Glorify Bad (ON HOLD)

Chapter Four - Happy Birthday

Corrine and Max had arrived at the Prescott’s who had lived only a few blocks from the Finch’s home. She drove her tinted-windowed Porsche to keep low profile as she usually would when she would leave her home, even though the sun had had been dimming. Max, who had been feeling more himself since his run into town, had sipped from his flask before leaving his bedroom and stuffing it back in between the  mattress. 

Corrine pulled into a traditional styled home in a neighborhood of cloned homes. Corrine hated the modern family house style and preferred her victorian Finch home with a dash of contemporary. The home was welcoming; the two-story, white sided home was the epitome of suburban family. The garden created a path through a sidewalk pavement to the front porch, which was decorated with halloween pumpkins and hay stacks.

Corrine was eager to the front door, patting her dress and hair as if she hadn’t seen Michael that same day. She knew Angela had no knowing of Michael’s visit, and had to act as though she hadn’t seen him just as long as Angela hadn’t seen her.

Corrine touched her up-do in the reflection of the storm door, as well as Max had with a slight touch to his curled head before there was a presence at the door.

It was Michael, who had a face of false welcome as they entered the door. Max played along, knowing their plan. He greeted Corrine with a hug as she entered the home which had a lingering smell of coffee and whatever was being made for dinner.

Michael pressed a hand to Max, greeting him in a different way as he had at the Finch home.

“Corrine, how have you been?”

Angela gracefully entered the entry, which was opened to the living area with a lit fireplace. Angela, a short woman compared to the towering Corrine, Michael and Max wore a blue cardigan paired with black dress pants. Her short, blonde bob bounced as she walked with open arms. Corrine twitched her nose at her, not wanting the embrace she was going in for.

“I’ve been well.” Corrine knelt down to the woman with welcome.

Angela released her arms and turned to Max.

“Oh, honey you look handsome as ever.” She wrapped arms to Max’s neck. Corrine stood with a stoned face as the woman touched her son.

“Very nice to see you.” Max charmed as she let her arms to her side. 

“Mother have you seen my-“

Amelia stepped down the staircase at the back of the living space. As she reached the last step, she halted at the sight of the visitors. Her pale cheeks turned a light shade of rose as she eyed Max at the door.

“Honey, come say hello.” Angela smiled at her daughter, gesturing towards the guests. Amelia, who was three years younger than Max, had always had a slight teenage crush on him. Amelia wore her blonde hair in a peach headband, showing off her round face and blue eyes both her parents had given her.

“Hello.” She spoke as she nervously touched her hair.

Corrine stared at the young girl as she approached the scene with a slight frown. She had aspired to have a daughter, and envied Angela for being so lucky.

“How have you been, darling?” Corrine managed to choke words from her mouth.

Amelia shrugged awkwardly. “I’ve been fine.” Her voice was light.

“It’s lovely to see you.” Max broke the silence and gaze of Corrine on the girl.

Amelia bit her lip, trying not to grin as large as she was planning too. Her cheeks grew warm with starstruck.