Captivation

21: Hallelujah

Hallelujah (noun): an utterance of the word “hallelujah” as an expression of worship or rejoicing

I awake to voices, one of Henry’s brothers; it has to be either Griffin or Peter, as the other four are older and moved out.

“She’s beautiful.” The voice says.

“Don’t get any ideas.” Henry says, he sounds like he’s joking, and I’m surprised he’s in a good mood this early in the morning. I am also surprised that I feel the words vibrate out of his chest. I realize that my head is on his chest.

The voice laughs. “I won’t.” Then a pause, “I always thought…” Then the voice stops, “I always thought you never would…just pick one…you know?”

Henry is quiet, I feel his hand run through my hair. “I know exactly what you mean.” Henry pauses briefly. “I knew her for weeks and was still sleeping with other women.”

“What?” His brother asks.

“We weren’t anything then…” Henry clarifies. I want to tell him that we still aren’t, but that would blow all sorts of covers.

“Still, what did she do?”

“Pitied the girls.” Henry laughs.

There is a pause and then another laugh. “Are you sure that she’s really with you?”

“I’m not.” Henry tells him. “Griff, just tell mom we’ll be out soon, okay?”

So it was Griffin. “No problem,” His younger brother tells him and I hear the door shut.

Then there is a moment of quiet, and Henry sighs. “I don’t think I can pull this off and leave unscathed.” He murmurs before gently shaking my shoulder.

“Madelyn.” He says softly.

My first response is to turn my head so that my face is buried in his chest. “No.” I tell him.

Henry sighs. “I don’t really feel like going out there either.”

“Why?” I yawn, my voice muffled from under my hair.

“Because today we’ll be going to my father’s mother’s house.” Henry tells me. “And if my father was bad, she has managed to be worse. Plus she’ll take a lot out on you.”

I roll on my back and slightly away from Henry. “Why would she do that?”

“She always wanted me to end up with Alina. But Alina and I both would never let that happen.” Henry tells me. So he has no clue about Alina.

“Great, so I get to be harassed for lying.” I cover my face with my hands.

“My grandfather will also be there.” Henry tells me.

“Worse or better?” I ask.

“Worse, if that’s possible.” Henry tells me.

I sigh. “Well, what are we waiting for?” I ask.

Henry looks at me. “Alina comes with us every year to visit, she’s like family.”

I had gathered that much, she seemed like she was as close to family as family could get. “I’m not bothered.”

“Don’t feel bad if they compare to two of you.” Henry says.

“I won’t.” I tell him.

“Prep yourself.”

“I’m not actually your girlfriend.” I tell him.

“That doesn’t make words hurt any less.” He tells me.