Withered by A.G.A. Wilmot

Author:A.G.A. Wilmot
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: ECW Press
Published: 2024-04-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Shit. Shit shit shit shit shit.

The record spinning in Ellis’s brain was caught in a groove Saturday night as they stood panicking on Quinn’s front step. They’d knocked already; there was no going back now.

“Just be yourself,” Robyn said right before they left.

“When has that ever been good advice?” Ellis asked.

Their mom made a sound like I don’t know with the vowels removed. “Probably helps if you’re famous or something. With model-quality looks, fistfuls of money . . .”

“I’m confused—is this you trying to help?”

She kissed their forehead. “You’re going to be fine. Trust me. Billions of people before you have met their partner’s parents.”

Trust me, she’d said. If there were a hierarchy of famous last words, trust me was at the very terrible top.

Shiiiiiiiii—

The front door opened, and Quinn appeared, standing there in a beautiful maroon maxi dress, her smile a mix of radiance and—yes, terror. Seeing that she was as nervous as they, Ellis suddenly felt more prepared for whatever happened next.

She pulled Ellis inside and shut the door. Whispered, “Are you ready for this?”

“I think so,” Ellis whispered back, noting how she fidgeted with her dress. “Are you?”

“I don’t know. Maybe? I think I am. Did I mention I’ve never done this before?”

“That makes two of us. You look amazing, by the way.”

She beamed.

Ellis stepped forward. They heard music in the background. “That Marvin Gaye?”

A man popped his head out from an adjacent room. “It is indeed. I like a person who knows their Motown.” He stepped into the hall and shook Ellis’s hand. “Name’s William, but call me Bill. I’m this beautiful individual’s father.” He nodded to Quinn.

“Pleasure to meet you, sir.” Ellis took in the tall-but-not-too-tall man: he was bald with a thick, black beard that reminded Ellis of Wooly Willy. He had a dark brown complexion, wore round glasses, and was built solid, like a former college athlete.

“You like a lot of Gaye?” Bill asked.

“I do, but it’s gonna get real awkward real fast if you bust out some ‘Sexual Healing.’” Ellis cringed internally as soon as they’d finished speaking, meanwhile—thankfully—Bill started to guffaw. It was a deep, joyful sort of laughter Ellis hadn’t heard much of, especially not over the past couple of years. It almost took them by surprise.

“What’s this I hear about the curative properties of intercourse?” A woman emerged from the kitchen. She had Quinn’s face, eyes, and shape, and was busy wiping her hands on a dish towel.

“Oh, god, no,” Quinn muttered and hid her face in her hands. Ellis thought they could see her cheeks reddening through the cracks between her fingers.

Bill kissed his wife on the cheek. “Now, honey, we don’t want to embarrass the kids.”

“Oh, I’m fine.” Ellis looked over at Quinn, grinning. “You okay over there?”

“I hate you all,” Quinn said through her hands. “I do. I really, really do.”

Quinn’s mother extended a hand to Ellis. “Cynthia,” she said, and drew Ellis in for a hug. “It’s so good to meet you! Come in, come in.

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