SKINTIGHT (Watty Awards 2024)

Chapter 6

Violet

I should have invited Jack for dinner. I don't know how I'm going to get through this without him. My mother sits across from me, my uncle by her side. When Jack finds out I didn't invite him, he's going to be pissed.  It's not too late. He'd be here in an instant. He would take the edge off — give me something else to worry about. My chest already feels like it's been ripped to shreds. It can't hurt to actually do it. But I haven't answered his texts all day. I'm surprised he hasn't texted Dani or Isaiah yet, filled with rage and demanding to speak with me. But she only actually comes when it's convenient for him — when he wants to fuck or show  off and parade me around like I'm his property. 

"This looks delicious," my uncle Kaleem eyes the food before him. "You didn't put too much effort in, did you? You know we'd be happy with pizza."

"Nah, don't worry about it," Isaiah puts the potatoes down. "I actually don't mind cooking. It's kinda relaxing."

"Great, then you can cook every day from now on," Dani taunts.

"Nice try," he retorts. "Once a week is all I'll give you."

"What about the other six days? You're gonna let us starve?"

"Microwave meals have done you well so far."

"Microwave meals?" Kal scowls. "That's not what you've been eating, is it?"

"Eh, just once a week or so," Dani shrugs.

"We'll have to start sending them down some meals," he looks over at my mother. She nods her head. I feel sick.

"I'm glad you're eating at all," she responds. "I never got a hang of cooking my own meals."

We know. She doesn't cook. She never has. That was always my dad's job. He took over from my grandpa as resident waffle maker. His skills didn't translate beyond breakfast time, though. The only time my father would cook dinner was if our chef was sick. And even then, he'd prefer to order something from the closest 5-star restaurant he could find. He had expensive taste, but he could afford to.

Money has never been an issue in my family. We've always had more than we needed — more than we could ever need. Even this house is too much. It's just Issy, Dani and myself living here, but there are 5 bedrooms to choose from, each with their own bathroom and wardrobe. The living spaces are fine — still a lot more than the average college student, but smaller than you'd expect in a 5-bedroom house. It's a nice place, tucked between a national park and a golf course. It's secluded and private, looking out over the reservoir. The yard is completely overgrown. It's a jungle out there, but I think it adds charm. It doesn't take anything away from the view of the lake. There's a pool out in the yard, too, but it's been drained. The pool house that accompanies it has now been turned into my art studio.

All the greenery definitely contributes to the amount of bugs around, though, but at least Jack's not one of them. He's never been here before. I don't want him knowing my address. I've managed to dodge his questions so far, but I know it's only a matter of time before he follows us home. The day he starts showing up here unannounced will also be the day our relationship finally comes to an end. There are only two ways that could ever happen — either I kill myself, or I kill him.

"You and Mum used to make us cook every Tuesday," Dani glances up at her father.

"That's right," Kal nods. "It's one of the things we agreed on before she got pregnant — the kids had to know how to cook."

Dani and Isaiah's birth was very well-planned. Kal and their mother, Ari, were never in a relationship together, but they had been friends for over two decades. They both knew they wanted kids, but had never had the chance. So, they made a deal. They would co-parent together, as best friends. It was risky, considering their age, but they were determined. They'd gone through 5 rounds of IVF before they were successful.