Jealously, Jealously: C.F.

fourteen

Conrad had walked downstairs to where his mom, Laurel, and Christine were making dinner. The three were drinking some kind of wine and giggling while they cooked, becoming a little tipsy. Conrad smiled slightly, looking at his mom as he leaned on the hallway doorframe.

Susannah sipped on her wine and turned around to see Conrad standing there.

"Oh, Connie," The blonde woman said as she swallowed her wine. "I didn't see you there."

"Just came down," Conrad said as he stepped more into the kitchen.

"How'd it go with Katherine?" Christine asked the brunette boy.

"Good," Conrad replied. "I got her to let me go with her. We're leaving tomorrow morning."

"Good, good," Christine said. "I'd never seen her breakdown like that."

"Me either," Conrad said sadly. "That's why I'm going with her. I need to be there for her."

"Better you than me," The blonde woman chuckles before heading back to where Laurel was standing while they continued to make dinner.

Susannah smiled as she looked at her son, "What?" Conrad asked.

"Am I not allowed to look at my son, who's about to leave me?" Susannah said as she ruffled his hair, and Conrad pushed her hand away.

"What was that for?" Conrad groaned.

Susannah chuckled and shrugged, "I'm just proud of you and glad you're being there for Katherine. She really needs you."

"I know, Mom," Conrad said. "I'm going to do my best to be there for her."

"Good," Susannah said as she patted him on the back. "I should go help them finish up dinner."

Conrad nodded as his mom walked away.

-----

Dinner was mostly quiet. Nobody wanted to talk about Katherine's breakdown earlier. Nobody wanted to mention it. Nobody wanted to say anything wrong because the girl was fragile at the moment.

"You know," Katherine says, breaking the silence. "This is really awkward."

"Oh, thank God," Jeremiah exhales. "I thought this whole dinner would go by without anyone saying a word. It's so uncomfortable."

"Don't stop on my account," Katherine chuckles. "I know you guys are trying not to say something that could trigger me, but I'm fine. I'm going back in the morning. Plus, this is just really awkward."

The girl drags the d when saying that, making everybody laugh. "You guys don't need to walk on eggshells around me. I'm okay. We're driving up to see Caitlin in the morning." She motioned towards Conrad.

"We just didn't know how upset you'd be, sweetie," Susannah said in her calming, soft voice that made anyone forgive her. "I didn't want any one of them to upset you."

"Hey!" Brandon and Steven yelled simultaneously, causing everybody to laugh as everyone knew Susannah was talking about them more than anyone else.

Susannah shrugged innocently with a slight chuckle, "What can I say? You two are known for annoying the poor girl."

Belly, who was mid-drink, laughed, almost spitting out her drink, causing the two boys to burst out laughing. "And we can see why." The young brunette says with a whack on the head from her brother.

"Ow! Steven, you little-" Belly gets cut off by Christine before she can lecture her older brother.

"Anyways, what time are you two leaving in the morning? Are you sure you don't want anybody else to come with you?" Christine said with concern, gracing her face for her daughter.