Chapter 5 – Mabel
Chapter Five
MABEL
Dammit Mama.
She’s really become a shit stirrer in her old age.
I’m right across from Anika. Henry is sandwiched between her and Mama.
My heart breaks for my little brother, he’s at the edge of the table on the opposite side, I wish I could change seats with him without putting anymore attention on Anika, she looks like she’s one burst of wind from running away.
The longing on his face is like a neon sign. I don’t know what Mama was thinking, not preparing him for their arrival but it feels cruel. It’s so obvious that Paul has feelings for Anika. I don’t understand why he didn’t try to pursue something with her, especially after he got her pregnant.
I’ve learned to keep my questions to myself, though. Paul rarely gets mad but questions about his relationship with Anika definitely set him off.
“Dish up then I can let you in on my plans.” Mama’s smile is so wide it looks like it hurts but no one offers up a disagreement.
Like the well-oiled machine our family has become after thirty plus years of dinner together, we grab whatever’s in front of us and dish up food onto our plates then passing to the next person.
Another reason I’d love to change seats with Paul, you ask?
I’m sitting right next to Jude and he smells addicting. It’s obvious he showered before coming to dinner, his hair is wet and he doesn’t have his usual ball cap on. The mixture of his soap, honey and farm is driving me insane.
He smells like home.
Every breath I take in fills my lungs with his unique mixture. My panties are wet, my nipples are tingling and my stomach is churning with anxiety.
It seems like horny anxiety is becoming my default setting nowadays.
Once everyone’s plates are loaded and all the serving trays have returned to the middle of the table, Mama takes a deep, dramatic breath.
“It’s been too long since we’ve all been down to the cabin. I know summer is a busy time here at the Farm but I’ve worked some magic with everyone’s schedules and we are all going up for a long weekend between the Fourth and Pioneer Day.”
Yes.
Yes, yes yes.
That’s exactly what I need!
The arousal and anxiety are quickly replaced with excitement and anticipation. Mama is still talking but I stopped listening but I tune back in once I realize I’m getting ahead of myself.
“Anika agreed to come up with us, which means, we’ll have the whole family.” Henry lets out a squeal of glee and I want to join him. This sounds like the perfect weekend and I just want to fast forward and get to this perfect escape.
“I’ll make sure everything keeps running smoothly while you are gone.” Jude’s rumbling voice wriggles down my spine and hits me right in my clit. I want to punch this sexy giant for inadvertently keeping me on edge.
“Oh, no. Judey, you’re coming too. I want the whole family together.” Mama’s words are fierce and leave no room for argument.
“That sounds great, Mama. Patrick and I can’t wait.” Elle cuts in, doing her best to stop any objections before anyone can say anything.
“Yeah, Mama. That sounds amazing.” Lola echoes her excitement.
Mama shoots the agreeable trio a smile. “Well, that’s settled. Let’s eat.”
Dinner passes by without much more excitement. Henry is his typical three year old energized self, making a mess of the pasta dish Mama prepared. We chat more about wedding prep which is coming up quicker than I can believe.
Two months and my grumpy little sister was going to be somebody’s wife.
I couldn’t freaking wait to watch her marry her soulmate.
Patrick really was the perfect partner for Elle.
Conversation eventually flowed to plans for my birthday, I didn’t particularly want to discuss plans in front of Jude but realistically the only thing he could be involved in would be family dinner.
If he did happen to infiltrate another dinner with the family, I would just make sure to sit as far away from him as humanly possible.
“Well, we better get going. It’s almost this big guy’s bedtime and we need to get back into town.
” Anika ruffles Henry’s hair before pushing back from the table.
My gaze flicks to my brother but he says nothing, just stands and walks over to Henry, giving him a tight hug.
“I’ll be home soon, buddy. I just have to help Gramma with something. ”
Henry nods and lets out a big yawn. “‘Kay, Daddy.” A quick round of hugs for the rest of the family and Anika is slipping her and Henry’s shoes on.
“Let me walk you out.” I hustle over to the pile of shoes, slipping on my old sandals before following them out. Once we are out the door, Henry starts to show his true exhaustion, motioning for his mother to pick him up.
Anika, of course, immediately scoops him into her arms and Henry burrows his head into her neck. My heart pangs at the beautiful bond between the two of them.
A familiar longing makes it momentarily hard to take a breath.
“It was so good to see you, Nik. I can’t wait to spend the weekend with you and Henry.”
“Yeah, it will be fun. I haven’t been up to the cabin in years.” We’ve reached her car and I hold off my reply while Anika buckles Henry into his car seat.
My mind wanders to how close Anika had been to our family years ago. It wasn’t only Paul that she pulled away from, it was all of us. It still hurts but I’m feeling hopeful that this dinner was the first step towards rebuilding that bridge.
“Well, I’ll let you go but, really, it was so nice to have you here tonight.” I wrap my arms around Anika in a quick hug. There’s hesitation on her end but soon enough she hugs me back. It’s a brief hug but I can’t help the smile that pulls at my lips.
I stay outside and watch Anika drive away, following her tail lights as they get farther and farther away. I’m stuck in my head, focused on a future that wasn’t an option any longer. My nose starts to burn as memories threaten to overwhelm me.