Page 8 of Heartless
“Or maybe at my big age of thirty-four going on thirty-five, I should have whatever I’d like.”
“Honey, are you driving home?” Mama asks.
“I am, but so is Onyx, and he’s drinking. And don’t dare say that Meadow’s his desi because she’s drinking, too,” Danica spiritedly points out.
“That’s one drink for them. It looks like you were drinking before you arrived,” Dad says.
“And if I were, that’s my problem,” Danica retorts.
“Well, it’s our problem, too, if we allow you to leave here driving knowing that you’re drunk.”
Danica laughs and says, “There you go with the assumptions and recriminations.”
“Aren’t you?” Dad asks, his blue eyes turning glacial as he stares at her.
“No, Dad. I’m not drunk!”
“Why don’t we all just have water, or coffee, or tea?” Mama suggests. “I don’t mind making any.”
“No, Tina. You’ve outdone yourself by preparing a wonderful meal and dessert. You’re not doing another thing tonight except for relaxing. Dani, that’s your problem now. We spoiled you growing up, and you’re unappreciative acting as if people owe you something!”
“No one owes me anything, and I don’t owe anyone anything either, including sitting at these bi-weekly meals to appease your curiosity about what’s going on in your adult children's lives!” Danica rises, and Mama says, “Danica, please don’t leave.”
Her words fall on deaf ears because within seconds, my sister has left the den where we were having dessert, and I hear her heels clicking on the marble floors of the hallway.
“I’ll be back,” MJ says, rising and racing after my sister.
“Well, at least we made it through dinner before the shitstorm erupted,” I say snidely.
“Onyx, watch your mouth, honey,” Mama says tiredly.
“That girl is not to return here for another meal until she can take responsibility for her actions!” Dad thunders.
“That won’t be happening any time soon,” I tell my parents. “Well, I’m heading out.”
“So soon?” Mama asks, ignoring the fact that MJ and I have been here for three hours now.
“Yes. I have a seven o’clock meeting in the morning, and I need to get home and get some rest. See you in a couple of weeks,” I say to Mama, kissing her cheek.
Dad gives me a hug, and I turn to leave them to deal with their feelings about my sister. As far as mine are concerned, I shut them away a while ago.
“Hey, Mama and Dad said goodnight,” I tell MJ when I step out into the driveway where she’s standing.
My sister pulled off no sooner than I stepped out onto the porch.
“We’re leaving too?”
I nod. “They need time alone, and I’m tired.”
MJ pulls me close to her and wraps her arms around my waist. “Hey, they’re going to be fine. Dani’s wake-up call will come, and she’ll see how she’s hurting the family.”
“I hope it happens sooner than later,” I mutter.
“In the meantime, you need to be her big brother. Give her love, support, and understanding rather than judgment.”
“It’s hard,” I mumble, resting my chin on top of MJ’s head.
“I know. But that’s what you’ve got me for,” she replies.”