Page 20 of Daring Destiny
My altruism doesnotextend to my sisters, Nora and Lark. Nora’s battle with addiction has cast a shadow over our lives for too long. No one’s heard from her since she ditched rehab two months ago. Lark, with her aversion to working and propensity for not using birth control, lives here rent free. She’s not pregnant again, thank God.
Peeking through the kitchen into the living room, I bear witness to a tornado. Baileigh, my twelve-year-old niece, is sprawled on the couch, phone glued to her hand. Jaxson and Kayleigh chase each other around the living room, screaming bloody murder. Mom screams at them to settle down, to no avail.
“Hey, everyone, I’m here.” I wave from the doorway.
“Oh, look. It’s Auntie A,” Baileigh sneers. “You’re late.”
God, her tone grates. She’s exactly like her mother. Ungrateful A.F. “Nice to see you too, Bay.”
“Auntie A.” Jax races up, his sticky hands immediately reaching for the bags. “Whatcha bring?”
“Dinner and some snacks.” I hold them a little higher. “How about you wait until we all sit down.”
“Aw, come on!” He hops up like a rabid bunny, his energy out of control like always. Kayleigh is behind him and snatches one of the bags out of my hand, rummaging through it before I can stop her.
“Kids, sit down!” Mom’s voice cracks through the noise, but neither of them listens. Instead, they tear into a bag of Sunchips like wild animals.
Lark ambles in, ignoring the commotion like it’s got nothing to do with her. “Wassup?”
“I brought dinner.” I try not to sound annoyed. “Baileigh, do you want to help me plate?”
She glances at me with disdain. “Uh,no.”
On cue, Jax rips open the bag of chips and it explodes, bits scatter all over the floor.
My patience is already worn thin and I haven’t been here five minutes. I’m gonna snap, I swear to God. This is how it always is—Lark barely lifts a finger while the rest of us try to corral her feral children and keep the house from falling apart. The kids have no manners and she doesn’t bother disciplining them. Trying to instill any sort of order is fighting a losing battle.
Why the fuck do I bother?
“Hey, Dad.” I practically tackle him with a hug as he walks into the room. He’s not very emotive, but the one of my family who seems to like me.
“Astrid.” He embraces me tightly. “You didn’t have to bring all this. Having you here is all we need.”
I shrug, trying to keep things light. “I don’t mind, I thought it would be nice to enjoy a family dinner together once in a while.”
“Appreciated.” He smiles and wanders over to his place at the table.
I brought a couple of roast chickens, some potatoes, and green beans. Save for a couple of staples, I’m not a great cook but I can plate like a boss. Not that anyone notices. The meal is the usual circus. Kids shouting over each other. Food flying everywhere. Lark ignoring them while Mom tries to restore some order.
I can’t help but wonder if Brennan’s McGloughlin family dinners are equally chaotic.
Somehow, I doubt it.
Half hour later, everyone is at the couch watching TV except me and Lark, who remain at the table. When I approach to clear the dishes, she drops her fork on her plate like I’m a busser at a restaurant.
“Must be nice, huh? Living on your fancy houseboat while the rest of us deal with reality.” She picks her teeth with her nail.
There it is. The healthy dose of resentment bubbling under the surface is about to explode. My sister has a permanent chip on her shoulder when it comes to me. She thinks everything I’ve worked for was handed to me like a present.
“Listen…”
From his recliner, Dad catches my eye and shakes his head, subtly encouraging me to let it go.
And, you know what, he’s right. I want to go. As in leave. Immediately.
I’m trying, but things never change. Why come here to be met with bitterness and resentment? I grit my teeth and swallow the urge to snap back.
My mom gets up from the couch to help me with the dishes. “You know,” she looks down at the platter she’s scrubbing, “we haven’t seen much of you for years. Don’t think coming around with a store-bought chicken like you’re some savior makes you a good daughter.”