Page 52 of Stay for Me
“Jacob, you’re going to have to figure it out because we aren’t feeding you for the next four and a half months,” Ellie says as she walks toward the cabinet.
Jacob raises one of his brows and turns to his sister-in-law. “I’m on a rotation, that was the deal for having to sleep in that damn thing.”
“I said you could stay here a few nights,” Ellie says with her brow raised.
“But if I did that, I’d have nothing to complain about or hold over your head. I prefer to eat and run.”
“Well, next weekend you can go into town to the festival to get your own food.”
He groans. “The hell I can. I’m not going to the festival.”
“We’re all going as a family, and that means you too, Jacob. This is all the time we have with you, and Hadley will be devastated if you don’t go,” she informs him and then turns to me. “Brenna, you and the kids are going, right? Do you want to come with us?”
“We are, but I’m pretty sure Sylvia and Dennis will want to come with us. They mentioned something about taking the kids for the weekend.”
“Then we can all meet there and they can take them back to their place when we leave. It would be great for the kids. Melanie and Sebastian can hang out with Hadley and Austin. Plus, I’m sure you’d like time with people other than your in-laws.”
Ellie knows all too well how crazy Sylvia is driving me. When she mentioned—demanded—we attend the fair, I was livid. I’m not a child, and I know she’s needing to mother someone, but I can’t handle it.
I’m trying, but my patience is wearing thin.
This morning, she came over before school to drop off clothing that was more “suitable” for Melanie. She let me know that I was giving her a bit too much freedom in her attire, and she found some things that were a little more modest.
I wanted to scream, but I smiled, took the clothes, and threw them in the basement still in the bags.
She can say that again, but then I look at Jacob. “I’m not sure . . .”
“Jacob, you will need to just go over there and pick them up, then they can’t refuse us.”
“Me?”
She nods. “Of course, you. Sebastian won’t be able to resist.”
“Ellie, that’s not really necessary.”
“No, but if the kids know this is the plan, neither of you can bail on us, so I’ll be sure to make sure that part is covered. You and Jacob can meet us since he knows the town better. It also gives you the perfect excuse to get time around people your age.”
“I don’t know . . .”
Jacob moves a bit closer. “I don’t mind.”
I look over, shocked. “What?”
“I’ll get you guys on my way over. We can be outcasts together.”
“You’renotan outcast here.”
He’s like the second coming of Christ.
He laughs. “I assure you that, among my brothers, I am.”
Ellie scoffs. “You are out of your mind. This town loves you all.”
“They loved when we left.”
“That might be true, but they’re welcoming you all back with open arms.” Ellie turns and goes back to the cooking. “I mean, you’ve been here a month and a half and there’s still no press. It shows that they’re either not impressed by you or they’re willing to help you.”
Jacob rolls his eyes. “Anyway, I’ll get Brenna and the kids, and we’ll meet everyone at the festival.”
