Family Dinner
1300 Words
“Louis, welcome” Yulia, Solomon’s Russian wife of twenty years happily embraced Louis. The professional blank face she always had was thrown into the window, smiling as she was embraced by Yulia.
“Thank you for inviting me to dinner”
“But of course. You’re always welcome to join us anytime”
“Aunty Lu!” Two teenage girls ran to embrace her. They looked a lot like their mother, taking her long blonde hair, green eyes, and appearance of Russian descent. She hugged them both, placing a kiss on their forehead.
“How have you two been?”
“Good! I recently got into college!”
“That’s fantastic Eliza. What about you Mary?”
“I’m in junior year. I just want to graduate already”
“Well, Matt says that too. Come on Matt, say Hi”
A small child peeked from behind Louis. His curly black hair resembled that of his mother as well as his other traits. An air of bashfulness radiated around him as he held fast to Louis’s dress. She smiled and held his hand, bringing him forward.
“Oh my, is this really Matthew? He’s so big now!”
“Yes. He’ll be 7 soon. Say Hi to aunty Yulia, Matt”
“Hello” he gave a small wave.
“Oh how cute!” Yulia and her children squealed. While they fussed over Matthew, Solomon invited Louis inside. They sat at the dinner table which was already packed with traditional dishes from both Spain and Russia. This part of the dinner always made Louis both anxious and excited.
After saying grace, they started eating. They talked about everything; from Eliza’s college admission to Matthew’s school life, Yulia’s new recipe, Mary’s art, Solomon getting a new car, and finally, Louis being single.
“Louis, are you seeing anyone right now?”
Solomon nudged his wife but Yulia didn’t stop.
“No. I’m kind of busy right now……”
“You always use this excuse. Look at Matthew. He’s already this big. Do you really want him to grow without a dad? And you, aren’t you lonely?”
“I think we’re quite fine. Aren’t we, Matt?”
The shy boy nodded, picking at his pasta. Louis helped him do it.
“Such a considerate child. If only my daughters could be like that”
“Mama!” the girls protested. Yulia harrumphed, turning her face away. Louis laughed awkwardly. This was why she avoided dinner with Yulia.
“Louis darling, even Eliza has a boyfriend. Mary’s gay and she’s brought home a girlfriend. Or are you gay too, Louis?”
“Um, I don’t know but congrats on your coming out Mary”
“Thanks” Mary blushed. Matthew looked confused and tugged on his mother’s dress. She gave him a brief look and he dropped it.
“I know a rich, fine man I can introduce you to Louis. I think he’ll be perfect for you. Should I give you his number?”
“Honey, Louis is really busy right now. She doesn’t even have time for Matthew not to talk about dating” Solomon cut in.
“Oh my love, I’m so sorry. Do you want me to help you take care of Matt?”
“If you will, please. I can’t stand leaving him alone in the house anymore. What do you think Matt?”
They all turned to him. He didn’t like being put on a spot, hesitating to answer the question. He tugged on Louis’s dress to portray his discomfort.
“You don’t have to answer right now, my dear. Mary really likes games so she has a lot you can play. There are kids your age in the neighborhood you can play with too. Anytime you’re ready, Solomon would bring you over”
He nodded, holding Louis’s dress tightly. Louis gave another awkward smile, petting his head. When she reached to hold his hand, her handbag vibrated. She picked up the phone and excused herself, going outside to receive the call.
“Hello”
“...........”
“Is anybody there?”
“You are Miss Louis Marshal?” A hoarse voice sounded in her ears.
“Yes. How may I help you?”
“That’s a lovely dress you have on. What color is it, plum?”
Louis was immediately on alert, her eyes darting around. She reached into her handbag, bringing out a pistol. She c****d it, making sure the person heard.
“You’re so cautious. It’s even modified”
Whoever was calling her knew their stuff and was definitely of the underworld.
“If you’re calling to threaten me then you had better forget it. I’m not the kind of person who keels over to pressure. If you’re a client, your offer is rejected”
“Oh, I have an offer you certainly cannot reject. You see, I know a thing or two about you. The fact that you have a 7-year-old son named Matthew and a foster son named Keith. Keith is very good at what he does so it has been hard for me to put him in a spot. Fortunately for me, he’s one for sentiments”
“So you’re a stalker who likes to play mind games? I don’t care. f**k off”
“Don’t be in such a rush to leave. You haven’t heard my offer yet”
“Like I said, I don’t care…….”
“Louis! I got a call from Hansel. Keith was shot!”
“What?!”
“I see you got my present. It’s his fault for being so careless. Now, are you ready to listen to my offer?”
“What do you want, you sick bastard?”
“Simple. I want you to leave Detective Grisha alone. Call off your spies and hitmen. If not, I’ll take your foster son, your child, and your blood sister too”
They hung up, leaving Louis trembling from anger. Solomon stopped a short distance away from her, unsure whether to comfort her or ask for orders.
Louis shakily raised the phone again and called Hansel.
“Hello, Boss? Keith is in the ICU now. The doctors said he would be fine since we rushed in”
“.....Thank you” Louis exhaled.
“Hansel, about the hitmen you placed on the detective, call them off. Focus the manpower on protecting Keith, Matthew and Alfie”
“Okay boss”
"Alright. What’s the name of the hospital? I’ll be right there”
“XX Municipal Hospital”
“Thank you. I know it’s overtime so you can go home. I’ll take it from there after I get to the hospital”
“It’s no problem. I can stay for longer”
“Thank you, Hansel”
Louis hung up. She crushed the phone in her hand, cutting her hand with the glass shards from the screen. Yulia walked in at this exact moment, exclaiming and running around looking for something to dress the wound with. Matthew came beside her and walked to his mother.
“Mom?”
“I’m fine Matt. Uncle Keith is in the hospital so I have to go see him. I’ll drop you off with Aunty Alfie”
“Can I come?”
Louis was tempted to agree but changed her mind. It was better to have Matthew with her younger sister.
“I’m sorry. I’ll come get you in the morning and then we can go later”
“Okay” He hugged her. She hugged him back. Concealed rage flickered in her eyes behind Matthew’s back, sending shivers down Solomon’s back.
After dressing her wounds, she thanked them for the dinner, took Matthew in to the car, and left for Alfie’s home.
- Writer
