More Than One Way To Die

Chapter 10 Dinner Guests

Violet's POV

We descend the stairs as I skillfully rub the back of Kameron's neck trying to help calm his nerves since my brothers pissed him off within a two second span of time which is probably some sort of record.

"Thanks for that baby it feels really nice.. I needed that." Kameron states to me as I smile and nod continuing to do it, because it's the least I can do with him helping me by carrying me all around.

We get closer to the dining room doors as James opens them for us waiting for our arrival. We enter and there are multiple people I never thought I would ever see again or at least in a very long time and I don't exactly understand why everyone is here.. not all is family.

The non-reactive stares of the guests watch us inch closer to the table where they await our arrival to start. We have names set out for all of us at the table to tell us where to sit.

Oddly enough they have a name even set out for Kameron and set right next to me.. I don't know if that was placed there at my Grandmother's request or because of James but odd to say the least.

I can feel almost all eyes in the room on me probably because I'm being carried in by my knight in shining armor but I still don't like being stared at.

Kameron gently sets me down to me feet right by our names that are beautifully wrote in a cursive calligraphy. I'm placed right next to my uncle who I haven't seen or heard from in over 10 years even when we have tried asking him for some type of help being kids on our own practically, he has completely ignored our cries for some type of support.. so we haven't even talked since our grandfather passed.

Next to him is his awful wife who is only a couple years older than I am which makes things creepy at least for myself.. She is a gold digger and doesn't hide it one bit she is proud of it to say the least. She tries to be buddy buddy with me and hits on my brothers everytime they come around her. Luckily my brother's have a brain in their heads and don't fall for her tricks like my uncle did.

Next to her is my Grandmother's special assistant who helped with everything around the house that my grandmother couldn't do herself because of her age. She is not bad at all but there was always something about her I didn't like.. I couldn't place what it was about her but I never got a good feeling.

Sitting right besides her is my deadbeat for us father, who had no association with us except for sending cards maybe every other year and always got the age wrong. He cheated on our mother because she was always gone and doing drugs or drinking..

I don't blame him for that because she was obviously neglecting him in the relationship department at that point.. But then started a family with that woman he cheated with, finding the supposed 'love of his life' ditching all of us for this new life with her.

He never knew who we really were, what we liked and disliked, nor seemed to care at all to find out since he never took the time to even see us.. I think he only sent the cards for his own consciousness.. not for us at all.

He was just as bad as our mother about neglecting us for drugs and gambling then I think he left that life behind saying he finally had the motivation to quit it all for his new lady.. because I guess his kids weren't enough motivation for him to quit so he had to get away from this life to get the life he always wanted.. but at least with everything that went on, our mother had the decency to come around us yearly to harass and at least make it seemed like she cared by her fake actions towards us. Not just act as if we don't exist at all except for the occasional card like our father did.

Sitting next to him was my Grandmother's last boyfriend before she passed and he seemed like an OK guy.. nothing wrong with him just never took anytime to try to get to know us everytime we visited our grandmother because he blatantly acted like he didn't even want to get to know us no matter how much our grandmother tried her best to get us all to connect.

My other Uncle sits right next to him and he is not as bad as the other one at all. He was always nice to us but never helped when we asked he just gave us some good sound advice and let us deal with things on our own.. Mostly because he was always a firm believer that you can bring a horse to water but you can't make him drink.. so we never got anything more then sound advice which has helped me a time or two. But nothing more than that.

Next to him is my Grandmother's ex husband after our grandfather passed.. he is an ex because he couldn't replace the man our grandmother always truly loved and he knew he never had a fighting chance against the ghost of the amazing man our grandfather was. So he left because he always felt like second best.. but he seemed like a good man.. I just understand how hard that must have been living in our grandfather's shadow their whole marriage.

Sitting right next to him is our Grandmother's best friend for so many years. Every girl deserves a girlfriend like her because she always had the guts to tell every single person exactly how she felt because she has always been opinionated. She was the fun grandmother with no sensory in her head telling you exactly how she felt cuss words and all.. she was always funny making our lives entertaining because she practically lived here.

Next to her is our mother along with my brother Vincent, then Vance, then Kameron and lastly myself.. It's the closest thing I think my siblings and I will ever get to a family reunion.

As soon as we all sit down in our dedicated spots at the table, allowing the awkward silence to fill the room, the food is brought out to us starting everything off with a bruchetta and flat bread appetizer.

Kameron grabs my hand gently, placing the pain killers into it. I let out a disapproving groan as he leans in and softly purrs into my ear for only us to hear, "I'll make it worth your while baby, taking good care of you later if you do this for me now." I can't help the grin that appears across my face at this offer as I willingly take the painkillers of course.You don't have to tell me twice.. throwing them into the back of my throat without hesitation washing it down with the glass of ice water that's sitting in front of me.

Which makes Kameron smile and wink at me knowing perfectly well how easily that convinced me because that's exactly what I want.. I watch him sit back eating the appetizer.

"Seriously? Why do you guys have to flirt right in front of us.. disgusting." Vance spitefully says to us as our mother for some reason comes to my rescue.

"Vance leave them be.. they are together now so they are allowed and going to flirt like couples do.. that's what girls do to keep their men interested so the men don't go out and cheat on them.. Wish I would have known that back then and maybe I wouldn't have been cheated on.. Speaking of, where's little miss Melissa at Peter? Are you guys not working out?" She says with so much venom in her last words making the situation about her once again.. like the drama queen she loves to be.. but I don't mind too much this time because it took the attention off of me. I'm the opposite of her I hate being the center of attention so if she wants to take the spotlight putting it on her spiteful self then go right on ahead.

"Well I don't think the flirting would have helped because of all the drugs and drinking that kept you occupied all the time.. But you would hope for the worst for me, wouldn't you Vanessa?.. Melissa and I are doing just fine thanks for asking even though that comment obviously wasn't genuine.. the kids are sick right now.. so she kept them home to make sure they get better not worse.. or getting anyone else sick.. But having to change the subject.. by the way Vance and Vincent you guys look fantastic, very grown up.. like real men.. and Violet you look gorgeous.. your eyes are breathtaking and I'm glad you found a good man because I always liked you Kameron you have never been anything but great to my daughter and sons or at least that I have seen at least." This comment catches me completely off guard confusing me as my brows furrow in response because in still in shock.

"You really do look amazing Violet if I looked half as good as you did at your age I would have had all the men throwing themselves at me.. carrying me around the places too." My Grandmother's best friend Barbara states about me making me blush and smile at her. I watch her wink at me then blowing me a friendly kiss making me smile again.. She always knew how to make me smile.. she was always like a second grandmother, to me at least.

"That's sweet Barb.. But what is this s**t Peter? You think you can just come in here sucking up to the kids the only time you see them in person to make them like you or something? When was the last time you even talked to them, let alone saw them? Don't act like you're their father who cares or something." My mother spats being a b***h and starting a fight, taking us back to the good ol' days of fighting every night with our father being the dinner entertainment for the night. Those arguments always lasted all dinner long so my brothers and I didn't eat much those nights to just be able to leave the awkward situation.

"I'm not sucking up to them Vanessa.. they really do look fantastic.. I meant every word.. I bet the boys have girls throwing themselves at them and look at Violet she is so beautiful. I never thought she would look so different from all of us like some sort of marvelous black sheep.. turning yourself into this..." He tries to think of the words to use in discription of me as I hear from besides me, "Magnificently stunning." From Kameron causing me to blush as I hear, "Exactly." from my father across the table.

"Thank you." I say softly to all of them.. because I know we are close enough at the table that they would hear it but I honestly don't know how to respond to those comments otherwise.

"So how did you hurt your foot Violet?" My father asks changing the subject away from my mother but here the attention is, right back to me, where I don't want it to be. I get nervous looking at him as my mother says glaring at my father. "A guy attacked her and tried to force himself on her because men suck and don't understand boundaries in any form."

That's all she says as Kameron is the one to finish her story. "Hold on that's not the whole story.. He tried to take advantage of her by forcing himself.. but I stopped him before he could do anything and when we were fighting over the situation.. she tried to help me out by trying to get the guy off of me.. and the guy pushed her back making her stumble and fall in her heels causing the broken ankle."

"Oh how horrible! Thankfully she had a very strong, handsome man like yourself around to defend her honor." says my Uncle Chad's gold digging wife Samantha.

I watch Kameron just nod at that comment not saying anything in response. "Stop Sammy.. you have been drinking too much already." My Uncle Chad says to his wife as she glares and smacks his chest retorting, "What Chad? He is handsome and obviously strong.. look at those muscles. She is a lucky lady.. that's all I have to say." I watch her wink at Kameron biting her lip as she continues to seductively stare at him as my eyebrows lift in disbelief at her shamelessness.

"Can you NOT hit on my man in front of me please. I know he is good looking and that I'm lucky to have him I don't need you saying it." I spat at her from across the way, throwing a death glare to accompany my statement. That is until I feel a hand on mine so I look over to the side. It's Kameron's hand as he squeezes mine, leaning in and whispering so we can only hear. "You know I only have eyes for you baby.. don't worry about her or her comments."

I nod at him as he pulls my hand up to his lips kissing the back of it as he stares at me as if I'm the only woman in the room again.. I love that feeling he gives me.

We then hear, "Yeah please stop hitting on my nephew in front of me as well. I know he is not my actual nephew but he us just like family.. You blatantly hitting on him is almost as bad as you hitting on my brother the last time we saw him." My Uncle Chad says as his wife groans and my mother is the one to spat back at her, "Just stop Samantha your making yourself look like such a whore."

"Excuse me Vanessa? I'm looking like a w***e? Well you for once are looking sober so when are the withdrawals going to start because you have only had water so far and it's been 10 minutes into dinner.. way too long for your liking." She spats across the table.. so this is going to be an entertaining night huh?

"Ladies this is not the time or place for this type of behavior. Let's just drop this topic and start something new please." My other Uncle Brad tries to advise as he adds. "It is good to see you kids, you have grown so fast.. And Richard? Haven't seen you in a while you're looking fit. Hope your staying safe out there. And Barb looking fantastic for your age as always." He says this to us, Barb and my Grandmother's ex husband as he smiles and nods.

"Thanks Brad just walking everyday trying to stay in shape so I can still eat what I want. You know how it is." He replies as casually as possible they smile between each other as Barbera responds pretty quickly.

"Thank you for the compliment Brad that's sweet of you.. I have to look as young as possible to keep going out on the town dating who I want.. if I can!" She smiles and nods as the main course gets brought out to us. It's a crab Alfredo and it smells delectable, plus looks amazing.

I just dig into the food, needing some nourishment in my system and trying to not be involved in all this conversation going on around me as much as I have to be.

"So boys have you decided on what your doing for a career yet?" Lydia our Grandmother's personal assistant asks, trying to change the subject.

"No not exactly at least for us.. I was thinking of taking some modeling classes and Vincent was wanting to take acting classes.. you know since we are so talented and good looking.. but Kameron is still in the medical field." Vance responds for them.

"Yeah I almost have my CNA licensing.. getting there at least." Kameron responds following the conversation. "That's amazing good for you Kameron that's a hard feet but worth the hassle for sure. I know you will do great things." She responds encouragingly.

"What about you Violet? Are you still going to school for psychology?" She asks as I nod replying, "Yes I am wanting to go to school to be a therapist or also considering school counselor to help other kids who didn't have the best home life just like myself." I state probably too honestly but everyone here knew what we went through. It's not a secret.

"Good for you, I bet you will make a great impression on some kids life." She says as I smile and nod at her.

"Dennis looking as bitter as always over there." She then states to my Grandmother's last boyfriend.

"This is just a waste of time.. I'm not going to pretend to be your guys friend when we all know I'm not.. I'm not fake nor am I going to pretend to be for conversation or even Emily's sake. Just because Emily passed doesn't mean I'm going to change who I am and she knew that of me as well." He responds without hesitation as he continues to eat his food.

Once we finish our main course they bring out desserts but all seem to be different suprisingly enough.. which never happens. I think it's all our favorite desserts. James comes into the room as the desserts get set down before he announces for everyone to hear.

"Miss Emily requested in the event of her death to have you all to dinner.. she even set your places to sit and even had each of you to be given your own favorite desserts.. but after dessert she wanted for you all to have drinks during the meeting with her lawyer to discuss the details of everything. So please don't leave after dessert.. thank you." He bows and walks out leaving us to eat our desserts. Well this should be interesting.. this is how they acted almost all sober.. imagine how they are going to be with alcohol. This should be even more entertaining then dinner.