Page 107 of Cloudless
I grit my teeth as I focus on stacking the turkey on my plate instead of how much I want to strangle my mom.
Aluminum catering trays line the pristine counters of the kitchen that’s never used. The smell of mashed potatoes and corn, that is usually so enticing, now seems dull compared to the intensity of the anger coursing through my veins.
How could she speak to them like that?
The room is silent, save for our footsteps and the clicking of Tilly’s nails against the hardwood floor. I balance two plates in one hand as I fill my plate and Posey’s with two very different things. An array of colors decorate my plate compared to the various shades of tan that fill hers.
Her light footsteps follow mine around the room as she silently points out the two slices of turkey, one scoop of mashed potatoes, and three rolls she wants.
I feel my mom’s eyes digging into the back of my head from where she sits at the dining table that we rarely use.
Ellie’s worried eyes connect with mine as we take our usual seats. Her eyes flick from mine to the half empty wine glass sitting in front of her. The only time my sister touches alcohol is when we’re in this house.
Forks scrape against ceramic plates as the silence grows thick.
Lila jumps in her seat next to me as my mom’s voice breaks the silence. “I was talking with Camilla Hollingsworth last Monday while I was on my morning walk. She said Sebastian will be back in town over Christmas break. She was hoping you would join them for their New Year's party this year. I remember how much you enjoyed going to their get-togethers when you were in high school.”
Thoseget-togetherswere often a source of Ellie’s tears.
Ellie hides her scoff behind her wine glass. “I’m sure Sebastian would love for me to show up at his house unannounced. Great idea, Mom.”
Mom’s beaming smile shows off her snow-white teeth. “Of course, dear. You could wear that red dress I’ve been begging you to wear since your freshman year. That would be perfect for a holiday party.”
A full mouth of mashed potatoes muffles Ellie’s reply. “Yeah, and I’ll sprout some wings and fly through the faerie realm.”
My mom raises a posh brow as Lila and I fight our laughter. “What was that, Ellie dear? You know it’s not proper to talk with your mouth full.”
Ellie swallows her bite as she bats her lashes at our mother. “Oh, nothing. It wasn’t important.”
My mom nods without looking up from her plate. “Lila, tell me about yourself.”
Lila’s fork clashes against her plate as her spine straightens in her seat next to me. “Uh, there’s not much to tell. I, uh, work at The Penalty Box part-time while I’m taking classes.”
“That’s nice. Will you be visiting your parents this evening for Thanksgiving? I sure hope you gave them more notice than my dear son did. It’s the courteous thing to do.”
I cough as a bit of my water goes down the wrong way. Tears rim my eyes as I fight to control the spasms in my chest. “Uh, Mom, they lost their parents over the summer.”
Her eyes actually lift from her plate as she looks at Lila with genuine sympathy. “Oh, I’m sorry. What a terrible loss. Who has taken custody of the children? They are so young to be without a mother and father.”
Lila clears her throat as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. My hand finds her thigh under the table. “Thank you. It has been a difficult few months. I am actually their guardian.”
My mom’s brows raise as she steeples her hands in front of her. “I didn’t know the court would give such a difficult responsibility to such a young person. Especially someone still in school like yourself.”
Posey’s eyes trace the path Tilly makes around the table as the twins stay oblivious to the tense conversation around them.
Ellie’s voice holds a hard edge that wasn’t present moments before. “Lila is an amazing guardian, Mom. She takes better care of the twins than some parents I know.”
My mom waves away Ellie’s harsh tone. “It’s just an interesting decision, that's all.” Her eyes blaze as they laser in on Posey. “I would have thought your parents would have taught you not to feed animals from the table.” I turn in time to watch Tilly shrink away from the turkey in Posey’s outstretched hand.
Lila jerks back like she’s been slapped as Ellie straightens in her seat next to me. My voice is as hard as steel. “Mom, how could you say something like that?”
She just shrugs as she lifts her wineglass to her lips. “What? Is it not the truth?”
Ellie shakes her head in disgust next to me. “How could you be so insensitive?”
Posey’s eyes shine with tears as an angry flush rises along Lila’s neck. Jasper’s eyes narrow on my mom like he might shoot lasers from them.
Mom moves the lettuce around her plate like she didn’t just stab a knife through Lila’s chest. “Have you heard from Richard this week, Kamden? He was hoping to go to lunch next week to discuss your contract.” A smile pulls at her lips as she spears a cucumber slice. “He was so pleased with what he could offer you. He said it was the best offer he has seen in a long time.”
