Christmas Lights

9.

"Is that a way to talk to the woman you were engaged to for over half a decade?" she snorted, then eye balled Meredith "Oh hi, I don't believe I've met you...are you a cousin or something?"

Meredith stood there rendered speechless, as natural. I ground my teeth and flared my nostrils as I stepped between the two as to protect Meredith. This weekend had been traumatizing enough as it was, she didn't need this-and neither did I.

"Who she is, is none of your damn business Addie. Now, what the hell are you doing here?"

"Derek!" I heard Nancy's voice behind her, she wedged herself in past Addie and scorned at me "Don't be so rude, Addison is who helped us get here so soon. We'd still be stuck in the Denver airport if not for her."

"That didn't mean she gets to come crash the party."

"It wasn't too long ago that I was invited to the party." Addison sneered.

"Exactly," Nancy said "You loved her once, the least you can do is appreciate her presence."

"I'd appreciate it a lot more outside."

Nancy scoffed and then glanced over my shoulder "Who is that?"

I glanced over my shoulder and sighed "That's Meredith."

"Um..ok." she frowned "Well who is Meredith and what is she doing here?"

"She's here with me." I hissed in my irritation.

"Oh good, you girls have met Meredith." Ma smiled as she came in. "Isn't she lovely?"

"We still don't' know who Meredith is?" Nancy scoffed.

"Well she's Derek's girlfriend of course." Ma frowned "Didn't he tell you that?"

"No." I felt my stomach cramp as the voice came from behind me, "No...he didn't."

It was silent in the room as all we heard were Meredith's quick footsteps fleeting out the side door and up the stairs. I bit my lips to keep myself from cursing in front of my mother as I turned back to my sister's shocked face and Addison's slightly horrified expression.

"But...Ma?" Nancy finally gasped "You said she wasn't real!"

"Well I didn't think she was." Ma shrugged "And...I didn't think you'd be bringing Addison either."

"My apology." Addison mumbled meekly "I wasn't aware that Derek had a girlfriend...I just thought..." she looked up at me, her eyes pleading "I thought it would be good to see you."

"Well you were wrong." I spat-"Just like usual."

I ignored her flinch as I passed her and padded quickly up the stairs, not stopping until I reached the room, where I found Meredith sitting on the edge of the bed, lacing up her snow boots. She glanced up at me and glared as she yanked her laces tightly.

"You're leaving?" I wheezed in panic.

"No." she gulped "I'm putting my boots on so I can kick your ass."

"I'm sorry." I breathed as I stepped in and closed the door behind me "You have no idea how sorry...I had no idea."

"You had no idea she was coming?" she said as she stood up and grabbed her jacket off the bed "Or you had no idea what my name was?"

"What?" I frowned.

She gulped and looked sternly at me, though her eyes held pain. "You couldn't even tell them who I was Derek..." she shook her head and laughed incredulously with a sigh "But I shouldn't be upset, I mean we've known each other for a week. Why should you know my name..."