Page 79 of Ravaged For You

My throat dries up as I keep my emotion in check. Under the table, I clench the sides of my chair. I’m not giving my mother the satisfaction of seeing me cry in front of her. I’ve experienced a lot of her snide comments before.

I can survive this. Just hold on. This’ll all be over soon.

Astrid and Axel, however, are very new to this. They both go quiet at my mother’s remarks. And I’m instantly embarrassed; I didn’t want them to witness this.

But what did you expect, Maddie, bringing Mom here?

It was only a matter of time.

“I am dating Axel, Mom.”

Astrid chirps in, sensing the tension. “Obviously, you don’t watch the news, Mary. Axel is quite well-known for his music and his band. He’s quite successful.”

“I don’t watch anything that is non-Christian. Success in something does not mean a single iota in the eyes of the Lord.”

Silence falls.

I guess it’s up to me to move things along.

“What’s good here? I’ve heard some amazing things about this place. I read an article about the owner…”

“What music do you perform?” Mom asks Axel, ignoring me. “I’ve read up on those modern Christian rock bands. Is it anything like that?”

“No, unfortunately. We’re quite different.”

I’m glad that Axel isn’t being his usual rude self. He’s trying to navigate this carefully. I really appreciate the effort, especially from him.

“Do you believe in Jesus, Axel?”

This is really what I didn’t want the topic of conversation to slide to, but it seems like I’m stuck with this.

Oh, Mom. Please don’t.

Like a bull in a China shop, she continues her pressing attack.

“Please tell me you believe in Jesus.”

“That’s a… difficult question.” Axel is visibly squirming.

I just want to curl up and hide away for a thousand years. I bury my face in the menu.

“The seafood linguine seems good,” I mutter, trying my hardest to force a change in the conversation. Of course, things don’t go my way. Not when my mother is involved.

“It’s not a difficult question,” Mom remarks before spinning to Astrid. “I see that you’re wearing a necklace of the cross. Tell me, how can you raise a boy to become the voice of Satan and encourage the Devil’s work on earth when you dare wear the icon of the Lord? His success, as you call it, makes him practically a demon.”

“Let’s order,” I interject.

But then Mom comes out with her killer line.

“What kind of a mother are you, Astrid Stoll?”

There’s silence. Axel’s mom stares at my mom in shock. I’m the only person here who’s been ready for something like this, and I immediately try to diffuse the tension.

“Mom…”

But she cuts me off by suddenly standing. “I can’t believe I’ve come all this way to break bread with such sinful people. I can’t believe I was invited me out here for this.”

“Please sit, Mom.”