The Hidden

The Dinner

Dyann was not enjoying the ride. Her uncle, Daniel, was unsettling. He was a very tall, fit man. By most standards he was probably attractive. In fact, considering Dyann as the exception, the whole family was stunningly beautiful. Her uncle was cold though. Withdrawn except towards his wife and daughter. He seemed robotic and inhuman with everyone else. He had a noticeable disrespect for people. There was also the other thing. The thing she never shared with anyone because it makes her sound crazy. He smells funny. That’s right, she finds her uncle off putting because of this odor she gets a hint of in the mornings when he comes downstairs. It is a musty odor like that of a wet dog. Today it is especially strong. 

There is very little chit chat. He has never made any attempt to get to know her and alleviate the awkwardness between them. His wife tried a little when she was small but once Meagan cane along she turned distant as well and as cruel as grandfather. 

Once they arrived home there was no offer to help bring in the groceries. When she walked in the door she was horrified. The house was a wreck. The kitchen, entry, living room. Everything you could see was covered with fabric, papers, dirty dishes. How?  How did 5 able bodied adults make this kind of mess in 9 hours?  As soon as she cleared the door with her third load of groceries she heard her grandfather bellow for her. 

“Do you see this mess girl? We have important guest arriving in just over 2 hours and this place is a disaster. Get to work you lazy piece of trash.”  

She humbly murmured “yes sir” and got to work in the kitchen. Once her tenderloin was roasting in the oven and she had prepped everything else, she got started on setting the house in order. She was making good progress until she heard throats clearing behind her. She turned to face the disapproving glares of her grandmother, aunt, and cousin. Meagan spoke first, “Have you finished my dress?  Really what are you wasted your time on?  This dinner is for me and I need to look perfect,”. She was all but screeching. Then it was her grandmothers turn, “after all we have done for you and how little we ask, how can you be so disrespectful and useless?  What is your cousin supposed to wear?  Why are you so weak and pitiful?” She slapped her hard across the face. Dyann stumbled backwards with tears in her eyes. She wanted to lash out, yell back, fight but she mostly just wanted to ask them why they hated her so much?  It was not her fault she was sick. She worked so hard. She gathered herself and nodded, “ I’m so sorry. Meagan please go out your gown on and I will be up right away to finish the alterations.  Then while you shower I can finish this busy work and dinner in time to fix your hair and make up.”

This drew contemptuous laughter from her aunt. “What would you know about hair and make up?  Look at you.  Just deal with the dress, dinner and cleaning up your mess. I’ll handle the hair and make up. The last thing we need is for her to look like you.”

Dyann dropped her head and made her way to the kitchen. Once she double checked everything she headed upstairs to fit the most beautiful gown she had ever seen on one of the ugliest souls she had ever encountered. 

Once she was confident that Meagans dress was perfect, she finished her masterpiece in the kitchen. At 7:29 PM as a line of cars pulled into the driveway, she was ready for dinner, the house was spotless and as she ran upstairs to hide she passed a flawless Meagan on the stairs. All in all, she felt accomplished. No there would not be any appreciation but she knew she had several hours to herself. She could shower, read, and even nap before heading downstairs for another late night of cleaning.