Secrets And Lies

Chapter 35: Mamma Bitch, I'm Done

Ryan

It was Christmas Eve and everyone gathered in the Mathews' living room. Our Grandparents spent yesterday and  most today at my uncle's house. But they came back thirty minutes ago. They, along with the Mathews, and our friends were all present telling stories of past Christmases. Even Sloane showed up when our Grandparents came back, though she kept mostly to herself.

My dad wasn't here yet, he had to deal with a pile up on Main street. I swear people didn't know how to drive in the rain. We were in Washington for God's sake. You'd think they would be used to it by now. But it was the same every time it more than sprinkled.

My grandparents were fitting in fine, aside from their arguing with Loraine about cleaning up after themselves after meals.

We exchanged a few gifts with our friends. Luke loved his present. Grandpa Fitzpatrick wiggled his eyebrows then questioned if he partook in smoking tobacco. Luke covered by saying that he was a collector of pipes. Axel's parents were conveniently out of the room when I gave him his gift.

I laughed out loud when Taylor and Foster opened the gifts Quade had given them. Foster merely raised a brow at the matching 'thing one' and 'thing two' t-shirts. My brother earned a flick in the forehead from Taylor, but you could tell that she loved it.

My best friend and her boyfriend had the same idea I did. They both went in on a gift certificate for me to the same nail salon. Foster got his best friend a football hall of fame book. One that I had almost bought Axel, I was glad that I had asked Foster before buying it.

Luke got everyone a couple CDs, tailored to everyone's individual tastes in music. Sam gave me and Axel a couple's gift of dinner and a movie, which conveniently is what Axel got him and Paul. I guess great minds think alike when it comes to our gifts this year.

Axel, Quade and I agreed to exchange gifts with the rest of the family tomorrow. My grandparents went to bed early, saying they loved our friends. Grandpa especially liked Luke, who also had to leave.

James was in the middle of the story of his first Christmas with Malinda when there was a buzz from the intercom. We all more or less ignored it. Melinda stated that Loraine would get it. A few minutes later she entered the room, clearing her throat.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but there is a Lynn Fitzpatrick here to see you." All eyes turned on me and Quade.

My stomach and heart both, wanted to jump out my throat and make a run for it, leaving my empty shell of a body to take her verbal beating.

"Do you feel like seeing her?" Melinda asked.

I wrenched my hands together. I didn't want to see her. Just the sound of her name being said made me feel nauseous. I could almost feel a pending anxiety attack coming on. I glanced at Sloane. Her jaw set and her fists balled at her sides, but she stayed silent.

"Baby, you don't have to." Axel rubbed my back, which usually calmed me,

Right now it had little to no effect.

"Come on, Ry, the sooner we see what she wants, the sooner she will leave." Quade grabbed my hand and hauled me to my feet.

Our cousin muttered something about wanting to rip her a new one. Quade and I both shook our heads.

"Mamma Bitch here we come." I sighed. There were gasps from Melinda and Loraine and a short laugh from James.

"Sorry.." I grunted over my shoulder as Quade dragged me a few feet away.

"We're here if you need us." Melinda offered as we left the room.

My mom was standing in the foyer, not a hair out of place. She didn't look like she lost any sleep over the events that happened last week.