Page 8 of The NemeSis
Me: Clearly
Beth: There are a couple of options here:
Beth: Option one - Lean into the common interest. You’re a history major and I know you’ve been stressing on some paper. Use your common interest to your advantage.
Beth: Option two - family matters. You love spoiling those little nieces. You talk about them enough. I know family matters to you too. So, make sure you’re spending that quality time.
Me: What if it doesn’t work?
Beth: I’ll be there in two days, we will come up with a new plan. I will come and lay out on the deck with you and we will figure it out.
Me: I do love my little nieces. They’re the cutest.
Beth: Exactly. You’re not going to be doing anything out of the ordinary. Be yourself. Maybe something happened and it was all a misunderstanding. You’re a good person and he’s lucky to have you as part of his family.
Beth: Wait, he’s okay with your dad right?
Me: Yes! They hugged and laughed like they see each other regularly.
Beth: Okay. So the plan is just be yourself and I will be there in two days to help you come up with something if you being yourself doesn’t help. We just need him to see you as not a pain in the ass. I’m just assuming here.
Me: Noted
Me: I’m going to get back down there. Dinner is about to be ready. Let the family bonding commence.
Beth: See, you’ve got this! Love you.
Me: Love you too.
I placemy phone next to my laptop on the desk, then glance up at the mirror. The old vanity style desk, with its worn edges, has witnessed more than its fair share of my highs and lows—and countless moments of psyching myself up.
Like now.
As I meet my own gaze, I take a moment to truly take myself in. I’m dressed in my typical shades of pink and white. The added layer of comfort, a navy blue lightweight sweater, feels a bit like armor. I hope the only coolness I feel this evening is from the breeze rolling across the ocean. I kept my face bare of makeup today, choosing to let this week be the week I let my skin truly breathe and focus on moisturizer and sunscreen. My hair is loosely gathered in a clip, mostly to keep it out of my face.
I take a few more seconds to collect myself before heading down the stairs and into the dining room.
“Auntie Kyra, sit by me!” Elena bounces in her seat as I enter the room.
The smile grows on my face as I walk over and slide into the cushioned seat between Elena and Selene.
“It smells wonderful, dear.” My father speaks up at the head of the table as everyone else gets seated.
Plates of salad, three kinds of pasta, and a basket of bread is passed around the table. I help make Elena’s plate.
“Thank you,” Daphne says from the other side of the table.
I nod. “Of course.” I put a little of everything on Elena’s plate, knowing she’s at least required to try a bite of everything.
“What if I don’t want to eat the green stuff?” Elena makes a face as she looks down at her plate.
“You have to at least try it,” Apollo eyes her from across the table.
I bite back a smile as I watch the two stare each other down. Elena lifts her chin slightly before turning to Selene.
“Yaya, is there desert?” Elena grins at Selene.
Selene sighs. “There might be donuts for breakfast.”
