Always

15.

"Conrad, was that sign language that you two were using earlier?"

Asrael asked.

"Yeah. I learned it in school, apparently your brother did too."

I answered for Conrad.

"I wish I knew sign language."

Nirva complained.

,,I'm proud of you baby.,,

Conrad signed to me. I smiled and gave him a small nod.

"It was difficult to learn Nirva. I learned it when I was 5 with a friend of mine."

I said and then took a bite of food to distract my mind from thinking about April.

"Was it the girl from that school we went to?"

Asrael, Kade, asked me. I froze for a moment.

"Which girl? I hung out with a few."

I know Conrad could feel how tense I was. Everyone saw me freeze. What a great Thanksgiving.

"The one you shared a room with? What happened to her anyway?"

"April...She died a few years back due to...unfortunate events."

"Hm. Sorry for your loss then."

"Yeah, thanks."

Conrad tapped my plate softly, telling me to eat a bit more.

"Hun, you didn't tell me you lost a friend?"

"Let her have some food mom. You guys keep talking and she can't get a bite of food in."

"Conrad I don't mind."

"Viki you need to eat. They don't have to keep asking you questions."

This man. He's something else.

"Fine."

"Thank you."

I rolled my eyes at him but was smiling. The family was talking while I ate a little bit of the food. Conrad would occasionally take some of my food for himself. His plate was already empty. How do people eat so much? It makes me sick to even think about...

"Excuse me for a moment."

I said and left for the bathroom. I closed the door and sat next to the toilet. I took some deep breaths to try and relax myself. After I was in the bathroom for 3 minutes, I heard a knock on the bathroom door.

"Viki, baby? You okay?"

"Yeah."

I answered Conrad through the door. I stood and opened the door to him. He just leaned against the door frame.

"You sure? We can leave if you want."

I shook my head no.