The buzzer went and I jumped.
“I’l get it!” Mom yel ed and immediately exited the kitchen, her snail’s pace fetching of the gravy explained. I knew she was giving Eddie and me a moment and probably eavesdropping at the same time. If her fast advance from the kitchen was anything to go by, she’d positioned herself right at the door.
My life sucked.
“I real y don’t like you,” I said, taking it out on Eddie.
He just smiled.
He let go but stayed close and I turned.
Ada walked in, Mom fol owing, stil carrying the gravy.
That explained place setting number four and Mom making me prepare enough food for an army. I had a sneaking suspicion as to who was going to be at number five and my eyes narrowed on my mother. She ignored me.
“Jet, you look pretty,” Ada said and I bent to give her a kiss.
Only Ada would describe my slut makeup as pretty.
“Hey Ada.” I greeted her.
She looked at Eddie and her eyes lit.
“And you’re Eddie.”
She offered her hand, Eddie took it and smiled at her.
She turned her bright gaze to me. “He’s a looker.” She wasn’t wrong.
“Food’s gonna get cold,” I repeated, beginning to feel both panicked and ticked off, neither of which I could let loose at that particular moment.
“But Trixie hasn’t arrived yet,” Mom said as everyone started to take their places at the round table.
“She’l have to catch up,” I replied, scooting as both Mom and Ada bumped me around like I was the bal in a pinbal machine, adeptly forcing me to sit next to Eddie.
Damn.
Damn, damn, damn.
“Jet tel s me you’re an officer of the law,” Ada said as we
“Jet tel s me you’re an officer of the law,” Ada said as we started to pass food around, Mom shakily pouring iced tea for everyone. I knew better than to take it away from her, she was chal enging herself, like the therapists told her to do, showing off in front of Eddie. Though, I wished she wouldn’t do it while dealing with liquids.
“Yeah,” Eddie replied, taking a chicken fried steak and then handing the platter to me.
“Have you ever been in a high-speed chase?” Ada asked, passing Eddie the green beans.
“Once or twice,” Eddie answered, taking beans.
Ada’s eyes got round, handing over the potatoes.
“Did anyone crash?”
“No.”
She looked disappointed then she ral ied, “Ever been in a shoot out?”
Eddie mounded potatoes on his plate, his eyes sliding to me, then back to Ada.