He was the local vet and had postponed his retirement because it was impossible to find a replacement until about a year ago. He told me himself that he still needed to train the young guy for a little while, but I would’ve thought that should have already happened, so he could finally take a step back, especially since he wasn’t feeling well.
I frowned. “But you said he was sick.”
“Is that why you came?” Dad scoffed, leaning further back in his chair. The wooden frame creaked under his weight.
“Sorry forcaringabout my family.”
“If you cared, you wouldn’t have shown up unannounced.”
“It was supposed to be a surprise. I can leave right now if you don’t want me here.”
“No,” Mom said, so sternly that both Dad and I went still. “It hasn’t even been two minutes, and you’re already at each other’s throats again. I’m not going to allow this.”
Dad slapped the table. “Why are you always taking his side?”
“I’m not taking sides!” Mom shot back.
“Then where is he supposed to stay, Laura? Every single bed, mattress, and couch is taken. We might have an air mattress in the attic somewhere, but we’ve got nowhere to put it.”
They both fell quiet, their heated words hanging in the air between us.
This pointless argument was the perfect example of why I didn’t want to come. No matter what I did, it was never good enough for him.
“I can just stay in my room,” I said, trying to calm things down.
“Your room? You don’t have a room in this house anymore.”
“Dany,” Mom began, but Dad didn’t let her finish.
“What? It’s the truth.” He glared at me. “Alex has been living in that room for years now, and I’m not about to kick him out just becauseyouthought it was okay to barge in here unannounced.”
“Alex? Who the fuck is—?” I stopped, holding my breath.Alex…the guy I met outside.
Of course.
The house had four bedrooms, not counting Mom’s hobby room and Dad’s office, but naturally, they had givenmy roomaway.
Dad breathed heavily, gearing up to yell at me again. His eyes pinned me in place, waiting for me to say something else he could twist against me. He wasn’t going to get that satisfaction, though. I was done playing along with his version of who I was.
I lowered my voice and took a step back. “I understand. Thanks for clearing that up.”
“Good,” Dad snapped. “Because this is my house, and I won’t tolerate?—”
“Stop it!” Mom’s voice rang out so sharply that the silence afterward cut deep. “For the love of everything, why can’t we be happy for one minute that we’re all together again?” Her fingersdug into the countertop as if she might fall if she didn’t hold on tightly. “We’ll find somewhere for you to sleep. The house is big enough.”
“I’m sorry, Mom,” I said. “I am happy to be here again. To see you.” I glanced at Dad. “All of you.”
It wasn’t exactly true, but it was what needed to be said to put an end to this for now. We only had to hold it together for a few hours. And despite everything, I knew Dad would manage that much for Mom’s sake. No matter how I felt about him, I never doubted that he loved her.
His chest deflated as he stared at the ground. “Itisnice that, for once, everyone’s here. That’s true.” He turned toward Mom, but his gaze stopped at the fruit bowl on the counter. “Let’s join the others before they start wondering where we are.”
Mom crossed her arms. “Yeah, I thought so, too.”
Silence settled between us.
“I’ll change into something more appropriate, okay?” I said after a few long seconds. “I’ll be with you in a minute.”
Dad nodded, almost as if he agreed for once. “We’ll wait to hand out the candles until you’re there.” With a groan, he heaved himself back to his feet.
