Latter Days

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

                Dinner went, admittedly, a little smoother than I had imagined. Since Jack’s dad wasn’t home this week, the seat at the head of the table was empty. Nobody dared to take it. Jack’s mom was at the opposite side of the table, tending to Tate and Tanner, who were sitting on either side of her, across from each other. Jack sat at the end of my side, near the empty head chair, and next to him was me, then Natalie, then Kelsey and Tate. Across from Jack sat Kim, then Sarah, then Annie, then Cassie and Tanner. The table was arranged so each younger child had an older one near him/her so they could be looked after. I figured it was best that I wasn’t sitting anywhere near Jack’s mom, after what had happened earlier.

            In all honestly, I hadn’t meant for it to slip out, and I hadn’t originally thought that it was all that bad. “God” wasn’t a curse word, and I couldn’t see why it would be so offensive to this family. It was just a word, and I was using it as an expression of happiness, you know? I had never said His name in a bad way, or to cause any harm to anyone, so I couldn’t necessarily understand why it was the ONE word I wasn’t allowed to say in front of them.

            We were all pretty much silent throughout the dinner, which was awkward at first, but I had grown to appreciate it. Silence was better than being reprimanded. I had expected to be yelled at the moment the word had slipped out of my mouth, but Julia had simply regained her neat composure, plastered a wide smile on her face, and invited us to sit and eat.

            I could definitely tell she was unhappy, but wasn’t going to say anything about it, for the younger kids’ sake, and I was very grateful for that.

            About halfway through dinner, little Natalie cleared her throat next to me and asked, “Annalie, would you like another piece of bread?” I was caught off guard by the sudden question, but nodded my head.

            “Thank you very much,” I said politely. Natalie was honestly one of the cutest of Jack’s siblings.

            “No problem!” she exclaimed. Then she put her hand up to her mouth, and her mouth up to my ear. She whispered, “When you said God, that’s okay. I won’t tell anybody at my church,” I looked at her with wide eyes, then smiled.

            “Thank you, Natalie. That means a lot to me. You’re very nice.” This caused a wide smile to spread across her face.

            “Jack, I like your girlfriend. She should come to dinner every night.” Jack blushed and set down his fork.

            “Hey, Nat, what did I tell you this morning, hm?” Natalie was quiet, and scrunched up her forehead, like she was thinking hard. “I told you that Annalie is just my friend, didn’t I? Do you remember that?” Now she relaxed.

            “Oh, yeah, I remember. But she just looks like your girlfriend to me—“

            “You like to play with that boy at school, don’t you? Jimmy?” She nodded happily.

            “Jimmy’s my best friend! He’s so fun!”

            “Well would you like it if I said Jimmy was your boyfriend?” Jack challenged.

            “Ew!” she shrieked. “No! Jimmy’s not my boyfriend. Jack, you’re gross.” Jack looked satisfied.

            “Then don’t say that about Annalie, either. She’s just my friend, that’s it.”

            I figured I should join in on the conversation, so after a few beats I whispered to Natalie, “Jack’s real girlfriend is named Cindy.” Then I winked at her.