Shine

Others' Families are Terrifying

When I rolled over the next morning I found a text from Edward.

He wanted to know if I'd like to meet his family.

I winced, and wrote him back. I would be terrified to meet your family, thank you. But that's because other people's families are always terrifying.

He'd replied before I'd even gotten all the way into my wheelchair, hauling a light blanket over myself because I was still in my pajamas. I can assure you there is nothing to worry about. They aren't much more unique than I am, and you said I couldn't be that unique.

I huffed. That's different. That had to do with –arguing-. You said yourself yesterday that your brothers' idea of fun is demolishing the interiors of houses. I made my way to the hallway. "Morning, Aunt Clara." She was always up before me. Don't know how she did it.

"Morning hon! Sleep well?"

I scrubbed my face with my hands. "Supposedly."

Wouldn't you?

He had me there. I rolled my eyes even though he wasn't there to see. All right. You only live once; why not?

You're using 'you only live once' as your reason to visit a houseful of vampires?

This was the first time either one of us had referred to it directly, and I jumped even as I read it. It certainly isn't something many others would be able to add to their bucket list. I grabbed the yogurt container, a bowl, a spoon and the granola.

You are highly strange, Seth. When would you like me to pick you up?

Um, about an hour from now?

Then I'll see you soon. Tell your aunt 'hi' for me.

Oh shush.

"Edward says 'hi'." I threw my phone on the counter and turned so I could face her while she worked her way around the living room trim, refreshing the white.

"Tell him 'hi' back. So what are your plans for today?"

I wished I didn't feel the instinctive need to tell her. "Edward wants me to meet his family."

She straightened and curled her hands around her knees. "Really?"

I somberly nodded. "Yup."

"And?"

"And I don't know what to do about it!" I insisted. "He's a great friend and I love hanging out with him, but...."

She shook her head at me with a heavy sigh. "Sweet pea, you have heard all of my arguments already. There's nothing more I can say on the topic." She went back to her painting. "Maybe he'll finally sweep you off your wheels like I've been hoping someone would for the last year or so."

I pressed a hand to my forehead. "Heavens. Clara."

"What? It's healthy to form diverse relationships with people."

"I can guarantee that your sister would not have approved of you encouraging these kinds of relations at my age."

She snorted. "What Deanne doesn't know won't kill her. Plus I'm not encouraging you to sleep with him."

"Clara!"

She waved a white-speckled hand at me. "Carry on with your breakfast. Since meeting the family of someone you're not even dating must be soooo stressful."