Page 89 of Remiss
“It was disrespectful,” Rebel said flatly.
“All right, enough,” Meggie ordered. “Axel’s prayer wasinteresting, sweetheart. Let’s leave it at that.”
“I thought it was sweet,” Mattie said.
“Original,” Harley added.
Gypsy stood and leaned over Ophelia, snatching the salad dressing, then returning to her seat.
“Well, excuse you,” Zoann sniffed. “I’m sure Fee loved your fucking tits in her face.”
Smiling, Ophelia shook her head. “It’s fine, Zoann.”
Meggie exchanged a glance with Kendall. It most certainly wasn’t fine since Gypsy could’ve simply asked Ophelia to pass it to her. If Fee couldn’t open her mouth and stand up for herself, Meggie wasn’t interested in doing so.
“Of course it’s fine with you,” Zoann bit out. “What isn’t?”
“Axel,” Winnie blared, from where she sat on the other side of Rebel, “can I sit next to you?”
“No.” Axel threw her the evil eye, snatched his fork, and dug into his lettuce, then shoved it into his mouth without any dressing as usual. He frowned the entire time he chewed, then set his fork aside. “I’m finished with my salad.”
“Why don’t you add dressing, son?” Meggie suggested. “The way you usually like it.”
“Do you want me to eat salad, Mom?”
“That would be nice, Ax.”
“I can bring you the dressing,” Winnie offered with a bright smile.
Axel made a face at her.
“Be nice,” Meggie warned.
“Zoann, I have a question,” Ophelia started, ignoring her salad and pushing her plate away. Elbows on the table, she leaned forward and glared at her sister. “What’s your problem with me? You’ve been on my ass for days.”
“Your fucking boyfriend is my goddamn problem,” Zoann said, snatching her wine and draining her glass.
“We’re back to this?” Ophelia cried. “You throwing it in my face that myboyfriendshaven’t put a ring on my finger.”
“Unless you want to end up in fucking jail,” Kendall said with saccharin sweetness, “only one of them can marry you. I vote for Stretch personally.”
Meggie drummed her fingers on the table, wondering if she should intervene, but still not caring.
“And you, Zoann?” Ophelia demanded.
“I want Cash drawn and fucking quartered, so I choose Stretch by default,” Zoann retorted.
“Donotdiscuss Winnie’s father in such a manner in front of her,” Ophelia said heatedly, her face flushing.
Grabbing his water, Axel rolled his eyes and took a sip.
“I saw that, Axel,” Ophelia screeched. “I do appreciate you wanting to protect me, but not at your uncle’s expense. You owe him an apology.”
“No, I don’t, Aunt Fee,” Axel cried.
Ophelia turned to Meggie. “Talk to your son, Meggie. I love Ax to death and I think it is so sweet that he wants to defend me, but he’s a little kid and he has it all wrong. As his mother, I expect you to correct him. I stopped Cash from spanking him, but that might change if Axel continues to antagonize the situation.”
“Oh, Fee,” Meggie started. “I pity your predicament. Caught between your boyfriend and your nephew.” She indicated Axel with a sweep of her hand, ignoring how the diamonds in her wedding set gleamed in the light. “But unless you want Cash’s head on a platter, back off,” she said coldly.
