"Harley, why isn't the salad ready?" Mother yells from the dining room. I run my hand over my face and try to steady my voice before I yell, "You said you would do the salad." I basically hear her eye roll and then a second later she storms into the room, her hands on her hips.
"Do I have to do everything myself?" She huffs. I try to school my expression. The lasagna and bread rolls I made from scratch, the apple pie and cinnamon sauce I also made myself. I look around the room trying to find something my mother actually did.
Oh, wait she did buy the wine. "Where's Lola?" Mother asks. I look up at the time. "Oh shit. I forgot to pick her up." I say and quickly scoop up my jacket and keys. But before I can sprint out the door I hear a high pitched screech. "HARLEY!!!" Oh, nevermind it's only Rachelle. "What do you want?" She glares at me, "I want you to pick up Colton from the daycare." I glare at her, "Weren't you meant to do that at twelve?" She shrugs, "I was in the middle of a hair appointment." I glare at her, "Of course you were."
I quickly swing by the daycare place to pick up Colton first and to say the people were pissed would be an understatement. When I pull up to the rich ass private school the people give me tight smiles, like geez sorry I only was fifteen minutes late to pick her up.
I ignore the rude teachers and stuck up students and hop back into the car grinning and laughing at Colton's stories about daycare, and Lola reenactments of the mean girl in her school, the whole time I'm trying not to show how freaked I am about the time. As we start driving home I can't help but notice their moods dims the closer we get.
I really wish my eighteenth birthday was sooner.
*****
"Harley, what took you so long." Mother growls, "Traffic," I say walking further into the room adjusting Colton on my hip and sending Lola to her room with the instruction of getting changed. Mother glares at me, "How is that my fault, I needed you here." I run my hand through my hair. I refrain from telling her that Rachelle was here the whole time but instead just say, "They're going to be here soon, so can I get changed now?" Mother glares at me,
"You still need to vacuum and set the table." I glare at her, "Can't you set the table?" Mother gasps at me, "I do everything for you, and I ask you to do one simple thing.'' This morning replays in my mind, so I agree not wanting to get in trouble again.
"I'll finish cleaning first," I mutter. I lower Colton down onto the floor. "Up, up Har har." Colton giggle holding up his arms for me to lift him up, I grin and kiss his nose causing him to giggle again. "Can you just do your work and stop trying to brainwash my kid?" Rachelle growls. I glare at her, especially when she harshly tugs Colton along with her. "You're hurting him," I manage to grind out. She just flips me off and continues to walk up the stairs.
Just as I finish laying out the glasses the bell rings. "I'll get that." Mother yells. I look down at myself. I'm still in the clothes I wore to school. On my way to my bedroom, I see Colton pulling at the little bowtie Rachelle made him wear, "You look quite handsome little man." I say kneeling down so I'm his height. He grins at me, "I fink so too."
I laugh and continue to make my way toward my room. I take the fastest shower known to man, deciding not to wash my hair. I put on a thigh-length black long sleeve dress knowing that it will cover the bruises Lucca left and brush my hair leaving it loose to finish up the look I put on peach lip gloss and a hint of mascara.
I've just slipped on black heels when Lucca comes in."Why aren't you down there?" I tense up, he's stressed and that usually doesn't end well for me. "I had to finish the cleaning so I..." he shuts me up with a quick backhand across the cheek.
"No excuses girl, and don't you dare cry." I nod. "I'll be down in five," he shakes his head, "Two." When he closes the door I go back to my vanity and try my best to hide the red mark.
"Harley, nice of you to finally join us." I put on my best smile as I enter the sitting room. I try not to show my fear when I see who's sitting there. Three men and their wives, the men I've seen before and they are pervs at best.
"This is Harley, my second girl." Mother says fake pride and affection lacing her voice. I smile at the guests when really all I want to do is run. "You look very pretty," Coleton whispers. I kiss his head, "You're too cute, little man." Coleton giggles but quickly shuts up at the look one of the men gives him.
"Something smells good Lisa," One of the wives says, addressing my mother. I never bothered to learn their names. Mum grins, "It's the lasagna I made." I clench my teeth. That bitch. Lucca looks around the room, "Well I think it's about time we eat it then." he says with a smile. I cringe his smiles so fake.
Mother nods, "Harley, can you get the food out of the oven please." I smile and nod, then walk out to the kitchen. Bringing it out I set it on the large table, Lucca and the oldest man at the heads. Rachelle takes a seat next to me and mother sits next to her. "This is just really good Lisa, how long did it take you to cook?" The brunette asks.
The fork stops halfway to her mouth. I may hate my mother but I'm not cruel so I answer for her, "It took her three hours to prepare and two to bake." All the attention flicks to me, "The timing also depends on how much you make." They all nod like they have a clue what I'm talking about.
"Harley, where's the salad." I stop, "I thought you were making it?" I dumbly say, "No, you were making it. I can't do everything myself."
I shake my head trying not to stress at the expression my stepfather is shooting me, "I had to go pick up Lola and Colton, I completely forgot when I got home." Mother glares at me, "Well then, you better go make it. You can't expect me to keep fixing your mistakes." I feel my cheeks turn red. "I'm sorry, I'll go do that now," I say quietly.