Page 18 of Welcome Home
Whore.
Whore.
Everything and everyone is a whore to this woman. Likely a byproduct of her husband’s constant affairs, the worst kept secret in the family. Like father, like son.
“I see. Well, I was only trying to help Oliver. No need to jump me.”
I roll my eyes, taking another scalding sip of tea to disguise the action. Making sure to shift my weight away from Oliver as he moves ever so slightly closer. “We know that.” He responds, flashing her that double watt smile of his. The one that could get him out of anything. “Cora is handling everything fine, considering what I put her through.”
Lauren’s eyes narrow into angry little slits. “We can hardly blame you for this mess, Oliver.” It comes off as a simple assurance to her loving son, but we both know it’s a kick aimed directly at my bleeding gut.
Conner, of course, is already preparing the final blow. “Your mother is right; with all the weight you carry for the marriage- and no offense, Cora, but a wife with a weak constitution, no one can blame you for needing a break.”
I almost smirk, almost. As if anything they say could affect me after years of this. My weak mind, weak uterus, weak, weak, weak, weak.
I wasn’t weak when I plunged a-
A soft growl escapes from Oliver’s throat, so deep in his chest I'm sure only I could hear it. His fists tighten in his lap so hard I wait from the pop of the strain in his white knuckles. My heart flutters uncomfortably in my chest. He’s angry… on my behalf. The realization hits me deep, somewhere I don’t dare give credence to. It isn’t until I feel him shift to stand that my body acts on its own accord, reaching out and taking his curled fist in mine. Smoothing the angry lines of his hand with my thumb. His breath hitches. Could that be because of me?
Don’t read into it, Cora, you have bigger fish to fry. Like trying to avoid another nervous breakdown and a life sentence without the chance of parole… or being worn like a skin suit.
“I'm managing best I can.” I give them a warm smile we all know I’d faked and it only seems to further enrage thethingat my side.
He turns to me, slipping his fingers lightly up my inner arm, ignoring hisnotparents. “You’re perfect Cora.” The intensity of his stare sets my nerves on fire, the strong chemical smell still hanging in the air from my little meltdown earlier. It’s funny, such an abrasive, unpleasant smell reminding my body of the way it felt to grind against him. His lips on my neck, how badly I wanted him to-
Conner clears his throat. “Son, are you sure you’re feeling okay? You seem different.”
Oliver smiles, slipping back into my husband’s personality like a glove as he releases me and stands. “Quite. Just a lot on my mind with the suspension from the board. I know the two of you drove all this way and I hate to cut the visit short, but I am in need of a nap.”
Lauren’s teeth snap together so hard, I inwardly chuckle at the idea of her dentures she insists she doesn’t have snapping clean out of her mouth.
You certainly aren’t acting like Oliver. You’re going to get us caught.
They both stand like the weird robot family they are. It almost hurts, seeing them like this and remembering the warm hugs and smiles from before they lost Arthur. I can recognize my husband was a raging douche bag and still have some sympathy towards him for the unfairness of it all. His desperate attempt to please them. Knowing he can never fill the space his older brother left, no matter how poorly he treated me, the notches in his belt, the achievements…
It was all for them. All to ease his desperate hunger for approval.
“Of course, Oliver. We’re just-“ She stops herself, her voice cracking. “We’re so happy you’re safe and home.”
A small giggle escapes from my lips before I can stop it. My heart stopping in my chest, taking in the wide, incensed eyes of his father. Other Oliver, so much like his predecessor, doesn’t miss a beat, letting out a breathless chuckle of his own. It sounds genuine, but is it? How could it be? He said he saw what I did.Lived itand here I just fucking laughed like someone made a fart joke.
“Yes, I really am sorry for making everyone think the worst. Although it is nice to know how worried she was about me while I was gone. Enough to report me missing.”
Because your job kept calling and insisting that I do.
He smiles back at me, and I smile too. Always smile, even if you don’t mean it. Especially if you don’t mean it. I tune out the rest of the goodbyes and pleasantries, gliding through the rest of the interaction like I'm watching a shitty sitcom. Letting my mind wander to a strange place between the things I didthatnight and the feeling of need still coursing through me. I think other Oliver was right.
I am a deviantand there is certainly something very wrong with me.
9
Act Normal
Soul Meets Body – Death cab for Cutie
Thenexttwodaysare filled with a strange, uncomfortable tension and planning. So much planning. With Oliver being put on a five-month suspension, I haven't been able to avoid his stares, heated soft touches and those damming honey-colored eyes.
I haven't been able to avoid him.
