She returned to the lobby and nudged Carter. “Remember when you said things couldn’t get any more stressful?”
His eyes turned orange-purple. “Oh God, what now?”
Chapter 20
Carter had regretted agreeingto have dinner with Fen’s parents ever since he’d done so. Under normal circumstances, he enjoyed meet-the-parents. Without exception, they liked him, were impressed by him, and came away thinking he was a fine match. But in this case, he not only already disliked them and didn’t care what they thought of him, but he might sprout tentacles at the dinner table.
“I don’t care if you do,” Fen had said when he brought that up.
“I care,” he’d pointed out.
“Then say no. If you don’t want to do it, I’ll go by myself and tell them you couldn’t make it.” Her voice had been confident, but her eyes had been unhappy. She obviously didn’t want to show up by herself, and just as obviously felt like she’d have to.
He’d agreed, then immediately bought a set of colored contact lenses. He was absolutely not going to have dinner with Fen’s parents with steak-colored eyes. But now that he was pulling up beside the house, he regretted everything. Fen had been tense for the entire drive, responding only in monosyllables.
“Let’s get it over with,” she said, and reached for the car door handle.
He reached across and caught her wrist. “Hey. We don’t have to do this, you know.”
She looked at him as if he was out of his mind. “We’re already here.”
“We can leave now, have a fantastic evening by ourselves, and call them and say we got food poisoning. Just say the word.” He wished she would, but he knew she wouldn’t.
Sure enough, she said crossly, “I can’t do that. They’re my parents.”
Carter held his tongue. It was obviously not the time to argue with her over the importance of family. Besides, he didn't have a leg to stand on. His family was important to him too.
Right,he thought.My family that I’ve barely seen since I was turned into a monster. I don’t have a leg to stand on.
They walked up to the house. It was tasteful and expensive, but not showy or unique. It reminded him of something, but it wasn’t until they reached the door and she raised her hand to knock, showing her dark red nails, that he realized what it was. When he’d picked Fen up, he’d been surprised to see how she was dressed. She was beautifully put together, but in a much more conservative way than usual. Tonight she’d dressed like a generic businesswoman, not an unusual, exceptional, Fen Kim kind of businesswoman. Even her nails were a conservative color. Her outfit and her entire look was tasteful and expensive, but not showy or unique. Like her parents’ house.
Carter wore a suit and his trademark long black coat. He only hoped he wouldn't grow a tail. But he and Fen had a plan for what to do in case of sudden monstering. His cell phone was set to ring at the touch of a button. He could set it off at any point and go outside, and Fen would follow him. Then she’d go back in and claim he had an emergency.
Fen’s parents answered the door and greeted them. Both of them looked distinguished and slightly formal.
Tasteful and expensive, but not showy or unique, he couldn’t help thinking.
“Fenella, how lovely to see you,” said her mother. Turning to Carter, she said, “And Carter Howe. So nice to meet you. I’m Edwina Ashdown Kim. Please call me Edwina.”
“Hello, Fenella,” said her father. To Carter, he said, “I’m Sang Kim. You may call me Sang. Pleased to meet you, Carter. I always use your phones.”
That was the first time Carter had ever not been happy to hear that someone liked his phones. Shouldn’t Fen’s own father use a Little Bit phone, even if a Howe phone was the one that actually was a little bit better?
Her parents led them into the living room. Remembering how Fen hadn’t been allowed to read the Babysitter’s Club, he glanced at the bookcases. They were full of exactly the sort of books she’d described: classics, critically acclaimed works of literature, and serious nonfiction on politics, world affairs, and history. There was absolutely nothing anyone could possibly describe as fun.
In addition to tasteful and expensive art, there were framed photographs on the walls. Carter spotted family photographs of Sang with his family and Edwina with hers, plus a few of Sang and Edwina as a couple. There were photos of Edwina riding horses and cutting ribbons, and photos of Sang shaking hands with politicians. But Carter had to look closely to find any that included Fen, and all of those were family photos from when she was a child. Where were the framed photos of her in magazine articles or on the cover ofWired?
Edwina opened the liquor cabinet. “I’ll get us some drinks. What would you all like? We have some excellent whiskey—Sang is quite a connoisseur. And we have wine, of course. Or I could make you a martini. Or a Pimm’s Cup—have you ever had one? It takes an Englishwoman to make them right.”
“Whiskey on the rocks, please,” said Sang.
Edwina poured a glass of Chardonnay and handed it to Fen, then began making Sang his drink. Fen took the wine without a word.
Carter, surprised, said, "I thought you didn't like wine."
Before Fen could say a word, Edwina said, “Carter? Have you made your decision?"
"Whiskey on the rocks, please." But he was still puzzled by the Chardonnay. Turning to Fen, he said, "Or is this Chardonnay your one exception? Maybe I should try it."
