Dead Inside

Chapter Fifteen I've seen enough

The second we walk in the door at Drew's chaos erupts. Drew has pulled bits and pieces out of the fridge and cupboard in what I think is an attempt to organise dinner but he is off cleaning the bathroom. Max pulls out a vacuum and starts cleaning the lounge. They seem to have done this quite a few times. They each have a mental list of their jobs which they tick off with grim determination. Every now and then Drew pops into the kitchen to throw stuff in the oven or on the stove before rushing off to do something else. I repeatedly ask for something to do but they both tell me it's under control.

I smell something burning in the kitchen so I run in to check it and find a mess of pots boiling over, vegetable scraps strewn everywhere and stuff in the oven which is turned off. I turn down the pots and am relieved to see that it's just the overflowed liquid that's burning. I guess dinner will be my job. I open the oven and see chicken marylands sitting in a tray. There is a pot of potatoes and one with eggs which I turn off. On the bench is lettuce, red onion and garlic. I take a moment to think about what I can create with these things and soon come up with potato salad and roasted chicken. I check the cupboard for the other things I will need and luckily we have them. I make a quick marinade for the chicken before shoving it back in the oven making sure I turn it on this time. I check the potatoes and drain them since they are ready. I throw together the salad and add the eggs on top. Thankfully they aren't too over cooked.

While I wait for the chicken to cook I browse the pantry to see what I can throw together for dessert. I can hear Max and Drew cursing and rummaging around frantically. I hear a knock at the door and glance at the clock. It's exactly 6. The house is completely quiet. It sounds like they both froze at the sound. I hear feet half running down the hall and Drew hurries past towards the door. I hear Max meet him in the entry way. They open the door.

"Hi Mum. Hi Dad. How are you both?" It sounds weird to hear Max speak so formally.

"Max. Drew. We are fine, thank you." A gruff voice responds. That must be their Dad.

"Well aren't you going to invite us in?" Their Mum sounds almost hostile. I can just imagine her looking down her nose at them.

"Uh sure. Take a seat in the lounge and I'll bring you a drink." I hear shuffling feet then Max and Drew appear in the entry way to the kitchen. They both look very flustered.

"Oh thank goodness you saved dinner." Drew looks so relieved. I think he totally forgot about it until he saw me. "It smells amazing. You're a life saver." He gives me a one arm hug before rushing to the fridge and grabbing out a beer and a bottle of wine. Max grabs the glasses and they fill one each. "Well you better come meet them."

I trail along behind them as they head to the lounge. Their parents are sitting on opposite sides of the room in the armchairs leaving the two person sofa in the middle. Their father has the same features as Max. The same strong jaw and blue eyes. His hair is starting to grey around the temples but he looks good for someone who must be in their late 40s. Their mother is sitting primly on the very edge of the chair. She is looking around the room distastefully. She looks more like Drew but has the same dainty nose as Max. Her hair is bleached blond and twisted into a French bun. Her bright red lips are pressed into a thin line. Max and Drew give them their drinks and take a seat on the sofa. They make a space in the middle and beckon me over.

"Mum, Dad this is Roxanne. Roxanne, Mr and Mrs Mason." Both parents look at me in shock. Mr Mason's slowly smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes and Mrs Mason eyes me up and down before dismissing me.

"Nice to meet you both." I can feel myself turning inwards and I struggle to not drop my head and stare at the floor. They both make me feel like I am completely beneath them and not worth their time. I shuffle over to the sofa and take a seat. It is a tight fit for the three of us so we are pressed up against each other. An awkward silence follows. Mr and Mrs Mason sip their drinks, Drew and Max shift about nervously, and I stare at my hands.