Page 46 of Hers to Kiss
“I’m happy you’re there too,” Keke offered. “I’m in love with those mini cupcakes.”
Kat’s eyes narrowed at her from across the table. “Uh-huh, and we sold out early, thanks to you.”
Keke offered a toothy grin in apology.
“Have either of you heard from your sister, Kornelia?”
Keke shook her head.
Kat said, “Yeah. She’s away on a trip. Said it’s been really tough. Wouldn’t give me any details.”
Mary frowned. “I would love to have all of you here. Maybe for Thanksgiving? Keke, do you think you’ll be able to come back?”
Keke squirmed in her seat. “I don’t know. If I get the part…” She took a huge bite of the fried chicken Kat had bought from a local restaurant. When was the last time she had fried chicken this good?Ugh, she’d have to work out twice a day just to burn it off, but it would be worth it. She figured while in L.A., she wouldn’t eat a thing to stay ready for auditions and parts. At least, she had planned on really sticking to a strict keto diet and maybe living off chicken broth right before the shoots.
Mary clapped her hands together. “I still can’t believe all my daughters are doing so well. You don’t know how hard I’ve prayed that each of you would be successful. I only wish your father could be here to witness it.”
That was it.
Keke slammed her chicken leg down. She had to wipe the grease off her fingers before she could continue in a dignified manner. “Why? Why do you wish that man back? After what he did to us?”
“Keke…” Kat said in a low tone.
Keke held up her hand. “No, Kat. I’m going to say what I want.”
Mary folded in on herself, much like she had whenever Mr. Kaye yelled at her. It gave Keke pause, but she pushed through the discomfort. “He never wanted us to succeed. I don’t think he’d be happy for us at all. Remember what he said when I told him I wanted to be a dancer?”
Mary averted her gaze. Kat’s eyes welled.
Keke wouldn’t repeat the words. Her father claimed she—out of all her sisters—would be more willing to use her body to get what she wanted. Being a dancer and showing off her form seemed to fit.
“He said if I went to college for dance, not to bother coming home.” She choked on the last two words. The emotion surprised her. She couldn’t wait to leave for college. Why would she ever want to return home?
“Your father…” Her mother paused. She composed herself and started again. “Your father didn’t know how to express himself well.”
Keke snorted. “He sure expressed how fat and ugly you’ve become.” Keke gestured to her mother’s body, which looked noticeably thinner since the last time Keke saw her in person four years ago. “He didn’t mind telling us that we weren’t smart enough for college. That the only jobs we’d ever get would be minimum wage, and he didn’t work hard all his life to raise stupid daughters.”
Kat put her hand over her mouth and turned away. That struck a nerve. Good. Keke wanted them to remember the pain they seemed so willing to forget.
Not her.
She didn’t get a chance to truly express herself to her father when he was alive—except the one time when she boldly told him she was going to be a dancer and he could go do what he liked.
Now, she was going to make sure her mother and sister knew how much his criticism had hurt, and even more that Mom didn’t do anything to stop it.
Tears soaked Mary’s cheeks. That only spurred Keke on. “Why, Mom? Why didn’t you protect us from him? The years of emotional abuse… Do you know I saw a therapist the whole time I was in college?”
“A therapist?” Kat said from her end of the table. “You never told me that.”
“Yeah,” Keke said with an exaggerated head bob. “The whole time. I was messed up. Still probably am, a little. But do you know how hard it is for me to trust anyone?”
Mary nodded. “I know your father is to blame for all of it—”
“Oh no, Mom. I blame you, too.”
