Parker

Chapter 21

Christine had sat quietly at the dinner table not engaging with any member of her family. She did not want to talk to them, did not want to look at them, did not want to acknowledge their existence in any shape or fashion.

Her brothers had spent the day running her ragged. Forcing her to do their chores while waiting on them hand and foot.

And then there was her father. Ever since he had gotten home he had been asking her what was wrong and despite her constant assurances that everything was okay he absolutely refused to stop pestering her.

"Christine." Her father said.

She sighed inwardly.

I wish he would just shut up and leave me alone she thought as waves of frustration hit her. Why does he have to be so annoying?

"Christine look at me."

She then looked up and in exasperated voice said "What?"

"I wish you would tell me what is wrong?" Calvin said giving his daughter a worried look.

"And I wish you stop asking me what is wrong." Christine said giving him an annoyed look.

"I will when you tell me what is bothering you."

"The only that is bothering me is you." Christine shot at him.

Undeterred he said "No, no something else is bothering you and you are not getting up from up this table without telling me."

A look of defiance filled her eyes as she stood up and said "Excuse me."

"Sit down Christine." Calvin said as she walked away from the table. "Hey get back here." She ignored him as she headed out. He then jumped to his feet and called out her name. "Christine!"

He was about to follow her out when Melinda said in a firm tone. "Calvin." He then turned to face her. "Stop being an idiot and sit down."

"I am not being an idiot."

"Yes you are now sit down."  He looked as if wanted to run after his daughter but instead meekly sat back down.

Lael and Peter smirked at the defeated look on his face.

Calvin's eyes lit with anger as he said "What are you two laughing at."

"Nothing." Lael said hiding as he coughed.

Calvin continued to glare at his sons. "Do you boys have any idea what is wrong with your sister?"

Lael felt his stomach tie in knots. "No, dad.

"How about you Pete?"

"No, sir."  He then looked back at his food.

Calvin did not believe them. "Boys if you know something you better tell me."

"We don't dad." Lael said.

Calvin gave him a skeptical look. "Dont lie to me Lael."

"I'm not lying.' Lael said defensively. He then looked at his mom pleading for help.

"Leave them alone, Calvin."

"Excuse me." Calvin said with an incredulous look.

Melinda steeled herself and glared at her husband. "I said leave them alone. They told you they did not know what was wrong so stop bothering them."

"Melinda."

"Just stop." Melinda raised her voice to the dismay of their three year old son who had been watching everything intently. "Just stop bothering Christine and stop bullying Pete and Lael."

"I'm not bullying anyone." Calvin said

"Yes you are." Melinda said. "And you are ruining dinner for everyone."

"Maybe I should go eat somewhere else then ."  He said as he grabbed his plate and stood up.

"Maybe you should." Melinda said. "So the rest of us can eat in peace."

"Fine." He said and walked out.

Pete let out a snort.

"What's wrong with daddy?" Brian asked.

"So many things." Pete said.

"Pete." Melinda said in scolding tone.  She then put her on the back of Brian's head. "Nothing baby. Your daddy is just a little upset that's all." She then stroked his hair and he smiled at her.

After Melinda finished dinner she went to Christine's room to check on her. She found her laying on her bed, eyes closed, and listening to music on her IPod.

"Christine." Melinda said but her daughter did not responded. "Christine." She said a little louder.

Christine let out a heavy sigh and removed her pods.  She then opened her eyes. "Yes mother."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong." Christine said curtly. "I wish you people would stop asking me that and leave me alone."

"Hey don't talk to me like that." Melinda said with anger in her voice. "I am not your father."

"Sorry." Melinda sat up.

"Now what's wrong?" She said as walked over to the bed. "Are you still upset about Parker."

"Yes." Christine said. "But that is not what was bothering me at dinner."

"What was then?" She asked. "Besides your father." Melinda could see a look of reluctance in her eyes. "Tell me."

"Its Lael and Pete."

Her nose wrinkled as annoyance filled her eyes. "What did they do this time?"

"They know about what happened with Parker and gave been forcing me to do their chores for them and wait on them hand and foot."

"I'll kill them." She said as she seethed with anger. "I can't believe those two."  Her jaw tightened and her face turned a slight red. "Its your father's fault they are like this."

"Yes it is."

"They are so grounded." Melinda said.

"Please don't." Christine said. "If you punish them they are going to tell dad  what dad about me and Parker."

"They won't if they know what is good for them." Melinda said in a reassuring tone. "Don't worry about them. When I am done with them they are going to be scared to say anything to your father."

"Okay.."  Christine said.  For a brief moment she felt sorry for them.

"You just rest, honey." Melinda then turned and walked out.

She was met in the hall by Calvin who asked. "How is Christine."

"She is fine." Melinda said impatiently. "And she will be fine as long as you don't pester her."

"I'm not going to pester."

"You're right because you are going to mind your own business and go downstairs." Melinda said. He did not move. "Now Calvin. Go downstairs and do something you are good at like sit in front of the television and drink beer."

A pained look crossed his face. "Why are you so cruel to me."

"Because you bring it upon yourself." She said. "Now go."

"I don't deserve to be treated like this."

"Just go downstairs please." Melinda said.

Calvin said nothing he just turned and went downstairs with his tail tucked between his legs.

Melinda shook her head. "Drama king."