***Chapter Forty-Six***
“We are so excited you came, Annabelle.” Cecilia talked in that sweet, soft voice.
Unfortunately, I was doing breakfast with my extended family like my father wanted. My mom was avoiding my calls that I’ve made to yell at her about this. Despite what my father said, I knew my mom had a lot to do with this. She just did a good job at hiding her sneaky ways. This was the last place I wanted to be on my day off from classes, but sadly, it couldn’t be avoided. No matter how hard I wished for something catastrophic to happen. It never came.
Now, we were all four sitting at this diner not too far from campus. It was cute for what it was worth, but I feel like the awkwardness at our table ruined it. Cecilia tried to make small talk and I would simply smile. Tara looked like she wanted to speak, but couldn’t think of the words. Then there’s my father, who wore this also very defeated look on his face. He barely spoke the entire time we’ve been here. It’s like he wanted to speak, but couldn’t find the words either. It was bogus, if you ask me.
We ordered our food and drinks before settling back into the awkwardness. Tara tried to make more conversation so the air wouldn’t be so thick.
“So, Annabelle, how’s college?” She asked with a smile. “Is Western University a good school, you think?”
I nod, giving her a tight-lipped smile. “It’s alright. Definitely nothing special.” Yet, it’s changed my life. “Are you going to college soon?”
Her face changes. “Well…I want to, but I want to take a year away from school.” She sounded like me.
I understood, but Cecilia did not. “It’s ridiculous!” She spat, but quietly. “You should be in college right now, if you ask me. The working world waits for no one.”
Tara rolled her eyes, sitting back in her seat. I could see that their relationship was tense and not something I wanted to get in between. However, Tara didn’t need to jump right back into school. Waiting a year was smart because then you’d know exactly what you want to accomplish by then. I waited a year, and it’s turned out better for me in the long run. Though, Cecilia obviously wasn’t like my mom and didn’t rush me to get out of our house. I bet she would have preferred it if I stayed home.
Turning to Tara, I give her a genuine smile. “Umm, I waited a year before I came here. It honestly relieves a lot of the stress.” I tried to make her feel better about her decision.
Of course, Cecilia scoffed. “I’m sure you’ve had a great experience waiting, but Tara is different.” She argued.
My eyebrows furrowed. “What’s makes her different?” I ask her, already not liking her attitude.
My dad finally speaks up. “She didn’t mean it that way, Annabelle.” He would defend her.
However, Cecilia had a lot more fire in her than I expected, but played it cool. “No, I didn’t mean it that way.” She corrects herself. “My point still stands, though. Tara is not waiting a year. She’s too smart.”
“So I’m not?” I question, fully frowning.
The awkwardness slowly turns into tension as I stare back at this woman. The woman who was sneaking around with my father while knowing that he was married. Not only was he married, he had a family, and she had a nerve to call me stupid? Even if she didn’t say it directly, that’s what she implied. It made me loathe her more than I already did. Her snarky, I think I’m better than everybody attitude, would only get her so far. Especially with me.
“Well, anyone who waits a year to attain higher education certainly isn’t wise.” She had a way of making insults sound sweet.
My father interjects once again. “How about we change topics? The holidays are coming up. Aren’t we excited?” He tried hard, but failed.
My elbows rest on the table as I keep my gaze locked on Cecilia. “But sleeping with married men is?”
Ok, I admit I probably should not have said that. However, I’ve been waiting to tell this woman off since the moment I found out my dad was marrying her. My mom was way too nice to do it, but I’m not her. If this sham of a breakfast was going to be awkward, may as well make it chaotic. There wasn’t much stopping me besides my father trying to be a dad after my remark. It didn’t change how Cecilia needed to be knocked down a peg or five if I was lucky.
The look on her face was priceless as her cheeks turned completely red and I could see her stewing. She knew I was right and couldn’t deny any of the words that came out of mouth. That didn’t mean she had to like them and she didn’t. Tara is supposed to be my step-sibling, and I felt bad that she ended up with a witch for a mother. All I was doing was trying to give her some hope that her decision could be good for her. Cecilia’s the one that had to take it a step further.
My father frowned. “Annabelle Lee, that was uncalled for and you know it.” His voice was stern, like all the other times he’d scold.
“See, I told you she’d say something about that.” Cecilia pointed out. “You’re just as pathetic as your mother.”
Tara’s mouth fell open, looking surprised to hear any of this. “Wait, he was still married when you met him?” She sounded mortified.
“It’s none of your business, Tara.” She snapped.
I stood up, fuming that she said that, and my dad didn’t stop her. It showed me that this meeting happened way earlier than it should have. Cecilia wasn’t ready to see me and I her. They left Tara in the dark and my dad needed to find his balls. We didn’t even eat before this blow up happened. I’m almost certain people were staring at us now. I didn’t care so long as I said my peace.
“Don’t you ever say anything about my mother again.” I point my finger in her face, gritting my teeth. “I knew I shouldn’t have come here.”
I grab my things to walk out of the building as I hear my father call after me. Ignoring him, I make it out, immediately texting Dillon to save me. I tried, I did, but bringing the rest of them along was a bad idea. Well, bringing Cecilia along was the worst. She and I wouldn’t like each other, it seems. Though, if I hadn’t gone for her throat, she wouldn’t have come for mine. What’s done is done making this holiday season something to look forward to. Not.
As I wait for Dillon and Dre to get me, I could hear footsteps approaching. Turning my head back, I was waiting to see my father or Cecilia. I’m prepared to yell at them more, but it was Tara. She still had this confused look on her face about everything she just heard. I didn’t think they’d keep that a secret, but Cecilia seemed like the type to baby Tara. For no good reason, might I add.
“Is it true?” Tara comes right out and asks me.
Crossing my arms, I knew what she was talking about and didn’t intend to hide it. “Very true.” I say.
She sighs, coming to grips with it. “I knew my mom got around, but not that deep around.” She processed as I stifled a laugh. She noticed. “I’m sorry Annabelle. I know my mom could be—”
“A bitch.” I was still angry.
“I was looking for intense, but your word works better.” She laughs and I do too.
Tara was sweet. So sweet that I don’t understand how she came from Cecilia. They were so opposite I’m not surprised they bumped heads. It was nothing like my relationship with my mom. We’d fight like mother and daughter, but she wouldn’t shut down my opinions because she thought she could. She would listen to me and let me learn from my mistakes. Not be afraid to let me make them like Cecilia was. It was almost sad, but I had to remember who this woman was.
That still had nothing to do with Tara and I. Who felt the need to apologize for everything her mother did.
“I’m really sorry, Annabelle. I didn’t know that’s what was going on from the stories my mom told.” Her face drops. “I was just excited to have a dad again and maybe a sister.”
Sensing her sadness, I wasn’t about to let my father and Cecilia ruin what Tara could have with me. I am technically her older sister. “Hey, there’s a talent show going on tomorrow at my campus.” I explain. “Maybe you could come and I can show you around campus beforehand. See if you like it.”
Her face lit up as she looked back at me. “Are you for real?” She asked excitedly. “I am so coming!”
I laugh as we exchange numbers and look forward to tomorrow. She hugged me before heading back inside the diner. With my luck, we could build a very strong step-sibling relationship so long as Cecilia stays out of the way. As for my father, the time was not right for us to speak. Maybe next time he’ll come talk to me as my dad and not because he feels obligated. For now, I was putting it behind me.