Chapter 3

“Relationships would be better if people came with a clear history button.”

~~~

Ever been in a phase where you were so delighted you couldn’t imagine anything going awry? Well, so many things could go wrong.

“I don’t like him,” Dad murmured once we were out of Matthew’s earshot. I couldn’t mask my awe as I stepped back and leaned against the wall. I didn’t understand, they had barely exchanged two words and there we were, proclaiming him to be a bad guy.

“Why? He didn’t do anything wrong to you.” I ran my hand through my hair and huffed out. What happened to giving people a chance to prove themselves?

“Exactly! That’s why I don’t like him. He’s a pretender.” He jabbed his finger in Matthew’s direction, he was facing in the opposite direction from the corridor, barely noticing the ongoing argument.

I knew Dad was a good judge of character but not in this case. I completely disagreed with him, what was there to judge? I had no idea what made him come to that conclusion but at that point, there was nothing he could say or do to change my mind. I pleaded with him to allow Matthew to prove he was not what he displayed him to be and after minutes of going back and forth, he finally conceded.

With slumped shoulders, I thumped on my parent’s bedroom door. I mulled over discontinuing the dinner, seeing as my mood was ruined but couldn’t get myself to do so. Mom’s reply had me ambling in and wordlessly plopping on her bed. She was perched on her dressing table, engaged in doing her make-up.

When she realized I wasn’t about to say anything, she turned to me, halting her brush of powder mid-air, and staring at me with concern as she asked, “Are you okay?”

I clasped my hands together and sighed, I knew she was going to take his side but gave it a try nonetheless. With distress indisputable in my voice, I expressed my concerns.

“He’s only looking out for you. He’s not an easy man to please but I’m sure he’ll try his best to get along with Matthew.” She came to sit beside me, stroking my hair gently. It was her way of calming me down and it unalterably worked like magic.

“I just want this to work out,” I mumbled. I liked Matthew and was sure he felt the same way. He affirmed he was serious about me when he agreed to meet my family.

“I know, darling. But that’s not how relationships work, both of you have to give your all and meet in the middle. If he can’t sacrifice and compromise certain things for you, then it’s never going to work. The same goes for you, it’s a two-way traffic.” Her eyes bored into mine as her melodic voice gave me wisdom.

I stole a glance at the beautiful features I inherited, we looked so alike people mistook her for my elder sister. She didn’t look a day older than her age with her slim figure. Her light brown wavy hair was as long as mine and her black orbs always held elation in them. Her kindness and will to help anyone who needed her even at her expense was beyond me.

“I will never forget that,” I assured her. She did have a valid point, she knew everything there was to know about a relationship. Being high school sweethearts, she and Dad had been together for twenty-three years and their love only blossomed.

“That’s my girl. I will talk to your father about taking it easy on the guy. Now smile for mama.” She grinned, spreading her arms out for a hug. I fell into them and she wrapped me in her warm embrace. She was the best mother I could ever ask for, I didn’t want to imagine what I would do without her. “Thank you,” I whispered.

“Alright, go on before your father can chase him away,” she said when we pulled apart. “And ask your sister not to burn our meal.” Ashlie couldn’t cook to save her life and was always tasked with looking after the food as it cooked, with the notion that she would learn a thing or two but to no avail.

I shuffled into the kitchen only to find it empty and if I hadn’t arrived in time, we would have no food to eat. I turned off the gas and sped to Ashlie’s room. As usual, her face was so glued on her phone she didn’t hear me stride in. To get her attention, I snatched the phone from her, a frown settling on her lips as she briskly snapped her head up.

“Shannon,” she whined, sitting up on the bed and glaring at me. I put my arms akimbo and tapped my foot on the ground rhythmically.

“Oh crap! I forgot about the food.” She face-palmed and was about to run off when I stopped her.

She heaved a sigh of relief. “You’re a lifesaver, Mom would have skinned me alive.”

“Absolutely, after I’ve broken a few of your bones.” I rolled my eyes and threw her phone on the bed. “We need to set the table.”

“Please don’t tell Dad about this, he’ll take my phone away for another whole week.” She snuggled me from the side, it was her way of blackmailing my emotions. I couldn’t say no to her whenever she peered at me with that softness in her cute brown orbs.

Anyone meeting us for the first time would mistake us for twins. She was a younger version of me, the only disparity between us was my height and mature face, she was only 19 but her tough personality would make you think otherwise. I, on the other hand, was a real softie.

I concurred to let it slide if she did the chore we both hated the most, washing the dishes. Once the table was set, we all gathered around it and Dad did the family introduction. It wasn’t long before I realized Matthew was getting along with Mom than Dad. I mouthed a thank you to her and she replied with a wink.