Malediction

3 - A Tad Strange

"Should I have left it in longer?" Dad asked as we sat at the dinner table

"No, it's perfect" I spoke through a mouthful of garlic bread, satisfied it was cooked well enough

"Good" He nodded, ravelling his pasta onto his fork

"So how was everyone's day?" Mum began, eyeing us off one by one

I knew how Luke's day had gone down, as well as my own, and they were both as equally as difficult to explain.

"How many babies did you deliver today?" I turned on dad, unfazed by the gruesomeness of topic over dinner

He thought about it for a minute, counting on his fingers "Six"

"What was the weirdest name?" I continued, quizzing my father the obstetrician

"Freedom" He answered without hesitation

"Freedom?" Mum repeated "Its a little beautiful"

"A little" I shrugged

"Whatever happened to normal names?" Dad sighed, old school.

"Do you know how many Darren's exist dad, you share your name with millions of others, doesn't that bother you?" I defended baby Freedom

He shook his head "No, not really"

I rolled my eyes and continued eating my carbonara, twisting it around my fork

"Speaking of normal" Dad continued "I saw Blake Newscot in the grocery store today picking this up" He spoke, holding his garlic bread beside his lips

Luke and I instantly paused

"We stopped and had a bit of a chat. He's a nice fellow, I don't understand why that family takes a great deal of slack around here" He continued

I chewed slowly, thinking of ways to avoid topic and move on

"They are a tad strange" Mum interjected, sipping her red wine

"Andy is nice too" Luke bravely added

"You've met him?" Dad turned toward him "Blake did mention something about the boys being forced into the public system"

"Selena must be bothered about that, she's home-schooled them since they were tots" Mum noted

"He likes soccer like me" Luke added with a small smile, relieved of the lack of judgement from our parents

"Oh that's wonderful Luke" Mum smiled "Maybe you can invite him to your next game?"

Luke nodded "I think I will"

I remained silent, proud of the development. I was happy that Luke was involving this boy. I felt sorry for him. He was only 13, he deserved a social life.
But a small part of me remained vigilant. Where and why had these rumours started about them? What part of it was true?

The remainder of dinner was spent talking about our grades, work and our grandparents who were due to visit on the following Sunday.
Unfortunately, I was rostered on for work, but was excited about spending the afternoon with them. It was rare that we spent time with grandma Tilly and Grandpa Joe. They lived an hour away and when they came down to visit, it was always a fun time.

After dinner, I showered and headed to my bedroom. I had endured a long, confusing day, and it had taken its toll on my mind, body and soul.
I collapsed on my double bed, soaking in the air around me, inhaling deeply before switching on a movie-
'Pete's Dragon'.
While letting the movie run, I sat with my legs crossed on the bed, my laptop keeping my thighs warm as I opened up an assignment and instant chat with Paisley.