A warm feeling shoots through me as my heart silently agrees, I do too, Ma. I do too.
Based on the ‘What, no meat!’ drama with Dad from our last dinner, Skye brought stuffed potatoes for her and Patrick, along with extras in case we aren’t too freaked out by the tofu gravy. All of us but Elle politely pass on the travesty that looks like a potato that ate its vegetable neighbors and then threw up on itself. I may want Skye to feel welcome, but even I have my culinary limits.
Ma serves beef stew, knowing that it’s a favorite of Elle’s. Ma isn’t too subtle as to which of the two girls she prefers.
“So Paulie says that between your job being busy and taking care of your mom that you’ve been working hard, Elle,” Dad says before taking a roll from the basket and passing it on.
I watch her pretty smile fade to a serious look. “Yes, it’s helped to be busy.”
“Of course,” Ma replies.
“I think it’s important not to be busy,” hippy girl chimes in. “We have a tendency to fill every working hour with business to prevent really feeling all the deep thoughts that fill our soul.”
Patrick nods like the zombie hippy he’s become.
Trisha turns to Patrick. “What in the hell is she talking about?”
Skye leans forward. “Feeling, Trisha. Feeling everything and living every day like it may be your last.”
Trisha turns to Patrick. “Are you guys high?”
Patrick turns pale as an unbalanced spreadsheet. “Don’t be rude, Trisha! Of course we aren’t high.”
“Not now at least,” Skye says with an expression so neutral I can’t fully tell how much she’s fucking with us. She turns to Elle. “Don’t fill your days with work, Elle. It sucks the life from your soul. Ask yourself why you are so unhappy that you have to fill your emptiness in such a way.”
The entire room goes silent.
Elle’s devastated look should say everything to hippy girl, if she’d just pay fucking attention.
Patrick leans over and whispers something in Skye’s ear. I watch her cheeks redden as she looks down and folds her hands in her lap. She closes her eyes for a few seconds, and when she opens them she looks over at Elle.
“I’m so sorry,” she says softly.
“It’s okay. You didn’t know,” Elle replies.
Dad makes a feeble attempt to pass the rolls again. I can’t help it . . . I’m mad enough that I wish Skye would take one and then choke on it. I’m not as forgiving as Elle is.
Elle stands up. “Dessert, anyone?”
We all chime in and I rise to help Elle gather stuff.
She slides the trifle bowl out of the fridge as I watch. I then step up to her, take the bowl out of her hands, and set it on the counter before pulling her into my arms. I kiss the top of her head and hug her tightly, swaying slightly side to side.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
She nods. “I know. Me too.”
“You okay? I’m starting to regret making you come tonight.”
“Don’t say that. I wanted to be here.”
“That stupid stuff Skye was saying made me want to stuff her in the stuffed potatoes.”
“It wasn’t stupid, there’s some truth in what she’s saying.”
“But she hurt you. I could see it on your face.”
“True . . . but she didn’t know about the baby.”
“Still . . .”
“I will say, it’s a little naïve of her to think you can go through life and not be busy and work hard if you are going to support yourself. Life is expensive.”
“Damn right.” I grab a beer out of the fridge and after taking a swig, Elle pulls the bottle out of my hand and takes one before handing it back to me.
She shrugs. “Maybe she’ll end up living in a commune or something, and not need cell phones and internet service. But that will never be me. I want more out of life, not less.”
I realize as she says it that I want more for Elle, too. She deserves it.
“I admire how hard you work,” I say.
She smiles. “Thanks. I feel the same about you.”
“I can’t help but worry about Patrick. I hope Skye doesn’t make him too freaky. It’s like an alien landed in our neighborhood and now she’s trying to abduct one of our own.”
“I think he’s finding himself. Maybe she’s good for him. She can loosen him up and get him to try things he never would have.”
I think about tofu and chanting and shake my head. “The sex better be great.”
“Well, judging from how happy he looks with her, let’s assume it is.”
Realizing we better rejoin the family before they send out a search party, I gesture to the dessert. “Shall we?”
She smiles and peels the foil off the top. I peek over her shoulder.
“Whoa! Is that pudding or something?”
“It’s a little bit of everything good . . . so yummy.”
I gather up the bowls, and follow her back out to the dining room.
Dad seems excited. “Is that trifle, lass?”
Elle nods with a grin.
Dad and Ma share a look. I can only imagine what they’re thinking. With every moment like this I know Elle is settling deeper into their hearts.
She stands above the bowl as she serves it up. She even remembered to bring separate servings of just the fruit for the vegan freaks. I watch her with pride.
Damn, she’s amazing.
When I take my first bite, my eyes roll back in my head as I groan.
“You like it?” Elle asks with a demure smile.
“Hell yes! It’s fit for a prince!”
“King,” Patrick says. “You mean fit for a king. That’s the saying.”
The corner of Elle’s mouth curves up and she winks at me.
I notice Skye studying us and I sense more awkwardness up ahead.
“How long have you two dated?” Skye inquires.
I’m still watching Elle as I answer, “We aren’t dating. We’re just friends.”
Elle smiles at me, and it’s a mysterious smile. I can’t tell what’s behind it. I’m then reminded of the time she yelled at me because of what I said about Melanie’s mysterious smile.
“Wow,” Skye says.
Patrick’s brows knit together. “Wow, what?”
Skye nods toward us. “With the energy sparking between them, I would’ve never guessed they were just friends.”
Damn right.
Hippy girl finally got something right.
Elle does the dishes, and I dry, while Ma deals with the leftovers.
“I hear you two are going to a wedding a week from Saturday,” Ma says to Elle.
“Yes, my best friend Stella.”
“So when are you going to marry my Paulie?”
Both Elle and I snap our necks in Ma’s direction. Elle laughs. I’m not sure whether to be offended by that or to join her.
“Is he going to ask me?” Elle says. The way her eyes are dancing, she looks amused.
“He better,” Ma huffs.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Millie, but your son has no interest in marrying me.”
“I have to disagree. Paulie seems quite taken with you.”
What the hell? Thanks, Ma.
“Besides, I’m done with marriage. I think I’m meant to be single. And Paul knows that. He’s still searching for his nice girl who isn’t a handful like me.”
I throw down the dishtowel and pound my fist on the counter.
“Does my presence here count for anything? Why are you two talking like I’m not here?”
Ma continues to ignore me as she replies to Elle, “Well, I’m not giving up hope. Maybe you’ll change your mind in time.”
Elle glances over at me and winks.
What the hell does that that wink mean?
When did she become so mysterious?
“So that was fun,” Elle says when we get in the car to leave.
“Yeah, loads,” I reply with a huff.
“Aww come on.”
“Why is it that I become the butt of everyone’s humor when you’re over?”
“Maybe because you’re so fun to tease.”