Chapter 19 #2
“Sorry,” I whisper, handing Owen a bunch of napkins. He wipes his dripping face as he stares at me in shock. Everyone in the area is watching us now.
“That was cold,” he says, wiping his neck.
“Literally or figuratively?” I ask.
“Both.”
“You deserve it,” Veronica hisses. “What kind of man treats his wife like that? You should dump his ass.”
I nod my head as I hand him another napkin.
“I’ll definitely take that into consideration,” I say, nodding aggressively.
“I’ll have to dump his ass after the dinner though.
You see, this is a work function. I hope you understand.
Maybe we can pretend this didn’t happen while we’re here?
And then when we get home tonight… oh boy, I’m going to dump the shit out of him. ”
Veronica’s forehead scrunches up, looking more confused than angry now.
I grab Owen’s arm. “We’re going back to our table now. We just need a few minutes for the drink order. Thanks, Veronica!”
I’m cringing as I turn around and hurry back to the table with Owen on my heels. I don’t know what she thinks of us, but whatever it is, it’s not good. I’m pretty sure half of Port Carling thinks we’re lunatics by now and we haven’t even gotten our appetizers yet.
“Let’s just get through this dinner and get out of here,” I whisper more to myself than to Owen.
We open the door and head back onto the terrace.
“What happened to you?” Edward asks when he sees Owen’s wet shirt.
“The sink malfunctioned,” I say, slipping into my seat. Newton stands up and puts his head on my lap. I pet him like he’s my emotional support animal.
“Should I get the manager?” Edward asks, looking around.
“No, no!” I quickly say. “We handled it.”
Veronica returns, and to her credit, she doesn’t mention anything. There are no more smiles though. She’s stone cold and completely serious as she takes our order.
“And I’ll have the bluefin tuna with fries,” Edward says, handing her the menu. “And I’ll be taking the bill.”
“Great,” Veronica says, shooting me and Owen one last glare before she leaves.
“Really?” Amber says, staring her dad down. “Bluefin tuna? Again?”
Edward rolls his eyes. “Can’t I order a simple meal without you criticizing me relentlessly?”
“You know it’s critically overfished,” she says. “They’re endangered.”
“Then I better eat as much of them while I can,” he says, looking around the table for a laugh that doesn’t come.
“I understand you don’t care they’re going extinct,” Amber says with her chin quivering. “I just don’t understand why you would order it when you know it bothers me so much.”
Edward sighs. “It’s just a fish.”
“It’s not just a fish,” Amber says, slamming her napkin on the plate and storming off. Her hands are balled into fists as she marches off the terrace and down to the dock.
“If she’s not back by the time her chowder comes, I’m eating it,” Tristan says. Everyone ignores him.
“I can’t do anything right with that girl,” Edward says with a heavy sigh. “We used to be so close. She would beg me to go fishing on the boat with her every time we came up here and now she suddenly cares about killing fish?”
“Well, maybe that’s why,” I say. Everyone looks at me. Oh no. Why do I even bother? I should learn how to keep my mouth shut.
“What’s why?” Edward asks.
I clear my throat and straighten up. “Maybe she valued those fishing trips as much as you did? And that’s why it’s bothering her.”
“Go on,” he says, listening carefully.
“Those fishing trips with her dad probably instilled in her a love for the water and all the creatures in it,” I say. “You can’t blame her now for wanting to protect that. She wants the fish around to enjoy with her kids like she enjoyed them with you. It’s sweet when you think about it.”
Edward drops his eyes as he considers it for a moment. Eventually, he sighs and calls the waitress over.
“I’ll change my order from the bluefin tuna to the cod,” he says.
Veronica scribbles it down and leaves.
“Excuse me,” he says as he gets up and heads after Amber. “I’ll be right back.”
Cassandra sighs as she glances over at Amber who’s pacing on the dock down below. “The start of classes can’t come fast enough.”
“I think she’s great,” I say, feeling a little defensive of my new friend.
Cassandra gives me a contemptuous smile. “How is your back? Those burpees were looking pretty rough for you. I hope you didn’t hurt anything.”
I’ll hurt you, I want to say.
“I’m fine,” I reply instead. “I was trying my best.”
“I think you did great,” Owen says, smiling at me.
I smile back at him. “Thank you.”
Edward and Amber return a few minutes later, looking like they made peace for the moment. I hate to see families fighting, even one so dysfunctional as this one.
Veronica returns with bread and our drinks.
“I put extra ice cubes in yours,” she whispers to me. “In case you want to throw it in his deplorable face.”
“What did that waitress say?” Cassandra asks when Veronica leaves with the empty tray.
“She said our dog has an adorable face.”
I swallow hard as I look under the table at Newton. He’s panting as he looks up at me, happy as ever.
I wish I could hide under the table with him.