I laughed and got up to put my things away while Angel rested against the headboard and continued her conversation with Carlos. Her statement made me think of Terrell and how close he and I had become over the past three months – Maisha, too. They really did make this time away from AJ more bearable. On several occasions, they came to my room, forcing me to go out and act like a college kid. One particularly stubborn evening, when I put up more of a fight than usual, Terrell confessed that he and AJ had been talking some and that they were both concerned that I was closing myself off so much. After the initial shock of hearing that they’d been communicating, I listened to what Terrell had to say and joined him and Maisha at a concert on campus.
Initially, I thought it’d be awkward hanging with them as a third wheel, but they never made me feel that way. Deanna hung with us often, and sometimes even Karl. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I had a real group friends again. The only thing missing was AJ.
Dinner was served promptly at 6:30 just like it always had been. Mom had really outdone herself in the kitchen, too - meatloaf, mashed potatoes, asparagus, dinner rolls, and a homemade apple pie for dessert. Daddy said grace and then we all dug in. Aunt Lisa continued to stare at me like I was fragile and pieced together. I smiled at her reassuringly every time I caught her looking my way, but it didn’t do much to ease the tension on her face. While Mom and Angel discussed how school was going so far, Uncle Todd and Daddy discussed the latest sports news.
“So, Sam, you’ve been feeling alright? You look well,” Aunt Lisa said.
I smiled at her again and nodded while I swallowed my food. “Yeah, I’m all healed up now. No pain or anything.” She smiled at me sympathetically and I looked back at my plate. When my eyes shifted downward, I caught a glimpse of my exposed wrist where I’d permanently be sporting AJ’s initials, and tugged at my sleeve anxiously in an attempt to cover my tattoo. Unfortunately, I was too late; Angel had already noticed it and she nearly choked on her roll. I stared at her from the corner of my eye as she hacked and reached for her drink.
“You ok, honey?” Mom asked as she patted her on the back.
“Yes, I’m fine,” she replied in a strained voice. “Something just got caught in my wrist, I mean throat,” she amended. Our eyes locked and she shot me a questioning look and glanced down at my wrist again. I widened my eyes and quickly turned away, knowing that Angel would make me explain later. At least it was her who’d seen it, and not my parents. Hopefully, I’d be able to dodge that bullet for at least a little while longer.
*****
AJ
The sound of my father’s fork scraping against the bottom of his plate drove me to the brink of full-blown rage. My mother caught me staring at him from across the table and cleared her throat to distract me. When we made eye contact, she shook her head stiffly, demanding that I leave my animosity elsewhere during my stay at home for the holiday.
“How’s your steak?” My father asked, smiling politely to mask the malice behind his eyes.
When I didn’t offer a response, my mother set her glass down on the table. “Anthony…..your father’s speaking to you?”
“It’s fine,” he said, patting my mother’s hand to quiet her. Taking the time to casually wipe his mouth before addressing me, my father loosened his tie and sat back comfortably in his chair. “I sure hope you intend to adjust your attitude before our houseguests arrive. I’d hate for you to make them feel unwelcomed.”
Houseguests? More like victims.
“I won’t be here. I have plans,” I replied, shoveling the food around my plate instead of eating it.
“Plans?” My father asked with an air of knowing.
“With Sam.”
A heavy sigh from across the table brought my eyes to my father’s as he shot me a frustrated stare.