It's Been Five Years

Seven

I look around and see my mother sitting in a chair at the kitchen table with her head in her hands. Before I can even blink, Angelina shoves me away from Henry and slaps him across the face. Henry seems unphased by Angelina's assault and holds her back by her shoulders.

" Angelina, calm down, let me explain."

Henry says calmly while Angelina thrashes against his grip.

" Explain!? Explain what? That you were just kissing my fucking sister whou you've only met once?! What the hell is wrong with you?!"

Angelina screams and pushes herself out of Henry's grip. She turns to me and my heart skips a beat. She looks scary, like really scary. Her face is bright red, her pupils are dilated, her nostrils are flared, and, oh god, I think I can even see steam coming out of her ears. I take a step back away from her, because I'm afraid she might attack me at any moment. She says nothing and stares at me with complete disdain.

" Angelina, just please let us exp-"

Angelina silences me by letting out a high pitched growl.

" Shut up! Just shut up! I can't be around either one of you right now."

Angelina says and storms out of the kitchen. Henry and I look at each other for a second before we follow Angelina into the living room. At this point all of the guests are staring at us, probably wondering what all the screaming is about, but that's the least of our problems.

" Angelina, please just hear us out!"

Henry says and Angelina tugs at her hair.

" I don't fucking care what you have to say. Both of you disgust me!"

Angelina fumes and I cower behind Henry. What can I say? I'm a baby when it comes to confrontation.

" Look, we just want to-."

Henry begins to say, but is interrupted by a sweet cry of excitement coming from the top of the stairs.

" Daddy!"

Clara squeals as she bounds down the stairs. Great, just fucking great! Henry's attention is turned to Clara who leaps into his arms the second she reaches the bottom of the stairs. Henry holds Clara tightly to his chest as she nuzzles her face into his neck. I look over at Angelina and I can feel nothing but sympathy. Her red face pales substantially and her eyes hold a look of complete and utter terror. This is exactly what I didn't want. I didn't want to blow up her world like this, but here we are!

" Clara! I told you to stay up stairs."

I groan and Henry takes a few steps to get closer to me and mouths " It's okay". Clara just continues to hug Henry as tightly as she possibly can, sighing with contentment as he places a kiss on her head. I fight the urge to smile, but I just can't. Seeing Clara with her dad makes my heart swell. This is something she's always wanted and something she deserves. Clara deserves to have her father in her life. But, this isn't the time to gush over Clara and Henry. We've got a confused and angry Angelina to deal with.

" Fine, okay! Someone has to explain what the hell is going on here!"

Angelina yells and my stomach does a triple back-flip.

" I second that."

My mother yells from behind me. I look over my shoulder and give her the death glare before turning back and looking at Angelina. I clear my throat and take a step towards Angelina.

" You know that guy I started dating seven years ago who I was totally in love with?"

I ask and Angelina rolls her eyes.