Soldier | E.D

Six

Chapter Six | 'Family Dinner '

Once back inside, Morgan retreated back to the kitchen. She put the chicken on a platter, the stir fry into a big bowl, and some ice into the small, metal bucket. She stirred the freshly made sweet tea, and poured Aunt Nancy, Nana Barb, and Gruncle Jim's cups with unsweet. She knew David would die before he ate her cooking, but she pretended she didn't care. Morgan was used to David hating her. He'd always been that way, resentful. At first, Morgan had tried. She had tried awfully hard to be nice, to make him like her. But when the end of
her senior year came around, and he had told her to "Calm down, the world doesn't revolve around you," at her own graduation party, she didn't see the point of trying anymore.

"Smells delicious," Nana Barb said, sitting down at the head of the table. This is where she had sat, ever since Grandpa Elliot passed. Even when she married Aunt Kim's dad, she still sat at the head of the table. Barb had always been in charge. Everyone filed in slowly, as Morgan brought the food out. When she sat in her normal place, to the direct right from Nana Barb, she picked up the stir-fry, and passed it Ellie, sitting next to her. Ellie always sat next to Morgan when she came over. Aunt Kim always sat to the left of Nana Barb. That's just how it was. The table sat eight, so Gruncle Jim pulled a chair out from the garage. It sat lower than the table, but he made up for it in height.

No matter how obnoxious David would get, or how annoying and tiring her Stephanie got, Morgan secretly loved when they came. She loved when the table was full, and she loved cooking for everyone. She remembered when she was six or seven, and Kim's dad, Johnathan's family would come over from Alabama, and Nana Barb would cook. She sat in the kitchen and watched.
~~~
"Morgan, please don't fall off the counter now," Nana Barb said harshly. "Can I help?" She asked. "Go and set the table now. Grandpa Johnny will be back soon with Great Grandma Ruth," Nana sighed.
"Alright." Morgan jumped off the counter, and ran over to the silverware drawer. "Morgan don't run with forks!" Nana Barb yelled. She slowed down. "Sorry," she said with a toothless grin. "Please don't injure yourself dear. I'd hate for you to get hurt," Nana Barb bent down and stroked her cheek. "I love you Nana," Morgan kissed her cheek. "I love you too baby. Now go set the table," Nana kissed her forehead.
~~~
That was the most affectionate Nana Barb ever got. She gradually became less and less, 'So Morgan wouldn't get too attached'. It was fine though, because Kim made up for it. "Let's pray," Nana Barb said, joining hands with Morgan and Kimberly.

"Dear heavenly father, thank you for blessing us with this food, and this beautiful summer Friday. Lord, thank you for bringing home my daughter, Stephanie, after so many years. Please help Poppy's colic, and Morgan to find a new job soon. Heal Nancy's psoriasis, and help Elliana's mother through her Alzheimer's struggle. And please let me live to see Morgan get married. In Jesus name we pray, Amen." She finishes. "Wow Barbie, no wonder you lead the prayer group." Aunt Nancy says. "Let's eat," Gruncle Jim says.

David uncrumples a McDonald's bag, and pulls out a Big Mac. Morgan sighs. "This is great, Morg," Kim smiles across the table. Morgan gives a polite smile. "Did he ask you out? Have you two been texting? Is he funny? Nice? He's hot for sure," Ellie whispers to her. Morgan shoves a piece of bread in her mouth. "Shut up Ellie. The only reason you know is because you were there. And I don't know how serious it will get so be quiet for right now," Morgan glares back. "No need to get so aggressive," Ellie says louder than intended, catching the attention of everyone at the table. "What now?" Nana Barb says. Morgan kicks Ellie under the table. "Ow-"Nothing." Morgan says through her tight smile. "I know when you two are lying. What's going on?" Nana Barb says. Everyone else goes back to talking. "Morgan did you meet someone?" Lucy says, leaning forward on her elbows. Ellie smiles without teeth and nudges Morgan. Morgan looks at her plate. "So, how bout them Cubs," she looks up at the ceiling. "Oh shut up Morgan. I won't tell anyone, I swear," Lucy says. "I'll talk to you two after lunch," she says. Lucy and Ellie finish in like, two seconds, prompting Morgan to speed up. "Excuse us," Morgan says, dragging Ellie by her arm upstairs. Lucy stands up too fast, clattering her plate and almost spilling her glass. She chases after them as they dash up the stairs.

Ellie sits in her recliner, in the corner of the room, and Lucy perches herself on the bed. "I swear, Ellie, one of these days I'm going to slap you," Morgan collapses into her swivel chair. "She met someone," Ellianna says from across the room. "I knew it!" Lucy chuckles. "What's he look like? Is he hot? Is he nice? Come on, spill the tea Morgan," Lucy's eyes widen. "I don't know! I'm going out with him tomorrow! I was drunk the first time I met him, Ellie knows more than I do!" Morgan exclaims. "He's verrrrry hot, and he seemed like a nice guy. He helped me get Morgan in the car. And he talked to her, even though she's annoying when she's drunk. I wonder if he has a brother. Morgan, do you think he has a brother?" Ellie rambles. Morgan picks up a flip-flop and throws it at her.