We all moved to the living room, perched on chairs, and sitting on the floor as the kids picked a movie on the huge TV. Dad went to his office as Mom squeezed in between two of her sisters, laughing loudly. She didn’t seem to mind, but he’d been like this for years.
We decided sleeping arrangements after midnight. The house was big and offered plenty of room for everyone. I headed upstairs, knowing that the women would be up early to start dinner while us cousins slept in. We’d sit around the house and watch TV and play games as the house continued to fill up, finally moving when dinner was ready.
It was tradition.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: Rosalind
I helped Mom in the kitchen as much as I could. Three of my aunts from both sides were there with their kids, adding to the chaos of the house. There was so much food and I tucked my hair behind my ear as I let out a breath. We plated everything and set it up on the counter buffet style before I poured my second glass of wine. The kids got their food and went to their table before I stood in the long line, spooning various things onto my plate.
I sat at the table with my cousins and made small talk as I watched my brothers and their wives at the adult table. I could sit there but I liked it here better. Dad and I weren’t doing great, so I kept my distance. This worked. I was relieved that he didn’t invite a guy over to set me up with since the idea made me miserable.
I missed Sterling. I wanted to text him every moment of the day but chose not to. It was bad enough that we’d slept together here, and I didn’t want to pour salt into the wounds. I thought about that night by the pond all the time. I wondered what would happen when we got back to school. I wondered so much as I helped wash dishes to get away from everyone. I’d be leaving in three days and we’d be back to normal again. It seemed like we’d go home relatively healthy, too. At least, as far as our families go.
Mom took me shopping the day after Thanksgiving for the sales. She loved it while I merely tolerated it but there were good deals. I got some new clothes, and an updated version of my phone, telling my mom that I’d wait for the stuff to be transferred. I didn’t want her to see Sterling’s name anywhere on it. I was sure that she didn’t hate him, but Dad did. She lived by his rules. I walked out of the store and glanced around to find Mom, my eyes catching sight of Sterling’s mom and sisters. I paused to look at them, missing the old days when I’d be over there. Molly and Callie wouldn’t remember me at this point, but they were so cute when they were younger.
They were approaching me as I heard my name called out. Turning my head to the right, I saw my mom and froze as I realized that they’d be passing each other. Shit. They were adults and probably saw each other every so often. I was sure they handled it.
Sterling’s mom saw me, and her eyes took me in for a moment. The girls were chatting and not paying attention and I looked at my mom as she noticed the other woman. They smiled at one another, passing quickly as I joined my mom.
“Do you guys ever talk?” I asked her as she glanced at me. They used to be friendly towards one another.
“If we meet at the store or something, we say hello. With the way your dad and her husband are constantly fighting over business, it’s not a good idea.” She told me in a practical tone before looking at me. “That’s life, Rosie. Do you talk to Sterling?” I felt heat wash over my body, feigning a coughing fit as I bent forward. Mom tapped my back gently as I pretended to regain my composure.
“No. We don’t have classes together.” I replied after I was drinking a soda from the cup we got in the food court. Mom nodded as she glanced around the mall, her face thoughtful.
“There’s one more store I need to look at,” she told me as I nodded. I followed her to a big baby store where she got to work shopping for the baby boy and girl that were on the way. I watched quietly, feeling so far removed from this world that I barely had any interest. I didn’t grow up wanting kids since I saw how my dad was with Mom and us kids. He worked more than he spent time with any of us. I didn’t want that and being that Sterling was my best friend when I was a kid, I saw the same thing in his family.