Page 102 of The Weight Of Falling
“Kenzie,” he says after an uncomfortable second of silence.
I wait for introductions. Finally, in a stiff voice, Joel says, “This is Phil and Gaby.” His body tenses, as if he’s bracing for something. “My foster parents.”
Shock balloons in my chest as my thoughts spin.Foster parents?Joel said his parents were dead, but he never mentioned foster parents. And why didn’t he invite me to this breakfast? We’re dating. Am I not important enough to him to meet them?
Maybe he simply wants time alone with them.
Despite the pit in my stomach, I direct a friendly smile their way. “Hi!”
They nod politely. They don’t smile.
Gaby is small-boned, her brown hair in a neat bob, her hazel eyes watery. A blouse and a delicate brooch give her a prim, careful look, and there’s something birdlike in the tilt of her head. Phil is tall and too thin, swimming in an ill-fitting suit. Tired lines drag at his face, as if gravity’s had more practice on him than most.
It doesn’t look like anyone’s ordered yet. The menus are still on the table.
My smile falters. Why does everyone seem tense?
I scour my mind for something to say. “Is this your first time in Brown Oaks?”
“No,” Gaby answers.
“So you’ve been here before?”
“Yes, we have.”
This is next-level awkward. Gaby can’t stop fidgeting, vibrating with nerves, and Phil has a distant look on his face, as though he’d rather be anywhere else.
Joel places a hand on Gaby’s arm to still her fidgeting. She stiffens, and he pulls back at once. I remember what he said to me, how he didn’t want to tell me the truth about his past because he couldn’t bear it if I stiffened when he came near.
Is this what he meant? He doesn’t want me reacting the way his foster parents do?
What on earth is going on?
I’m still smiling. Smiling so hard it hurts. “When was your last visit?”
“We came...” Gaby trails off and looks to Phil.
“I can’t remember,” he says through tight lips.
My hand lifts to my pendant. I feel uneasy and embarrassed, and I suddenly wish I hadn’t stopped to say hello.
“It was six months ago,” Joel reminds them.
Gaby nods. “That sounds about right. Joel usually visits us, but sometimes we come to him. Not often, though.” She presses her lips together, like she’s said too much.
“That’s nice that he visits you,” I offer.
“I guess it is,” Gaby says after a strained pause.
Pressure builds in my throat. I want to leave this strange tableau, but I can’t come up with a graceful exit.
“How do you know Joel?” Gaby asks.
“Through a mutual friend,” I answer.
Phil’s eyes snap to mine, then cut to Joel. His forehead crinkles, as if to say,You have friends?
My eyes widen a fraction. I clutch my pendant tighter. Inside me, every alarm light starts blinking.
