A Dinner for Two

Grinning in amusement and scarcely considering the book he had stolen from the library, the young man quickly bounded down the stairs of the two-story house directly into the kitchen. Taking his usual seat at the foot of the table, Billy asked his mother, removing their dinner from the microwave, “What’re we having?”

“Green Bean Casserole,” she replied, turning and setting the dish on the table. Ugh, the young man grunted. Why must she constantly make the one meal I can’t stand? Billy blinked, realizing only two settings were on the table.

“Where’s Heather?” he asked.

“She’s at a friend’s for the night,” his mother replied, sitting down. Figures, he thought sourly. Heather’ll be gone all weekend just to avoid the leftovers. She can’t stand this shit either, the bitch. The young man grinned, spooning a small portion into his plate. Mom should save some for her deliberately and make her eat it for once.

“Don’t take too much,” his mother said warningly. “There needs to be some left for Heather for when she comes home. I won’t have her avoiding my favorite meal anymore.”

Whoa, Billy blinked in amazement. Where did that come from? Next thing you know, she’ll be calling Heather to remind her to be home tomorrow morning. Early. Or face the consequences like, say, losing her allowance for a month.

“After dinner,” the green-eyed woman declared, after swallowing a dainty bite. “I’ll have to call her and remind Heather that she needs to be home early tomorrow morning.”

What the hell, the young man’s eyebrows rose. First Diana and now Mom… Holy shit! I’m making them do it, he realized. At least, I think I am. It could be a coincidence. Just to be sure…

“It certainly is a warm night tonight,” his mother noted, unbuttoning several buttons of her teal blouse. Billy grinned in elation, his dark brown eyes glittering wickedly. I wonder, he thought. Tell me – tell me something about me that I don’t know…

The brown-haired woman paused and set down her forkful of casserole, glancing at the young man pensively.

“I’ve always wondered,” she said after a moment. “Why your father really **** you upon us. All he told me was that he wanted a son, after Michelle was born and his accident at work effectively neutered him.”

The young man stared at her in shock as she shrugged and returned her attention to the meal. I’m – not related to my family – at all? How come they didn’t tell me? Billy chewed at his lower lip, his brow furrowing. But – this certainly does explain why my moth– no, I’ll not call her that, not anymore – and Heather have treated me like shit since Dad died. They don’t see me as family. Well, I think things are really going to change around here…