With a voice as harsh as the knife cutting through the tension in the room, my mother remarked, "You're late."
My heart raced when I entered the opulent dining room and saw my parents seated at the large oak table. I could tell by the tightness in their postures that this was not going to be a pleasant chat because they never sat there unless it was something important.
I crossed my arms and remained close to the door, responding coolly, "Didn't realize we had a scheduled meeting."
With his steely eyes on me, my father reclined back in his chair. Eli, sit down. We need to talk about some serious issues.
My instinct told me that I wouldn't like anything they were going to say, so I said, "I'm fine right here."
My mother and my father looked at each other, her face unreadable yet too co
