forgotten.

Rest easy, Rodney.