Shattered

Chapter 23

"How's Roselyn and Athena?" Picking at my food, I attentively listened to Chandler and Lucas chat, avoiding all eye contact with Nakoa. She had made two attempts to talk to me when I sat at the table, but I stayed quiet. Once Chandler joined us, she didn't bother trying to talk, much to my gratitude. It wasn't like I wanted to ignore her, but I knew it was better for the both of us. Chandler was testing me; to see if I'd actually listen, and I needed to gain his trust. Nakoa would understand.

"Rose is helping my dad with the company and Athena is graduating from highschool in June." From what I remember, Rose was a contact name in his messages, but I didn't see Athena. Hearing anything personal from Chandler was rare, so before I could convince myself to keep my mouth shut, I spoke up.
"Are they your sisters?" At my voice, they both turned, almost surprised. "Yes," Chandler answered, seeming a bit upset still. With a nod, I turned back to my food, feigning interest in the vegetables. "Your dad has been okay managing the company in Seattle after his surgery?"

"Without Rose, I don't think he could run it on his own, so it's good that she's back." So his dad recently had surgery, Roselyn was someplace, and Athena is in highschool. I tucked this information into mind, refusing to forget. If Chandler didn't want to tell me about his family, I'd piece it together in my mind.

"Jess, aren't you from Washington?" Caught off guard, my eyes widened at Lucas, expecting to be ignored for the rest of this dinner. Chandler held a look of surprise, probably agitated that Lucas knew something he didn't. "Oh, no, I'm not from there, but I lived there until I was fifteen." Up until mom died. "Then where are you from?" Chandler asked, shifting his left hand which had been resting on my knee.

"I was born in Seattle, but my mom was an international student from Norway and my father was from Germany."

"I thought your parents were English?" Lucas asked, to my dismay. Explaining my family history is not something I enjoy. At all. It's confusing and complicated. "My stepdad is from England, but he's been in my life since I was three, so I call him my dad. As for my biological father, he left back to Germany before I was born." I explained in the simplest terms possible, although it could still get confusing.

Chandler eyed me from the side, as if he knew there was more to it. Of course there was, but those are my secrets to keep. I held his gaze for a few long seconds, but he turned to Nakoa, asking "Where are you from?"

She slightly lifted her head, most of her hair hanging over her cheeks. "My father is Korean and my mom is Japaneese-Canadian." With nothing but a mumble, she answered, quickly focusing on her food again. Lucas appeared unfazed, as if this was information he already knew, which it probably was.

For the most part, the rest of dinner was quiet, Chandler and Lucas conversing every few minutes. After we had finished, Lucas and Nakoa went upstairs, leaving me washing dishes and Chandler cleaning the table. At this point, I couldn't tell if he was still upset, so I was prepared for anything.

Gently, I slid the soapy sponge over a slim knife, contemplating what I could do with it. More like what I could get away with. These thoughts of rebellion conflicted me. Haven't I learned anything from the pain?

"Should I be concerned by how thoughtful you look while holding such a sharp knife?" Surprised, I glanced over, seeing Chandler casually leaning against the counter; eyes focused on me. "I have no intentions of using it, if that's what you mean," I responded, setting the blade with the other clean dishes. As I reached for the towel to dry my dripping hands, Chandler grabbed it first, stepping forward and wrapping my hands in the blue cloth.

"Can you promise me something?" he asked while making sure every crevice of my hands were dry. "Depends on what it is." I found it odd that I didn't feel the urge to pull away from his touch, even as he moved the towel, holding my hands in his while he softly stroked my thumbs.