I shake my head and shrug. I don’t have an explanation he would appreciate, and since I know now that he can’t really read my mind, I think my intentions are better left unsaid.
“Oh, I get it,” he says kindly. “Alone time, right? I don’t blame you. Even I need some of that every now and then. You hungry? I was thinking we could all sit down for dinner tonight. It’s already going if you’re interested.”
“That would be nice,” I reply softly.
“Good,” he says with a warm smile. “Your brother is already in the dining room setting the table; why don’t you go help him, and then you’ll get to see what I whipped up.”
Lowering my head, I start to walk past him, almost giddy with excitement. He’s presenting me the chance I need to let Vaughn know that by this time tomorrow he could go free.
Pater slides an arm around my waist as he pulls me sideways against him, and rests his lips on the side of my head. He lingers there for a moment before he whispers a warning into my ear.
“Don’t get any ideas. I’ll find out.”
He presses his lips gently against me in what I can only describe as a Judas kiss, because he betrayed me a long time ago when he stole my innocence. When he finally lets me go, I walk quickly toward the dining room. I need every second given to me to somehow get Vaughn to trust me.
As I walk into the room, I see that Vaughn is quietly setting Pater’s plate at the head of the table. He glances up at me for a moment with his almost vacant eyes before he slowly walks to his seat and sits down.
“Listen to me, and don’t interrupt until I’m done,” I whisper as I take my place across from him. “I need you to trust me like you’ve never trusted me before. Tomorrow, you’re leaving.”
Vaughn raises his eyes from the plate he’s been staring at, giving me an icy stare. “How is that, Mom?”
I try not to cringe. It’s obvious he still hates me. I understand his feelings, because I hate me too.
“When that couple comes back, I think we’re going to do a working interview. Pater will be with me, I’ll make sure of it. While I have them all distracted, I want you to walk out the front door and, no matter what happens, do not turn around, got it?” I ask him urgently.
Vaughn rolls his eyes, but he doesn’t disagree with the plan. As long as Pater doesn’t catch on to what’s going to happen, he may actually do as he’s being told.
“Doesn’t this smell damn good?” Pater asks, suddenly walking into the room. He has a large serving plate piled with grilled chicken breasts that he sets down in the center of the table. My stomach growls loudly and I’m just now realizing how hungry I’ve been this entire time.
“It does,” I reply, mustering the enthusiasm I know he’s expecting.
Pater grins at me and turns his attention toward Vaughn, who’s hungrily glancing at the plate. He quickly shoots Pater a glance and nods once in appreciation.
&nb
sp; “But wait! There’s more!” Pater says merrily as he leaves the room again.
It’s another form of discipline, sitting in front of the food, ravenously hungry, and not being allowed to indulge until Pater says so. Of course, it’s also very far and few in between that he allows us to share in his food that, when presented with the challenge, we’ve always held strong.
He returns a few moments later with a bowl heaped with mashed potatoes, balancing a bottle of wine under his arm, and still grinning. He’s proud of himself for actually giving a fuck about us for once.
“Want some?” he asks, as he pulls the cork out of the wine bottle. I glance at him to see who he’s asking, and am actually surprised to find it’s me, since I’ve never tasted wine before.
He fills his glass, then moves the bottle toward mine, hovering, waiting for my response. Will it dull my senses? Will I divulge my plan if I imbibe? I don’t know, and I can’t take that chance.
“No thank you, Pater,” I reply softly.
“Luke,” he corrects, the grin on his face faltering. He turns his gaze toward Vaughn. “What about you, kid?”
“No thank you, sir,” he says quietly.
Pater shrugs and sets the bottle down by his glass and rolls his sleeves up to his elbows. “Well, more for me then. Jocelyn, can you pass the chicken please?”
I immediately pick up the plate and hold it out toward him. His grin is fully plastered on his face again as he uses a fork to take the biggest piece, then winks at me when he’s done. I hold it out toward Vaughn, who quickly stabs whatever piece he can get, then nods in thanks.
Pater reaches past me and grabs the bowl of mashed potatoes, purposely rubbing his bare forearm against mine. I don’t react, because I’m not sure what reaction he’s looking for.
“Eat up kids, tomorrow’s a big day. We’re getting a dog,” he says with a laugh.