Page 5 of The Trailer Park Twink
“Correct,” I say, arching an eyebrow. Her mouth falls open like she didn’t expect me to be so honest, but I’m not done with her. Her hand clenches around her fork, and for a moment, I worry she might stab me with it. I think she’s got the same idea, but she stops herself, looking over my shoulder, keeping tabs on Dallas.
“If you think I’m letting my son steal my husband, you’ve got another think coming.”
“Can you steal someone who’s already got one foot out the door?” I grab a paper towel from the table and dab the corners of my mouth like a dainty little thing before setting it beside Dallas’ plate. He barely even touched his meatloaf. He must be really upset. I sigh, because, poor Daddy. I’ll have to check on him in a bit.
“I don’t know,” she answers. “But I know you’re living in my home, rent free. Maybe your free ride needs to come to an end.”
I smile widely, nodding. “You’re welcome to kick me out. You know what happens if you do, though, don’t you?”
She swallows. “Yeah. I’ll finally be rid of you.”
I point a finger toward the bathroom. “Remind me; how long did Dallas stick around after I moved out last time?”
Her cheeks flush red. “I wasn’t counting the days.”
“I mean . . .” I twist my mouth and hold it there, looking deep in thought, hopefully. “I don’t think you’d have to countanydays, actually. Didn’t he leave the same day?”
“I’m not sure.”
“And he moved home the same day I did. Funny. I guess his marital vows only hold true when I’m in the picture.” I take a bite of his meatloaf, cringing when I taste it. Mom must have mistaken the sugar for salt again, and it tastes like I’m eating a slice of beef and tomato pie. Spitting it onto the plate, I dab my mouth with Dallas’ paper towel. “That is vile on every possible level.”
Her eyes narrow. “This ends now. He’s my husband, Austin.” The way she says the words makes it sound like every syllable has been marinated in rage. Deep-fried in disdain.
“He is,” I finally agree. “For now, at least.”
“Alright,” she says, nodding slowly. Standing, she carefully slides the chair back in its place under the table. She stares down at her tacky, low-cut shirt and slithers her hand inside, lifting each of her breasts to make them perky. When she’s done, she stares at them like they’re her pride and joy. “I want you to remember something. You asked for this. You brought it on yourself.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, my voice cracking. For a moment, I think the sound goes unnoticed, then her smile widens. She’s fucking gloating.
She stares down at her breasts again and smirks. “I’m going to make him scream my name loud enough for you to hear it in your bedroom.” She turns and looks at the front door. “Or you can leave. You can walk out of this house right now, and you won’t have to hear a sound. Wouldn’t you like that, Austin? Wouldn’t you like to find a man of your own?”
I dig my nails into the cheap kitchen table she bought at Wal-Mart when I was a kid. “I found someone of my own. I found him long before you sunk your grubby little claws into him. I’m the one who stalked him. I’m the one who talked to him first.” The words don’t have much of an effect on her, because she just laughs to herself and turns to walk away. “I’m not going to let you win,” I call out, stopping her mid-stride. “I’m not playing fair anymore. The gloves are off.”
She cocks her head to the side and smiles condescendingly at me. “Baby, they’ve never been on.” She winks at me. “Sleep tight. Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”
My jaw is quivering worse than it ever has, and it’s all down to Dallas. I can’t stand the thought of him fucking her again. I can’t listen to it. Every grunt he makes, every thrust that sends his bed squeaking is like a gunshot wound to the chest. I need to see him. I have to see Daddy. To beg him not to do this. To save himself for me.
I walk into the bathroom, not bothering with knocking. The maroon bath curtain hides him from me, but he’s got one arm in the air, peeking out over the pole that’s holding the curtain up. When he’s done lathering his left armpit, he moves to the right, lifting his other arm high to the sky. There’s a towel hanging over the shower rod that’s embroidered with the words “World’s Best Dad.” I got it for him for Father’s Day last year, and he’s used it for every shower since.
He’s singing that old Ronettes song that I love so much. As he belts out that he wants me to be his baby, I close the lid on the toilet and take a seat. If I can just come up with a way to keep him out of Mom’s room until she passes out, we’ll be home free. They haven’t fucked in weeks, and I’ll be good-goddamned if they reignite that burnt-out candle tonight.
The shower cuts off and my entire body jolts. His towel disappears from its place on the shower rod, and then the sound of the metal hooks sliding back makes me shake.
“Aussie?” His voice is soft. Filled with affection and warm like cashmere.
“Hey, Daddy,” I whisper, unable to look up.
“Buddy, what are you doing here? What’s the matter?”
You, I want to say.You’re what’s the matter. Standing in here, scrubbing the stink of the day off your big, beautiful body, just so my jerk of a mother can dirty you up again.
I can’t stand the thought of him fucking her. I just can’t. So, when he’s only a few inches in front of me, I throw my arms around his waist and press the side of my face to his wet stomach. “Please?”
“Oh, Austin,” he says in a voice that shatters me. “Baby, don’t cry. Whatever it is, I’ll fix it. Just tell me.”
I can’t. How can I mention it without mentioning it all? How can I ask him to save himself for me without laying myself bare? I don’t think he’ll hate me for harboring feelings—especially considering I’m pretty sure he harbors them, too, even if he doesn’t realize what those feelings are yet—but I could be wrong. Without Dallas, I have no one left. I can’t risk losing him.
“Do you want to go play a video game?” I plead, the side of my mouth making contact with his stomach. It almost feelslike I’m kissing him, and panic hits, because what if this is the closest I’ll ever get to kissing him? “I’ll let you win and everything.” I look up at him with wet eyes. “Please?”
