I ignored the rest of their conversation when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I wasn’t sure why, but I’d been carrying around the stupid thing all afternoon. Hoping Matt would call. Hoping he wouldn’t. Hoping Felix would call. Hoping he wouldn’t either. I wasn’t sure anymore. But as soon as I felt the vibration, I couldn’t lie to myself. I wanted it to be from Matt. Even if I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to forgive him. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and hid it under the tablecloth so that no one would see.
It was from him. I held my breath as I read the words. “Meet me outside after you’re done with dinner.” I read them again as if a second glance would make them make any more sense. No apology. No explanation for what he’d done with James’ girlfriend. Nothing. Meet me outside after you’re done with dinner my ass.
“Daddy, she’s definitely on her phone,” Isabella said. “I heard it buzz.”
I looked up. I’d been doing a great job of avoiding Isabella and Mrs. Pruitt’s evil glares all night. But now I was locked in Isabella’s.
“We don’t allow phones at the table,” Mr. Pruitt said. “I’m guessing you haven’t finished going through the rules?”
“I’m almost done.” I wasn’t. And I was leaning toward just signing them like Kennedy had suggested. I quickly slid the phone back into my pocket.
“Did you hear what I asked you?” he said.
I shook my head. I hadn’t realized that their conversation had turned to me.
“Would you like to go with Isabella to pick up her homecoming dress? Maybe you can try on a few yourself?”
“Oh. No. That’s okay.” Even if I hadn’t already decided to wear my mom’s dress, I wouldn’t have taken him up on the offer. I’d stopped tattling on Isabella at dinner because there was no point to it. She’d always win. But I wasn’t going to go out of my way to do things with her. I wasn’t insane.
“Do you already have one or something?” Isabella asked.
“Mhm.”
“Oh. Is it one of the ones in your closet upstairs?” she asked.
“Yes.” It came out as more of a question. This felt like some kind of trap, but I didn’t know how.
“What color is it? What style?”
This was definitely some kind of trick. Because everything with her was a trick. “Why do you want to know?”
She laughed. “Because I don’t want to accidentally get something similar, Sissy. How embarrassing would that be? So describe it to me.”
“It’s green.” The lie came easily to my lips. I knew this was one of her games, even though I couldn’t figure out what exactly her motive was. It was easier to just go along with it. I tried to picture one of the new dresses hanging in my closet. “A deep emerald green. It’s tight all the way through except for the bottom that flairs out.”
“Sounds pretty,” Isabella said.
“It is.” Just not as pretty as my mom’s dress, which I’d actually be wearing. I was happy that I’d lied when Isabella got a smug smile on her face. What are you up to?
“May I be excused, Daddy? The girls are waiting for me outside.”
How did she know that unless she was also hiding her phone under the table?
“Sure thing, princess. Don’t be home too late.”
“I won’t.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek and practically skipped off in evil joy.
“I take it the two of you are getting along better now?” Mr. Pruitt asked.
No. You told her everything you promised you wouldn’t. She made another scene at school and dragged all the Untouchables into it. She’s worse than ever. But there was no point in the truth with the Pruitts. “Mhm,” I said. It was alarming how quickly I’d grown used to lying. My stomach twisted in knots with guilt. What would my mom think of that?
“May I be excused as well, Richard?” Mrs. Pruitt asked.
“Of course.”
Mrs. Pruitt placed her napkin down on the table and stood up. Without looking at me, she said, “Thank you for wearing shoes to the table.” And then she walked off. It was like Mr. Pruitt had asked her to give me a compliment and that was the only thing she could think of to say.
I’d never come to the table without shoes again if I knew she was going to be here. A shoeless home was just that. A home. This wasn’t a home. I’d learned that just as quickly as I’d learned to lie. Because I was living in a haunted mansion full of crazies. As if the ghosts could hear my thoughts, there was a loud crash in the foyer.
Mr. Pruitt and I both rushed out to see what happened. One of the large vases had toppled over. Glass was all over the floor. Mrs. Pruitt was nowhere to be seen. Had she knocked it over? Had it been something else? Someone else? A chill ran down my spine.
It didn’t matter who or what had done it. Someone needed to clean it up. I got down on my knees to start to help pick up the pieces.
“Get up.” Mr. Pruitt’s voice was stern.
I looked over my shoulder.
“It’s not your job to clean.” His voice softened when he saw my expression. “Not anymore.” He grabbed my arm and helped me to my feet. And for a second his hand just stayed there. “You look so much like her.”
“My mom?”
His smile was so sad. “I loved her. But she never would have fit into this world. I know you don’t want to be here. I know all this isn’t you. But please try. Please be patient with my wife and Isabella. I don’t want to lose you too. You’re all I have left of her.” He dropped his hand and walked into his study, slamming the door behind him. I was left all alone surrounded by the glass.
What the hell was that? I took a step forward and my shoes crunched on the shards. He loved my mom? Had he loved her all this time? I wanted to knock on his door. I wanted more information. But if he wanted to share, he would have stayed out here. I retreated up the stairs, trying not to think about the mess I was leaving behind.
I couldn’t handle today. I didn’t understand Mr. Pruitt. Or his horrid daughter or wife. All I knew was that I could feel the hole in my heart. Just him mentioning my mom made me want to cry. I’d been filling up my thoughts with Felix and Matt and even Miller. Like I’d been trying to latch on to someone to fill the void.