Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Luke
" F lip it?" Addison asks as she stands on a chair next to me in Deanna's kitchen.
With critical eyes, I look at the pancake, waiting for the telltale bubbles around the edges and in the middle. It's how my grandfather taught me, and I dreamed of teaching it to a child one day. So far that hasn't been what life has had planned for me, but I'm thankful to be here for Addison today. "Yup, see those bubbles? That's how you know."
She holds her bottom lip between her teeth as she works the spatula under the mix, and flips it one smooth motion. "I did it!"
"Good job! Now, see how it's a nice golden brown?"
She nods, her eyes looking for approval.
"That's perfect. If we make the rest of them like this, then we'll have a great breakfast for your mom and Malcolm."
I've been here for a couple of weeks, and so far we haven't heard anything from Kyle or Joe. It's the calm before the storm. I know that like I know the back of my hand. The only thing I can do is make sure we're prepared. Which means this afternoon I'm taking Deanna and Addison to a self-defense class.
"Something smells fucking amazing." Malcolm shuffles into the kitchen, pulling a shirt over his head.
"Language." Addison is a stickler for the rules, and Deanna doesn't allow either one of them to cuss.
"Mom's not here." He pulls a face at her, then his eyes travel over to me. "And while I like Luke, he ain't my dad."
"Think again. I don't know where you think I am, but I heard that mouth in my bedroom,” Dee says, stepping out of her room.
I glance between the two of them. There are a lot of times when Malcolm is the man of the house, and that can be confusing for a teenager, but Deanna does a good job. When she needs to step in and remind him of his place, she does so without being condescending. She's waiting for him to apologize or acknowledge what she's said.
He rolls his neck. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be talking like that inside, but it does smell good."
It takes everything I have to keep the smile off my face. "Your sister has done a lot of it, and I'm sure she's proud."
"I am. Luke taught me how to make the pancakes so I can do it by myself."
"Only if you say it's okay." I look over at Deanna. "She understands you need to ask for permission first. Don't you, Addie?"
She nods enthusiastically. With the spatula, she turns the pancake like a pro onto the plate, then pours another measuring cup of batter onto the skillet. "I do, but I got this."
A laugh works its way past my throat. I've never had this with anyone. Not other girlfriends, nor my own family. As an only child, my best friend was my grandfather, and since he died six years ago, I haven't been the same.
Deanna glances over at me, her eyes meeting mine. A genuine smile spreads widely across my face. Thank you , she mouths. You're welcome , I answer back. There's so much I wish I could say with the words, but I hope my gaze transmits just how lucky she is to have the family she does. You're amazing , I try to convey. These kids, they are the best parts of the relationship that has caused so much trauma for everyone involved.
"Breakfast is ready," Addison announces, and directs everyone to fill up their plates.
"I don't think I can," Deanna says as she side-eyes me.
We're in the gym, and I'm giving her and Addison their self-defense lesson. She's breaking down because she doesn't believe in herself. I'm trying to get underneath all of it because I know that close to the surface all she wants is to protect herself and her family. If it came down to it, she would kill on sight. I know this about her, she needs to realize this about herself. Fight or flight will kick in and she'll be able to do whatever it takes.
"You can, I promise. It doesn't matter how small you are compared to your would-be attacker. If you can center your gravity and apply what I've just taught you, you can buy enough time to get away."
She shakes her head. "I don't want to hurt you."
"You aren't going to hurt me. Go ahead." There's not much going on in the gym, so we sound louder than normal. It almost sounds as if I'm yelling at her.
"C'mon, Mom, you can do it." Addison claps, giving encouragement the only way she knows how.
Deanna turns to say something to her daughter, and at that moment, I take advantage of her not paying attention. I move in and grab her arm. How she responds puts me flat on my ass, but I've never been more proud in my life.
"Oh my God, Luke, I'm so sorry." Her hands are in front of her mouth and she looks mortified, eyes wide and eyebrows up. "I didn't mean to."
The breath is knocked from me, and it takes a few deep inhales for me to get my wits about me. Coughing, I struggle to get up, and when I do, I wrap my arms around her. "You've got this. You can do it. That reaction tells me everything I need to know. Now come on, show me what else you've got."
With her chin set and a fire in her eyes, Deanna does exactly as I asked.