AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Your hair, Genevieve, dear,” Mom began softly when she faced me. The disappointment in her expression cut right through me. “Why haven’t you straightened it? That look suited you so much better than this wild one.”
“I know,” I replied. “Daddy said the same thing.”
“You know he’s bothered by it.” She put her back to me, going back to cooking while gesturing to the cabinets. “Set the table, will you, dear?”
“Yes, Mother,” I whispered. Honestly, the woman probably hadn’t heard me as she continued to prattle on about my hair and everything else wrong with me.
“I don’t know why you insist on upsetting your father the way you do. He’s only looking out for you. That hair... you should have more respect for yourself. For you father. Your image is his image, you know. People talk in this town. We have to look our best at all times.”
“I know—”
“And that skirt.” She clicked her tongue. “Did you even press it this morning? Like I taught you? You know what? After breakfast, I’ll take you upstairs and show you how to do it the right way. We don’t want you getting it wrong again next week.”
“Of course not,” I grumbled.
“Speak up, Genevieve, if you have something to say,” she clipped. “Speak clearly and with intention.”
“Thank you for offering to show me how to press my skirt, Mother,” I said loud enough for her to hear and forced a smile. This was the easiest. Appease and get through it. I could do that. “That’s very kind of you to take time out of your day to do so. I appreciate it.”
“Of course, you do, dear. You’re just so pretty, Genevieve. If you just tried a little more and put a little more in your presentation, other people could see that. They’d see how warm and inviting being around you can be.”
Lips pressed together tightly, I simply nodded. There was no point in engaging her commentary. I just had to keep reminding myself of that.
Perfectly set table? Check.
Breakfast perfectly cooked? Check.
Perfectly arranged on the table? Check.
Everything looked like something out of a magazine as we took our respective seats. Gabby’s seat was left open with her table settings as we always did. Mom and Dad were holding a spot for her on the off-chance she came home. They believed her on-a-whim excursion to Seattle was rebellious child behavior and that she’d come home. It was the entire reason Dad called her every day to remind her of why she needed to return home. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that she wasn’t coming back. Gabby was happy—finally. I wanted her to keep that.
“Will you say grace, Genevieve?” Dad asked as he held his hand out for me to take. I did and Mom’s too.
“Yes, Daddy,” I said. Drawing in a deep breath, I closed my eyes and prayed as I was taught, “Father of mercy, we praise you and give you glory for the wonderful gifts you have bestowed upon us. We thank you for this life and our health, for our neverending faith and for your unconditional love. We thank you for this meal we are fortunate enough to share. In your name, we pray… amen.”
“Amen,” Mom echoed.
“Well done,” he said.
“Thank you, Daddy,” I replied with a small smile. It took a lot for him to say those words, and I loved hearing them when he did.
Mom pushed out of her chair and busied herself with serving him a little bit of everything from the table before sitting down in her seat. I waited my turn. First him, then her, and then I was free to serve myself.
“Did you prepare the music for tomorrow?” Dad asked when we were settled in. A small knot formed in my stomach.
“I didn’t have time this week. I was gone, remember?” I told him.
“To where?” he demanded.
“I went on a road trip with Nolan to see the Stones and the Ironwoods,” I explained, careful to leave out a few of the more unsavory details. There were things they never needed to be made aware of.
“The Fall Games,” Dad scoffed. “Ridiculous child’s play. You don’t belong attending such nonsense.”
“I mostly spent time with Nolan—”
“You spend too much time with that boy,” he snapped.
“I just—”
