Page 85 of The Penalty

What does that even mean? I kind of expected Beau’s dad to be a bit of a dick, but I didn’t really grasp the breadth of it.

“Dad, what are you even talking about?” Surprisingly, it’s Cece who jumps into the conversation. I do not want to cause any division in their family. No matter how dysfunctional they clearly are.

“I just mean, his family would benefit from a professional hockey salary.”

“Have you ever thought about the fact that he might not have any?”

All chatter and movement at the table comes to an awkward halt.

“Even more so then.”

No apology, no backtracking. Just leaves it at that.

“Why don’t I show you the buffet, Dev?”

She stands up, gesturing for me to come with her.

“Remember, plate only half full, Cecelia.” Her mother calls after her retreating back. The little dig hurts me more than anything Mr. Whitaker said to me.

“I’m sorry about them,” she whispers as we make our way around the tables.

The next room over is some kind of massive hall. Those polished wood floors fill the entire space, and buffet tables are lined up along the walls. This isn’t some five-dollar buffet, though. There is every kind of meat and seafood imaginable. A table full of salads. Chefs in white hats carving slices off roasts and serving up hot items out of those fancy silver serving dishes. One wall is all desserts. There is so much I can’t even take it all in.

“Holy shit.”

Cece giggles next to me, and it’s the first time she’s sounded like herself since she came into the house wearing that dress. Like she slipped into another personality as soon as she put it on. I’m glad it’s just a mask and the real her is still in there.

“At least the food is good. At Christmas they serve the dinner in another room, and Santa comes out here to deliver presents to all the younger kids. Then, after dinner, we’d all come out here to play with our toys. Run rampant around the hall. Take off our shoes and skid around the floors. The adults were too hammered to care. It’s the only time I’ve ever liked this place.”

It’s hard to stop myself from overflowing my plate, but I can come back for seconds. The urge to stock up on food when it’s available never really goes away.

Cece barely puts anything on her plate and doesn’t take one of the rolls that she was eyeing. They smell delicious, so I grab an extra, slipping it onto her plate on the way back to the table.

“Oh, I shouldn’t.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know. Carbs are evil?”

“Carbs are the energy that keeps our bodies running.” I’ve taught myself a lot about nutrition over my years playing hockey. Trying to achieve peak physical condition, and one thing I know is that the no carb craze is a load of bullshit.

“Can I quote you to my mom?”

“Please don’t.”

“I’m fucking with you.” She says it a little too loud and earns a glare from a silver-haired lady in a powder blue dress. That just makes her giggle even louder.

The rest of dinner passes in much the same way, although John seems to have lost interest in me, and Beau looks even paler and more strained than before.

“I’m sorry about that nightmare. I shouldn’t have made you come with us.”

Beau finally relaxes, apologizing to me as we’re getting into his car.

“It’s fine.”

“It’s not. But you did well. I think Dad actually likes you.”

I turn back to give Cece an incredulous look. “I’m pretty sure that’s not even close to the truth.”

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