Page 28 of Crystal Iris
“Doing well, ma’am.”
“I heard I have visitors, huh?” I glance at the elevator, hesitating to press the button.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Wish me luck?”
“I’m sorry to hear you need it, ma’am.”
Aaron is sitting on the armchair to the left, while his parents sit on the couch in front of him, each holding a glass. I don’t know where things stand between them since we left their house. His mom tried to apologize right then, but I was too angry to listen. I knew we’d have to talk eventually, even when Aaron threatened to never see them again. It’s enough that I don’t have a family, but I don’t wish the same fate on him, even if his parents are… these two.
Don speaks first, getting up to kiss me hello. I hold up my hand. He sits back down. I pour myself a double and take a seat in the second armchair.
“Let’s hear it,” Aaron says, looking at his mother.
Maria is wearing a black dress with a sweater draped over her shoulders.
“Iris, I’m sorry about… what I said during Christmas. I took a couple of pills, and with the drinks, I don’t know what came over me. I didn’t mean to…”
I look at both of them. “There’s nothing you can say to make me forget.”
Don starts to apologize again, but I interrupt him.
“I don’t want to cause trouble in your relationship with your son—God knows I’ve tried with you two—but from now on, I hope we stick to… pleasantries. Leave me alone, and I’ll do the same.”
I’m still sipping my whiskey when Aaron finds me in the kitchen.
“That was a little harsh, don’t you think?” he asks, opening the fridge and pulling out the cheese tray.
“Really? After everything they’ve done?”
“Well, they came to apologize…”
“Did you ask them to come?”
“No! Of course not, but they’re still my parents, Iris. How are we going to?—”
“I don’t care who they are, not anymore. You need them in your life, not me.”
“Iris, they’re going to be your in-laws. How are you planning on keeping them away?”
“I don’t know. I’ll… manage.” I rub my temples.Shitty day, indeed.
When Aaron tries fooling around later that night, I stop him with, “Sorry, not tonight. I’m just not in the mood.” He turns around like the gentleman he is. Perfect little prince. I’m obviously still angry. Angry that I can’t make myself love him the way he loves me. Angry that he’s too perfect to walk away from. Not only does he adore me, he’s kind, hardworking, good-looking, and even donates to charity. I can’t come up with any good reason to leave him. Not a real one, at least.
I get out of bed and text Akira from the bathroom.
Are you up?
Hey,she texts back.Everything okay?
Yeah, no… Did I wake you?
Nah, just watching something with penguins. What’s going on?
I talked to Lara,I write.Hoyt is a douchebag, apparently.
Sorry, Iris.
