“Run away, like you always do,” Sylvie yells.
“I didn’t run away. I left this town to get an education and a life. Maybe you should try it sometime.”
“I see how well it worked out. Didn’t you crawl back home with your tail between your legs after a failed relationship?” She crosses her arms as if she just landed a blow.
“It worked out better for me than your marriage is working for you. You wish you could crawl away from that with no complications like I did.”
Her nostrils flare, and for a moment, I regret my words, but I refuse to apologize.
“Enough with you both,” Mom snaps.
“Mom, I’m a grown woman, and I’m not about to take orders from Sylvie. It’s not happening. And I’m not taking orders from you or Dad either. I like Rip. He treats me well, and we’re together. I don’t know what else to say.”
“Hey, now, tone down the attitude,” Mom hisses while pointing a finger at me. “And, Sylvie, you have three kids. Eden belongs to me and your dad. Take it down a few notches. We got this.”
My sister glares at my mother in shock. She opens her mouth, but Mom points a finger at her face, and she shuts up.
“Dandy, set the table. Sylvie, get the kids’ ready, and let’s eat like a goddamn normal family. Randall, help me get the food.”
About half an hour later, we’re seated around the kitchen table. Things are tense, but I’m glad I stayed because Mom made my favorite pasta dish. Sylvie devours her food as if she hasn’t eaten since she crashed my lunch with Cori and Selene yesterday. Every few moments, she glares at me from across the table. Eventually, I stop looking at her.
“I have something to say,” Mom begins. “You’re an adult, and your father and I have always told you both that you’re free to love whoever you want. But, Dandy, I don’t like this. Not him.”
“That’s because she’s always seeking attention,” Sylvie adds.
“I haven’t lived here for ten years. How am I always seeking attention? But what would you know about that? When was the last time you got attention from a man who wasn’t Dad?”
“What else are we supposed to think? You come back, and you’re taking up with him,” she says.
“Why are you here? Don’t you have your husband’s dinner to cook? Don’t you have to iron his clothes or whatever you do?”
“Dandy, that’s enough, now,” Dad warns.
“And you think that thug is going to treat you better?” Sylvie asks.
“Sweetie, he already does.”
“You’re so condescending,” Sylvie says.
“And you’re delusional to think you have a say in what I do.”
Dad bangs his fist on the table so hard that it shakes. He gives us that look that would get us to behave when we were little kids. Mom puts her head down in defeat.
“I’m sorry, Mom and Dad,” I say.
“Eden, you’re an adult, but we’re your parents, so we worry. I’m going to keep my eye on him, and I want you to promisethat you’ll come to me or your mother with any issues. As for your safety …”
Dad leaves the statement incomplete, but I know what he’s saying.
“I will let you know. I promise.”
He nods in understanding.
“So, that’s it?” Sylvie asks, astonished.
“What the hell do you suggest we do, Sylvie ?” Mom snaps. “Do you think you’ll be able to control your kids forever? You won’t. Just hush.”
It was with great relief that I left my parents’ house. Sylvie was still there, wrangling her kids. Usually, I would offer to help, but I couldn’t get away from her fast enough.
