The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller(46)

“You look beautiful,” he whispers lightly against my ear as he seats himself next to me. “I’m sorry. I should have said that before. I’m just…I don’t know.” He glances to the other end of the table. “Something’s off with Quinn. I can feel it.”
“You think?” I ask, following his stare. “I mean, at least she’s making an effort. That has to count for something right?”
He shrugs, unfolding his napkin. “I guess we’ll see.”
His eyes meet mine and after another measured intake of my appearance, he adds, “Really, Bree. You look gorgeous.”
Glancing down, I appraise the off-white layered tunic and black leggings. My nose scrunches and I glance back at him.
“Really? I feel kind of underdressed.” He’s clad in a black, fitted, button-up dress shirt which is tucked neatly inside his charcoal dress pants. “You look like you’re actually attending a fancy dinner and I just look like I’m going to the movies.”
He chuckles lightly before facing me again. Tucking a strand of blonde hair behind my ear, he whispers, “Breathtaking.”
Backing away, he gives me a wink before picking up his menu and I just grin like a dope. My eyes find Linda’s filled with giddy excitement while her face is practically splitting in two. I shake my head at her and she giggles from behind her menu. Lifting it to shield us from the others at the table, she says, “I just can’t get over it, Aubrey. You look so happy.”
She exhales and reaches forward to take my hand into hers. “I know Christmas was a bit rough with me being sick and all, but I should have said it more. You are so lovely, Aubrey. Just beautiful.”
Her eyes glisten, and the moisture dances in the candlelight as she squeezes my hand. Releasing it, she lowers her menu with her eyes still on me. My throat constricts and I swallow, giving her a shy smile in return before collective laughter from across the table nabs my attention.
Kaeleb’s grandparents.
Having met them earlier in the day, I find it no surprise that he and his grandfather are already discussing the latest wave of politics. His grandmother catches my eye as she shakes her head and I’m forced to cover my mouth to hide my laughter. I fell in love with her the minute we met and I can’t wait to get to know her better over dinner.
Knowing that Kaeleb’s relationship with his parents is non-existent, I was happy to see them show up this year for the Parents Weekend festivities. Last year we all thought the idea to invite family was lame, so we didn’t, but this year it seems as though the need for family overruled our way-too-cool-for-that-shit mentality.
I think it’s nice that they’re here. It’s something we all seem to find comfort in.
Or at least I thought that was the case, but as my eyes dart down to raised voices, I find Quinn looking anything but comforted. A couple of servers have arrived, placing two heaping plates of fresh calamari at either end of our table, and I watch as Quinn’s mother loads a plate. She slides it in front of Quinn only to have it stubbornly shoved back in her direction.
Kaeleb’s head twists slowly in my direction and we exchange worried glances before looking back at Quinn and her parents. In a black pencil skirt, matching blazer, and chignon-styled hair, Quinn’s mother looks impeccable. But the frantic look on her face contradicts her collected appearance.
Her eyes break from Quinn and dart up to her equally immaculate husband. He sternly shakes his head before leaning into Quinn’s ear, muttering words that make her chin tremble. When he’s done with his reprimand, he relaxes back into his seat and casually sips his wine. I glance back to his wife, who’s watching Quinn’s reaction like a hawk.
Just when I thought Quinn couldn’t get any smaller, she folds so deeply into herself that she no longer seems to exist. Worried about her, I tense to stand, but Kaeleb places his hand on my knee. With his eyes trained on Quinn, he subtly shakes his head. I breathe and attempt to relax my leg muscles, but my jaw remains clenched as I continue to stare. Her mother places the plate back in front of Quinn, but when she presses it away again, I stop watching and turn to Linda who also eyes their exchange with uneasiness.
With nervous anxiety, my foot bounds repeatedly off the floor. Kaeleb squeezes my knee gently before tearing his attention away from the commotion and striking up conversation with his grandparents.
Things simmer down for a while until everyone’s main courses arrive, only to start up again.
And when it does, it ignites with a bang.
Quinn’s fork clatters loudly as she throws it onto the table in frustration. It bounces off the expensive china, drawing every single person’s attention within twenty feet. The murmurs of the restaurant die down as people drop their conversations and turn to our table. Her mother’s face reddens while her father gives a severe glare.
“Quinn, this childish behavior will not be tolerated,” he states, the power in his voice practically vibrating the table until the power of his palm lands flat against it, causing an actual quake. My body jumps in response and my heart rate picks up with the need to protect my friend.
I throw my napkin down and place my hands on the table, but Quinn’s tear-filled eyes hold mine as she shakes her head. Breaking away from me, she looks to Kaeleb and dips her head in apology before meeting her parents’ stares.
Deliberately, she dabs her mouth with her napkin—no idea why—and then sets it on the table, rising as she turns her focus solely on her mother.
“I’m extremely surprised, Mother, that my appearance seems to bother you so much. I mean, isn’t this what you wanted?” She breaks to display her body, “For me to be skinny and perfect? Yet, here I am, skinny and perfect, and it’s still not good enough for you?”