An awkward silence had quickly fallen on the dinner as everyone mainly focused on their own plates. "Um so Kosi how's the whole Exploration thing going" Jane asked trying to break the tension. "Oh well it's been great, I think we're going to break ground within the next week" Kosi replied awkwardly. "Oh that's great isn't it David?" Jane asked side eyeing her husband.
"Yeah nice, two fourteen year olds shacking up" David said in a bitter tone as he remained looking at his food. Keeping her eyes down Rue grimaced as she maligned on her food. "Don't play with your food Ruellia" David said sharply. "Okay" Rue replied meekly.
"David don't" Jane said pointedly. "Why? Tell me why shouldn't I point out that it's entirely inappropriate and just plain wrong that our fourteen year old daughter move in with some kid she's been quote unquote dating for what a couple of weeks" he said scathingly. "Unbelievable" Jane replied rolling her eyes.
"Thank you both for the meal-" "It's take-out" David said interrupting Jane. "Oh for f..." Jane said pinching the bridge of her nose. Noticing her lip twitch Kosi reached for Rues hand under the table. Caught off guard she pulled her hand back for a second and gasped.
"What is it sweetie?" Jane asked looking at Rues sudden shocked expression. "Oh nothing, um just taking a deep breath" she replied reaching back for Kosis hand and interlocking their pinky fingers. "Noticing their arms moving closer together David rolled his eyes.
"Alright you know what, yes Rue you were right. Our home wasn't a happy place and we did focus too much on you. I wish it didn't come to this but I understand why you didn't want to stay" David said in a monotonous tone. Finally looking at her father Rue smiled. Jane let out a silent sigh of relief and smiled towards Rue.
"And Kosi I think it's really impressive how much you've done all things considered" David said as Jane chagrined. "What, what did I say wrong?" he asked seeing Jane roll her eyes. "You don't say stuff like that" Jane replied.
"Oh for fuck sake what did I say wrong, most fourteen year olds are total fuck ups. He's an orphan, he's got a job and this place is pretty clean. That's more than I can say for pretty much any kid his age I've ever met" David said gesturing towards Kosi while still looking at Jane.
Out of the side of his eye Kosi noticed Rue frown at that remark. "What is it Rue?" David asking noticing the frown too. "Come on you know you can talk to me about anything" David said in an unusually soft tone. "No I can't" Rue said under her breath as she squeezed Kosis hand under the table.
"What was that?" David asked. "Honey no don't just drop it" Jane said trying to place an a hand on David's arm but he moved his out of the way. "No no Rue has something to say and I think it's only fair if we let her say it out loud" David said looking directly at Rue.
Unable to look him in the eye she squeezed Kosis hand who squeezed hers back. Taking a deep breath she looked up keeping her eyes closed. "I said no I can't talk to you" she said letting out a deep sigh when she opened her eyes.
Staring at her flummoxed father in disbelief Rue looked back down. "Now I don't think there's any need to be disrespect" David said sitting up in his seat. "I'm not being disrespectful tho" Rue replied in an exasperated tone.
Resting her hand on her husband's shoulder Jane looked at Rue. "Rue please" she said pointedly at her daughter. "Don't what mom, you both do this all the time" she said looking at them both with an exhausted sigh.
"What are you talking about sweetie do what?" Jane asked in an incredulous tone. "Dad says something or does something that puts me down and you don't stop him. You enable him and even if you say oh that's just how your father is you don't do anything about it, you let it slide and expect me to do the same that's as bad as doing it yourself" Rue said raising her voice as she squeezed Kosis hand.
"Ruellia there's no need to raise your voice at your mother-" "No no no you're not doing this again you talk over me then ask why I'm so meek. You shut me up then ask why I go quiet. You critic everything I do then ask why I'd do something behind your backs. You don't like me and you never have!" Rue said as she felt her hands start to tremble.
Fighting back tears Jane cleared her throat. Noticing her lip quiver Rues heart sank. "Well I think we should go" David said as he abruptly stood up. "I...guess you should" Rue said as her eyes dropped.