meet me at midnight.

4.

A:N: Theo's faceclaim is Keith Powers.

Lionel returned a day and a half later. He walked in as mom was preparing dinner. I was upstairs doing some Art History homework. I heard the door unlock. I went to my bedroom door and peeked down the stairs.

"Honey, I'm home." Lionel called.

He was grinning and looked like the cat that got the cream. This meant his meeting with the client had gone well and he was in a good mood. I heard the creak of the kitchen floorboards as mom rushed out the kitchen, ever the dutiful wife, or acting like she was.

"Welcome home, honey." She said.

Lionel hugged her and I stayed in my bedroom doorway. No doubt he'd summon me and proclaim us both as 'his two favorite girls.' My phone buzzed and I wanted to go over and check it. I'd been texting Josh everyday. We hadn't stopped talking and I smiled at the thought.

"Where's my angel?" Lionel asked, and that was my cue.

I went downstairs and he smiled. He pulled me in for a hug and grinned. I looked at mom. She looked tense and although she was smiling, her eyes were cold.

"Let's go out and celebrate." Lionel declared.

"Of course, honey." Mom replied.

Celebrating with Lionel meant he'd get drunk, nitpick at the serving staff and get mad at mom and I for slight infractions. Nevertheless, it was settled. Mom put the chicken back in the fridge in a bag, labeled it and put away the vegetables.

We drove into downtown New York. Lionel chose Gramercy Tavern. It was pricey, but he wanted to show he could afford it. Gramercy Tavern was just off of Gramercy Park. The dining area had chestnut floors and perfect archways. Sconces adorned the walls with low lights. We were seated and I glanced around.

The other patrons were all dressed in their finery. Women wore pretty dresses and men wore shirts, ties and slacks. Mom was in her favorite blue dress and matching kitten heels. Lionel liked to imagine her as his perfect 50s housewife. I was wearing jeans and a sweater, looking more than a little out of place.

Lionel was still wearing his work shirt, blazer and slacks. The waiter appeared and took our orders. I attempted to order a duck burger, but Lionel overrode it and I ended up with a salad. It had capers in it and I didn't really like fish. Lionel ordered himself a kobe steak. Clearly this night was more about spoiling himself than mom and I.

Mom nibbled on her caesar salad. The waiter appeared to check on us and Lionel ordered two more whiskeys. Mom looked at me and I moved my food around my plate. The waiter disappeared again. Lionel finished his second whiskey and narrowed his eyes at me.

"You need to finish that, my girl," He snapped. "Money doesn't grow on trees."

I stared at mom. She knew I hated capers, but she couldn't say anything. She couldn't confront him. Could she?

"Lionel," She snapped, and he looked at her. "You know Daisy hates capers, so why in God's name would you order it for her?"

My eyes widened at her sudden outburst of fury. Lionel seemed stunned too. He hadn't expected her latent anger. Neither had I, but I knew mom would be in trouble when we got home. I wanted to break down, beg the people around us for help. Couldn't anyone see mom and I were in danger?

"You want to watch how you're speaking to me." Lionel had leaned close to mom, but she didn't look at him. She glared straight ahead.

The waiter appeared with Lionel's whiskeys and he snapped at the waiter for the condensation on the glasses. The waiter scurried away and I was almost envious. We finished our dinner in silence. Lionel paid the extortionate bill and we drove home. Fear lanced through me.