Where Do We Go From Here?

I wiped my mouth free from any embarrassing pasta stains before saying “What are you doing here?”

Tony rubbed the back of his neck before saying “I was just—umm, coming by to check on your stop motion project. I now realize that my timing is terrible.”

I stared at him with disbelief. I was about to say something but my mother beat me to the punch.

“Nonsense!” She said brightly. “You can join us for dinner.”

Stuttering over the sounds coming out of my mouth, I said “Mom, I’m not sure if tonight is a good idea.”

Ignoring me, my mother asked Tony “Did you eat yet?”

Tony looked dumbfounded before recovering. “No, I haven’t.” He said sheepishly.

My mother’s smile hit her eyes. “Well Jim, let’s set a place for this young man.”

“Grace, are you sure?” My father asked; his eyes discreetly cutting to Veronica who was pushing around her food.

“The more the merrier.” She smiled as she stood up to grab another plate setting for Tony.

“I guess you can sit down.” I shrugged while nodding to the only open chair was directly across of my father and sandwiched between Jason and I.

Tony nodded, his cheeks flushing slightly before saying “Thanks, and I’m sorry for the intrusion.”

My father waved him off. “We like surprises.”

“So, how do you know my sister?” Jason asked.

It was rare that I ever saw this side of him, and even if I did, it was usually for Veronica since she was the only one who actually dated throughout high school. I wasn’t the dating type. Hell, I was hardly the friendly type.

Tony coughed slightly before replying with “We go to school together.”

My mother came back with the extra plate setting and arranged it for Tony. She winked at me while doing so, making me cringe with embarrassment.

“Do you have any classes with Verity?” My father asked.

This was a trick question. If Tony said yes, then my father would assume that Tony took AP classes which then would make Jason scoff at him for being a nerd. However, if Tony said no then my father would be wary of Tony while my brother would just assume he was an idiot.

I rolled my eyes. “We have art together.”

Scooping some of the pasta and meatballs onto Tony’s plate, my mother said “You like art?”

I felt bad for Tony since he was getting the third degree from my family, but in my defense I did hint that it wasn’t really good timing. I could see Veronica breathe in relief as the attention focused elsewhere.

“Yeah, but I’m not really good at it. Not like Verity anyway.” Tony blushed.

“I’m done.” Veronica said.

“No, you’re not.” My mother said sternly.

I cringed again. God, this was embarrassing. I thought to myself.

“I’m full.” Veronica remarked.

“Your plate is full.” My mother pointed out.

Rolling her eyes, Veronica asked “Well, can I at least use the bathroom? Do I really have to ask permission?”

My father never stepped in the middle of my mother and Veronica. It wouldn’t be smart to anyway. So, as usual he just sat aside and let them go at it. However, I kept flushing with embarrassment with each exchange of words.

“Yes, you have to ask. And no, you may not go to the bathroom.” My mother retorted. Her voice had a sense of absolution as she said this.

Veronica groaned in frustration. “God, am I to be treated as a child forever?!” She snapped.

“Ronnie, honey, please don’t raise your voice at the table.” My father suggested kindly.

My mother; however, was unyielding. “I will only treat you as a child if you act like one.”

My eyes cut to Tony, who sat quietly, eating his spaghetti in silence. “Tony and I are gonna take our food to the porch.” I interrupted while standing.

My mother didn’t argue and my father said nothing.

“Yeah, I’ll join you two.” Jason said as the three of us stood up, balancing our plates and drinks, before heading to the back porch that had a small round table for us to sit at.

When we were younger, the three of us—Jason, Veronica, and I—would sit at this table and play cards on rainy summer days.

Looking at Tony with an apologetic expression, I said “I’m sorry about that.”

“Don’t worry about it. Families are allowed to argue every once in a while, right?” He waved off.

“I guess.” I answered as we sat at the small table.

“So, what exactly are you doing here?” I asked.

I could feel Jason’s eyes on both Tony and I, but I chose to ignore his stare.

Tony smiled. “I was just coming here to make sure you weren’t backing out from tomorrow’s plans.”

“What’s tomorrow?” Jason cut in.

I sighed. “Apparently, I’m supposed to be going to the beach with Callie, Tony, and his friends.”

“You know you want to.” Tony teased.

I scoffed. “Hardly, I’m going because Cal’s said she won’t go if I won’t.”

“Yeah, keep telling yourself that one.” Tony joked.

“I thought you, mom, and Ronnie were gonna do a girl’s day tomorrow?” Jason asked.

“What? I don’t want to spend an entire day with them.” I exclaimed.

Jason smiled. “Well, that’s what I heard from mom anyway.”

“What the hell. I can’t put up with that for an entire day.” I said while gesturing back towards the dining room.

Jason shrugged. “I’m not the one who’s making plans.”

I sighed in frustration. “Look, you’re not obligated to come to the beach. Hell, I’ll tag along with you and your mom them.” Tony offered.

I stared at him with doubt. “Believe me; I wouldn’t want you around my mother and sister for too long.”

I could see the small smile pull onto Jason’s lips. “You two dating?” He teased.

I narrowed my eyes at Jason while Tony nearly choked from drinking his water. “No.” I said bluntly.

“Could’ve fooled me.” Jason remarked.

“Well, it doesn’t take much to fool you.” I quipped sarcastically.

“So touchy.” He whispered.

Tony laughed. “I see where you get your sarcasm from.”

“Yeah, it’s from being a part of this dysfunctional DNA bunch.” I joked.

“We put the ‘fun’ in ‘dysfunctional’.” Jason added.

A loud thump silenced our laughing. “I WAS DOING FINE IN NEW YORK!” I heard Veronica yell.

“YOU NEARLY KILLED YOURSELF WITH THAT STUNT YOU PULLED!” My mother yelled back.

“I was dropping weight for a modeling job.” Veronica’s voice—which was still stern and loud—snapped.

“But the thing is” My mother began with an obstinate voice before saying “You dropped too much weight. Look at yourself, Ronnie! You look like a skeleton.”

Jason dropped his gaze and his smile started to disappear, something that rarely happens. Veronica’s crying is what made my appetite disappear for good. I looked at Tony who was staring at me, as if waiting for me to crumble just as my sister had.

“Hey Jason” I began before saying “Can you place my dishes in the sink. I kinda want to go out for a while.” I was looking at Tony the entire time while saying this.

“Yeah, I think it’s best if you leave for a bit.” Jason answered.

I stood up first, waiting for Tony to join me.

Notes

I would've updated sooner, but my internet was acting a little funky. But I did it! :D

Let me know what you think <3