Room On Fire

Room On Fire Chapter 13

Eden

   Dinner with Sophie and Michael was honestly the best family dinner I’ve ever had. Even when my mother was still around, our family dinners only lasted ten minutes before Abby skipped out, I went upstairs and my dad grabbed a beer. My mother would sit at the end of our long, oak table with half her food left; picking up tiny pieces then setting them back down.

   Sometimes I stuck around with her to make sure she ate at least ten bites of whatever she cooked. Don’t get me wrong, my mom was a marvelous cook, but she refused to eat any of it. At first we all thought she poisoned it until she came home from work one day with a prescription for vitamins and a warning from her doctor. My father was furious with her and I often heard him shout at her each time she worse something that revealed her frail, breakable arms or legs. So she resorted to baggy, knit sweaters and long, billowy skirts.

   I shook myself from memory lane as soon as Michael began clearing plates. I immediately offered to help but he thoughtfully declined.

   “You’re our guest, Eden. Guests don’t have to do dishes.” He chuckled while balancing a teetering stack of cups and plates on his arm.

   “Well I wouldn’t mind at all.” I said, smiling up at him. He shushed me and instructed Sophie to take me back downstairs to lock up. “It’s almost nine. I’m sorry we ate so late, Eden, hope it didn’t mess up your eating schedule!”

   “Of course not” I replied, “It was really nice staying over here for dinner, thank you. I really should be getting back home to my sister, though. I promised her I’d be home by nine.” I said, picking at a loose string on my shirt.

   “If you’d wait a few minutes, I’d be glad to drive you back home.” Michael said; his hands now completely submerged in soapy dish-water.

   “No, I’ll be fine. I can walk.” I said quickly, standing and heading to the stairs back down to the shop. Sophie followed hesitantly.

   As soon as we were back downstairs and out of hearing distance of her uncle Sophie spoke again. “Why won’t you let him drive you home? It’s dark out.” She asked me.

   I shrugged, and pulled my bag back over my shoulder. “My sister wouldn’t like that.” I replied, running my tongue along my chapped, bottom lip. “Strangers at our place, you know?”

   “But we aren’t strangers.” She said.

   “To Abigail, you would be. I’m sorry…” I mumbled, quickly walking out the front door. The bell above jingled and the humid, night air slapped me in the face.

   “Work starts at eight!” She called out after me. I waved and headed back to the motel. I felt horrible about not being able to tell my new-found friends why I couldn’t let them see where I live. It was embarrassing and I may even have to give up my new job over it. No one wants a runaway living out of a motel to work at their family business. Even then, I was grateful they gave me the opportunity.

Duncan

   I watched Vanessa fall asleep beside me. Her violet eyes slowly drifting to a close. Her thick, blonde lashes rested against her full, pink cheeks. As I lay beside her, my earlier thoughts drifted back. Why did I let her go? Why did I let this perfect human being go? Abigail. That’s why.

   Abby was everything I’ve always imagined in a girl in my wildest fantasies. Surely I didn’t see myself marrying her one day, much less having children together. She had black hair and a tattoo. She was dangerous and sexy; broken but strong. I convinced myself I was in love with her and I went for it.