Page 2 of Tangled Emotions
“Irving!” Mom pushed up from the table and went over to the bread box, taking out a loaf. “He can have a loaf of bread.”
Big E looked over at me, his head tilted. “Edie?”
“Enoch, here’s the loaf.” Mom held it out, but he ignored her. She was doing her best to distract him, but he wasn’t having it.
“Edie?”
“Mother!” Evelyn came running into the kitchen, holding my pregnancy test. “I thought you said I was the last. No more babies!”
Can this get any worse?
“Shit.” I groaned and felt my brother’s gaze turn deadly.
“You’re pregnant?!” He roared, which brought our other brother into the kitchen.
Eugene looked between our parents and the hysterical Evelyn. “Edie’s pregnant?”
“Thank. God!” She covered her heart with her hand. “I knew mom was too old to get knocked up.”
“Evelyn Marie!” Mom lunged for her, dad caught mom and Big E’s eye twitched.
“I’m gonna fuckin’ kill him,”
“Dad! Big E said fuck!” Evelyn stomped her foot.
“Evie don’t say fuck!” Eugene reached for her and slapped a hand over her mouth. “Wait. Edith really is pregnant?”
“Oh yeah.” Big E’s nostrils flared as he turned and stormed back out. “I’m gonna kill that motherfucker!”
“Ew, Evie, stop licking my hand, that’s gross.” Gene rubbed his wet hand over her face and ran after Big E.
“Geno! Talk your brother down!” Mom yelled after him, and then spun to Evie. “Where did you learn such language. You don’t call it getting knocked up.”
“Well.” Evie shrugged. “Isn’t that what it is?”
“Irene.” Dad threw his hands up in frustration. “Where did we go wrong?”
“We didn’t.” Mom let out a barking laugh. “Evelyn. Go to bed.”
“I don’t get why I’m being yelled at.” Evie stomped from the room.
“Irv.” Mom ran her hands through her hair. “I might strangle your daughter.”
“Oh no. That’s Edie’s sister.” He chuckled.
All I wanted to do was talk to my mom. Alone.
“Um.” I shook my head. “She can be Big E’s sister tonight.”
Dad followed Evie out of the room. “C’mon, little bit, I’ll tuck you back in.”
Mom shook her head and went to the fridge getting the bottle of wine out. “How far along?”
“I don’t know.”
She came back to the table and sat beside me. “You’re eighteen and out of school. That doesn’t make this the ideal situation, but it does make it easier for you.”
“If you’re going to lecture me or ground me could you just do it?” I dropped my head on the table. “I already feel like a screw up.”