“Come on in and help us, Maddy. Don’t just stand there like a bump on a log.”
I walked over and started to place the cutlery where it belonged, folding napkins beside each plate. Monica walked up to the intercom and called upstairs to Tamlin.
“Tammy is on her way down. Edward won’t be joining us, unfortunately. He has an important meeting in the city.” I’d noticed that Monica and Edward didn’t act like my parents had. My dad was constantly rubbing up against my mom and kissing her every single chance he got, they acted like a couple of teenagers. Monica and Edward were cold and distant, more polite than anything else. Monica actually seemed more alive when her husband wasn’t around than when he was.
“Maddy!” Tammy called, rushing towards me, her arms open wide. I hugged her, so happy to see how well she looked. The last time I saw her she was lifeless and limp and now she was vibrant, the color back in her cheeks. She looked really good, she looked healthy and happy. “It’s so good to see you,” she said, giving me a final squeeze before letting go.
“You too. Are you starting classes soon?”
Something must have been wrong with my question; maybe it was my timing, because both my mom and Monica stopped what they were doing and stared at us nervously. My mom was ringing her hands, twirling her fingers continuously while Monica was fidgeting with a knife and fork, almost as if she didn’t know what they were used for.
“I sure am. I’ve managed to keep up while at rehab.” She then glanced at her mom and quickly added, “There is no need to worry. I’m fine. Everything is fine. Let’s just go on like normal. Okay?” Monica nodded her head and smiled sweetly. Before anyone could say anything, Kyler appeared, looking cool and unaffected just like always. I cast my eyes down, scared of looking at him after our last interaction.
“Kyler, it’s lovely that you could join us,” Monica said. “Please, everyone sit down. Tonight will be self-serve, I’m afraid.” We all sat down at the extensive table, Kyler just standing there until everyone was seated. “Kyler, please sit.” Monica gestured to the seat closest to Kyler. He ignored her suggestion and went around the table, taking the seat beside mine. Everyone traded looks with their eyebrows raised and their lips turned up into a sly smile. Kyler ignored them, just as he tended to ignore most things around him.
“So, Madison, how are you finding my alma mater, Black Mountain Academy? It’s a lovely campus, isn’t it? We earmarked an endowment a while back specifically for landscaping--I find it impossible to learn anything new if I’m not inspired by my surroundings,” Monica bubbled as she passed me the mashed potatoes.
“I’m really enjoying my classes,” I said, keeping the content light. “And I never imagined a high school could be so pretty.”
“The kids chosen to attend Black Mountain Academy aren’t just high-schoolers, Madison; they’re the future leaders of America. Every one of them was hand-selected for their potential, and the academy does its best to live up to that standard of limitless potential we see in its students.” Monica took a pristine bite of her food.
“Or their rich parents buy them in,” Kyler said.
The table fell silent, no one speaking or saying anything. Growing up, during dinner I was used to music blaring from my father’s record player and jokes and conversation flowing constantly between the three of us. Dinner in the manor felt foreign and forced. I felt uncomfortable and completely out of place. I looked up from my plate and noticed Kyler leaning back in his chair, gazing at me. His blue eyes completely captivating and inviting, yet harboring an undefined edge.
“So, Tammy, are you excited to get back in the swing of things?” I asked, my nerves getting the better of me. I needed something to break both his intense stare and the still silence taking over the room.
“I can’t wait, actually. I’m switching academic focus to charitable giving in order to prepare for a gap year after graduation. Then university abroad after that.” Tammy said, her eyes fixated on her mother. Probably trying to gauge her thoughts based on a reaction.
Monica was cool, unaffected, and incredibly collected. She dabbed the napkin on her lips and smiled sweetly. “Well, we can certainly talk about that, dear. Maybe when we don’t have guests.”
“Sure, Mom. Whatever you say,” Tammy said, her fingertips dancing back and forth around the rim of her glass.
By the time dinner ended, silence still suffocating me--or maybe it was Kyler’s intense sideways looks in my direction--I eagerly shot up to help Tammy clear the table, thankful for something to do.
“Maddy, can I talk to you for a minute?” Kyler said, leaning casually against the wall.
“Um, I’m helping Tammy right now.” I refused to look at him, even though every part of me compelled me to.
“I’m fine, Maddy, go ahead.” Tammy shot me a sympathetic smile.
“She can do the dishes alone, better yet, save it for the staff--”
“I’m not letting her do the dishes alone. If it’s really that important, I’m sure you have the patience to wait.” I started the hot water, thankful when it drowned out his reply. I couldn’t take the chance of glancing over my shoulder. If I saw him standing there glaring at me one more time, I couldn’t be held accountable for the harm I might do him.
“He’s such an asshole sometimes,” Tammy breathed at my shoulder.
“Sometimes?” I sighed, slipping my hands in the soapy warm water, thankful for the relief the familiar chore brought me.
“He’s right though, you know, we could just leave the dishes for the staff.” I could hear the tired
