At What Cost by J. Andersen

Author:J. Andersen [Andersen, J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Astraea Press LLC
Published: 2012-06-14T05:01:59+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Adult Confessions from a Teenage Daughter

Rachel chopped onions at the counter while Maggie sat on a wooden stool on the opposite side.

“They’ll be here in a few minutes, you know.”

Maggie, who had been tracing the lines in the countertop with her finger, refused to look up. “I know.”

“Mags, I know this is hard, but they need to know.” Rachel stopped slicing and rested the knife on the counter. It clinked against the granite. “They know something is up because I never invite them over to dinner. And right after I took you out for coffee yesterday…” She grabbed the green pepper and started back into her meticulous chopping. “And when they see you…” Aunt Rachel’s voice trailed off leaving Maggie wrestling with the thoughts.

She planned to tell her parents first that she was pregnant and second that she was considering an abortion. Actually, more than considering since the appointment had already been made. And she had no intention of canceling it despite her aunt’s attempts to dissuade her. Maybe she’d leave that last part out. One bombshell was enough for the evening.

At five-thirty sharp—her mother was never late—the doorbell rang. One of those English chimes, which somehow didn’t fit with the casual comfort of Aunt Rachel’s home.

“Get it please, Mags. My hands are covered in chicken guts.”

Maggie slid off the stool and closed her eyes for a second, trying to envision positive responses that might come from her parents. Oh, who was she kidding? This night was doomed.

Natasha Reynolds stood at the door in khaki pants and a light blue sweater, looking, as always, put-together perfect. Standing behind her mom with his hand on the small of her back—the only affection her mother could stand in public—was her father. He was still in his suit from work but with tie loosened and the top button of his Oxford shirt undone. It was about as casual as he ever got.

“Maggie?” The surprised tone accompanied a crinkled up nose.

She should have expected her mother’s reaction, tried to anticipate it, but no matter how many times she attempted to prepare herself, her mother always surprised her. She’d been through so much lately, what was one more disappointing moment between her and her mother?

“Hi, Mom, Dad.”

“What are you doing here?” They didn’t wait for an invitation but instead entered, the thick, nervous atmosphere lingering between them.

Natasha’s voice held a note of suspicion. “Rachel, what’s going on here?”

Maggie turned, seeing her aunt standing in the doorway of the kitchen wiping her hands on a dish towel before she grabbed some dishes and set them on the table. “Tasha, glad you could make it. We’re going to sit down and have a nice meal.”

The glare between the two sisters clearly communicated their frustration with each other. Natasha wanted to know what was going on, Rachel refused to come out and say it. It was always there between them: butter-thick tension.

“Since when have you ever cooked us dinner?”

“Since now.”

Ray Reynolds grabbed the dish out of Rachel’s hands.

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