Page 97 of You Were Invited
Fidgety, Julian idly moved around his fork and spoon, still wrapped tight within a white cloth napkin. “Yes.”
Annie abruptly put her phone down and held her hands up. “I was replying to Molly. No more phone.” She smiled. “It’s even silenced. I’m sorry I interrupted our lunch.”
He attempted a smile, even a wry one, but only managed to pucker his mouth. He whispered, “You’re okay, sweetness…”
The sweetest, most concerned look filled her eyes. “Then what is it? Is it something else?”
He didn't really want to talk about it, but he had to tell her something. "That bus,” he murmured, nodding his head towards the Dial-A-Shuttle, “brought my dad in with the old folks. He’s here.”
Annie blinked. "Oh." She turned around. "Where’s–"
“Don’t.” He shook his head. “Gonna ask Ellie for our food to go. Sorry, Annie. I’d rather not draw attention.” A few people in the lunch crowd had already thrown them a few wide-eyed looks. “More attention. Maybe we can eat at a park?”
They sat in awkward silence for several seconds as Julian waited for what he’d said to sink in. He was surprised when the first thing out of Annie’s mouth wasn’t a response of the agreement type.
"Even if you don't ever see him again... I think for your own well-being you should speak to him."
Julian set his jaw. "That’s easier said than done, sweetness."
"But is he going to leave you alone if you keep ignoring him…?"
"You don't talk to your dad, so why should I talk to mine?" he snapped, but instantly regretted it. "Sorry. I'm sorry, Annie. That wasn’t fair. It's just frustrating." For extra measure he threw in another, "I'm sorry for lashing out. I’m sorry. I just don’t make a point to go to circuses and then act shocked when there’s clowns there– not my circus, and not my monkeys."
Annie reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "I know it's frustrating. My dad pretends I don’t exist, is the thing. I don’t have to deal with him like you do yours. Now, I’m not saying here at all you should be lucky he’s trying to have a relationship with you. Just that he’s going to keep trying to get your attention whether you like it or not. And that’s stressingyou out. You don't have to like him or be around him. But if you can maybe take advantage of the fact he wants to talk to get some closure–"
“I don’t need closure from him.” Julian patted her hand, scooted out from the booth, and stood up. “Gonna light a fire under Ellie.”
“Oh, uh… okay…”
Luckily, the back of the house wasn’t in Clive’s direct line of vision.
He didn't need to give the man yet another opportunity to apologize. It wouldn’t bring his mom back to life– his presence as it was only brought her back from the land of death and decay. He’d already gotten his own closure… hadn’t he? Wasn’t it enough that he never wanted to see Clive again? That he’d cleaned himself up? Had a nice future to look forward to? Forgiven himself for not being there more for his mom?
"Just like old times! Say hello to the old man, Julian!”
The exclamation from someone at the old folks’ table made Julian freeze halfway to the kitchen. The entire restaurant gawked. The thought of buckling, grinding metal entered Julian’s mind as his father twisted in his booth and looked, too.
A hot wave of distaste, hate, and disgust rolled over Julian. Distaste at seeing his father on a day of celebration. Hate for the old wretch who’d ratted out his presence. And disgust towards himself for getting caught literally slinking behind Clive’s back. The silence in the room woulda been deafening if not for the muffled clatter of dishes in the kitchen. He scowled at the old folks table, his face and ears going hot.
Always target number one for all town gossip.
Teagan returned to the dining room with an order pad, took one look at the crowd, and gave Julian a look as he walked past– a look Julian barely acknowledged as he glared daggers at Clive.
The old man gave him a single nod.
Julian’s hands balled into fists.
In the nick of time, someone pulled on his arm. “Sweetie, umm, we’re gonna go calm down,” Annie hissed, steering him towards the back of the restaurant. They sailed through the swinging employee door.
“Ellie!” Annie called.
Surprised, Ellie looked up from the steaming flat top where she was cooking their lunches. “What’s going on?”
Julian ground his teeth as Annie answered for him.
“His dad is here.”
Ellie shook her head and closed her eyes.
