Escaping the Ryan's

Chapter Four

Wednesday, November 23rd

"Super Villian" by Stileto, Silent Child, and Kendyle Paige boomed inside my headphones, fueling my workout. Sweat seeped from all over my body. My heart was pounding. The steady shockwave of my feet drumming against the treadmill only further encouraged me to keep going until the fury was quelled. It had been coming in violent waves since the scene with my parents on Monday. Music and workouts helped ward off the urge to go back and kick their entitled asses. Okay, I know I'm supposed to honor them and all that good stuff, but blah. They are infuriating people. They are not easy to like, much less love or honor. I was caught off guard and jumped, nearly catapulting myself off the treadmill, when a phone call rang in my headphones. I hit stop on the treadmill and slipped my phone from my pocket. "Hey, sis. What's up?"

 "Wanna meet me for lunch?" Laura asked. 

"Absolutely. Let's say Leo's at 1:30?" I smiled. 

"Sounds great! See you soon. Love you!" she practically sang. 

"Love you most!" I replied and ended the call.

Laura was my gorgeous, perfect younger sister. She was twenty-six, two years younger than me. She had naturally golden blonde hair that never dared to lay the wrong way, ocean blue, oval-shaped eyes, and heart shaped lips. She was the sweetest human being to ever walk the planet. She had Mother's long, pointed nose but it somehow fit her long, round face perfectly. She was nothing like our parents. They were cruel and greedy. She was kind and loving. Through all of the many years of warring between the folks and I, she had always loved and supported me unconditionally. After our grandmother died, she was the only person to bring me any real comfort. She never held it against me that I had been left with everything while she only got mere trinkets. Laura was never interested in the money or real estate. She only ever wanted some of the breathtaking gowns and jewelry that Grandmother had. She helped me wade through the flood of grief that came with losing my favorite person.

I am, in almost every way, the spitting image of my grandmother. We have the same cinnamon brown, thick, unruly hair. She always had hers cut into a bob. Whereas, I have kept mine long. It falls in heavy waves to the small of my back. I also inherited her peach skin-tone and abundance of freckles. I have her generous curves, though hers were much more subtle than mine. And I have addition of 'love handles', creating that lovely muffin top figure. The only noticeable difference being that she had caramel brown eyes and mine are sea green with golden rings around each pupil. I inherited her temper and dark sense of humor. We always joked that she was the mother of my soul instead of my grandmother. She was my sanctuary, my safe place. She allowed me to be every version of myself without judgement or resentment, even if it went against what she would do herself. She gave me the freedom to grow into myself. She offered me support and love, always love. I owe much of who I am to her. Her absence has created a crater in my soul that can only be filled by her. But Laura and Heath have tried to ease the pain of her loss. They are what keeps me going.

I had picked our favorite, ratty booth, sliding my way across the cracked leather bench when I saw Laura bounce into the restaurant. She found me immediately, giving me an overexuberant smile and wave. She practically danced over to me, gliding into the seat across from me with ease and grace. "I just love this place. I always eat way too much. But, man, is it worth it." she gushed. We had been coming here since we were children. The rolls were always perfectly buttered with the most mouth-watering garlic butter. The calzones were to die for. Before I could say anything to her, Leo came over. He was a middle-aged, bald man with kind brown eyes and dimples that made him look way younger than he certainly was. He was the owner of Leo's Pizzeria. "My favorite girls! How are you?" he exclaimed. 

"We're great, Leo. So good to see you. We missed you last time we were here." 

Laura replied. "And we try really hard not to miss you. No one else feeds us as well as you do." I laughed. 

"You want your regulars?" 

"Yes! Thank you!" Laura and I said together, smiling. 

"Right away, lovelies." Leo sang, already heading towards the kitchen.

"So, this is about Mother and Father, isn't it?" I inquired, getting straight to the point. 

Laura chuckled, "Always so direct. It is and it isn't. I would love it if you would still attend Thanksgiving dinner. I know things are rough right now. But I have an announcement to make. A huge one. And I can't make it without you." 

Instantly nervous, I stuttered, "Uh- what, um. I-I mean, what could you possibly need me to help you announce?" Laura's cheeks flushed red. She was as nervous as I was. This had to be something big. "Laura," I began, "you know I am always here for you. You can tell me anything. And I will help you announce whatever it is you want me to." 

Tears pooled in her eyes as she whispered, "I'm pregnant Leshay." 

I squealed with joy, "Laura Rayne! Ermergerd!" I leaped from my seat to smother her in a hug. 

She struggled to get out, "Okay, your boobs are squishing me! Please let go." We both erupted into laughing fits, tears of joy streaming down our faces. I grabbed her hand, "I couldn't be happier for you and Zane. Of course, I'll help you tell the fam. I can't wait to spoil this sweet little peach."

Leo came to bring our food then. The savory aroma of tomato sauce, pepperoni, and cheese engulfing us as he sat our plates down. "Enjoy, my girls. Hollar if you need anything." he grinned at us. 

"Absolutely, darlin'. Thank you so much." I responded around bites of the mouth-watering calzone. The rest of the lunch was quiet as we ate.

Laura and Zane had gotten married right out of high school. They had chosen to put off having children, despite my parents constantly pressuring them. They had been together since their freshman year of high school. They had spent 12 long years together, 8 of which married. They drove each other crazy the majority of the time, but there is no doubt in my mind that they are a perfect pair. Zane has round, russet brown eyes, copper red hair, and pouty lips. He has thick, perfectly groomed eyebrows and a rough, square jawline. He is a Line Foreman, so he travels often. Which has been a big reason to put off having children. They have always talked about having a whole hoard of kids. If anyone deserves it, it is them.

"What are you grinning about, loser?" teased Laura. 

I giggled, "Just thinking about all those copper-headed heathens you're gonna have running around, dork." She smiled so hard that I thought her face might split in half. "I'm so happy for you." 

I continued. "I know you are." We finished our food and headed to the front to pay. We stopped for one last hug and parted ways for the evening. I took the long way home, taking every possible backroad. I thought about my sister, her husband, and the sweet little bean they had created together. My heart swelled with joy for them. The spat with my parents temporarily forgotten, I let my bliss distract me from the inevitable confrontation I'd have to have with them tomorrow during Thanksgiving dinner.