Her Story: October Ivory

8

                Lee's house was really nice. I learned that she was adopted and that she had a baby sister. We worked on the project after she introduced me to her mother and now the two of us had just sat down for dinner.

               There were already empty plates sat in front of us and Lee's mother filled them with food.

               "Thank you," I say with a smile as I looked into her blue eyes. Her name was Linda and she was fair skinned with blonde hair.

               "You're welcome." She cooked a whole chicken, steamed some green beans and prepared mashed potatoes. I never ate this type of meal before but it smelled nice. She made her own plate and then smoothed down her dress before sitting down. She had also made Kylie a plate (Lee's baby sister). She was adorable. Light skin with black curly and shiny hair, she has chubby cheeks with dimples and her eyes were brown just like Lee's. Kylie wasn't adopted though. Lee claimed her dad was out getting milk but her mom told her not to tell me that kind of joke because it's not funny. Which...it wasn't but only because I didn't get it. I'm sure if Lee explained it I'd laugh...I think.

After we said grace, their tradition, I started stuffing my face. I ripped at my chicken and then my green beans, and then my mashed potatoes. The food was so good. I don't remember the last time I actually had a home cooked meal.

             I sighed in relief threw my nose as I closed my eyes. I'm in heaven. I continued to eat mindlessly and I just so happened to look up. All three of them were looking at me and I froze.

             Lee and her mother had a distraught look on their face and Kylie's mouth was ajar as she sat there looking stuck in her high chair.

          I slowly finished chewing before clearing my throat. "Sorry," I mumble, "I haven't eaten today."

Linda's face turned with concern. "What do you mean you haven't eaten today?" Kylie's mouth was still hanging open so Linda gently closed it.

I stumbled over my words. "I didn't mean it like that. I just meant I haven't eaten—all day. I ate this morning. You know...how it is."

"No...I don't think I do..." her face still held worry as she cut into her piece of chicken. "You don't get fed at home?"

I swallowed hard. "I do."

"So why haven't you eaten since this morning again?"

"Just wasn't hungry." I chuckle nervously.

"Righttt." I glanced at Lee and she had started eating her food, her attention on her plate but I knew she was listening. I turn back to her mother. "You have a lovely home." I only voiced my opinion to get the topic off of me.

"Thank you. How is the project going?"

"It's going good. I'm not sure why our teacher gave us two weeks for it. We only have the pitch left."

Linda looked at Lee. "Lee?"

"It's going good."

"What did you both decide?"

I smile. "A sneaker washer for sports. It was Lee's idea." I glance at Lee and she gives me a small smile.

"That's nice. If you both need help I'm all ears.

"Thanks."

              After dinner, it was time for me to go home so Lee took me. "We can finish up the project tomorrow," she voiced.

          "Okay. thank you for inviting me to your house. Your mom is really nice."

         "Appreciate," she paused, "You're welcome to come to my house whenever... you know...if you want."

         "Oh it's fine. I don't wanna be a bother."

        Lee shrugs. "It's cool. I ain't trippin'."

        I smile. "Okay."

        She unlocks the doors. "I'll see you tomorrow."

       "See you later." I went to bed with a smile on my face that night. I didn't care that I only had a mattress and a lamp, I didn't care that I only had converse and uniforms, and I didn't care that mother wasn't the best to me. I was just happy that I finally had someone who didn't look at me with disgust.