Path-to-Freedom (version 1)

(21)

We all stood up and I saw that the males were actually all taller than all the females, Lukas included.

"You guys are tall." Me and Raelyn said at the same time.

The males all smiled and nodded.

"Runs in the family." Lucas spoke.

I nodded and followed the others into the elegant dining room.

We waited until everyone took their seats before we seated ourselves.

In front of me was Skylar and on the left side of me was Lukas. On the other side was Raelyn and in front of her was Ailynn.

At the head was Kenneth and to his left was Amelia, to Amelia's right was Lukas. To Kenneth's right was Hunter. Next to Hunter was Nathan and then Skylar, then Ailynn.

"Um I hope you don't mind but I made my famous Lasagna and Spaghetti and meatballs alongside Mac n' Cheese."

"No not at all, everything looks and smells amazing."

We all got some dinner and I got a little bit of everything.

"You don't want more?" Amelia asked.

"No, this is already too much."

She looked at my plate and frowned.

"Ok, well then I'll pack some up for you."

"That would be wonderful, thank you." I smiled softly.

We got to eating, and it tasted amazing. All of it.

"This tastes magnificent. I could see why you'd like cooking so much." I smiled at Nathan.

"Do you cook?" Amelia asked.

"Yes, I learned at a young age."

"Really? Who taught you?"

"Well before moving to Massachusetts, um Tony had this housekeeper who was also a cook. She actually taught me a bit to cook and then the rest I was forced to learn to cook for him."

"How old were you when you learned?"

"Around 6."

"That's young."

"Yeah mom, she graduated at 6 and got her law degree at 9. And I thought I was the youngest to graduate here." Lukas spoke with excitement.

"Wow, that's a great thing. Was this um, Tony proud?"

All of a sudden the atmosphere changed from calm to tense.

"I guess you could say that."

"Really? So how was this Tony?" Amelia asked, to which Kenneth cleared his throat.

"Um he was himself."

"How so?" Skylar asked.

"I don't know really."

"How was your childhood?" Ailynn asked bitterly.

Under the table Raelyn held my hand, feeling my uneasiness.

"It could have been better?"

"Could you elaborate?" She asked again.

"I'd rather not." I answered.

"Why not?"

"I don't like talking about it."

"And why's that?" She further prodded.

"It wasn't- it wasn't the best."

"Well from what you're saying, it seemed like you were happy, are happy." She spoke rudely.

I don't know why but that made me mad for some reason.

"Would you be happy if you got hit almost everyday since you were three? Would you be happy if you had to learn to take care of yourself since three? Would you be happy if every time you spoke, you got back handed? Would you be happy if you got stabbed every birthday since you turned 15? Would you be happy if you lived in fear everyday? Thinking that everyday could be your last? Woke up to ice cold water being dropped on you? Would you be happy if someone burned you just to see you in pain? Hmm? Would you like it if someone came up with differnet ways to torture you? If you were kept in a basement? If you were made to clean every nook and cranny? Because from where I'm sitting, you look as if you haven't had to work a day in your life. So, would you be happy? Would you? Do you want me to elaborate further or is that enough to satisfy whatever problem you have with me?" By the time I was done, she looked absolutely horrified and Amelia was crying.

"I'm sorry for ruining dinner but I think it'd be best if we left." I spoke standing up.

"It was wonderful to meet you." I looked towards Ailynn. "All of you."

"Thank you for the dinner Mrs.Williams, it was wonderful." Raelyn thanked and we both walked out of the dining room and towards the front door.

I left without a second thought and Raelyn sent an apologetic smile behind her and came outside too.

She unlocked the car and we both got in.

She drove off and I kept looking out the window.

"Are you ok?" Raelyn asked me after a while.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Don't give me that fine bullshit, are you really?" She asked again.

"No, I mean yes but no. They were all wonderful but my sister, my twin sister seems to hate me for some reason."

"I noticed, just don't let it get to you, let it go. Everyone else seems nice."

"Yeah they do. I shouldn't have said all that to Ailynn." I groaned.

"If it were me, I would have done it a long time ago. But hey, I'm proud of you, you really got out of your comfort zone, you even made jokes."

I smiled at that. "Yeah I did. I just felt comfortable with them I guess."

"I could tell. It was nice seeing you like that."

"It was nice feeling like that."

We soon reached home, I went to unlock the door but it was open.