Room to Grow by Lisa Heaton

Author:Lisa Heaton
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
ISBN: 9781732006874
Publisher: Lisa Heaton Books
Published: 2019-06-07T04:00:00+00:00

The meal was on the table. Kevin said an obligatory thanks for the food, and Sophie just sat watching. For some reason it seemed that she was looking at the scene from far away, as if she wasn’t even there. There before her was a perfect meal and smiling guests, but nothing about the moment felt right to her. She was glad to have Chloe home, but even Chloe seemed off. Long periods of silence between Austin and her were noticeable. Whatever was going on brought a sense of volatility to the table.

“Why the everyday dishes?” Kevin said. “You usually use the china.”

A year ago that question would have devastated her and given her reason to apologize and question her own judgment. Not today.

She looked Kevin in the eye. “The china has to be hand-washed. I’m more of dishwasher girl this year.”

“What does it take, thirty minutes to wash them?”

“Yeah, thirty minutes I don’t have. I have to be at work two hours after we eat.”

Kevin looked at her with a half-cocked grin. “You don’t have to work.”

She knew what he meant but chose to ignore his implication that he would take care of her financially.

“Yeah, Kevin, I do. All the seasonal staff is scheduled today.”

Chloe jumped in. “Still, it’s just thirty minutes.” She looked at Austin. “Mom usually goes all out each year.” With a grin and wink, she glanced at her dad. “Maybe next year things will be back to normal.”

“Are you kidding me, right now?” Austin tossed his napkin on his plate. “Do you even hear yourself talking? Have you watched her since we've been here, doing all of this for us? I would call this going all out.”

“She loves this stuff,” Chloe said.

“I don't think she loves any of this. I’m not sure I've ever seen someone try so hard for someone who doesn’t appreciate it.” He shook his head and laughed a sarcastic laugh. “Are you happy with yourself, that you're holding your mom hostage like this?” His voice grew louder. “I've watched you do it, threaten not to come if it wasn't going to look like you wanted it. This is what you do! Throw fits and manipulate until you get your way.”

Austin stood and looked at Sophie. “I’m sorry I’ve ruined your dinner. You deserve better than this.” He looked at Kevin and Chloe, then back at Sophie. “You deserve better than all of this.”

To Chloe, he said, “Your dad will have to drive you back to Knoxville. I'm done this time, Chloe.”

Austin stormed off, and Chloe followed behind him.

Kevin propped his elbows on the table and shrugged. “I didn’t mean to get all that started. I just wondered where the china was.”

“I know.” She looked toward the hallway where the kids were yelling. “I’m not sure anything could have prevented that. I don’t think he’s all that wrong about her.”

Sophie stood and began to stack plates. When she did, Kevin did the same.

Once in the kitchen, she started scraping plates while Kevin went back for more.

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