Scene 5

Scene 5

Coming up to the house Marcus was able to see a few balloons over the side of the tall wooden fence, indicating the party was going to be in the backyard. He had a hard time making up his mind if he should leave his friend alone with his scam. Or tell Greg’s grandmother what was going on. It didn’t matter if she was mean, no one deserved to be taken advantage of just because their mind was in decline.

The deciding factor of what to do came to him as he saw on his computer looking at the images he caught of his friend dressed up like a girl. The male friend that he had known since they were little looked so much like a pretty girl. Looking at the photos told him that if they had grown up together with Greg looking like this with those smooth stocking covered legs and perched on heels he would have done everything he could to have made that pretty girl his girlfriend. A grin came to his face, as he thought of exactly what he was going to do. Greg caused him to lose his girlfriend, he had always been making him the butt of his pranks and if he wanted to scam an old lady out of her money by pretending to be a girl, then there would be consequences.

Clicking the latch to the fence Marcus opened the door and stepped into his friend’s backyard. Like the rest of the houses on the block they had a large property. This was sectioned off to have a patio, a small pool that had a gentle slope instead of stairs and a lush green area around it. Standing on the patio was an elderly looking Filipino woman, and what appeared to be a beautiful young woman.

Marcus was aware she was actually Greg in disguise, but if he hadn’t known there was a good chance his friend could have fooled him into thinking he was some long lost sister or cousin. It didn’t look like either had heard him coming into the backyard, so he moved quickly up to the patio. He saw Greg’s grandmother, her name came to him, Brandi saw him first. When her eyes looked in his direction the feminized Greg started to turn his head. Marcus could make out the girl's eyes now that she was close. Eyeliner, eyeshadow, long mascara covered lashes making her eyes appear beautiful. Moving up behind Marcus wrapped both hands around his friend’s waist, pressed in close kissing his cheek.

“Marcus!” Greg cried out, surprised but still able to maintain the girly voice he had to talk in all week. Not only was he shocked his friend was here, he was horrified he saw him looking like this. Then he felt the embrace from behind and the kiss on his cheek, it made him furious and confused. A blush came to his face from both embarrassment and his anger at what his friend just did, he was going to ruin everything.

“Genna dear, who is this?”

Greg heard his grandmother ask while his friend whispered in his ear. “Play along, keep smiling or else.” Then he felt another kiss on his earlobe by his dangling earrings.

“Hey there, I’m Marcus.” Greg was about three inches taller than Marcus in the tall heels, but the extra height did nothing for making him feel more secure. With what he just said and how he was dressed he felt more **** than he ever had.

“I’m Genna’s boyfriend. You must be her grandmother, Mrs. Abella” Marcus let go of his friend who seemed to be scared stiff with how he hadn’t moved an inch. “I have heard a little bit about you, Genna has been downright giddy about you coming today. Is it okay if I give you a hug?” Genna, what a pretty name, Marcus thought.

Brandi was surprised, Genna hadn’t mentioned a boyfriend or anyone joining them today. Though it was nice to see this boy had manners. “Of course you may, and please call me Brandi.” After giving her granddaughter's boyfriend a hug she turned back to the girl. “I thought it was just going to be us today? Well us and your mother. You also failed to mention a boyfriend when talking about your friends.”

“That is my fault, I apologize, Brandi. WIth how excited Genna was I really wanted to be here for her, but I wasn’t able to trade shifts at my job to get off. So I told her I wasn’t going to make it, but at the last minute my boss allowed me to work an earlier shift. Also to be fair we aren’t just boyfriend and girlfriend, we are each other's best friend. “

“Oh really? Well I am glad you could make it, why don’t we have a seat. I would love to hear how the two of you met.” Brandi sat back down in her chair, taking the time to glance at the doors going into the house. Cynthia was supposed to be bringing out refreshments, but seemed to be taking her time.

“It isn’t much of a story really.” Marcus took his friend’s hand who seemed to be stunned into silence. His hands seemed to be smoother, with the ring, long painted nails they looked so feminine. “The two of us have known each other since we were in second grade, got into a little mischief together, but as we got older it was more of me doing my best to keep your granddaughter from getting in trouble. She was one heck of a tomboy, always climbing trees and instead of boys picking on her it was more of the opposite. We were friends, best friends and that grew to love. It is a blessing to know your best friend loves you, right Genna?” Marcus gave his disguised friend’s hand a small squeeze.

“Yeah, yeah it is just amazing to be in love.” Greg was looking to his side, his long hair hiding his face from his grandmother as he stared daggers at Marcus. He was going to tear him a new one for this!

Maneuvering the tray the best she could, Cynthia worked the door handle with her elbow, pushing down and gently pressing her shoulder to the door so she could step out with her hands full. She was about to move over to the table and put down the tray that held three glasses, a pitcher of lemonade and oatmeal cookies she had baked that morning using her mother in laws recipe, but instead she stopped right after stepping out as she saw Greggory’s friend Marcus sitting at the table, next to her son. She had told the boy to be gone or there would be consequences, but there he was holding hands, fingers intertwined with Genna. “Mom, my boyfriend Marcus was able to get an earlier shift at work so he could make it. Isn’t that wonderful?”

“There you are Cynthia, I thought you may have gotten lost in the kitchen, unfamiliar places can get confusing sometimes I know.” The woman had hardly ever made a meal for her Jackson, and that meant she was the same for Genna. A poor wife and mother indeed.

“Marcus, always a pleasure to see you. I thought we talked about this being a family affair.” She didn’t know what he was up to, but whatever it was he needed to be gone.

“Cynthia, don't be so rude! The boy simply wanted to be here for his girlfriend when she met her grandmother after so many years apart. They were just telling me how much they were in love and he has done his best to keep your daughter out of trouble.”

“I will just be right back then, it seems like we need another glass. Marcus, do you think you could join me in the kitchen for a moment?” She stared down at the teen, daring him to defy her.

“It is one glass Cynthia, I think you can manage on your own, unless he knows where they are better than you.” Marcus could clearly see Brandi did not like Greg’s mom at all and the way his mom was looking at him wasn’t so pleasant.

“I tell you what, why don’t you have a seat. It is my fault for dropping by without calling first, I know where the glasses are. I will be back in a jiff.” Marcus stood up giving a kiss to his fake girlfriend’s cheek before rushing off inside. Brandi watched the strapping young man head off in a hurry so not to bother anyone, it made her smile.

“He is a nice young man, I approve of him Genna, not that you needed my approval to love him. Not hard on the eyes either, I have to make sure I get a few photos of the two of you before I leave today.”