Chapter 5
There was an ass-ton of kids making their presence known as they ran in circles on Sadie’s front lawn. The high-pitched screams of the children penetrated the once peaceful neighborhood atmosphere while their baby-fat-padded feet scampered across the freshly cut grass. The playful behavior continued undisturbed under the watchful, parental eye of Sadie Alexander.
Jaden and Michaela’s party was in full swing and Sadie was marveling at the plethora of children who had shown up. There were some celebrity kids who didn’t even attend Rutledge, a number of children who were apparently old friends of Michaela’s from Chicago, it was crazy.
Their party guests had started to arrive a half an hour ago, close to two o’clock. Once the guests started to arrive, Sadie agreed to seat herself outside so that she could watch the kids. She also found herself busy with keeping the youngsters’ refreshments filled so that they would not dehydrate from the perpetual running around.
“Momma!” Sadie heard her son’s yell, as he ran over to her from his spot on the grass.
Jaden hopped up onto the picnic table beside Sadie, trying to nestle as close to Sadie’s side as possible. He was smiling from ear to ear as Sadie put her arm around him and ruffled his hair. He was a sweet mama’s boy and this surprise party had really made his day. Sadie was glad she’d agreed to it.
“What’s up, baby boy? Are you having a good time so far?” Sadie asked while taking her thumb and wiping away a smudge of dirt on Jaden’s left cheek.
Jaden hummed in response, giving Sadie a tight hug. The rest of the kids, continued their games on the lawn, seemingly unaware that Jaden had removed himself from their activities. Sadie realized that most of the kids were strangers. Michaela was sitting on a stone talking intently with another girl about something seemingly serious.
“Are you thirsty?”
Jaden bobbed his head up and down, licking his lips as he attempted to reach for a cup. Sadie grabbed the cup that was just out of her son’s reach and filled it with fresh apple juice before she handed it to him. Jaden began to slurp from the cup’s rim when Sadie noticed the side door of the deck slide open.
Michael walked from the deck to the picnic table, coming to a halt behind Sadie. He looked down at her with a soft smile before he relieved himself of his carried load. Michael set a tray of what Sadie assumed to be ‘rabbit food’ on the table’s wooden surface. The platter was loaded with sliced cucumbers, celery sticks, broccoli, baby carrots, and a small bowl of spinach dip.
“You think they’re gonna eat that when pizza is an option?” Sadie snorted.
“I thought a low-sugar organic snack would suit the children’s needs well.” Michael replied in a serious tone.
“I hope you’re right. Last time I checked our kids don’t take well to the greens.”
Michael shrugged before turning toward the kids and presenting his jean clad ass for her inspection. Before today she’d only ever seen him in formal clothing. Seeing how his Henley’s lovingly outlined the broadness of his shoulders, tapering down to that slim waist and then…his ass in jeans…Sadie closed her eyes and thought of diarrhea to counteract the effect.
“Hey, snacks are ready!” Sadie called.
Multiple pairs of little feet scurried over to the picnic table to peek at their new treat. All four of the girls were seated properly, waiting to be served their snacks by Michael. Becky and Katie were sitting opposite to Michaela and Willow, and the platter was resting in the center of the four girls. While the girls were waiting, Sadie began helping them tuck their napkins into their dress top so that they wouldn’t spill food on the elaborate costumes. Jaden and his only male friend in attendance opted to ignore Sadie’s call for snacks and continued to play with their water guns.
Once all the girls were served, Michael and Sadie made their way back inside the house to retrieve the pineapple-topped pizza that was specially ordered for the prize winners. Sadie made sure to tell the girls that she would be going inside for a minute to help with the pizza and that she’d leave the sliding glass door on the deck open in case they needed her for anything.
Sadie hadn’t turned her back for even a full minute when she heard the beginning wails coming from outside. Both she and Michael immediately dropped everything they were doing and rushed out to where they left the kids. When they reached the source of the cries, they were met by party guests soaked in water from head to toe. Their faces were scrunched in misery, tears flowing from the slit corners and long eyelashes.
“What the hell happened here?” Sadie sighed under her breath.
“Daddy, Jaden and Drew sprayed water on us!” Michaela sobbed as she reached out to Michael with small flexing fingers.
“Jaden!” Sadie barked from where she stood.
Struck by sudden fear, both Jaden and Andrew crawled out from their hiding place behind the bushes that framed the far fence. Both boys slowly marched to place in front of Sadie before they came to a halt. Sadie glared down at the frightened boys, making sure to widen her stance and cross her arms against her puffed out chest.
“Jaden Benjamin Alexander and Andrew Scott Hames, just what do you think you boys are doing?” Sadie growled, tapping her right foot against the cut lawn.
Pulling his eyes away from his feet, Jaden met his mother’s glare before mumbling, “We were only joking around; tryna liven this party up.”
“Excuse me?” Sadie was annoyed.
“I said we were only jokin’. Drew said he wanted to help…” Jaden continued to mumble.
Sadie got down on her haunches, making sure she was eye-level with both of the boys in front of her, “You were joking? Do you see how you’ve made everyone wet? Did you want to give them all colds?” Sadie snorted.
“They were just standing around playing stupid games. It’s my party too and Michaela’s friends from before are making it boring.” Jaden explained, twiddling his thumbs against his dirty stomach. Drew nodded in agreement with every word Jaden spoke.
“Yeah, n’ you’re s’posed to have fun at parties!” Drew spoke up finally.
Sadie shook her head, understanding finally dawning on her. Her son misunderstood her meaning when Sadie decided to moan and grumble about having a party for Jaden and Michaela. And leave it to him to come up with a way to possibly end it early or send the stranger kids away at least. This was on her…with her…prejudices. She really would have to do better. Although that didn’t mean Jaden was off the hook.
“Dude, you don’t drench your friends… or her princess friends. It’s not cool. Now I need for both of you to go apologize to those girls over there before they get any more upset.” Sadie motioned for them to go towards the picnic table where the crying girls still sat in wet dresses.
Jaden and Drew slowly sauntered over to the girls. Both of them apologized, bowing their heads while asking for forgiveness. Of course, because Mike’s daughter was so great, she forgave both of the menacing idiots for their actions. However, she and her friends were still very upset over the current outcome of her party.
Holding Michaela tight to his chest, Michael spoke softly, “Sadie, what should we do now? We can’t leave these girls sitting in cold, soaking wet dresses for the remainder of the celebration.”
Sticking her index finger to her bottom lip in a motion of quick thought, Sadie birthed an idea.