Page 61 of Feel It All

“Oh, that’s great, Win, you hadn’t mentioned that yet.” Graham smiles for the first time since it all went south.

“Why hadn’t you mentioned it to him?” Ms. Taylor snaps. “Any reason?”

“Mom. Cut it out,” Graham warns her.

“It’s okay. I had just discussed this with my partner the other day. The open house is a new development; it must have slipped my mind with all of our other plans.” I reach for Graham’s hand under the table, needing it to steady both me and him.

“Well, I think that sounds great, Winry. It’s really awesome that you have been open for a whole year,” Claire tries to smooth over the palpable tension.

“Oh, I have a wonderful idea,” Ms. Taylor jumps in her seat. “Graham, why don’t you bring Claire with you to the opening thing? I mean, Winry will be working, and this way you can have someone to be with and you can show Claire around the town. I know she wanted to see it the last time she came to visit. Such a shame that didn’t get to happen.” She places a hand on Claire’s shoulder, giving her a sympathetic look.

I’m pretty sure my jaw hits the floor, is she seriously suggesting they go on a date right in front of me.

“I don’t know about that, Alice. The event sounds fun, Winry, but…”

“Oh, no buts. You just said it sounded fun; Graham can take you,” she says it so nonchalantly like we should all love this plan.

“Okay, that’s it. Mom, can I talk to you outside?” Graham doesn’t wait for an answer he just gets up and walks toward the door.

“Mercy. Excuse me,” she gets up and follows him out with a huff.

It’s silent for a moment. Claire and I just stare anywhere but at each other.

When the tension almost becomes unbearable, Claire speaks first. “Winry, I’m sorry. I really had no idea that you two would be here. I ran into her after I had talked with Graham, and she just invited me to brunch with her. If I would have known, I never would have come.”

“It’s okay, Claire, I believe you. I can’t say I saw this coming either, but we ran into her yesterday and she didn’t seem too fond of me anyway. I had hoped today would go better, but I guess not.” I stare back down; I feel so rejected. She never even wanted to give me a chance.

“If it’s any consolation, it won’t matter what Alice thinks about you. I mean clearly, not for this to come off wrong, but she loves me, and he doesn’t want to be with me. He wants to be with you. I could tell from that awful dinner we had at his apartment.” Claire looks just as hurt as I do.

“This really sucks, doesn’t it?” I let out a sigh.

“It sure does,” Claire sips her tea, and we go back to silence.

Graham and his mom come back, and the tension only gets thicker. Our waiter brings out our food as soon as they take their seats, but honestly, I don’t think anyone is hungry. Except for Ms. Taylor, who dives in immediately, completely unfazed by the mess she has caused.

I stare at my breakfast sandwich. It makes me want to be sick, but I take a small bite anyway. I can feel Graham’s eyes on me, trying to read me. I may fall apart if I look at him.

“So, Winry. Tell me a little about yourself,” Ms. Taylor says blandly and takes another bite of her eggs.

Tell her about myself? What is this, my first day in a college class where I have to introduce myself?

Deep breath. In. Out.

If this is how she wants to be, so be it. “Well, I am the oldest of three girls. I own and run my own bookstore and café with my lifelong friend, Ivy. My favorite color is green, I love reading, writing, and your son.”

Graham places his hand on my thigh and squeezes.

“Don’t we all?” she says, looking at Graham. I think she truly believes that she has done nothing wrong here.

The rest of brunch goes by at a snail’s pace. This has to be the most horrible meal I have ever been a part of. We only speak a handful of words the rest of brunch. Graham’s mom makes no effort to get to know me or even let me get to know her.

Finally, our bill comes, and Graham pays it right away. “Come on, Winry. Let’s go home,” he holds his hand out for mine and I take it. “Claire, I am sorry you got dragged into this. Mom…” He spares her a glance and pauses like he may say something else but doesn’t. He pulls me away from the table.

Ms. Taylor stands to protest, but I can feel the anger radiating off of him, so I follow him quietly. We make it to his car, and he opens the door for me. I slide in; he shuts my door and rounds the other side. It’s not until he sits down does he let out a breath.

“Winry—” He starts but I cut him off.

“Let’s just go home. Please.” I don’t want to talk about it right now.

---