Page 78 of Sweeter Than Fiction

Dina says, “Oh, you know her. She just picks at whatever you put in front of her. If it’s not chicken nuggets and peanut butter and jelly, she doesn’t want anything to do with it.”

Abby says, “Mom, I’m allergic to peanuts.”

“Whatever. You know what I mean. It’s rude to not eat.”

Austin then asks, “How’s work going, Abby?”

“It’s good. Just working on a new program I’ve been contracted for.”

He smiles. “That’s awesome.”

Dina butts in again. “I can’t imagine that working from home can be good for you. You need to get out of the house more often.”

Now, it’s my turn to step in. “We get out plenty.”

Sure, it’s not entirely true. But me saying, “We opt to stay in so that I can give your daughter countless orgasms,” seems like it would be uncalled for.

Once again, I try to get the spotlight off of us, so I spend a few minutes asking each of her brothers questions getting to know them better. One of them is a lawyer and one of them is a doctor. I’m surprised that neither one of them has a family of their own yet since they’re older than Abby. I’m guessing they’re in their mid to late thirties.

But I don’t say that.

Because that would be rude.

Something that this family clearly doesn’t give a shit about.

I’m so good at deflecting that I manage to keep the conversation off of us for the rest of the meal.

Adam stands up to clear the table, and I decide to help. Although I’m not keen on leaving Abby alone, I know the sooner we get everything wrapped up, the sooner we can leave.

As we are stacking plates in the sink, he says, “I’m glad Abby finally found someone. I know she doesn’t get out much, so I’m happy she found someone who makes her happy.”

He doesn’t say it in a way where he acts like he feels sorry for her or thinks that it’s weird. He just sounds like a brother who is worried about his sister.

He adds, “I wish we got to see her more.”

“I think she sometimes doesn’t come around because things can get a bit awkward. She feels out of place.”

“Yeah, our mother sometimes has quite the way with words. Austin and I have always known Abby was a little different. But we still love her and think she’s awesome.”

“Adam, I think sometimes, maybe it would be nice for her to hear that. She feels like an outsider in her own family. I think if she knew that you and Austin were on her side a bit more, these family functions wouldn’t seem so daunting.”

He smiles and nods. Before he can say anything else, Dina joins us in the kitchen.

“So, Donovan,” she croons. “What do you do for a living?”

“I’m a construction manager.”

“Ooohh, very nice. I have to say that I’m a little surprised that somebody like you would be into our dear Abigail.”

She says the word dear like it’s some type of insult.

“Why are you surprised?”

“Oh, you know—she’s just so mousy and kind of weird.”

Adam tries to stop her. “Mom…”

But she’s having none of it. “Look, I love her. She’s my daughter. But I just think that maybe you’re expecting her to be something that she’s not. She’s never going to be a gorgeous starlet that you can take out on the town. Her brain doesn’t always allow for normal things.”

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