sure they would all be dressed to the nines and my mother and I would just stand out as we always did here.
I finally settled on wearing what I always did, jeans and a warm winter sweater. Walking over to the main house, I passed Kyler’s pool house and was tempted to knock on the door. I wasn’t sure why I wanted to see him after the way he treated me, but that song list he sent made me feel like maybe he needed to explain his behavior. He owed me at least that. But my own pride wouldn’t allow me to make the first move. Those three songs weren’t good enough; I deserved more. Pulling my coat tighter against me, I walked on, ignoring the tiny twinge in my heart.
When I got to the house, my mom and Monica were already placing plates and food on the table. I wondered why the serve staff wasn’t there: usually, Monica just came down once everything was already in place. I was shocked that she even knew how to set a table. Mom smiled when she saw me.
“Come on in and help us, Maddy. Don’t just stand there like a bump on a log.”
I walked over and started to place the cutlery where it belonged, folding napkins beside each plate. Monica walked up to the intercom and called upstairs to Tamlin.
“Tammy is on her way down. Edward won’t be joining us, unfortunately. He has an important meeting in the city.” I’d noticed that Monica and Edward didn’t act like my parents had. My dad was constantly rubbing up against my mom and kissing her every single chance he got, they acted like a couple of teenagers. Monica and Edward were cold and distant, more polite than anything else. Monica actually seemed more alive when her husband wasn’t around than when he was.
“Maddy!” Tammy called, rushing towards me, her arms open wide. I hugged her, so happy to see how well she looked. The last time I saw her she was lifeless and limp and now she was vibrant, the color back in her cheeks. She looked really good, she looked healthy and happy. “It’s so good to see you,” she said, giving me a final squeeze before letting go.
“You too. Are you starting classes soon?”
Something must have been wrong with my question; maybe it was my timing, because both my mom and Monica stopped what they were doing and stared at us nervously. My mom was ringing her hands, twirling her fingers continuously while Monica was fidgeting with a knife and fork, almost as if she didn’t know what they were used for.
“I sure am. I’ve managed to keep up while at rehab.” She then glanced at her mom and quickly added, “There is no need to worry. I’m fine. Everything is fine. Let’s just go on like normal. Okay?” Monica nodded her head and smiled sweetly. Before anyone could say anything, Kyler appeared, looking cool and unaffected just like always. I cast my eyes down, scared of looking at him after our last interaction.
“Kyler, it’s lovely that you could join us,” Monica said. “Please, everyone sit down. Tonight will be self-serve, I’m afraid.” We all sat down at the extensive table, Kyler just standing there until everyone was seated. “Kyler, please sit.” Monica gestured to the seat closest to Kyler. He ignored her suggestion and went around the table, taking the seat beside mine. Everyone traded looks with their eyebrows raised and their lips turned up into a sly smile. Kyler ignored them, just as he tended to ignore most things around him.
“So, Madison, how are you finding my alma mater, Black Mountain Academy? It’s a lovely campus, isn’t it? We earmarked an endowment a while back specifically for landscaping--I find it impossible to learn anything new if I’m not inspired by my surroundings,” Monica bubbled as she passed me the mashed potatoes.
“I’m really enjoying my classes,” I said, keeping the content light. “And I never imagined a high school could be so pretty.”
“The kids chosen to attend Black Mountain Academy aren’t just high-schoolers, Madison; they’re the future leaders of America. Every one of them was hand-selected for their potential, and the academy does its best to live up to that standard of limitless potential we see in its students.” Monica took a pristine bite of her food.
“Or their rich parents buy them in,” Kyler said.
The table fell silent, no one speaking or saying anything. Growing up, during dinner I was