Chapter 17 The Fractured Alliance

Chapter 17 The Fractured Alliance
The kitchen felt smaller every time we all ended up in it. Mom had this habit now of calling people over for "family dinner" like it would glue us back together. It didn't. It just made the cracks louder.

That Thursday night, she set the table for six. Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans nobody touched. I got home late from work, still smelling like diesel and cardboard. Susan and Lilly were already there, sitting on opposite sides of the table like they were afraid to get too close to each other. Mom hovered at the stove, stirring gravy that didn't need stirring. Robbinson arrived last, suit jacket off, tie loosened, carrying a bottle of red wine like it was a peace offering.

Ruby came in right behind him,in black sweater, loose enough to hide the bump, jeans that hugged her hips. She kissed Mom on the cheek, hugged Robbinson quick, then sat next to me. Her knee brushed mine under the table. Deliberate. I felt the heat shoot up my leg.

We ate in silence for maybe five minutes,forks scraping plates,and the clock ticking too loud.

Then Susan set her fork down hard,"I'm not doing this," she said.Mom looked up. "Doing what, honey?"

"Pretending everything's fine." Susan's voice cracked on the last word. "Grandpa's dead. We buried him,and we're all sitting here acting like he didn't ruin us."

Lilly stared at her plate. "Don't." "No." Susan pushed back from the table,"We need to talk about it. He touched us. For years. Made us feel like we were the ones who were wrong,and now we're both pregnant because of him,and nobody says anything."

Mom's hand trembled on her glass. "Susan—"

"No, Mom. Stop protecting him, stop protecting all of you." Robbinson cleared his throat. "Girls, this isn't the time—"

"When is the time?" Lilly snapped. First time she'd spoken. Voice raw. "At his funeral? We did that,and you—" she pointed at Robbinson "sat there looking sad like you didn't know, like you weren't part of the problem."

Robbinson's face tightened. "I didn't know the extent." "Bullshit," Susan said. "You knew he was a creep,you just didn't care."

The room went dead quiet,Ruby reached for her water. Hand steady. But I saw the flicker in her eyes,calculating,she was already thinking three moves ahead.

Mom started crying,quiet,shoulders shaking. "I failed you,I didn't see it. I was too busy…"

"Too busy with him?" Lilly jerked her head toward Robbinson.

Mom flinched,Robbinson stood. "That's enough. This isn't helping anyone."Susan laughed,bitterly. Sit down, Uncle Robb. You're not innocent either."

I felt Ruby's foot nudge mine under the table. Warning. Stay quiet.

But I couldn't. The hypocrisy burned too hot. "She's right," I said. Voice low. "We all knew pieces,Nobody did anything.

All eyes on me,Ruby's knee pressed harder. Don't.
Mom wiped her eyes. "Richy..."

"mI heard them talking once, I said. "In the hallway,about what he did, I walked away,I didn't say shit. So yeah. I'm part of it too."

Silence again. Heavy.

Susan looked at me. Something softened. "At least you're admitting it."
Lilly just stared. Eyes wet.
Ruby spoke then, voice calm. Soothing. "We're all hurting,Grief makes us say things we don't mean. Let's not tear each other apart.

Classic Ruby.deflect.smooth,protect the secret.

Robbinson nodded. She's right. we need to heal. not accuse."

Susan snorted. "Heal? With more lies?"

Ruby turned to her,gentle. "Susan, honey. I know you're angry. You have every right. But hurting each other won't fix what he did."

Susan glared. "Easy for you to say. You weren't the one he…"

Ruby cut in soft. Am your mom , I saw things. heard things. I didn't stop it either."

Lie. Smooth lie. She hadn't known the worst,or if she had, she'd buried it.

But it worked. Susan deflated a little. "I just... I hate him." We all do," Ruby said.But hating each other won't bring him back,or change anything."

Mom reached across,took Susan's hand. "I'm sorry,for everything."

Susan pulled away. "Sorry, don't erase it." Lilly stood. "I'm going home."

Susan followed. Door slammed.

Robbinson sighed. "Let them go,they need space." Mom stared at her plate. "I need space too."

She left the table,went Upstairs,and shut the door.
Robbinson looked at Ruby,then me. "Are you two okay?"

"Fine," Ruby said. Too quick.
He studied us,eyes narrow. "You sure?"

"Yes."He nodded slowly,and didn't look convinced.

I stayed to help clean. Ruby too. We moved around the kitchen in silence,washing dishes and drying. Her hip brushed mine once, Intentionally,I felt the pull and Lust flickering under the guilt.

When Robbinson left, she whispered, "Later. My place."I nodded. I Couldn't say no.

Later. in her bedroom. Robbinson was asleep downstairs. We kept it quiet.

She stripped slowly. Belly round. Skin stretched tight. I kissed it,and felt kicks.She pulled me down,on her side,with me behind,and entered slowly.

I Thrust carefully and deep,Her moans muffled in the pillow,my hand on her breast. Squeezing.
and we came together. Quiet gasps.

After, she turned. We can't let them tear us apart.They're right about some things.She touched my face. "Not about us."But the doubt was there.

Next day. Susan texted. We need to talk. Alone.
I met her at the park bench near the swings.

She sat. Belly prominent. "Are you still seeing her?" I didn't answer.

She sighed. "Thought so. Lilly's losing it. I think you're gonna end up like him."

"I'm not." "Prove it."

I looked away. "I can't stop." She stood. "Then you're fucked."

She walked away.

Robbinson called that night. "Need to talk. Tomorrow. My office."Suspicion thick in his voice.

A confrontation was coming,and I had no plan.