Page 67 of Losing a Piece of Me

“Alexis, what do you think you’re doing? Where is Jeff?”

Lex places her napkin in her lap and takes a small sip of her orange juice. “Jeff and I are just friends. Striker and I have been seeing each other for a while now.”

Her mother gasps and whispers something to her father.

He clears his throat and whispers something back. I don’t know what he said, but it’s enough to shut her up. Not another word is exchanged while we all eat in awkward silence.

* * *

Just as the table is being cleared and everyone is about to say goodbye, the door opens and something in the air changes. Nobody knows what it is, but we all feel it. Everyone at the table sits a little taller, craning their necks trying to see what catalyzed the whole atmosphere.

I don’t have to look for the change though. I see it as soon as he comes in.

His face is swollen from the beating he took. He lets the door slam behind him as he looks over the group of people.

He’s not swaying, he’s standing big and tall. I don’t know what he’s doing, but whatever it is, he made sure to stay sober for it.

His eyes land on me, then move to Lex at my side. I cover her hand that’s resting on her thigh with my own, hoping to comfort her or prepare her for whatever is about to happen.

My dad storms over to our table and I stand, thinking he’s coming after me.

“Sit your ass down, boy.”

My brows raise as a response. Boy?

He points at Lex. “I told you what would happen, didn’t I?”

She stands, her chair screeching across the floor. “Please don’t. Not here, not today.” She’s shaking her head as she squeezes my hand tighter.

“What is the meaning of this?” Lex’s dad, Gary, stands. “Our daughter just got married and we are trying to enjoy a family meal before she leaves for her honeymoon.”

But he knows what this is about. His forehead is covered in a sheen of sweat and he loosens his tie.

Lex’s mom, Emily, doesn’t know what to do. Her hands are grasping the arms of her chair, just waiting for something to happen.

“I think…” He starts walking around the table. “Today, right now, is the perfect time for this.” He’s looking at Lex as he walks. He reaches in front of her to grab a grape, popping it into his mouth.

He looks at Emily as he continues his journey around the table. “I know something you don’t know,” he practically sings while smiling.

Emily looks around at all of us, not sure what to do.

“That’s about enough,” Gary says.

“No, it’s not enough.” My dad shakes his finger at him. “Was it enough when you carried on an affair with my wife?”

The whole table gasps. Emily is frozen in shock.

“Was it enough when you got her pregnant?” My dad is serious now, almost shaking in anger. “Or was it enough when you paid her to take the baby and run?”

Gary is suddenly at a loss for words. Emily is crying and she quickly pushes her chair back and walks calmly from the room.

“Are you happy now? You’ve upset my wife on what should be a happy day for our family.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. At least you have a family. I don’t! You and your whore of a daughter took my family!”

“That’s enough!” I let go of Lex’s hand and rush around the table, grabbing him by the back of his shirt to walk him toward the exit. He goes willingly, satisfied since he got what he came for.

When we reach the doors, I shove him out. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

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