Chapter 7: A Change in the Air
900 Words
The next morning dawned, and I expected a tense atmosphere after the previous night's fight. But to my surprise, it was the complete opposite. Mom, Linda, and Elena were all... nice to me. It was hard to believe, considering they usually treated me like dirt. I couldn't help but wonder what was going on, what the catch was. Everything comes with a price, after all.
"Laura, try this," Katherine said, handing me a plate of pancakes. "It's good for your health."
"Thanks, Mom," I replied, though I couldn't help but mutter under my breath, "As long as it's not poison."
"What was that, dear?" Katherine asked.
"I said it tastes good," I responded quickly, forcing a smile. Tastes good my foot, I thought. No one else ate those, and you gave them to me. At least I hope it's not poison.
"Hey, Mom, why don't you tell Laura about our idea?" Linda piped up.
"Well, it was your idea," Katherine retorted. "Why don't you tell her yourselves? "
"Freaks" I mumbled under my breath again.
"We didn't hear you, Laura," Elena said. "What are you mumbling about?"
"Me? I didn't say anything. You must have misheard," I replied innocently. Of course, I didn't want you to hear me, I thought.
"Well, Dad," Linda began, "we want to take Laura out today, to make up for our mistakes. You know, we haven't been treating her very well, so we want to make amends."
"Why take her out?" Dad questioned. "Can't you do that at home? Can't you just apologize to her here?"
"Honey, let the kids be," Katherine interjected. "Why are you being so overprotective? They just want to treat their older sister well. Aren't we a family? Don't you trust your own daughters? Do you think they'll hurt her?"
"No, Katherine, don't put words in my mouth," Dad responded calmly. "I never said I was afraid they'd hurt her. They're her sisters, and Laura isn't a baby who needs my constant protection. You can ask her opinion."
"I know, Gio," Mom said, her voice softening. "I'm sorry I raised my voice. So, what do you think, Laura? Would you like to go out with us this afternoon? I hope you won't turn down your mother, will you?"
"Come on, sis, you'll come with us, right?" Linda and Elena chimed in, their voices surprisingly eager.
"Sure, I will," I replied, a flicker of excitement stirring within me.
"I'm leaving for the office now," Dad announced. "I have an important meeting, so I can't go with you. Take care while you're out."
"Yes, Dad, we will," we chorused.
"Laura, can you bring my cell phone? I left it in my room. I'll be waiting in the car," Dad requested.
"Here's your phone," I said, handing it to him.
He held my gaze, his expression serious. "Laura, look out for yourself. I won't be there to watch over you. Don't let your guard down. It's not that I don't trust your mother and sisters, but something doesn't feel right. Do you understand?"
"I know, Dad," I assured him. "Stop worrying. I'll take care of myself, and nothing will happen to me."
He sighed, looking at me with a mix of pride and concern. "I didn't realize you'd grown up so much," he murmured. "Even if I died now, I could face your mother."
"Dad!" I exclaimed. "How can you talk like that? You can't die before me. Remember what you said when I was five? And what do you mean you can face my mother? Is she... not alive?"
"What a sharp ear you have," he chuckled. "I was talking about my mother, your grandmother. And don't worry, I can't die before holding my grandchildren. I have to go now, or I'll be late."
"Okay, Dad. Have a lovely day."
"Come on, hug me," he said, opening his arms.
"Bye, Dad."
"Bye, sweetie," he replied, and then he was gone.
I stood there, waving until his car disappeared from sight. Then I went back inside to get ready, leaving the others in the living room.
Sometimes, we wake up to a perfect day when everything seems normal. It's hard to imagine that everything could change in the blink of an eye.
It's difficult to read people's minds, to predict their next move. That's how I felt. I couldn't understand the reason behind this sudden change in behavior, whether it was genuine or not.
I took a shower and started getting ready, but my mind wouldn't stop racing. What was going to happen when we were out? No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't find anything suspicious. Maybe it was all in my head, a result of years of mistreatment.
I stood in front of the mirror and started talking to myself, a habit I'd developed whenever I was nervous, scared, or alone. It always helped.
"Come on, girl," I said to my reflection. " You're going to spend a day with your family. They're not strangers. You should be celebrating! You're not inferior to your sisters. Fight your way out there and shine. Stop thinking they have some ulterior motive. They wouldn't hurt you. You're their sister, after all. "
I took a deep breath. "Time to dress up and have fun."
I was excited about going out, not just because I was leaving the house, but because this time felt different.
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