One Love

Chapter 14

        Peter didn’t come around like he said he would. It was 5 o’clock and I’ve ignored 7 calls from Jacob already. Sighing I got up and followed the amazing smells to the kitchen. Walking in I froze. My mother and father stood side by side making food. My mother looked up, smiling at me while going back to chopping the tomatoes. I hate tomatoes.

            “What’s going on?” I asked, glancing at my dad. He shook his head before nodding it towards the family room. I looked into it, Bill and Carrie stood looking around. A beer in Bill’s hand and a glass of red wine in Carrie’s. Carrie saw me and smiled.

            “Oh my! How are you darling?” I hugged her while eyeing Bill. He was awfully quiet.

            “I’m good, where is Peter?” I asked when she pulled away. Glancing at her watched she clicked her tongue.

            “I told him to be here at 5 and he’s late. He’s with Kenzie.” My heart dropped, I think it was now in my foot.

            “Oh.” I said, plastering a smile on my face. “That’s nice. Did my mom invite you guys over?” I asked her. I didn’t even hear my mom come home and here we all were. I didn’t like this.

            “Yes, I hope one day I can be just like your parents. I’ve only been married a couple years, and I just hope I can love Bill as much as your momma loves John.” I cringed slightly but nodded. “Let’s go eat.” I nodded. There was pasta on the table, garlic bread and salad.

            “Wow dad, good job,” I said, sitting down. My parents sat on the ends while Bill and Carrie sat across from me, an empty chair next to me.

            “It was your mother,” my dad said, trying to smile. “Be nice,” he mouthed to me. I smiled winking at him. My ass I’d be nice, she slapped me yesterday. That’s not something you can just play nice about.

            “Are you sure it’s not poisoned?” I asked sweetly, flashing them a beautiful smile. Carrie and Bill stared at me, now noticing some tension. “Kidding.” I said, everyone relaxed slightly. “Where is Jason?” I asked, looking at my dad.

            “He’s with Danielle.” My mother answered, shoving pasta in her mouth before dabbing the corners of her lips.

            “Pretty sure I didn’t ask you,” I snapped, causing everyone but my mother to gasp. The front door opened and Peter strolled in, standing behind his parents.

            “Wow, I hope I didn’t miss much, this looks great.” He said, smiling at me.

            “Oh no, not too much. You came just in time. See my parents are going acting like everything is fine, even though just yesterday, she slapped me across the face. You were there for that though. I haven’t eaten, positive that my mother poisoned me.” I stood, grabbing the bottle of wine off the table and began chugging it down. No one but Peter stopped me.

            “Stop this,” he snapped, trying to drag me away.

            “Oh no Peter, let’s stay, we might miss something. Like my parents declaring their fake love for one another, and their fake smiles while I’m being ripped apart!” I screamed. I looked back at the table. Carrie had a look of sympathy, as if she already knew what was happening while Bill sipped his beer awkwardly. My mother was finishing an eye roll while my dad sat with his head in his hands. A stance I’ve caught him in too many times this past month. “Really Peter, let’s sit and eat. I mean you can eat, I don’t want to in case I drop dead while I eat my poisoned food and-” my mother jumped up.