Chapter 18

(Dion)

You Started It

Holy…. shit.

An ocean of people filled the park. That was the only way Dion could describe it. There were lines at every slip n' slid and almost every booth. There wasn't a single parking spot to be seen, but what Dion did spot was sidewalks full of people migrating from shop to shop. He didn't have much time for looking through, not when the line in front of the Chili-Pops food truck was at least twenty people deep and had stayed steady since they'd kicked things off two hours before.

"ACK! Mercy! Mercy!"

He nearly smacked a gloved hand to his forehead when he caught sight of Blaze's antics as the face in the shark mouth. He'd shown up and decided to allow his natural silliness to shine through, and just as they'd expected, he was a huge hit with the kids.

Dion kept refilling the trays in front of his station, where paper bowls of today's sides, mango-habanero salsa and Pop's avocado infused fiesta corn salsa were the choices of the day. So far, the sliders were as hue a hit as Blaze in the shark's mouth and Pops had already put a call in to the restaurant to get more supplies delivered. The only drawback to being stationed in the truck was that he hadn't seen Angel since the event began and he was desperate to see the joy in his boy's eyes over how successful it was.

He'd seen Bella though, his sister had hurried past about fifteen minutes ago, carrying two cases of bottled water, probably for the performance tent. The day was shaping up to be every bit as beautiful as the weatherman had promised meaning the slip n' slide use wasn't likely to slow down anytime soon.

Good.

Laughter rung out around them and people waved at him that he didn't even remember, but it felt good that he remembered him. In time, he'd know all their names again, and couldn't wait to see them at Chili-Pops and catch up on all the stories they had to share.

Scoop.

Add a spoon.

Scoop.

Add a spoon.

He reached the bottom of another salsa container and immediately reached in the cooler for a replacement, taking note of how many they had left. More ice was coming too, alone with additional paper products, and it was a good thing too because there had to be at least thirty people in front of the truck now.

Somewhere in the park, Julio and Peter were passing out samples and coupons for the restaurant and the food truck, which no doubt contributed to the steady steam of people coming their way. All the food trucks were doing good business though. Not a single one was without a customer. Dion waved to Macy Green in the boba tea truck the next space over. They'd been as busy as Chili-Pops, if not more so. Everyone loved those flavor-filled pearls and with the strategic placement of it between the Chili-Pops sliders and Lazano's Pizza, people were flocking there to get refreshments to go with their meals.

The way Angel and Bella had tackled the placement of booths and trucks had been magical to behold. He'd been worried when they'd told him they planned to do it the morning of the event, rather than the night before, but he'd also agreed that they needed a break and a relaxing evening before the chaos of the day. What he hadn't realized was that all the conversations about how they wanted to stagger the different business had allowed them to formulate a plan without ever drafting something up on paper. One read off the business, the other placed the number in the diagram and wrote down the name. In no time at all, they'd made it so that none of the three frozen treat venders were on the same side of the park, none of the clothing boutique booths were near one another, and the feuding Frost brothers, who arguably made some of the coolest pottery he'd ever seen, couldn't even see one another from where the booths for their respective shops were positioned.

Of course, some asshole had to pipe up and complain that the Frost's had two booths, but Mrs. Patterson from Stitches fabric shop loudly shot that down the amusement of everyone gathered. The way she'd suggested that he go over and explain to Tyson Frost why he needed to share a booth with his brother Omar and Omar's wife, who happened to be the mother of Tyson's son, had left people in stitches. The red-faced complainer had shut his mouth and not said another word until the meeting was finished, and promptly hurried off to his booth the moment he was free to do so.

Some people.

Fuck.

Fortunately, those who had shown up to the event had all been on their best behavior so far, but there were still ten hours left to go in the event, and plenty could go wrong in that amount of time, especially once the sun went down. He just prayed everyone remembered the sense of community they'd hoped to foster.

"Where should I put everything Mr. Dion?"

He turned to see Shawn Jinkins holding a large box, eyes skimming the busy interior of the truck. He'd already proved to be a dedicated worker. Quick to learn, even tempered and easy to direct. When he had questions he asked them and made sure he understood the task he'd been assigned before he jumped in and tried to do it.

"What's in the box?" Dion asked.

"Bun."

"On the shelf over the sandwich station, where Asha is."

While he hurried over, Dion got back on task keeping the side trays filled. In no time at all he'd restocked everything, carefully maneuvering around everyone without a single misstep and even filling in for a few minutes at the sandwich station while Asha made sliders and Pops took a much-needed break.

Definitely a good addition to the team.

Two hours later he returned with more supplies and again two hours after that, only he stayed then, taking Blaze's place in the shark mouth when it was time for Blaze to get ready for his performance. Dion couldn't wait to see all the videos from the stage shows, especially the fire dancers who'd be closing out the event. Ajay had insisted on not being the finale, despite how hard Angel had tried to push him into doing it. It had taken the combined efforts of Bella and Dion to persuade him that Ajay's reason was sound. Music was awesome and all, he'd explained, but people could go anywhere and hear it playing. Fire dancing was a unique experience and for that reason alone, should hold the final spot of the night. Considering how spectacular the demo had been when they'd interviewed the fire dancers, it would be an awesome treat for everyone who stayed around that long.

Splat. Splat. Splat.

Dion glanced left to see a drenched Shawn laughing behind the shark right before he stuck his head back through the hole and made faces at the kids. It was obvious that he had younger siblings, the way he was able to entice them into a frenzied volley of water balloons. Dion was glad to see him being a good sport about the whole thing and having fun with it. That was the vibe they strove for at Chili-Pops. That and family.

"Hey man, ain't seen you in forever!"

"Hey bro!"

"Oh, my god Moesha you look amazing, is this the little one?"

"Stevie…Stevie, slow down son, I don't want to lose you in this crowd."

"Leith where have you gotten to this time! You better find a place to sit down and wait for me!"

Dion giggled at that and glanced around to see if he could spot the man who probably tapdancing on his Daddy's last nerve at the moment. With a long line and so many people milling about, he couldn't help the way he wanted to, but knowing Leith, he'd wind up wherever Shanny and Ajay were eventually.

"Francis Carroll, is that you?"

"Carl?"

"Yeah, it's Carl."

"Oh my goodness, Carl Williams? I thought you were dead."

"Nope, just in Chicago."

"Well shit, you got time to grab a drink and catch up?"

"Sure do."

He'd born witness to conversations and reunions like that all day, only the day was about gone now, the sun so low in the sky all the lights had come on in the park and the streetlights were bright over streets still teeming with people. Several media teams with their camera crews had passed, interviewing people and filming the kids pelting Blaze and Shawn with water balloons. It had worked out well, Shawn sticking around after Blaze had finished his performance. It meant fewer pauses to refill balloons. One guy filled, the other guy got hit, then they switched and started the rotation all over again. Both looked like they were having fun with it though and the kids were clearly having a blast, some returning several times over the course of the afternoon to pelt them again.

"That's it, we're sold out," Pops said, startling Dion, who'd been at the scoop, spoon, pass process for so long his shoulders ached and his feet throbbed.

Asha called out an apology to everyone and rolled down their window covering to a chorus of good-natured complaints and groans.

"Thank goodness," Asha moaned, sinking down to sit on the stepstool she'd used through the day to get at the supplies on the shelves up over her head.

"Phew," Pop's whistled as he sat on the stool across from hers. "These old bones are cooked."

Dion just leaned his elbows on the counter and rested in his head in his hands, groaning.

"We still have to help Blaze and Shawn clean up the bits of busted balloons."

"Fuccccckkkk," Dion moaned beneath his breath. "Was your idea, why am I helping?"

"Because you are a wonderful, loving cousin who understands that the sooner we get to it and wipe down the truck, the sooner we can go home."

"Dion and I will handle wiping down the truck," Pops said. "You go help the boys clean up after your little brainchild out there."

"Yes, sir," Asha said, too tired to argue and no doubt knowing she wouldn't win anyway. She trudged out while Dion checked his watch and realized that Ajay would be going on soon, followed by the big finale. Ajay he'd be able to hear, but the best he could hope for when the fire dancers came on was flashes of flame if he didn't get a move on and he didn't want to miss that. Or Angel and Bella taking their bows.

Fortunately, he got a third wind somewhere in the middle of the cleanup and Pops declared that Asha and the boys could help with the last bits once they were through.

"Go enjoy the rest of the event for both of us," Pops said. "I'm going home, putting some Epsom salts in the tubs, and soaking until your father starts complaining about having to sleep with a prune."

"After the day we've had, better go for the eucalyptus and not the regular."

Pops wagged a finger at him and nodded. "Smart kid. Now get on before I change my mind about letting you go anywhere."

Didn't have to tell him twice.

"And take Monday off," Pops called out behind him. "I think I might do the same."

"You should," Dion replied with a wave. "See ya, Tuesday Pops."

"And don't you go spending you day off thinking up more work for us to do," Pops called after him, his chuckles trailing Dion as he made his way to the Boba tea truck, pushing the last three drinks of the evening."

"You couldn't have timed it better," Macy said.

Dion winked. "Sure you weren't just saving these back for me?"

"Get moving so I can clean up," she said, waving him away much like Pops had.

That was fine, he followed the music to where Ajay stood bathed in lights, rocking out to one of his faster tunes. Looking around, he spotted Angel standing beside Bella at the MC table and hurried that way, just as Ajay brought the song to an end.

"Thank you all for coming out tonight," Ajay said. "We still have one more spectacular performance for you, so stick around for some fire dancing, but first, I've got an announcement to make."

Dion passed Angel and Bella their drinks, then stood sipping his with his arm around his boy as a hush settled over the audience.

"As you all know, this event was to raise money for a splash pad here in Brabham Park and I am proud to announce that we have exceeded our goal. That means an expansion of the original design and more games and activities for the kids to enjoy. Everyone who turned out today had a hand in making that happen and I hope you'll return with your families once the splash pad is installed. None of this would have happened though, if it hadn't been for two very special people. I'd like to acknowledge them now and I hope you'll help me show them some appreciation for all the hard work and time they dedicated to pulling this off. Bella, Angel, get up here already and quit staring at me like that. I warned you this was gonna happen."

Laughter erupted from the crowd, then cheers when Angel and Bella, boba tea cups still in hand, went up on stage and waved to everyone. Dion remembered to get pictures, knowing Pops and The Old Man would want to see and probably have him print some out for the wall of fame. He caught sight of Kacen at the base of the steps to the stage and watched him hold out his hand to Bella as she descended them, treating her like the queen she was. With one arm wrapped around her, he escorted her back to the MC table, while Dion hurried to help Angel, who'd lingered behind to help Ajay get his instruments unplugged.

Of course he had.

His boy didn't know when enough was enough.

The moment he stepped up there he heard Ajay telling Angel something along those line, only a bit more forceful and backed up by Billy, who'd stepped out to help Ajay pack his instruments away while telling Angel to go sit his ass somewhere .

Well put and appropriate given the situation.

"He will," Dion assured them as he tugged Angel to his side and pressed a kiss to the side of his head. "Right now and with no further argument."

Angel immediately complied, moving with him as he steered him back to the steps and the show that awaited them. At least he'd had enough energy left for the growly command voice Angel loved, but if his boy had any designs on more than that tonight, Papi would be forced to plead old age .

"Did it exceed expectations?" Dion asked him as he got him settled back in his chair beside Bella.

"In every way."

"Good. I'm so proud of you. Of both of you."

Angel just slid a hand over the one Dion had rested on his shoulder and stayed that way as the fire dancers came out, shooting flames so bright they lit up the night.

"Whoa!" Angel breathed as a man backflipped while spinning a flaming baton and never missed a beat after he'd landed.

With drummers keeping a steady rhythm in the background, the fire dancers captivated the audience as even the crowd started moving to the beat. If not for the day they'd had he'd have pulled Angel up to dance with him and probably lured him into the shadows for a bit of gyrating and grinding too filthy for a mixed audience. One day soon they'd hit the club and he'd really get to see how Angel moved when they weren't confined to Bella's kitchen.

"I love you," Dion breathed, pressing his lips to the shell of Angel's ears as he said it.

He should have been prepared for his boy to spin around in his seat and yank him into a hug, but his brain was foggy and his body too exhausted to keep him landing half sprawled on Angel, much to the protest of the chair. One end sunk into the dirt, nearly toppling them sideways, only Angel stuck a foot out, laughed and held him close.

"I love you too, Papi," Angel said. "Just remember that damaging the goods jeopardizes your ability to sample them."

Dion laughed at that little reminder of the night they'd fallen off the bed. "Fair enough. Just remember one thing."

"You love me and would kiss all my bruises until they went away?" Angel remarked as cheekily as ever.

"That yes, but I was thinking of something else."

"What?"

"That this time, you started it."

-End-