Saving Easton by Kaci Rose
Chapter 21
Paisley
I have been avoiding any family dinners, when my brother has been bringing Barbie. Which unfortunately, is all of them. Mom and Dad know what I'm doing, because suddenly instead of having Sunday family dinners, I'm over on Friday or Monday.
Regrettably tonight, I’m in the same room, and I have to bite the bullet and talk to my brother about Easton.
Of course, knowing I'd be joining them, Mom decided to make a roast and have a slightly later than normal dinner and didn't tell any of us, until we were already here. I know she planned this. Everyone knows she planned this, but we don't call her out on it.
"The food smells really good, Mrs. Sutton," Barbie says, and Molly starts growling.
"Why can’t I give a compliment without the mutt getting mad?" Barbie says.
"Well, the last person she growled and snarled at was the kitchen boy, who attacked me and was wanted for rape and murder. So, I won't ever doubt her again." I say, glaring at my brother, who at least looks away, knowing he won't win this one.
We sit in silence for a few minutes, so I pull out my phone.
Me:I can't take it. No one is talking, and when Barbie does, Molly growls. It's like I'm not wanted here anymore.
Easton:You’ve been avoiding them, and they probably got used to you not being around. They don't know what to say.
Me:I really wish someone would step up and say something about her. This is getting ridiculous.
Easton:If you do, then you’ll be seen as the bad guy.
"Honey, no phone. It's family time," Mom says softly.
"Yes, because I'm missing the riveting silent conversation that's going on here." I roll my eyes. "I'm taking Molly for a walk."
I don't give anyone the chance to say anything before I'm up and out of the door.
Me:I just had to use the excuse of taking Molly for a walk to get out of there. Maybe, we don't say anything.
Easton:I think it's time we talked about this. If anyone should be nervous, it’s me.
Me:Fine, but if Mom doesn't serve dinner soon, I'm going to say something and bow out, before they even serve the food.
Easton:I’ll be waiting with dinner if that happens.
Me: I'm going to hold you to that.
As I head back towards the house, my dad is sitting on the front porch, waiting for me.
"Come join me, sweet pea." He says, patting the bench next to him.
I sit down and wait for whatever it is he has to say.
"What’s going on?"
"Molly was trying to warn me about that kitchen boy for weeks, and I ignored her. After I was attacked, I promised I wouldn't ignore her again. She doesn't like Barbie, and if she doesn't, then it's for good reason. I'm family, and I'm treated like the unwelcome guest in there, because of her." I say, as my eyes water.
Dad wraps his arm around my shoulders. "I’ll talk to your mother. I'm sorry you feel like that. Is that why you’ve been coming to dinner on different days?"
I just nod my head.
"Then, why are you here today?"
"Easton wants me to tell Leeland he's at Oakside. He wants him to visit, so they can talk."
"About you.”
"That's the plan."
"Okay, well let's get in there and get this over with," Dad says, and I follow him inside.
"There you are. Where did you go, Dad?" Leeland asks.
"I went to check on your sister to make sure she was okay. Something you should be more concerned with." My dad says coldly, and Leeland's eyes jump to me. I turn and leave the room and head into the kitchen.
I find Barbie helping mom.
"What can I do to help?" I ask.
"Oh, nothing we got this. Go sit down," Mom says and waves me off.
I stand there a minute in shock. I always help Mom with dinner, and now, I've been replaced.
Sitting down in the living room, I cross my arms over my chest and stare out of the window. Molly climbs up in my lap and rests her head on the armrest of the chair. I have to be overreacting, right? I haven't been replaced, and they just developed their own routines without me here each week, by my own choice.
It doesn't help, and I still feel replaced. But my dad standing up for me gives me hope. I haven't heard that cold tone from him, since I lived here.
A touch on my arm makes me jump.
"You okay?" Dad asks.
I realize I've been staring out of the window and zoned everything else out. I guess I get how Easton does it now.
"Yeah, just thinking.”
"Dinner is ready," Dad says softly. We head to the table and take our seats.
Barbie and Leeland start talking and I zone out again and slip Molly some food. About halfway through my food, my dad nudges my foot under the table. I look up and he smiles.
"What's new at Oakside?" My dad asks.
I know he's giving me an opening. I give him a small smile of thanks and turn towards Leeland.
"Actually, you’ll never guess who I ran into at Oakside.”
Leeland doesn't even look at me, but my mom keeps the conversation going.
"Who?" Mom asks.
"Easton," I say, and Leeland drops his fork.
"Why is he there?" Leeland asks finally looking at me.
"He's a patient.”
"What happened? Is he okay? How long has he been there? I can go see him. What can I do to help him?" He rapid fires questions at me.
"Calm down. He's doing much better. Though, he's been there awhile, he asked me not to say anything, until he was ready. He'd like to see you. I can't tell you much other than physically he's okay. His story is for him to tell you. He actually has Allie. He just took her full-time, and they’re getting along great together."
"I can get down there tomorrow," Leeland says.
"Oh, I'm excited to meet him. I've been wanting to check out this Oakside and find a way to help out," Barbie says.
More like find a way to attach yourself to a free military ride. I think, and then mentally curse myself. I need to stop putting her down so much.
"Actually, that's not a good idea. Easton doesn't do well with strangers. He only started letting a few people in his space. It should be you and only you, Leeland."
"But we are a team." Barbie whines.
"But Easton doesn't know you. He doesn't want to talk to you." I snap.
"I think this is something Lee needs to do on his own." My dad says in a stern tone.
I give him a small thank you smile.
"I think this first time I should go and talk to him alone. We have stuff to work out," Leeland says.
"I’ll let him know you’ll be there tomorrow. Surprises aren't a good thing. You’ll see what I mean."
"How long have you known he's been there?"
"A little while. He wanted to get better before he reached out. Let him explain, before you judge him on it, okay?" I plead.
"Okay."
I continue eating and tune out Barbie's harsh whispers of why she can’t go, and he knows Easton, and why he shouldn't listen to me.
"Enough." My brother says so loudly the room goes silent. "I'm going alone, and that’s final. Depending on how the meeting goes, I’ll decide if and when I introduce you. I trust Paisley's decisions. She works with these guys, so let’s drop the subject." Leeland’s voice is commanding and reminds me of Dad's ‘do as I say or else’ voice.
At first, I'm almost in shock. This is a side of my brother I haven't seen, since I was in school, and he was defending me from some creep, trying to ask me out.
I bite back a smile and look over at my dad, who gives me a wink and tries to hold back a smile as well. Mom's face is blank, but I swear there’s a twinkle in her eye.
The rest of dinner is pretty tense between Barbie and my brother. My parents and I try to act like nothing is wrong, and that it didn't happen, but the tension settles over us. As soon as dinner is over, I use Molly as an excuse and bail.
On my way home, I call Easton.
"Hey, how did it go?"
"Well, after I texted you, we sat down to eat, and telling Lee about you went okay. He's going to come to visit tomorrow by the way. But then, the bimbo girlfriend tried to push her way into the visit. I put my foot down, and she threw a first-rate temper tantrum that led to my brother snapping at her, and the second half of dinner was very tense. I just left. I'm going to be at Lexi's tomorrow if you need me. I don't want to be in the way, but if the girlfriend shows up or anything goes wrong, I’ll only be a minute away."
"I'd have you here with me if I could, but this is something we need to do ourselves."
"I know. Will you call me and let me know how it goes?"
"Of course. In fact, you can come over, and we can watch some TV after. Let Allie and Molly play some."
"I'd like that."
We talk a bit more on the way home, but I can't shake the feeling that tomorrow isn't going to go as well as we all hope it will.