Chapter Twenty-Four

"Alex, could you help me set the table?" Mom called from the kitchen. I heard her from my position on the sofa in the sitting room but pretended not to. My eyes were glued Anna Todd's 'After'. I was enjoying the book so much that I didn't want to drop it. I was particularly in a 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 steamy scene and I couldn't bring myself to look away for a second. I had ignored her just fine and she had not called out again.

"Did you or did you not hear your mom?" Dad queried in a gentle and yet stern voice. Startled, I tore my eyes away from the book to dad whose eyes were fixed on me. I looked away, red faced and kinda afraid that if our eyes held each other for long, he would see within me and know what I was just reading. That's what my guilty conscience felt like but if he found out, he would throw a fit saying I was underage.

I had totally forgotten that Dad who didn't tolerate any sort of disrespect to mom was in the sitting room with me watching the evening news. And indeed he was a spoilsport.

"Huh?" I feigned ignorance. "Did mom call for me?"

He sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "It's because of that book in your hand..." He pointed at the book and I immediately let it fall beside me to the sofa ready to deny that it wasn't mine. "...you were so engrossed in it that you didn't hear her. Go now, see what she wants".

Phew. I took the book with me to the kitchen. Mom was at the stove tending to the kitchen sizzling in the cast-iron skillet. She glanced over her shoulder and asked, "Could you set the table?"

"Sure". I went to the cupboard and retrieved four dinner plates. "That smells delicious, mom".

She smiled. "Thank you and just so you know, tomorrow's dinner is on you".

The ceramic plates almost slipped out of my hands. I stared at her, searching her face and waiting for her to burst out in laughter. She did. "Mom! You can't make jokes like that".

"Why? The look on your face was worth it. Besides, one of these days you will". Lately, mom has been on my neck to pick interest in cooking. She said that I was no longer a kid and needed to learn some household skills. I really didn't get why and those talks annoyed for some reason. But honestly, I was hopeless in the kitchen. It was only people like me that managed to burn hot water. That alone should summarise everything but hey what was the the rush! It's not like I was getting married tomorrow or the day after. There was plenty time to take things slowly.

"You don't know it now, but I swear you really don't want to put me to test". I collected napkins and set them next to the plates on the dining table.

Mom dumped green beans from a pan on the stovetop into a serving bowl and gave me to take it to the table before going ahead to get the baked potatoes out of the microwave. "There's nothing you can't do when you set your mind to it".

Right.

After I had grabbed silverwares from the drawer for everyone, I took a seat.

"Bob, come eat". Mom called as she set the platter of chicken on the table. "Alex, get your brother".

"Okay". I trudged up the stairs sighing on each step. She should've just yelled for him like she does when she wanted me down instead of sending me up.

I reached his door and did a quick knock before opening it and entering. He was lying in bed and had wrapped himself with a blanket. What was he trying to pull now? "William, come down for dinner".

He immediately sprang up from bed throwing the covers away as he heard my voice. "I thought it was Mom".

"Why were you pretending to be asleep?" I watched him scrutinously. "Are you hiding something? Junk foods huh? Are they any good?" I wiggled my brows at him. Mom had warned him to stay away from them unless he wanted to take trips to the dentist's office but he still had them in secret sometimes. "Share them. It wouldn't do you any good to be stingy and eat alone". I messed the sheets and covers searching for sweets and chocolates.

"If I was eating confections I would have locked the door". He pointed out like it was the most obvious thing he would do.

That sounded true. " So...?"

"Tomorrow is the D-day". He whispered excitedly.

The D-what? I stared at him blankly.

He smacked his palm against his forehead and gave me that look that clearly spelt out d-u-m-m-y !

Whenever he did that, I felt like punching his guts out but we all know I'd be dead if I ever did that. Killed my Mom and butchered by Dad. So I just ignored it and hissed out, "Whatever, Just come the hell down".

I exited his room and made my way down. The journey down was always easier than the journey up, I would never know why.

"He's coming". I informed mom and dad who were already seated and proceeded to cut myself a large chunk of chicken.

"Geez, Alex! You're going to finish the whole lot". Dad rumbled.

" Huh?" I looked at my piece. It was big but not 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 big. I stared at dad confused and he threw his head back in laughter.

"It was a joke, Honey. Eat your fill".

I did not know whether to be angry or relieved. "You and Mom have the weirdest ways of joking but I swear".

Mom chuckled while she sliced open her baked potato and added a pat of butter. "Why? William is not not here yet".

Just that moment, William appeared looking 𝘧𝘢𝘵 and lacking colour. He had doned on nothing less than four cardigans and yet he was still shivering. I couldn't stop the tiny bits of food that flew out of my mouth as I roared with laughter. I finally understood the D-day he meant then in his room. He was going to pretend to be ill tomorrow.

Mom rushed out if her seat and squatted before him. "Will! Are you sick?"

His lips trembled. They actually trembled! Was he going to make his teeth clatter too? "I don't feel good and it's too cold".

"Oh dear". Dad who had also dropped his silverwares felt his temperature. " You're burning up too".

Wow, he really stepped up the game that I taught him.

Mom started panicking, "What should we do, Bob? Should we go to the hospital or have the family doctor over? My darling..." She took him in her arms.

Why wasn't I the last child? "There is no need for that, mom. It's nothing a couple of cold pills can't take care of".

"Go back to your room, Darling. I'll bring your dinner up". Mom told William.

"I'll eat here since I'm down anyway". His lips crooked slightly. I could've been fooled too.

"You sure?" Dad's forehead creased. "If you don't feel like it, you don't have to—"

"It's just a cold". I reminded them because it seemed to me that they were forgetting.

Mom gingerly released William and led him to the seat by her side. I had to roll my eyes. She served his food for him and set it down before him. " You have to eat something to take drugs, okay?"

He nodded.

I chuckled, a snide remark coming to me. "Will baby, shall I feed you? I can also be a great deal considerate and grind them for you with my teeth before transferring it to your mouth".

William smirked at me in a little sideways glance. I frowned, that was not the reaction I expected.

He turned to Dad in full force. " Dad, Alex is gonna make me puke!"

"Alex!" Mom and Dad yelled in unison.

Yeah, yeah, sneaky little rat. "Sorry". 'Should I just tell them that I fainted in school? I could use some pampering too'.

"Actually, we have a news to break to you guys". Dad looked at Mom who gave him the go-ahead signal.

Breaking news? " What? Are you finally getting me a new laptop?" I doubted it but what can a little hope do.

"No. It's my bicycle right?" Williams eyes shined brightly at mom and dad expectantly.

I scoffed. "Dude, you are sick, how can you think of bicycles now?"

"I'm sorry, you both, but it's none of the above". Mom cleared out.

" Wait. Are we moving out?" I asked horrified.

"No, no. It's nothing like that". Mom answered calmly.

" Uh..." Dad started again. "It's a guest or put more clearly, it's a family member".

" What? That's the news?" William asked clearly disappointed.

l was too. "What about a family member?"

"Your cousin, Bridget's coming over". Dad dragged out.

"Really?" I clapped my hands as my face broke into a wide smile. "That's great news!"

"That's not all". Mom sighed.

Now I was getting confused as to why they were hesitant and had unsmiling faces before such great news. Before I could ask why, mom continued.

" She's coming to stay. Actually she was transferred to your school".

That's when my jaw along with my fork dropped to the table and I finally understood why my parents were acting the way they were. Apprehensive.