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Although I supposed it would spare me the pain of watching Cait bag her first dick-for-brains also.
With a sigh, I turned Bree back to the house by the shoulders and we went inside together.
Mom had busied herself in the kitchen serving dinner. We had a chef, but Mom liked to make dinner for our family at least a twice a week, and it was my dad’s job on a Sunday to make the roast after church.
It didn’t matter what was going on with the business, or anything else outside the walls of our house, those were the rules.
My father was already seated at the head of the table in the kitchen where we usually ate as a family, unless it was a special occasion or we had guests. Quinn, our youngest sister was sitting beside him, looking far too small in the large dining chair. She was small for her age and had to sit on a booster to reach the table properly, but lately she’d decided she was more than old enough to forgo the booster. She was ten, but still her head was only just over the edge.
She leaned forward, resting her chin on the tabletop as she played with a doll, making it walk down the wooden surface like a model on a runway.
I’d been angry with my parents when they’d brought Brianna home, but Quinn… I had a soft spot for her. Something had changed in me the day I’d looked down at her innocent little face when they’d brought her home from the hospital, and she was the one person in this house I wouldn’t bet that I could push over the edge.
I ruffled her red hair as I took a seat next to her. “How you doing, Quinny?”
Bree glared at me, sitting in the chair directly opposite me. She was jealous of the relationship I had with Quinn, instead of her. I hadn’t meant that to be part of making Bree crack, it was just a nice side bonus.
“Dad doesn’t love me,” she sighed, a note of despondency in her tone. I glanced up at our father.
“That’s not what I said. I said I’m not buying you another Davey Dream Doll when you’ve got two hundred in a box upstairs you don’t play with.” He rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair.
“It’s the same thing,” she sulked, pulling a smile even out of Brianna.
“Stop being dramatic,” Mom scolded as she placed plates in front of Quinn and Dad.
“I’m not being dramatic. Everyone at school has the new Evelyn doll, and I don’t.”
“Well perhaps you could donate some of the dolls you don’t play with anymore to the less fortunate kids,” Dad suggested as Mom brought over the rest of the plates and sat beside him. He took her hand on the tabletop, an amused smile playing on his lips.
“And then you’ll get me Evelyn?” She discarded the doll she was currently playing with, an adorable look of hope on her face.
“Maybe. As you’re doing something so kind out of the goodness of your own heart.”
“Yes!” she fist pumped the air, darting out of her chair. “I’ll go pack them up now.”
“Eat your dinner first,” Mom commanded, pointing at the chair. Quinn groaned, climbing back onto the too big chair.
My parents shared a secret smile, and I sat back, blending into the background as usual.
Mom and Dad quizzed Bree and Quinn on their day. They filled the kitchen with the sounds of laughter and easy conversation. The sound of family. But never once did they even glance in my direction. Nobody acknowledged me. Often it was like I wasn’t even there, and I preferred it that way.
If I was invisible, then I didn’t have to live up to their expectations.
Only a few more months… then I’d be out of here.
Just survive.
CHAPTER THREE
Cait
“Cait!” My mother’s voice called up the stairs. “You’re going to be late.” Even muffled through the door it did something unpleasant to my eardrums.
Urgh.
Rolling over in my bed, I buried myself in the covers for just a few minutes more of precious sleep.
I couldn’t go to school today.
