Malediction

3 - 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

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

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

Luke didn't want to talk about Andy, and I sure as hell didn't want to talk about Danny, so I redirected the conversation as subtly as I could

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

"Three" he answered easily

"Any weird names?" I continued, quizzing my father the obstetrician

"Freedom" he answered without hesitation

"Freedom?" Mum repeated "It's kinda pretty I guess"

I shrugged as I suppressed a chuckle

"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 found myself defending 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" 

Luke and I instantly paused, our eyes meeting

"We stopped and had a bit of a chat, he's a nice guy, that family is very misunderstood I think" He continued

I chewed slowly, thinking of ways to avoid the topic and move on without sounding suspicious 

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

"I think Andy is nice too" Luke bravely added

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

"Selena must be sad about that, she's home-schooled them their whole lives" 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 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, mentally exhausting day, and it had taken its toll on me. I collapsed on my bed, soaking in the cool air around me, inhaling deeply before switching on a movie.
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.

"Hey" She typed
I replied simply "Hi"

"Did you have history today with Harlow?" Was her next message