Love, After Dark

Chapter 14

We drifted back toward our parents’ bedroom, the initial rush of excitement still buzzing through their veins. As we approached the doorway, voices floated out. Low, tense and unmistakably our mother’s. “…Marcus, I’m serious,” mom whispered sharply into her phone, pacing the length of the room. “There is no way we can afford this.” Sia and I slowed, exchanging a look before hovering just inside the doorway. “I haven’t worked since Siri was born,” mom continued, her voice trembling despite her effort to keep it steady. “I manage our accounts. I see the numbers. I know what we make. Our house in Millburn was nice-comfortable- but this?” She gestured wildly at the room around her. “That house was a shed compared to this place.”

She stopped pacing, pressing her fingers to her temple. “I don’t care how good the offer is. This doesn’t make sense.” There was a pause, then dad’s calm voice filtered through the speaker. “I can assure you,” he said evenly, “that we are well within our financial limits, Anna.” Her shoulders stiffened. “Marcus-” “Don’t worry,” he interrupted gently. “Just enjoy all that we’ve been blessed to receive.” Mom exhaled slowly.

“Why don’t you take the girls downstairs and watch a movie?” he added. “Yeah?” She hesitated, then nodded despite knowing he couldn’t see her. “Okay.” She turned and finally noticed us standing there. Mom sighed, her expression softening immediately. “You two,” she said, shaking her head. “Say goodnight to your dad.” “Goodnight!” Sia and I yelled in unison. “I love you,” Marcus said warmly. “We love you too,” we replied, again together. Mom smiled faintly. “Goodnight.”

She ended the call and slipped the phone into her pocket. “What did Dad say?” I asked. Mom forced a lighter tone. “He said we should enjoy the blessings. That we should order pizza, head down to the theater room, and watch a movie.” There was a beat of silence. “THEATER ROOM?!” Sia and I shouted together, eyes snapping wide as we stared at each other. We froze for half a second before bolting down the hall. “Hey, slow down!” Mom called after us, laughing despite herself as our footsteps thundered down the stairs.