Page 52 of Imperfections Forbidden
“It’s Cat.”
She opens the door, and I see her for the first time since our fight and her physical attack on me.She is flawless, as usual.A real socialite; every inch of her well-manicured from head to toe, string of pearls, blue form-fitting evening dress.Not a hair out of place, it lays on her shoulder pulled back from her face perfectly, as if every hair is trained to stay in position.
“Good evening, Catherine.Happy Thanksgiving.”
Aloof.Looks like that will be the word for tonight.There’s a good chance inside is also going to be chilly for me tonight.
She moves back to let me in.“Hello, Mother.You look nice.”
“Thank you.So do you.”She folds her hands in front of her and motions toward the dining room.“Everyone’s here except for your sister.When she arrives, we’ll start dinner.As you know, Sophie is off tonight, but she made us a beautiful dinner.I’ll see you inside.”
She leaves me to close the door behind me.All right.After two hours I’m outta here.Me being here is all a show for my father and my brothers.
“Hi, everyone.Happy Thanksgiving.”I make my way around the table and greet Vanessa, Chris, Jay, and my dad with a kiss and a hug.My dad hugs me tight as usual.I don’t mind putting on a show for him.
“My kit Cat, where have you been, baby girl?”
“Dad, I talked to you yesterday.”
“It’s not the same as coming home to see you.I know you’re grown up now and you need your space, but you can still come over to see your parents.”
“I will try to come around more, but I’m working now.”
“You need to make time for family, baby girl.Family is everything.If you don’t have family you don’t have anything.”Oh my God, this is going to be the longest night of my life.
“You’re right, Dad.I will make time even if it’s just to pop by the office and say hi.”
“That’s my baby girl.”
I take a seat at the table next to Chris.“What’s up, sis?Haven’t seen much of you lately.”
“Like I told Dad, I’ve been busy.”
“Like Dad said, you can’t be too busy for family,” Jay says from across the table.
“Like I told Dad, I’m going to make time to come around more.Okay, Jay?”
I don’t mean to snap at him but this talk about family sticking together is getting on my nerves.They’re acting as if I’ve abandoned them.It’s only been two weeks since I moved out.I lived in another country for four years, and they didn’t complain about not seeing me.
“How is it living with Ava, Cat?”Vanessa asks.
“It’s great.We’ve gotten into a routine that works for us.”
“That’s good.Maybe Sasha and I can stop by one day to visit.”
“That would be fun, I’d love that.Sasha and I need to spend more time together, we had a lot of fun when I babysat, didn’t we, Sasha?”Her face lights up, and she reaches for me across the table.
“Aunty Cat, Aunty Cat!”
She wants me to pick her up.I laugh and go to get her.“Did you miss me?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, I missed you too, baby.”
“Vanessa, you don’t mind if I take your daughter for a few minutes, do you?”
“No, not at all.”
