Page 105 of Black
CHAPTER 19
Family Brunch
Gabriel
Cia was quiet on the twenty-minute drive from the apartment to my parents’ home in Medina. My stepdad, Steve, is the CEO of one of the largest tech companies here in the area and his house – or rather mansion – reflects his status and wealth.
“Don’t get overwhelmed with the size of the house when we get there,” I said to warn her.
She frowned. “Why? How big is it?”
“Almost eight thousand square feet, and it’s beautifully located by the lake.”
“Wow, how many people live there?”
“Just my mom and Steve.”
She whistled low. “That’s a lot of cleaning to do for your mom,” she pondered out loud.
I drummed the steering wheel. “Yeah… about that. My parents have people to help them, so you’ll probably see a caterer today.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s just that with Steve’s job they host a lot of social events, and they have someone to take care of the practicalities so my mom can focus on being a hostess.”
“But I thought today was only family?”
“It is, but the last time we had a family brunch my mom didn’t cook anything.”
“She can’t cook?”
“No, she can… but I think they just find it easier to let others do it for them.”
“All right. Well, I’m not really there for the food anyway.”
“I know, I just didn’t want you to be surprised and stunned by the… ehh… situation.”
“Why would I be stunned?”
I chose my words carefully. “I just figured that the contrast from what you’ve been used to would be… ehhm… substantial.”
“Because I’m poor?” she said and looked out the window.
“I’m not criticizing you, babe, I just worry that for someone who until recently slept in a closet, a house bigger than The Inn might feel a bit overwhelming.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
“Are you nervous?” I asked her, because I was.
“That’s the fourth time you’ve asked me that question, and you’re making me more nervous every time.”
“Sorry. Don’t worry, it’ll be fine,” I assured her and took her hand.
Once we got there most of my family had already arrived. Janet, Brent’s wife, was balancing a Bloody Mary and sporting a new outfit to show off the results of her latest liposuction. As always, Brent was busy talking business in the garden with his father Steve, but they both waved at me and smiled. Brent’s and Janet’s three children were all there. The oldest, Mia, was on the couch with her head in a book as always. I couldn’t see the title but figured it was probably something in the genre of fantasy because last time I had asked her, she’d taken almost fully ten seconds to look up at me and tell me that it was her favorite genre. Her brother Nick is ten and three years younger than Mia but her complete opposite, and as soon as he saw me, he came storming with his younger brother Andy on his heels. They wanted me to come and play badminton with them in the garden – something I would have normally been happy to do, but today I wasn’t leaving Cia’s side.
My sister Brittany was there with her husband Gareth. They’ve been together since high school but the guy is a jerk and has cheated on her at least three times and then there was the “Oops-I-fell-into-a-door” black eye that she turned up with six years ago. I don’t trust him and he keeps his distance whenever he sees me.
My sister Melody hadn’t arrived, but my grandparents on my mother’s side were there and my mother came rushing to give us a warm welcome.
