“Yeah, I am back home.”
“Obviously,” she says.
“With my education, my professional license, and work experience,” I say slowly. “I’m here because I want to be. I’m not stuck here.”
She slams a sippy cup down and stomps toward me. “You’re saying I’m stuck in Shadow Cove?”
“Sylvie, you’re an adult. It doesn’t matter to me if you’re stuck here or not. I don’t think about it. Why are you always picking fights with me?”
Her head rolls back as if she’s shocked by my words. “You think I pick fights?”
“I don’t think it. You do. I’m eating breakfast, and you’re here trying to throw it in my face that I’m back home. So what if I am? What’s it to you? I’m not in your house.” I’d sooner sleep on an empty park bench than spend a minute under her roof.
She does an insincere laugh. “Get over yourself. And I have a husband and kids. I have roots here. I have a life here.”
“Well, good for you, Sylvie . Congratulations.” I stand, rinse my plate, and put it in the dishwasher.
She opens her mouth to say more, but I hear heavy footsteps, and whatever crap she was going to spew never comes out. Her husband joins us.
“You ready yet?” he demands. He thankfully doesn’t look my way. “What is taking you so long?” He finally notices me, but doesn’t address me. “Let’s go.” He eyes her up and down. “Is that what you’re wearing? It looks a little tight. You should have lost the baby weight by now.”
Sylvie looks down at her clothes and doesn’t respond, but I see the hurt in her eyes. Despite what a bitch she’s been to me, I feel bad for her. She doesn’t deserve to be treated like that, especially by her husband.
“This is what I’m wearing,” she says. Unlike the bitchy tone she had with me moments ago, she suddenly sounds small.
“Well, it’s not like you were in any danger of winning a beauty contest. Those colors don’t even match, and that top button looks like it’s fighting for its life. Come on. Let’s get this shit over with.” He turns on his heels and walks out without another word.
Sylvie quickly gives me her back, but I see the pool of unshed tears in her eyes. She puts her hands on the sink, and I watch as she takes a few deep breaths.
After a few minutes, she returns to the kitchen island and picks up her purse.
“Eva has talked nonstop about spending time with you. I know you only think about yourself, but she’s a child. I already warned her not to get too attached to you, but if you could try not to disappoint her, I’d appreciate it.”
I felt sorry for her for being stuck with that insensitive asshole of a husband, but not anymore.
“Disappoint her? You mean like the father who berates her mother and ignores her? Like the man who was disappointed when you found out you were having a girl? Like that?”
She stands frozen, and for a second, I regret my words. She’s miserable, and I should let her words roll off my back, but I’m tired of being her punching bag.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” she says. “Stay out of my marriage.”
“I will stay out of it when you take your big, fat nose out of my business. You go and have a wonderful time with your loving husband.” She stops mid-step, and I almost hope she turns around to address me, but she doesn’t. After a brief moment, she walks away. She says a few words to my parents, says goodbye to her kids, and I hear the front door open and close.
I decide to finish what she started and wash the skillet in the sink. My dad walks in and stands next to me.
“Why is Sylvie such a miserable bitch?” I whisper.
“Whoa, Dandy. We don’t talk about our loved ones like that in this house.”
“What did I ever do to her? All she does is try to pick fights with me.” I scrub the skillet, wash and dry it. Then I put the rest of the cups and dishes in the dishwasher.
“You two need to sit down and hash out your issues,” Dad says.
“What issues? I have no problem with her, but I’m not going to tolerate her attitude either. It’s not my fault she married that man and pushes out a baby every few years.”
Dad takes a deep breath, but Eva runs into the kitchen and into his arms. He still looks like he wants to say something, but the front door opens, and I hear the laughing and talking of my friends.
Dad puts his arm across my shoulders and whispers, “I’m so happy to have you back.” He kisses my temple. “And I’m happy to have you two back in this house. Have fun, ladies. Dandy, I expect you back here soon. Eva and Tim want to spend time with their auntie, and I’m grilling.”
