A Genuine Infatuation and A Theorem for Love

Chapter 2.

As I skipped downstairs, however, as expected as it should have been, I skidded across the tiled floor having stepped onto a slimy banana peel. I hadn't noticed it and was certain without doubt as to who had placed it there. Luckily, I kept my balance and managed to grope onto the table's edge. "Phew!" I wiped the few beads of perspiration and tried to calm my pulse that was drumming against my rib-cage.

 I made my way to the dining room that was lit by the chandelier hanging low on the ceiling. It dimmed the vibrant colors of the walls' texture, as per my Mom's taste. Every-one was already seated and Mom was handing slices of bread to each plate. Dad was seated at the head of the table, and Henry to his left, followed by Paul. I made my way next to Bill's seat and spreaded the napkin over my legs.  

"Hey Dad!" I smiled at my father. Dad, too, was rarely seen at home, he was head of the area's Dispute Council. People sought his aid and advice in their moments of untranquility. Thus, he was kept busy by their problems. We hadn't seen him for over a couple of weeks now. There had been a major dispute over another area across our land to which he had to attend. 

"Linda, it's good to see you dear. I've missed my little rugrats." He smiled back warmly at the four of us. Dad was in his mid-forties, yet he showed an aura of confidence and power. Mom handed me my share of bread-slices to go with the steaming and incredibly delicious corn soup that sat in-front of me. My stomach rumbled as I had skipped lunch, however, before I could divulge into my heavenly meal I chose to stomp on Bill's foot for his previous prank. I eyed Dad with a sideway glance; fortunately, he hadn't noticed. 

"Ow! Mom, Linda stepped on my feet!" Bill complained. 

"Linda..." Mom called me in her warning tone. 

"You mean, I stepped on your 'foot', dumbo." I mocked at him in a low tone and dived into my meal. 

"Hee-haw, tease all you want, only 'till you'd be here!" I ignored his jibe. I had to finish my meal quick if I wanted to revise for History. Thus, I continued dipping bread-slices into the soup and gobbled them up fast. 

"So tell me, how has being an infamous accountant treating you, son? Have you been promoted, yet?" Dad questioned Henry, while Mom took her seat next to Bill. She always complained that Dad let me get away with matters while the truth remained, I was never at fault to begin with. Although I took after her features, pale skin with wavy russet hair and piercingly brown eyes, I was nothing similar to her character. While I was the object of Mom's scrutiny, the same went for Henry and Dad, who even now, despised Henry having become an accountant rather than follow his footsteps. 

"Dad," Henry heaved a deep sigh, like an old man tired of explaining his life to his grandchildren, "promotions don't come-by easily. They ought to to be 'earned'," he pronounced the last word slowly, perhaps hoping that Dad wouldn't interrogate him any further. I pitied my oldest brother and knew precisely of how he felt. Sometimes Dad went to the extreme and made a great fuss over it that the four of us would silently retreat to our rooms; Paul shared his with Bill, leaving our parents to argue by themselves. I personally felt that Dad failed to bring about a reconciliation when it came his household matters that had to be his priority before the people. I chose to divert the topic of his current employment and save Henry from further interrogation. 

"Dad, has the feud with the Northerners lessened?" I inquired at him before he had the chance to speak. He gradually turned to face me, a slight frowning crease on his forehead. I had succeeded. He was contemplating my question, instead. From the corner of my eye I saw Henry mouth the words 'I owe you' which made me stiffle a giggle. Dad, however, exchanged a doubtful glance with Mom. There was no mistakening that she shook her head while feeding on her soup. Bill, on the other hand, gauffawed uncontrollably and leant back on his chair, which, of-course, caused him to topple backwards. I giggled quite hysterically at his shock written face and earned a hard stare from Dad. "Oops!" I gulped, he never liked it when we laughed at the expense of another's downfall. It wasn't everyone that I laughed at, only Bill, who deserved it by all means. 

"Linda..." Dad began his warning while Bill set his chair upright and took his seat, pushing me in the process. "Well..." he dragged. And that was uncommon. He never dragged on, making my nerves tense up. Dinner may not turn out fruitful as the delicious soup that I had almost finished, I mused. Bill giggled silently this time. I frowned at him and turned to face Paul. He was looking at the table-cloth border instead, as though it had suddenly become interesting to him. This was seemingly strange. Henry, however, seemed clueless. There wasn't anything to doubt in him as he rarely showed up at home. I frowned, dinner had abruptly taken a turn for the unknown, with excruciating matters I would rather keep at bay.

P.S. Bill to the right, adorable isn't he???