Page 18 of Ruling Scar
“What’s going on?” Mom rejoins us in the living room. She’s taken refuge in the kitchen most of the day. “Dinner is ready. Everybody clean up.”
I hate to break it to her, but she’s only getting me in sweatpants.
“Mom look at this.” Adeline holds out her phone. The photo of the Zimins must be posted to social media too.
Mom narrows her eyes. “We need to take a photo in front of our tree too.”
“Yelena’s in Russia,” Nat reminds. “There’s no need for a standoff.”
“You know better than to mention that woman’s name in front of me.”
Dad tries to placate her, speaking in Russian. She responds in Italian. I swear their love language is bickering. She’s grumbling under her breath about falling in love with a man named Boris while motioning for us to go into the dining room.
It’s beautifully decorated even though it’s just the family. Mom has a ton of extended family in Italy, but her parents passed away five years ago. Dad’s died well before Nat’s birth and both our parents are only children. It’s why they were so adamant they had multiple children because they’d grown up without siblings.
Though, Dad, as he likes to remind us, always had Lev and Dima.
“This is amazing, darling.” Dad kisses Mom’s cheek. Every time Dad kisses her cheek or forehead, she leans into him.
It’s sickeningly sweet, pulling at something inside me that I don’t like. Is it natural to be jealous of all couples who are in love, even if they’re your own parents? I certainly wouldn’t want them to be like Lev and Yelena.
Dad passes me mashed potatoes and Mom fusses about the tablecloth. Adeline tells her everything is fine, but Mom, the perfectionist, only huffs under her breath.
“I’m pregnant.”
Silverware clatters to the table. Mom gasps as she jumps up and sits beside her oldest daughter. “What!” She wraps Natalie into a hug. “Are you serious?”
Adeline’s eyes bug out at me. I shrug in response. No wonder Natalie’s looked tired lately.
“I know it might come as a surprise.” She pulls back from Mom. “I’m not married and. . .”
Mom shakes her head, gently touching Nat’s cheek. “Is that why you’ve looked so worried lately? My love, we live in the twenty-first century.”
Dad agrees. “Natalie, you could never do anything to disappoint us.”
She bites her lower lip. “You guys really aren’t mad?”
Mom frets, playing with the ends of Nat’s hair. Her eyes are brimming with tears, but excitement and love light up her face. “Things happen, my love, but we do not ignore miracles like this.”
“But speaking about miracles.” Adeline clasps her hands together on the table and leans forward. The interrogation begins. “Please, do explain this one to us.”
Mom swats at her.
“I’m sorry are we not all curious about this immaculate conception?” Adeline asks.
Nat is hardly celibate. She is, however. . .
“You’re a lesbian,” Ads declares.
Mom ignores Adeline, petting her favorite and asking her how far along she is.
“Um, hello!” Adeline tries again. “I’m sorry, but did you accidently trip and fall on a turkey baster?”
“Ads!” Mom barks, eyes flashing.
I straighten in my chair. “You weren’t hurt were you? Somebody didn’t kidnap you and. . .”
“Use a turkey baster against your will,” Adeline finishes for me.
