Chapter 133 - A Tomorrow Problem

I had just gotten home from work when I got a call from my mom. "Dean can you drop by the house when you get the chance? We need to talk." 

Words you never really want to hear from your parents. I tried to think back if I had done anything to get into trouble but nothing had come into mind. In fact, this is probably the longest I have gone in terms of being on my best behavior.

My routine has been hanging out with Celeste and then working then heading home. Sprinkled in between was me doing my personal activities such as restoring my vintage cars, working out, watching baseball and art.

"Is everything ok?" I placed my phone on the crook of my neck to free up my hands so I could work on dinner. I initially thought about driving over but it was already late. By the time I would get there I would just want to sleep and I hated skipping meals.

"Everything is fine. I just want to discuss with you something that cropped up. We can talk about it over breakfast if you would like? Or maybe lunch if you plan to sleep in." Normally my lunch time was reserved for my dates with Celeste but this time to switch things up we decided on breakfast. 

"Lunch is fine, I will swing by around noon." 

"Oh good, ok see you then! Love you!" It did not seem urgent so my worries lessened. If my mother rushed me home right now or if she and my dad drove over to my place, then I would be concerned. But because none of the previously mentioned criteria were met, it was probably something that could wait.

I ate dinner in peace and once my kitchen was clean I headed over to my room to sleep. Lately my dreams have been good and my sleep even better. 'Huh who would have thought cutting back on partying and all nighters was this good.'

One of the reasons I acted the way I did was that it was a great distraction. The stresses and pressures in my life could be alleviated by cheap thrills. However when I thought about quitting years ago, I was worried I would be more bored and not have a will to keep the change. Now having basically brought down my previous lifestyle for a more 'normal' one, the change was easier than anticipated. More welcomed as well.

I looked at my phone for any last minute texts before sleeping. Celeste and I talked during my car ride home as she was turning in early. But, a good bulk of them were from most of my friends asking when the next event was.

Unlike myself who was not bothered by not partying or drinking. They were. Some were from individuals I was very close with, others from people whose face I have long forgotten. 'Yeah whatever.' I just tossed my phone aside and closed my eyes. 'That will be a tomorrow problem.'

My words though seemingly innocent at the time, manifested int reality. For tomorrow as it turns out lots of problems happened.

I dropped by Celestes for breakfast when I saw a wedding invitation on the kitchen counter. 

"Who is getting married?" I flipped over the card and nearly chocked when I saw the names. "Woah take it easy! Here drink some water." Celeste handed me a glass of water to push down the pancake I had in my throat.

"Those.. two.. sent you.. an invitation! Are they crazy?!?!"

She did not seem to be mad or sad or even happy. Just apathetic about the situation. "If I had to guess I think his mother sent them. Don't worry I am not going, I will be in France at that time for a business trip. Seems my scheduling team worked out well this year."

There was a lot to process from her sentence. One being that she is not attending the wedding. Which thankfully I was hoping for as I already knew it was going to be a shitshow. And she did not need to be there for that. The second part however, caught me off guard.

Celeste almost rarely made business trips. Most of the things she needs are sent to her as heer parents like to keep her close. So if she was going especially as far as France. It must be important. "Oh really? Thats cool. Damn I wish I could go, being in the city of love with you sounds like a dream." 

She pinched my cheek teasingly. "Its a business trip. And before you ask no, I did not make one up. I have had these plans for a while but my flights got confirmed more recently. It will only be for a week as I have to come back for Christmas as we will be celebrating here."

Ahh our first Christmas. I want to get her a nice gift but I may need to enlist some help as I am not the best gift giver. After all, Celeste had to help me with my moms birthday gift a few months back.

"Did you get invited as well?" 

I thought back on the mail I grabbed yesterday but none looked like Celestes invitation and from what I recall it was all bills or marketing flyers. However, the call my mother gave me the night before popped into my head.

"Hmmmmmmm maybe. I think it might be at my parents place. But don't worry. I am not planning to go either. I doubt they would want me there anyways." Again my words which were innocent at the time really manifested yet again.

When I got home for lunch I had forgotten about the invitations until my mom passed me hers. "Look what came in today." Her voice was strained and even my father who was also home for lunch looked miffed at the envelope.

My mom and dad were listed but I was not. On Celestes invitation herself and her parents were listed so I knew for a fact that they did not want me there. So it seems only my parents were welcome.

"I can almost guess but hit me with it anyways. Did you get your own invitation Dean?" If there was one thing my mother hated more than anything in the world was when she felt her son was being slighted or made fun of.

"Nope."