The Deal

Ch. 14

I leave my room and walk towards the kitchen. I can hear Pa talking to someone, when I hear the second voice I stop walking. My heart rate picks up and my ears turn red. If I was a cartoon, smoke would be coming out of my ears. I want to run into the kitchen and tear all of her hair out. Ma's back. I don't want to see or talk to her. I start backing away when Brent and Trevor both come out of their rooms.

"What's wrong with you, A?" Trevor asks, then he hears the voice both of us have no desire to hear again. I see his face go red and he storms by me. I follow him quickly.

"What the hell are you doing back here? We didn't lose the farm so you decided we were still good enough?"

"Trevor, watch your mouth." Pa, warns.

I can't believe Pa would stand up for the women who left him when she found out he lost everything. I start seeing red again.

"Don't defend that women." I say, grinding my teeth together.

"Adelaide, she's here for you. She wants to help with the wedding." Pa explains.

I laugh. "You think I need your help, Ma? I don't need anything from you, go back home."

I notice me and Trevor are the only hostile ones in the room. Brent is even sitting at the table eating the food she cooked. Stupid mama's boy.

"I want to be a part of the wedding. Why didn't you tell me you were dating, Paxton West?"

"Oh, please! We were never close." The door bell rings and my thoughts falter. That's probably Paxton. Trevor leaves to answer the door, he doesn't want to be in this room with her anymore than I do.

"You're my only daughter. This could bring us closer together. We just never had anything in common." She claps her hand together. "Now, we have so much we have to do, like picking out a wedding dress and the flowers..." She adds, wistfully.

I feel Paxton's arms go around me as I glare at my mother. She can't be serious. He kisses my cheek and squeezes my hip. I break my glare to look at him. "Good morning, baby." He greets

"Morning." I reply. Ma comes closer and holds out her hand to Paxton.

"Hello, Mrs. Pickett." He says, shaking her hand.

"I'm so happy to hear the news, Mr. West. Welcome to the family." I roll my eyes, she is so happy it's nauseating.

"Thank you."

"Are you hungry? Sit down and I'll make you a plate." I've had enough. I pull out of his embrace and make my way to the back door.

"Adelaide, sit down." Pa demands.

I'm breathing hard, but I turn and and sit at the table. Paxton sits next to me and puts his arm around the back of my chair, his fingers caressing my shoulder. Ma puts a plate in front of both of us and sits down at the table all smiles. I can't even look at her. I keep my eyes on my plate.

"So, Mr. West. Adelaide never said how you two met." Ma inquires.

"We met for the first time four years ago. Adelaide was working a booth at the town farmers market. I was with my mother who I'm not sure if you know, can be very difficult. She told Adelaide that she'd never find a respectable man like her son dressing and acting like she does. Adelaide laughed and said in all seriousness, "Is that a promise?"

"Adelaide May Pickett! You insulted your future mother-in-law!" Ma shouts, horrified. I do remember the incident because his mother was so awful and acted so superior to everyone around her. She insulted a lot of people that day. When she got to me, my temper got the best of me. I remember Paxton laughing and saying something like he's glad someone finally told her off.