Page 10 of Fractured Constellations
“Of course, honey,” she says, wrapping an arm around my waist and leading me to the table. Richard is at the head, Blade and Chase on one side of him, my mom’s empty seat on the other, with Thorn next to her. “Jerry, could you set Luna’s place next to Thorn please?”
“Of course, ma’am,” Jerry replies, giving me a soft smile as I wait for him to set my place. “What would you like to drink, Miss Luna? Wine like the others?”
“Water please, Jerry,” I reply, Mom helping me into my seat, fussing over putting the napkin in my lap. “I’ve got this, Mom. Thanks.”
“I’ve missed you, Luna love,” she whispers before placing a kiss on my cheek, and my nose tingles as I hold in the sudden tears. Maybe she wouldn’t miss me if she spent just a little time with me.
“You too, Mom. Thank you for the new clothes,” I say, Thorn scoffing beside me, making my back straighten as my mom goes back to her seat.
She doesn’t notice, but I do, and I can’t help the feeling that it’s tied into their low opinion of us, that we’re here just for the money.
I mean, you kind of are…
The thought has my annoyance draining from me because I’m pretty sure we are here for the money. I’m not sure it makes it better the fact that it’s to pay for my cancer treatment. That no doubt it paid off the medical debts Mom had because of my last lot of treatment. Does the end justify the means?
“Oh, it was my pleasure, Luna love,” she replies, giving me a wide smile, completely oblivious to my inner turmoil. “It was fun. Maybe we can go shopping together at some point?”
“I’d like that.” I go to say something else, but Richard gains her attention and it’s like I’m no longer in the room.
“I bet you would,” Thorn whispers harshly next to me, and I stiffen again. “Spending more of the money you have no right to.”
I let out a shuddering breath, clutching my hands together in my lap as I refuse to look at him, at any of them. The staff bring out the main course, a delicious smelling roast meat, potatoes,and all the veggies, and although I place a small amount on my plate, I know I won’t be able to eat as much as I’d like. My stomach is just not big enough.
I manage a little before my stomach starts to protest, and I set my cutlery down on my plate.
“No wonder you’re so skinny, if that’s all you eat,” Thorn murmurs in my ear, and this time I can’t stop the tears filling my eyes.
I abruptly stand up, my plate clattering on the table, and all conversation comes to a halt.
“Luna love?” Mom asks, and I swing my gaze to her, swallowing past the lump in my throat.
“I— Um, I’m not feeling so good, so I’m going to head to bed,” I say in a rush, not giving anyone a chance to say anything before I’m rushing from the room and up the stairs.
Hurrying into my room, I slam the door shut, turning the lock and leaning against the door as I lose my battle with tears for the second time today. My chest heaves, my heart sore as I look around the space that has become my sanctuary. My gaze lands on the bottles of medication that sit on my dresser, the ones that I have to start tomorrow and that I know will wipe me out, leave me nauseous and make me feel like shit before I feel even worse with the chemo.
A knock on the door has me jumping, hurriedly wiping my eyes even though no one can see me.
“Y–yes?”
“Miss Luna, I brought up your dessert. It’s a melt-in-the-middle chocolate pudding, so I thought you’d enjoy it,” Jerry’s voice filters through the wood. “I’ll leave it just outside for you.”
“Thank you, Jerry.” The words are spoken so softly that I’m not sure he hears them, but his kindness is what is helping me to get through this.
“You’re most welcome, Miss,” he replies before I hear his footsteps echo down the hall.
Opening the door, I give an excited squeal at the chocolatey goodness that is waiting for me, bending down to snatch it up and bring it into my room before one of my new brothers steals it.
Locking the door once again, I pad over to my comfy chair, sinking into it and picking up the spoon, scooping a piece of the dessert up and popping it into my mouth. I moan as the rich flavor bursts across my tongue.
“This is probably as close to heaven as you’re gonna get, Luna,” I tell myself, grabbing another bite and groaning when it tastes just as good as the first, letting the chocolatey goodness chase away my sadness. “Might as well make the most of it.”
“ISSUES” BY DANIEL DI ANGELO
BLADE
My eyes were on my brother as our little stepsister, whom I’ve dubbed Goldilocks, flees the dining room after he whispered something in her ear. I don’t know what it was, but it was enough to have her eyes filling with tears. Thorn noticed them too, his brows gathering in as a pained expression crossed his face.
“What did he say to make her cry?” Chase hisses from next to me, and I can’t help but detect the annoyance in his tone.Is it because we don’t want our war against little Luna May to be noticed by her mom and our dad? They certainly wouldn’t be happy, although Dad barely cast her a glance, so maybe he wouldn’t give a fuck, or is there something more to Chase’s question? Something deeper?
