Helpless

Chapter 6: Thanksgiving

"Ella, are you almost ready? We are supposed to be at your parents house in about fifteen minutes," Conner says exasperated. "How much food can you possibly bring? Everyone in your family brings something."

I sigh. I've repeated myself over and over again about this. "Like I said before, I'm the only one who knows how to make a decent pumpkin pie. Plus Layla will only eat my sweet potato casserole, not anyone else's."

Layla is my older sister. She is currently 32 and lives somewhere in New York with her husband Travis. She can be a little, oh what's the word, spoiled. And picky. And a brat. Well you get the picture. Anyways, she has brown hair like my dad and green eyes like me and my mom. She is ten times prettier than I am and has always been the favorite of the family. She got better grades than me, got better boyfriends than me, had nicer clothes than me. Bottom line: she annoys me but I love her. And that's why I'm slaving over a hot stove and oven to make her two favorite dishes... because I'm awesome.

Conner gives me an annoyed look before leaving the kitchen.

About 25 minutes later, we pull up to my childhood home. It's a quaint two story house with yellow siding. It's the typical American family home. It even has the white picket fence, the trellis running up to my sister's old bedroom (and yes she would use that a lot during high school if you know what I mean) with flowers and vines running up it, there is even a huge porch that wraps around half of the house. Once upon a time I thought I was going to buy that house. But unfortunately my lovely husband wanted a bigger house.

"Okay kids remember, grandma wears dark lipstick so don't let her kiss you a lot on the head. You just had baths and we really don't need to be washing it out of your hair," I say while swiveled around in my seat to look at my children.

We get up to the door and I take a huge breath before opening the door. It's a lot easier to lie about your life to two of your friends. It's not so easy doing it to your parents, your older sister and her husband, and oh yeah did I mention I also have a little brother.

His name is Jace Cobalt. He is 24 years old and currently still living with my parents during the summer when he is not at school. He has brown hair like my dad and blue eyes like my dad. He is the nicest kid out of the three of us and is the most quiet.

Speaking of Jace, he comes around the corner towards the front door. "Mom, Dad, Ella's here!" he shouts before gathering me in an enormous hug. He also gives the best hugs ever! "I've missed you all so much. It has been too long."

"Jace, I just saw you a couple days ago to help you with your English Lit paper."

He gives me a boyish smile before giving the rest of the family a hug.

The rest of the family gathers by the front door when all of a sudden, I feel my heart stop beating.

Travis Perry, my sister's husband of six years, walks into the room. Our eyes meet and as he smirks, the air is practically forced out of my lungs. I can feel sweat gathering on my hair line, my hands start shaking, I am completely immobile.

"Baby, what's wrong?"

Conner's voice breaks me out of my trance. I glance up at him quickly muttering nothing before I allow my eyes to flicker over Travis' once more. He smiles then puts his hand around Layla's waist.

***

"I can not believe it! You tell this story every year!" exclaims my sister.

I smile and look around the table. My children, my parents, and my siblings are all here. All the people I love. Even Conner seems to be in a good mood. Although, it all could be an illusion; a mask that he puts on in front of everyone he can.

My dad chuckles at her. "I can't help it Layla, that horse bit a chunk off of your pants. On your ass too!" My dad bursts into a fit of laughter. He's actually crying right now.

I can't help it, even I have to laugh a little at that.

When we were teenagers, my parents insisted that we take a family trip to the petting zoo. I was a kind of excited, even though I wouldn't admit it, but Layla was absolutely mortified when she found out we would be anywhere near animals. Now Jace couldn't have cared less. As long as he could trail behind us and pretend like he didn't know us, he was just peachy. We went up to see the horses first, because my mother has always loved horses, and Layla turned around to look at her phone. All of a sudden she shrieked like a banshee and spun around so fast I thought her head would fall off! She swiveled her head to see the damage and half of her butt was hanging out. She had to wrap her sweatshirt around her waist for the rest of the day. Now it's a classic conversation starter.

"I'm gonna get the dessert in the kitchen," I interrupted, standing up to leave.

I went into the kitchen to grab the pies and whipped cream. I shut the fridge and there was Travis standing about a foot away from me. I gasped and dropped the can of whipped cream, it spraying everywhere in the process. Travis smirked and grabbed a towel to start cleaning the mess.

"Darling, you shouldn't be so jumpy. People will get suspicious." He looked up at me, his eyes hooded and gleaming with mischief. "And we wouldn't want that now would we?"

I gulped audibly and shook my head. He smiled at me before handing me the can. I turned around and exited the kitchen.

Setting the pies down on the table, I noticed Travis sneaking back into the dining room before sitting next to Layla. He smiled at her then winked at me. I shuddered before sitting back down.

"Thank you, sweet pea," my mom smiled sweetly before cutting into the pies. "Pie anyone?"

***

A/N: I'm so so so so so so so sorry for not posting sooner! It has been a very busy week with finals and auditions and meetings so I didn't have very much time for anything really. This chapter is probably not the best just another one to introduce more characters and more of the plot. Please vote and comment and hopefully I can update on the way to Florida on Thursday!

G. Hannelius as Macy! Such a cutie.

~Haley~