Baby for Mr. Blake

Chapter 20

Tuesday, 20 June 2017 – Joshua

Skylar out did herself with the food. The flavors were deliciously balanced and each dish reflected the next. We all complimented her. I even went as far as to tell her that it was better than restaurant food. It was true.

Dad and Mom were sitting at the end of the table with Isabelle across my mom. Skylar was sitting next to her and I was across from her. I spaced out on her so many times. Each time she took a bite of her food I could feel the flavors burst in her mouth with her delightful expressions.

Dave was sitting on the other end of the table looking his odd unimpressed self, but every now and then I caught him staring oddly at Skylar. He always found something to critique and I was ready to set him in his place. Thomas and Lucas, my twin brothers, were also sitting across from each other.

Everyone except for Dave interacted warmly with Skylar, even my Mom who would come off as judge-mental seemed to make her feel comfortable. My eccentric Dad and Skylar were having a fun time bickering about, but Skylar seemed sad.

"I made Rum Apple Pie; can I plate some for everyone?" Skylar asked confidently. I was proud of her. Everyone said yes please, well Dave grumbled a yes and in a whisper my Mom maid a remark about the alcohol. Luckily Skylar already left for the kitchen.

"Mother the alcohol evaporates as it cooks, it's perfectly safe." Isabelle said looking at her and then turned her gaze to me. "Has she seen someone to help her? She must be so traumatized after what happened to her in Atlanta. I can give you a few referrals if you'd like." My whole family knew what she went through and I appreciated that Isabelle did not bring this up in front of her I am sure she would feel embarrassed.

"She seems to be doing okay though." I tell Isabelle but her lips instantly press together. "Just say it like you have to, you have known her longer' I said it was clear that she was agitated about something and that was my only guess.

"She never deals with stuff she puts it behind her, she doesn't process them. It took me a month to get through to her." There was hope, hope that in a months' time she will see me differently. See how much I care for.

"I'll talk to her and see what she thinks. I promise you I will take care of her I will not fuck this up again."

"Yeah right" Dave snarled from the end of the table.

"I am going to help Skylar before I punch someone." Lucas says as he stands from the table. "Yeah I am helping too don't want to be jerkified." Thomas remarked with a sarcastic giggle.

"Let me help you." Lucas say as he moves closer to Skylar as she emerge from the guesthouse balancing four plates, three in the one hand and one in the other. "I'll lose my balances just grab the others thank you Lucas."

Skylar set a plate in front of my Mom, Dad, Isabelle and then me. She started to walk back and I told her to sit and that Thomas and Lucas will bring the rest. So she sat down and folded her hands in her lap.

"How often do you do family meals together?" she asked looking at me.

"Well, Tuesday's, are like our Sundays, but we try to have meals at least twice a week." she looked at me puzzled. "Well, for one thing, the culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. We're teaching the wrong things. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn't work, don't buy it. Create your own. Most people can't do it. That's a quote from.."

"Tuesdays with Morrie... but how?" Skylar was cut short when my Dad interrupted.

"Sundays are a day for family it's also a time when most of your friends are free to hang. So we created our own tradition, changed our culture dear."

"Oh I see, I really like that." Skylar gave my Dad a warm smile which he openly returned. Thomas and Lucas came back and placed a plate in front Skylar and Dave sat down with their own.

Everyone around us was making joyous sound, even my Mom made a very audible "mmmm". I took a bite and it was heaven I never thought my favorite pie could ever taste so good.

"You have quite the heavy hand with the rum Skylar." Dave grimaced I wanted to punch his nose through his skull.

"We'll don't blame me if you are used to cheap rum, we used the 21 year Appleton." Skylar said with that feisty tone of her and I loved it so much that my skin tingled. "Get a better taste in life and maybe you won't be so sour either."

Everyone stared at her with an open mouth, surprised by her snarky remark, I held my breath and started to count... one... two... three and before I could get to four, everyone starting laughing. My Mom was actually choking on a piece of apple pie and she quickly held her hand up. Isabelle was also a bit enthusiastic to do the Heimlich manoeuvre.

"Yeah Dave, you never fucking bite the hand that feeds you." Thomas almost growled at him.

"No swearing at the table Thomas!" Mom said through her choking cutting her normal hard tone and everyone, except for Dave, starting laughing again.

As always everyone helped clearing the table and washing the dishes. Skylar told them to leave it, but my Dad of all people insisted that she remains seated and everyone else started rumbling to tidy up.

I was packing away the last place when I saw Skylar frowning at Dave and it almost seemed as if she started to shake. Dave's hand moved up to her face, but she blocked his movement with her left arm hand her right hand seemed to go to his shoulder. It was hard to tell.

"You Bitch!" with Dave's cry everyone turned around too shocked to move while I on the other hand was curious to see what she would do. I expected her to raise a knee to his groin or move her hand from his shoulder to punch his face, but the only movement I saw was Dave crumbling to the floor.

No one cared about Dave moaning on the floor everyone rushed to Skylar. She took Isabelle by her hand and pulled her away from us. The conversation seemed intense; Skylar was slapping a finger on her own open palm as she discussed things with Isabelle. Something was going on and I'd find out soon enough.