“For the moment, I’m just doing some waitressing.”
“Oh.”
She says it in a similar tone one would use when putting rotten food into their mouth. It’s quite a surprising response, and one that hits me right in the heart. My immediate reaction is to justify my actions, and I hate that I feel the need to do that. I glance at Maggie, and Jagger, but both of them are having a quiet conversation and seem to have missed the tone.
“It’s only temporary,” I say, my voice a little less chipper than it was before, “and then I’ll go back to office work.”
This seems to impress her a little more. “That’s good. It’s important for a woman to have a good job and not rely on her man for everything. They’re not our slaves, you know?”
What?
I shake her comment off, figuring she probably didn’t mean it the way it sounded. She seems lovely enough, and I’m sure it’s just how she comes across. I’m overreacting, I’m certain of it.
“Willow is smart as hell, Aunt Mary,” Jagger says, walking over to the table and sitting down. “She’s goin’ to make something of herself.”
My heart swells.
“I’m sure, baby. I’m sure.”
Baby? Who calls their older nephew baby? Something about her makes me feel a little off, I just can’t put my finger on it.
“Don’t call me that,” Jagger murmurs, his eyes hardening slightly.
“You’ll always be my baby, even if you’re a grown man now. You and Maggie are all I have left, and I won’t let anything get in the way of that.”
Her eyes move to me, for a brief second. She’s joking, right? What happened to the sweet woman who walked in a few hours ago? Now it seems she’s done a full three sixty and has decided she isn’t a fan of mine. But why? I excuse myself, giving the excuse that I need some water, and walk back into the kitchen. I am midway through reaching up for some cups when Mary walks in.
Her eyes zone in on my stomach and widen.
I know she can see the scars I keep so well hidden.
“What happened to your stomach?”
I quickly lower my arms, an uncomfortable feeling gripping my chest.
“Oh ... car accident,” I carefully explain.
“My goodness, how did that happen?”
“Wet weather,” I lie, avoiding her gaze.
She’s terrifying.
“Everything okay in here?” Jagger says, walking into the kitchen, his eyes scanning over us.
Mary smiles. “Yes, I was just helping Willow.”
She takes the glasses and walks out. I sigh and close my eyes. I need a second to gather myself.
“I know she can be a lot,” Jagger says, studying me, “but she has a good heart.”
Sure, to them maybe.
To me, there is something beneath the surface. She doesn’t like me, I can tell just by the way she stares. Still, it’s Jagger’s family, and I’m not about to come in and ruin that for him.
I plaster a smile on my face. “I’m sure she’ll grow on me.”
“You look so fuckin’ edible with that apron on.”
I grin and wrap my arms around him, resting my head on his chest and taking a moment to just listen to his heart beating.
“You okay?” he murmurs into my hair.
“Hmmmm ...”
“Johnny, come back and eat your dinner,” Mary calls.
Jagger pulls away from me. “Let’s go eat.”
We all finish serving our food and start eating, but for me, my stomach is so twisted I can only manage a nibble.
“Dinner is amazing, baby,” Jagger murmurs, watching me with that loving expression as he eats.
“It’s lovely, Willow. Thank you.” Maggie smiles.
“It’s a little dry, but it’s probably because we kept you talking.” Mary smiles, but her comment hits me right in the heart. How can someone be so nice, and yet so mean all at the same time?
I turn to Maggie, needing to distract myself from this woman.
“How’s the practice going, Maggie?”
“It’s going well, I’m so busy. I’m employing another doctor next week, just for some help.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. That’s great you’ve done so well. I can imagine it’s probably stressful, hiring another doctor is a great idea.” I smile at her.
“Maggie holds her own,” Mary begins. “She’s always been made for great things. It’s not stressful for her, she just wants to expand. She certainly knows what she wants in life.”
“It can be stressful, Aunt Mary,” Maggie says, giving me a careful smile.
I take a deep breath. These little insults are starting to wear thin. I push my plate away, unable to eat any more food.
“Oh, dear, aren’t you going to eat more? You’re far too skinny as it is. I knew a girl who had an eating disorder, and it was very stressful for her family. You’re not doing that, I hope?”
She can’t be serious?
“Aunt Mary!” Jagger growls, placing his fork down. “That’s enough.”
Mary’s eyes widen and she fakes shock. “I wasn’t trying to be rude, honey. I was just asking a question.”