ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟙𝟞 #2
Cameron knocks at the door gently, pulling at my waist slightly. He looks at me, saying, don't worry, you look beautiful. Because the entire time on the car ride, I told him I felt out of place with his family.
The door opens slowly, and out pops Polly in a polka-dotted sundress with her hair down in a headband. It was like she was trying to fit in and look younger than she really was.
She was failing badly.
She immediately hugs Cameron, basically forcing him to let go of my waist. "Cameron!"
"Look at you," she lets go, pulling at his cheeks. "Ah, my baby is all grown up."
"Hi mom." he hugs her back, laughing quietly.
Cameron glances at me to say hi, but my throat is dry. Finally, I clear the lump in my throat. "Hi, Polly."
Her eyes don't register me at first, but once I speak up she turns to me, the energy in the air shifting. "Oh, Dixie."
"How are you?" I ask, smiling tightly. She looks me up and down before welcoming us inside.
"Great! Great. Just peachy." She smiles.
Ralph comes up to us, and by us I mean mostly Cameron. He balding quickly, and his sharp blue eyes follow every movement.
"Well, well, well. If it isn't Mr. West." He pats Cameron's shoulder twice before pulling him into the most awkward hug I've ever seen.
He fixes up his collar while Polly carefully removes his jacket, putting it on their coat hook. They treat him as if he's a child going to kindergarten for the first time instead of a firefighter visiting his family.
The man was turning 30 in the next couple of months. It's kind of weird honestly.
I hover sheepishly beside Cameron as he gets showered with hugs and compliments before I hear light footsteps coming my way. Before I can look, Jonathan crashes into me. Cameron's little brother who had just started the third grade.
"Dixie, Dixie! You're here!" He embraces me, jumping up and down excitedly.
"Hi Jonathan." I say, squeezing him back. Behind him is Molly-Cameron's younger sister. She waves at me before joining the group hug.
"Hey Molly. How are you guys?" I ask.
They both say good in unison.
A sharp voice comes out from behind me. It was Polly.
I've always wondered how such a wicked woman could birth literal angels. Two negatives make a positive?
"Molly, Jonathan, leave her alone, I don't think she wants your company." She walks over, her voice tightening as she crosses her arms.
"No, it's fine Polly. They just came to say hi." I tell her, but she yanks her kids away from me, shaking her head.
"I said no. Now you two get forks and knives. For the dinner table." She lets them run off into the kitchen.
"Next time, Dixie, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't touch my kiddos. Nothing personal, kay?" She smiles.
Who was she to decide what I wanted? Sure they were her kids, but she was getting mad at me because they ran me to me. That was the last thing I needed to confirm her hatred for me. It had been obvious before, but whatever.
I smile right back. "Of course."
Something flashes through her eyes, disappointment. I think she wanted a reaction, but unfortunately for her, I left most of my energy at home.
Ralph clears his throat as if to quickly end the tension. "Still enjoying the firefighting thing?"
The way he says it makes it feel like firefighting isn't a legitimate and professional job. I see Cameron's smile tighten, his jaw ticking.
As though Cameron might've switched careers overnight.
"No, Dad," Cameron smiles politely. "I became a professional circus clown."
Ralph looks horrified for half a second before realizing Cameron is joking.
"You know what I mean."
Ralph folds his arms. "You still haven't reconsidered the company?"
"Yeah."
Ralph hums. "Interesting."
"Such a waste of a brilliant business mind." Polly hangs up Cameron's jacket.
He laughs quietly. Honestly, what else was he supposed to do in a situation like this? Now I can understand why he didn't take after his father.
I watch Cameron carefully, waiting for him to get annoyed like I would if I were him. Instead he exhales, smiling just a bit. "I like my job."
Ralph sighs. "You could be running divisions by now."
"I know."
"Inherited leadership responsibilities,"
Cameron nods.
"And most importantly, be the son that made me proud."
Cameron's face crumbles at that slightly, but he quickly hides it with a slight nod.
Something about it makes my chest hurt. Every rescue, every firefighter call, every life saved, every family reunited- part of him is still chasing the day he couldn't save his daughter. Still trying to make peace with it.
Of course, Ralph and Polly don't know that. Maybe they'll never fully understand. And maybe it's better that way.
"Well." She claps her hands together. "No need to stand around all evening."
Polly and Ralph lead us to the dinner table, and Jonathan and Molly come out with the last set of fork and knives, placing it on my plate.
Jonathan winks, whispering, "You're welcome."
I smile, patting his back. He goes back to sit with Molly. Across from him and Molly, is me and Cameron, and at the ends of the table are Polly and Ralph.
Once Cameron says grace, everyone begins to eat. I won't lie- it is a lot of food. Enough to feed a small country. I genuinely didn't understand how six people were supposed to consume all of this.
As everyone settles, Cameron's hand quietly finds mine beneath the table. I immediately look at him- he doesn't even look back. Instead, he fetches for a dinner roll.
I attempt pulling away, but his fingers tighten. It's enough to tell me no. I glare and him for a long minute before he finally glances over.
"Want a roll?" He asks, stuffing his mouth with his free hand.
I roll my eyes, smiling just a bit. "No, Cameron. I don't want a roll."
Jonathan immediately starts piling food onto his plate. He has turkey, bacon, eggs, everything you could think of.
Polly starts to spin her fork in her spaghetti. "So, Dixie. How's that law working out for you?"
Everyone straightens. That was weird- like even the kids knew that sound.