First Snow

Chapter 4: Dinner Time

Chapter 4: Dinner Time

“KIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDS!!!!!!! DIINNER!” My parents had a habit of chorusing together. They met in school in choir class and it was one of their couple quirks. They also had a habit of being sickeningly sweet with each other whenever they were alone with me and/or Alex. Tonight, we will be spared from that because of our savior, Luke.

I groaned and almost stomped out of the room. I swung the door open, really annoyed from my lack of inspiration.

THUD.

I yelped and covered my mouth. Did I hit something? I peeked from behind the door. Alex loomed over Luke in her protective sister mode.

“Luke, what the hell? Are you trying to kill my little sister or something?” It reminded me of the time that I watched Alex play baseball and the baseball hit me in the face. Alex got furious at whoever threw the ball and threatened everybody, including teammates, with her steel baseball bat. Everybody respects her now: out of fear or actual respect, I don’t know.

“Are you okay?” Luke said, a little disoriented from the shock.

“Yeah. Are you?” I whispered. I’m still not very comfortable around Luke.

“I’ll be fine, assuming your sister doesn’t kill me with a fork at dinner.” I smiled.

We all walked down to dinner. I sat down a seat from my mother on the right. Alex sat in front of our mother, my dad at the head, and Luke sat next to Alex. My father glared at Luke’s presence as usual. I saw the food at the table. It looks DELICIOUS!!!!!! There was delicious mashed potatoes (one of my favorites), fried chicken (another of my favorites), and chicken noodle soups (definitely a favorite!). I was in food heaven. There will be a food coma tonight!

“So, you’re on your own for some time. Your parents get back in what, a week?” Dad spoke.

“Yeah, they have a meeting in London and then another one or two in Spain, I think.” Luke replied.

“I hear Spain is lovely this time of year,” Mom commented. She loves traveling to new places. “Luke, why don’t you stay here with us for the week? I’m sure Jake and Anne wouldn’t mind.” Jake and Anne were batchmates with my parents in high school and Luke’s parents.

I stuffed my plate: ½ mashed potatoes with extra gravy, ½ chicken, and a bowl filled to the brim with warm chicken noodle soup. I started devouring the velvety mashed potatoes.

“What, so I’ll have two little sisters this week. Alex said in a snarky tone. “Seriously, though, you should stay. It could be fun.”

“Well then, if you’ll have me, I’d be glad to stay,” Luke replied gratefully.

“It’s settled, then. Alex, after dinner, go with Luke to make up the guest bedroom,” Mom said kindly.

We continued to eat in silence. Luke ate, but not much. I figured out that Luke is the type of person who thinks a lot. Aside from that and that he is classmates with Alex, I don’t even know his full name. It’s weird seeing someone you see pretty frequently, but not knowing a speck of personal detail about them. Perhaps that’s why Marla said that I should be more assertive. I see many people and acknowledge their presence, but I know nothing about them.

After dinner, Luke and Alex left first to go fix the guest room for him. Dad glared as they walked.

“Halley, can you do the dishes?” Mom asked. “Your father and I are going to sleep now.”

“Kay, I don’t think that’s a good idea now.” Dad complained gruffly.

“Jared, it’s a good idea.” My mom said quietly. Uh-oh. Dad’s in trouble~. My mom gets all quiet when she threatens someone or gets someone.