He just sat there with his arms folded across his chest and no expression on his face. And then he did it, “Okay!” My left eye started to twitch, and I reached over to pinch his leg. He covered my hand with one of his and kept it there. I guess he’d forgotten the signal.
The poor boy had only been in their presence for a few hours tops, and he’d already lost his marbles. It wouldn’t be the first time this bunch had sent someone over the edge. They’ve been doing it to me since birth.
I croaked out an objection trying to do damage control before it was too late, but that got shot down before the words had even dried on my lips. It was obvious Kitty had been chosen to lead the charge, and usually, when that happens, they’re out to draw first blood and don’t mean to leave anyone standing.
“Did you say okay, young man? Was that an answer? Sit up straight on that chair and look me in the eye when you speak, please.” He did it without argument and even apologized.
“Sorry about that; it’s a bad habit of mine, slouching. Mom’s always getting after me for doing it. Right, mom!” He looked toward the screen where his parents were still taking in the show.
There was a tint to his tone that I didn’t understand, but I haven’t been privy to many conversations between him and his parents, so I couldn’t be sure what it was. His mom looked like she was wringing her hands and biting into her lip, and I wanted to put an end to this before she got hurt.
His dad was just sitting there, not saying a word, maybe feeling ill from his first round of treatment, and I don’t think I’ve ever been so angry at my family. “Grandma Davenport, we should probably table this for now. Mr. Baxter needs to rest.”
“No such thing; he looks fine to me.” She turned her attention back to Cody.
“I hope you know that if you marry into this family and plan to have children, there will be other people around you at all times. Even without children, as long as you’re a part of my granddaughter’s life, things will always be that way.” What was this old lady talking about? I actually looked at mom for help, but from the strained look on her face, I was sure she’d been given orders before they got here to butt out.
“Grandma, Cody doesn’t want to get married. What’re you talking about? We…” I looked at the best thing that ever happened to me with tears in my eyes. I know he’d said okay, but I was sure he was just going along to go along. He was probably trying to figure out ways to make his escape but felt trapped because of his parents.
My chest started to hurt because of the mean game they were playing. But when I opened my mouth to speak, his hand squeezed mine where it still rested on his thigh. He was no longer as relaxed as before, but he didn’t look quite as intimidated as he should, which was worrying.
My family tends to have an odd effect on most people when they first meet, especially when they all come together like this to put on one of their operatic acts. Most operas either end or are consumed by some sort of tragedy, and this bunch loves the more tragic listings. Romeo and Juliet is just an appetizer for them. Meanwhile, I’ve been traumatized ever since I first saw it at about age six.
“Be quiet, Annalisa. It is not your time to speak. Well, Cody, what do you think about that? If you are not ready nor willing to live that way for the rest of your life, the door is right over there. There’s no other option.” I could hear my heart beating in my ears, but when I tried to speak this time, my throat felt closed off. Whatever game they were playing, they were taking it too far.
I’ve never gone against them before, never had the chance to. But I knew that if I ever needed to, it was now before they destroyed my poor budding relationship. I started to take back the apartment idea and started to plead with them to just let us be. None of the well-planned arguments I had came to mind; I just felt panicked.
“I like the idea of having someone to watch over them when I’m not there. As long as your people don’t mind traveling during the season because I plan on taking my wife and kids with me wherever I go.” Just give up, Lisa; he’s fallen down the rabbit hole. Just wait until the last act in this play is over, and you can pretend that it was just one big joke, that you’d told Cody to say those things to play along. Ha-ha.