The Haunted - Jessica Verday [32]
“Wow, guys! I don’t even know what to say. Thank you, thank you!” I jumped up and gave them both a hug. Mom held on a little too long, and I was afraid that she’d start crying again, but she didn’t.
“Ish red,” Mom said. “Your favorite color.”
Dad jumped in. “That should help you with your business plan.”
“You’re going to let me have more time?” I thought our deal was over since I hadn’t finished it by the end of the school year.
“Yup. Since things”—he shot a look at Ben—“came up… I figured that we can make a new deal. Same terms as before. Finish the plan, and I’ll give you some start-up money, but let’s make the deadline the first of September. Sound good?”
“Yeah,” I said, smiling back. “It does.”
Mom threw her arms around me again. “This calls for a toast!”
“No, Mom… really, it’s okay—”
“I’ll get the glasses! Dennis, you go get the cake.” She moved quicker than I thought she could, and didn’t wait for Dad, instead bringing the cake over herself. As she plopped it down on the table, I watched the golden edges of a custard chiffon quiver with the force of her movement.
Here we go.…
Next she moved for the bottle of wine.
“Some for me, some for your father, and here…” She pulled my goblet, then Ben’s, closer to her. “A little bit for both of you. Not too mush now.” I grimaced and was extremely grateful when she finally put the bottle down. I glanced over at Dad, but he didn’t seem to know what to do.
Mom picked up her glass and waited for the rest of us to follow suit. “Come on, come on,” she urged. “A toast.”
I lifted my goblet and Ben did the same. That queasy feeling was back, and I prayed for this to be over quickly.
“Seventeen years ago,” started Mom, “my preshus little girl was born. And I couldn’t have been happier. My beautiful daughter, Abigail Amelia…” I cringed when she said my middle name. No one knew my middle name.
Well, strike that. Now one person knew it.
“From your first step, to your first word. Your first day of school, and your first loose tooth…” She lost her train of thought and stared off into space. A moment later she came back and took a deep sip of her wine.
“And now look at you,” she said suddenly. “All grown up. Making business plans. And life plans. Here on your birthday, with a boy…” She grinned at Ben.
Oh God, this is going downhill fast. I cleared my throat.
“I’m just so glad you’re back with ush again, Abbey,” she said, turning her gaze to me. “I’m so glad you’re home. And not seeing a doctor. I really missed—”
“What I think your mother’s trying to say is that of course we’re proud of the girl you used to be, but we’re even prouder of the young woman you’re becoming. Hear, hear!” Thank God Dad stepped in and cut her off. I was starting to sweat bullets.
“Hear, hear!” said Mom, raising her wine glass.
I raised mine, too, and downed what little was in there in one gulp. I noticed that Ben did the same thing.
“And now I’ll cut the cake,” Mom crowed.
Dad reached out and plucked the glass from her hand. “That’s okay, dear. Why don’t we let Abbey and Ben have some time together? I need your help with something in the… living room.”
Mom nodded and put one finger in front of her lips. “Shhh, it’s time for some alone time.” She giggled. “I understand.”
Giving us a not-so-subtle wink, she let Dad steer her out of the room.
Desperate for something else to take the attention off the situation, I grasped at the first thing that came to mind. “Do you want to go outside and get some fresh air?” I asked Ben.
“God, I could really use some fresh air right now.”
Ben nodded and put his goblet down. I did the same and turned to lead the way out. Then my stomach growled loudly.
“Why don’t you bring the cake?” Ben suggested. “We’ll eat some out there.” I reached for the cake and picked it up. “Forks?”
“That’s what God made fingers for,” he replied.
The cake quivered in my hands, tiny blobs of lemon custard sliding around on the plate, and Ben held open the door. With a deep breath I took a step out into the muggy night air.
And wondered