“Not until you apologize and thank me.”
I rolled my eyes with a sigh. I just wanted this confrontation over with. I didn't think my body could handle any more changes. “Fine. I'm sorry, and thank you.”
He abruptly let me go and started walking down the street. “See, that wasn't so hard.”
Flipping him off, I turned and stomped back to the car.
“Oh, little tigress?” He called after me. I paused and sent a glare over my shoulder. His smile grew. “I look forward to the invitation.” Winking, he turned on his heel, and sauntered off.
I snapped back around and continued on to my car. Even the sight of it wasn't enough to break me out of my bad mood. I threw myself behind the wheel. “I can't believe this shit!” I slammed my hands against the steering wheel, shook my head and began the long drive home.
Chapter Six
My anger was brimming the entire way home. I sat in the driveway trying to suppress the darkness, the rage. I'd been putting my parents through enough crap lately, and didn't want to add to it. Feeling the hopelessness of the situation, I headed inside, slamming the door in my wake. Maybe my parents would take heed of the international sigh for 'pissed off and leave me alone'. And maybe cats could actually be herded.
“Hey Sunshine, should I ask how the job hunting went?”
I stopped short and glared at my father. Maybe the glare would do it. “I got a job.”
“Ah, so that's what's gotten you into such a good mood. I usually wasn't that happy until a couple of weeks into the job, but it looks like you're absolutely thrilled.”
“Your witticism is always entertaining, Dad.” I turned with military precision before anything else came out. I was pushing it and I knew it. Slamming my bedroom door behind me, I quickly headed downstairs, fearing Dad would follow to 'talk'. I didn't want to 'talk'. That just led me to having diarrhea of the mouth and a bad attitude. Maybe I was going crazy.
I took my anger out on my belongings, tearing through the boxes, and methodically sorting the stuff out while blaring my iPod. Walking with a handful of CD's, I jumped when Dad jumped out in front of me. My hands flew, scattering the CD's everywhere.
“What the fuck!”
He tried to hide his grin as he looked at me with faux concern. “You okay pumpkin?”
I ripped out my ear buds. “Oh just perfect. Nothing like having the crap scared out of you to get your blood pumping. Healthy doses of adrenaline does a body good.”
“Well, come upstairs, your mother wants to talk to you.”
“I really don't feel like talking.”
“Thank you, Captain Obvious. I got that memo when you practically brought down the house with the reverberating slam of your door. But, regardless, your mother wants to talk to you.”
“What are you? Her messenger dog or something?”
He scratched his chin. “Well, I guess you could say that. It comes with being married I suppose. And if you don't come upstairs, I'll be in the doghouse. Pun intended.”
“Well I'll get you a nice doggy bone to make up for it, but I don't want to talk right now, so—” I flicked my wrist toward the door, mentally wiling him to go away.
He looked around my room instead of marching off, like I was trying to mind control him to do., “You know, I suppose Eleanor could just come down here to talk to you. I know she has some ideas of how to decorate this place.”
“You wouldn't dare.” I frowned, trying to stare him down.
“Oh well, you know that she's probably going to want to do something for you now that you've gotten a job. It would be easy to place the idea of her decorating your area as a surprise.”
“Then I'll—”
“And you can't quit, otherwise the car goes back.”
I looked around my haven. I imagined all the horrible things my mother could do. There would be pastel colors everywhere, frilly lacy concoctions, and boy band posters. The mental picture was enough to make me gag. “Alright Dr. Nefarious, you win this time.”
I almost smiled at the sound of his horrible imitation of an evil laugh.
Light filtered through the floor to ceiling windows, causing dust motes to dance like fairies in the soft rays. Mom was busy unwrapping the multitude of pictures, and trying to find the best place for them. There were family photos in silver frames among the fireplace mantle. The precise placement, thanks to my mother's OCD, left everything feeling slightly cold. Even though it should have given off a warm and inviting feel in the beautiful room.
“There you are, Star. Sit on the couch, and I'll join you when I'm finished.”
I did as I was told, sitting stiffly while waiting for her to finish. I tilted my head back and watched the flickering light. All the unpacking had taken the edge off my anger, but the darkness was still there. It was always there.
She wiped the dust off her hands and joined me on the couch. I knew what she was expecting, but I just didn't want to deal with anything. I had way too much to process already. “So, I hear you got a job!” she chirped, almost blinding me with her radiant smile.
I kept my focus on the exposed beams of the cathedral ceiling, thoroughly ignoring her. Please, just let me go back to my room.
“Oh, come on honey, it's not that bad.” I gave her a mental eye roll as she patted my knee and scooted closer. She was way too happy about all of this. “So, where are you going to work at?”
“The Nook.”
She tried to get into my line of sight, and I could feel her almost willing me to speak. “The Nook? What is that?”
“Bookstore.”
“Oh, well that’s wonderful! I know how much you love to read!”
“Whatever.”
“Star, that’s enough. Talk to me.”
“I thought I only had to talk to my therapist? That was the deal, right?” My temper flared at that reminder.
“Starlette Marie Elizabeth McKinley.”
I winced at the use of my full name and lowered my head. I looked at my mother from beneath my mass of hair. I let out a resigned sigh at the look on her face. “Fine. It's going to suck, okay? The daughter of the store absolutely freaking hates me, and I have no idea why. Well, telling her to take care of her rash in front of those guys probably didn't help anything—”
“You did what? Why would you talk to Mary Beth's—”
“It wasn't my fault! She was a major bi—”
“Language!”
“Brat to me the entire time, and I just had enough. It wasn't that bad, more embarrassing than anything for her. Then, when I left, I literally ran into the most conceited jerk ever. So no, I'm not happy about anything, this is going to suck, and I do not want to talk about it.” I crossed my arms and glared at her. My eyes narrowed as I caught onto her using the store owner’s name. “Wait a minute, how do you know Mary Beth?”
My mother's doe-eyed expression may have worked on the opposite gender, but it didn't even touch my suspicion.
“What do you mean? Who's Mary Beth?”
“Oh come one Mom! You just said the store owner’s name! I'm not an idiot!”
She grimaced as I stared her down. Score one for me. “Well, I may have—” she cleared her throat, obviously uncomfortable. “I may have run into her before, and asked about whether or not she may be looking for a new employee.”
I stared at her. I couldn't help it. I knew getting the job seemed to easy, but I thought it was just because Mary Beth was insane. Sweet, but insane. All along it was my mother playing job hunting. “Are you serious?”