Bed & Breakfast

Ch. 27 Banished to the Basement

*** Andie's POV ***

Lou and Paula's parents, Regina and Mac, were trying so hard to make things as enjoyable as possible, but the tension in the air was palpable. Paula was overcompensating with the kids. Riley seemed to be going along with it while keeping her boundaries in place. Parker, however, was anxious as could be and said very little.

"How about a Christmas movie and some hot cocoa with those mini peppermint sticks?" Paula asked after an awkward meal.

"Um sure." Riley agreed hesitantly. Parker looked at Riley with a pained expression. Riley backtracked. "Uh, maybe we should just call it a night."

"Nonsense! It's early. We can watch your favorite, Rudolph." Paula argued.

"We've already been through a lot of movies this season." Lou commented.

Paula's face fell a little. "Well how about something new then?"

"I'm tired. Can I be excused?" Parker asked his grandfather quietly.

"You okay, sweetpea?" Regina asked from across the table.

Paula sprung up and reached out to feel Parker's forehead but he batted her away. "I'm fine. I'm just tired."

"Okay. Well let me tuck you in, then." Paula offered.

"I'm not four, Paula. I don't need you." Parker snapped.

Paula straightened up. I almost felt bad for her as she swallowed the lump in her throat. "What happened to calling me Mom?"

"You tell me." He snidely said, pushing away from the table and heading for his room.

Paula busied herself with Wilson, but judging by her slumped shoulders, she was emotionally wounded by his attitude. Lou and I exchanged a look and got up to help clean rather than sit in awkward silence. I helped clear the table while Lou washed dishes. When I walked back into the dining room, Paula was pacing with Wilson in her arms. Mac was speaking to her in a calming voice, but I could tell she was on edge, ready to combust.

I removed the last of the serving dishes from the table and headed back to the kitchen as quickly as possible. "Yeesh. I wasn't expecting that from Parker." I blew out a breath.

"I'm proud of him." Lou stated. I stared back at him blankly. "What? He just showed her that he won't be manipulated by her."

"She's still his mom. He's angry. Rightfully so but..."

"That's the Cappadonna blood in him." Lou responded.

"Well I guess I should hope that I'm never on the receiving end of that natural spite." I retorted and exited the kitchen.

"What the...Andie." Lou called after me but I continued walking, heading straight to the bathroom. I didn't know exactly why I was so upset that he disagreed but after taking a few minutes to calm down, I decided that I wanted to try to talk to Parker and offer an alternative perspective.

I knocked on his door. He didn't answer. I knocked again and opened the door a crack, announcing myself. "Parker, it's me. Can I come in?"

The boy wss sitting on his bed wearing a large pair of headphones. I waved at him and he winced, pulling off the headphones. I repeated my question. "Can I come in?"