Page 83 of Laugh

Normally when I walk into the house, I find my dad first to tell him hello, but I come to a halt when Deborah is standing in front of me in the entryway, ready to intercept.

“Harriet,” she says, then looks over at Beau, her eyes running down his body with something like irritation or annoyance written all over her face. “Nice to see you again, Beau.”

“Hey, eyes up here, Deborah,” I snap out, really disliking the way she’s scrutinizing him. It was rude as fuck and I’m feeling the urge to fight.

Ignoring my censure, she lowers her voice. “Before you go in there, I wanted to have a quick chat with you. Well, both of you since you brought him with you.”

I can feel Beau stiffen behind me. I know if I don’t say something now, he’s going to blow up at her, ready to wear my colors and battle for my honor.So freaking romantic.

Placing a hand on his chest to stop him, I quickly decide that I want to hear what she has to say. Just this one more time, because I have a feeling that I’m going to make a life-changing decision tonight and I want to ensure that I’m making therightone.

“What did you want to talk about?”

She’s eyeing Beau, but then flicks her gaze at me. “I know the past few weeks have been a struggle for you, so I’m willing to excuse the fact that you’ve been ignoring your father and I. Even with the completely inappropriate way you acted at the funeral when it’s a time for families to cling to one another.”

“You barely knew Marcus,” I bite out. “In fact, I can remember numerous occasions where you only had shitty things to say about how he was an ‘odd boy’ or ‘weird’. Don’t pretend that I was going to fall into your arms and sob, looking toyoufor comfort.”

Deborah’s face turns red, but she still manages to keep her voice low. “This is what I’m talking about. You can’t talk to me like this! I’m your mother–”

I’m fucking seething when I have to, yet again, correct her. “Notmy mom.”

“We’ll talk about the way you continue to be disrespectful toward me when we’re not in the presence of company. All I ask is that you grow up, act like the loving child Iknowyou are, and make things right with your father. He’s been so hurt that you have been acting like you want nothing to do with him. I think, especially with recent events, it’s clear that we never know how much time we have left.”

She softens her voice like she actually cares before continuing with a painful blow to my chest. “I would never want you to live your life with regrets, wishing you could go back and change things.”

“Nope.” Beau’s single word makes me blink away the haze of fury and utter shock at Deborah’s insensitive words. “Baby,” he begs pleadingly, turning me to face him. “I can’t. I can’t let you stand here and listen to this garbage.”

Her quick intake of breath, and the “Excuse me?” she cries out, goes ignored by us.

I nod my head quickly and pull his face down to kiss me. It’s not long, but it helps ground me. Leaning back slightly, I look up at him with a reassuring smile. “I know. I just wanted to hear her. It’ll help me when I talk to dad.”

“Help you with what?” Deborah asks when I tug on Beau’s hand, dragging the both of us past her. I pay no mind to the way she follows, spitting out questions and trying to get me to stop so she can convince me of her way of thinking. “Harriet!” she hisses out through her teeth.

I just want to ignore her, but Beau is fed up. “Deborah?” he snaps back at her and I’m relieved when she comes up short. His glare keeps her frozen in place and I want to climb him like a koala. Deborahreallyhates her first name.

“Let’s just find my dad, Thor.” My voice is soft, cajoling, trying to urge him away from his increasing desire to face down my stepmonster.

“Stay. Here,” he warns her, then turns around and pushes me forward with his hands low on my back. “Just remember, baby, milkshakes are on your horizon.”

“And French fries, maybe. Depending on how I’m feeling.” I’m deadly serious too. Salty fries definitely help to counteract salty moods.

Chuckling, he whispers his agreement as we find our way into the living room where my dad and brothers are all sitting. I quickly search and don’t find Amber anywhere. Not that it would matter if she were, but this is going to be hard enough with an audience. Bamber’s absence makes it a touch easier.

My dad doesn’t stand to give me a hug when he notices that I’ve arrived. Normally he’s up and pulling me into his arms with hugs and ‘pumpkin’ endearments and love. I don’t know, but it feels like his love is conditional and I don’t think that’s something I can handle anymore.

“Dad, we need to talk.”

He doesn’t look at me when he crosses his arms. With his eyes locked on the television, he grumbles, “I wanted to talk weeks ago, but you’ve been ignoring me.”

“You could have called me, you know,” I tell him, but he stays silent, refusing to respond.

I wait a moment for his impetuous attitude to fade away, but he continues to watch the TV like I’m not even standing here.

“Dad, come on. Haddie wants to talk to you,” Alexander scolds him. Jonathon is nodding quickly in agreement in my peripheral.

Matthew adds quietly, “Don’t be stubborn, old man.”

My father sighs loudly, then faces me. When he notices Beau standing at my side, he looks surprised and maybe a tad embarrassed to have someone outside the family witness his childish attitude.

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