Ethereal {WLW}

Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Cami's POV: ⚠️ Mentions of Homophobia⚠️

My mom helps me finish up the food and plating it for everyone. I try to keep my mind distracted from wondering what Rhea is doing and how much fun she's having as I place everyone's plate down, but I can't help it. It seems like every text I get from her radiates a certain type of holiday cheer that I can only feel slightly jealous of, not that I don't want her to have fun, but more so that I wish I was there to celebrate with her.

I set the last plate down, looking over everything once more before calling everyone over to eat. Everyone slowly and surely enters the dining room, my boys' faces instantly lighting up as they see the food presented to them, while Ulma makes a face of disgust while she sits down.

"Lots of carbs," She says with a tone of disgust, "No wonder why it had looked like you gained some weight. I sure do hope you aren't feeding high calorie meals to my son every night. He has a perfect physique and I wouldn't want that ruined." She says, reaching over to pinch Ethan's dimpled cheek as he smiles.

"It's not appropriate to comment on a woman's weight." Graham instantly defends.

My heart warms from my sons defense, but it doesn't entirely cool down my anger. I feel so sick and frustrated with her words and actions that I can't even bring myself to eat.

"Well, look at you. Someone got feisty over the last few months." Frank says, unfolding a napkin over his lap.

"People change." My mom says, drinking her water and probably wishing it was vodka about now.

This comment earns unappreciated scoffs from Ethan and his parents. Their reactions just make me want to reach across the table, grab the knife and run it through thei-

"Cami?" I hear.

My ears perk up as I realized I had tuned out the talking around me while I was daydreaming about killing my in-laws. Hopefully, I never find myself thinking this way with Rhea's family. Though, Rhea would never allow such things to be said to me.

"Huh?" I ask as I try to focus.

"Will Savannah be joining us tonight?" Ulma asks.

"No, she will not be." I say.

I watch as Ulma's eyes light up by my answer, probably internally rejoicing at the news... what a bitch.

"Why's that?" Frank asks, as if he actually cares.

I feel myself shift uncomfortably. No one on Ethan's side knows Savannah is gay, let alone has a girlfriend, including Ethan. She's never kept it hidden, it's just never been brought up and I don't know if I'm prepared to watch their reactions as I tell them she's celebrating the holiday with her loved one.

"She's celebrating with her girlfriend and her girlfriend's family." I say hesitantly.

"Which friend is this? That Sienna one?" Frank asks, clearly not picking up that I mean girlfriend as in lover.

"She means girlfriend in the same way most girls have boyfriends. Savannah is gay." Graham informs, placing his fork down as he anticipates their reactions.

This causes Ulma, Ethan, and Frank's eyes to widen as they all sit back at the same time. The room becomes so quiet you can hear a pin drop and tension thickens in the room.

"Oh, dear... she's going to have a hard life ahead of her for choosing this lifestyle." Ulma says, wiping her face and placing her napkin on her plate to indicate she's lost her appetite.

Her reaction instantly irks me. I know the statement isn't even directed at me, but it feels like a direct hit and I find it real rich that they'd make such a statement when she's not even here to defend herself.