"Girl, you have skipped enough dinners and I keep getting beat up, so you're coming," she pauses "mmhmm?"
"Whaaaaattttttt?" I let out frustratedly.
"You're coming and that's that" she concludes for me. "I just hope your job is way better than mine."
And with that last sentence, we burst into a fit of laughter. "Bye, love you."
"Love you too bestie," she says back and the line goes dead.
Talking to her is therapeutic.
I'm effortlessly trying to concentrate but I'm making an awful show of it. Baya's call just got me thinking a whole lot about a lot of things. She is the only one I still keep up with since I moved out, well since we both moved out. For some reason, my parents found the time to have a family get-together and trap us. Great. And to top it off, it's a weekend trip. Just Great.
I got back home late that night but because Jason is so sweet I don't have to stress about making something to eat.
We moved in together six months ago and we've been together for two years,
"Welcome babe." he hugs me and kisses me on my forehead. I just remain still in his arms because I do not have the strength to do or say anything. I just breathe. I know this family gathering is going to be a crazy one.
I take a shower and sit with Jason for dinner and we have our routine. Watching a cheesy rom-com while he massages my feet. I wake up by 4 am and begin packing up for the trip because I can't sleep anymore. Probably because I'm getting really bad anxiety just remembering my parents. My flight is in a few hours and It's a four-hour flight so Jason drives me to the airport and I make my way to my parent's private jet. Yes, my parents are rich, not just rich, filthy rich and I am broke or used to be rather. I make a pretty decent income now really. I'm surprised they sent it to get me given my being a disappointment and all but I'm certain it has something to do with my forever bestie.
I've never been so right, the moment I'm inside the plane I see her all dressed up and sipping champagne.
"How did you pull this off?" I ask with a cocked brow.
"I know my rights," she shrugged. "And a Thank you would be very much preferred."
I take the space beside her and pour myself a glass of Champagne downing it in one gulp.
"Yo, chill," she tells me.
"I'd rather be anywhere but here" I sigh, leaning My head back.
"Well on the bright side, we're here together." She gives me a little squeeze. "Now drink up, we need to be as lightheaded as we can get by the time we arrive."
And so I do just that I drink until I can't feel anything anymore. I wake up to the pilot's voice saying we have arrived at our destination…. Family drama time.
***
We arrive at our rental by noon and it seems everyone else, my mom, dad, sister, and brother-in-law have already arrived. The rental has four rooms and is located by the beach. We make our way to our room quietly, we're sharing a room and our view has got to be the best. Our itinerary for the weekend is sent to our emails courtesy of my sister.
Barbara Roberts 9:27 am
to me
ITINERARY FOR OUR WEEKEND FAMILY GETAWAY
Friday:
Mid-morning: Explore the beach, go for a swim, or relax by the shore.
- Lunch: Seafood at the rental.
- Late Afternoon: Take a hike or bike ride.
Saturday:
- Morning: Wake up early for a sunrise yoga session on the beach.
- Breakfast: Have a leisurely breakfast at a beachfront cafe.
- Mid-morning: Go snorkeling or kayaking.
- Lunch: Picnic on the beach with sandwiches and fruit.
- Afternoon: Visit a local market or artisan shops for souvenirs.
- Evening: Seafood dinner at the beachside.
Sunday:
- Morning: Boat tour to visit nearby islands.
- Lunch: Have a seafood feast onboard.
- Afternoon: Relax on the beach, read a book, or take a nap in a hammock.
- Evening: Watch the sunset and head back home.
"She sure wants to fill us with seafood," I say.
"Seafood breakfast, lunch, and dinner," Baya and I laugh.
"Well if anyone has a problem with it they should have taken the liberty to plan the weekend…" Barbara interrupts. She's now standing in the doorway.
"Busted…" Baya remarks and we try to keep our laughing down. "You did great but less seafood could have been appreciated. I mean one of us could have developed an allergy since the last time we've been together."
"Then deal with it." she rolls her eyes and walks out on us. "Also do us all a favor and keep your terrible habits to yourself." she directs to no one in particular. But we all know she's talking to me and Baya. I mean why won't she judge us when she's the ideal daughter? The perfect life, job, and the only one of us with family, husband, and two kids, but nobody cares.
"Bitch," Baya murmurs and I give her one of those eyes, "What, didn't you see what she just did" I just shake my head at her because I don't want to take any sides.
We both have lunch and spend the rest of the day in our room. We don't have to say anything but we have this silent understanding that we're preparing ourselves for meeting the family tomorrow and hopefully, it all turns out great.
***
I woke up to a loud noise. My parents have always had creative ways to wake us up. I freshen up and head downstairs to where everyone is gathered for our yoga session, the instructor saying a lot of things I'm not in the least bit interested in. It's my first time being in the same room with my parents in years and I can feel the tension.
You know me and my history with sports and Barbara knows this too but she hates me so much she just has to, saying "We can't all be unfit because of you" Bitch!
Everyone sees me struggling and I eventually stop trying when my lungs begin to burn.
"Lia," my mum says."You need to stop being lazy and start some exercise, you're adding in the wrong places. Look at your sister." she gestures to Barbara, did I mention she has the perfect body too, well she does.
"Took you long enough" Baya murmurs ending her workout out and I move into the house behold her heading straight to the kitchen to soothe my aching and very hungry stomach. I make myself a coffee and two sandwiches because I know Baya would always beg for my food.
"How could you," she mocks exclaims taking a sandwich, "she is gonna be so pissed "
"It's morning and I'm having coffee. That's pretty much breakfast at a Café." I shrug. "Just mines an In-rental Café."
"What are you doing?" Barbara's angry voice asks. Speak of the devil. She gives us the stink eye and walks away like isn't it obvious we're eating??.
***
The picnic happened on the beach and my parents as always went all out, there's a tent, blankets, and food, and it looked really pretty. My nephews played around our blankets while the rest of us sat keeping to ourselves to show how pathetic my family is. My parents and Barbara were talking to themselves while I and Baya stayed on our phones texting each other and sending reels. My poor brother-in-law was on his own and I couldn't help but think there was something wrong and just then Baya sent a text.
Baya: What's up with him?
Me: Him who?
She gestures at my brother-in-law with her eyes.
Me: I don't know. They probably fought. You know how annoying Barbara is.
Baya: No that's not it. It's something more.
Me: That's none of our business anyway
Baya: A hundred dollars says they're getting divorced.
Me: I am not betting on my sister's marriage 😒
"Lia, Baya," My mum interrupts. "Could you at least pretend to be interested in our conversation?"
Baya: Yes you are! 😌
"It's not like they'd have anything to say anyways," Barbara says. "What do they know about anything with no jobs and no relationships?"
Baya: Oh no she didn't
Me: Oh yes she did
Baya: I'm so sorry
Me: For??
"Forgive me for not knowing anything," Baya retorts and I just know I'm going to regret the next thing that comes out of her mouth "But Lia has a stable job at a very important company and a rich and serious boyfriend"
"Now that's new" Barbara scoffs.
"So tell us about your boyfriend Lia, when do we get to meet him" my mum asks," What's his name, family?" They have this obsession with reputable families and all that nonsense.
"You'll meet him soon ma'am," I tell her.
"And where do you work?" my dad asks "Is it reputable?" Again with reputation.
"How about Thanksgiving?" my mum interrupts, "He's invited."
"Alright mum"
"And…"
"Mummyyyy…" One of my nephews starts crying and everyone's attention is shifted to them.
Me: Apology unaccepted.
Baya: You're welcome.
***
Thankfully dinner goes by quickly and no one remembers a thing about my life. I go to bed early because I want to talk to Jason and I can't wait. I miss him so much.
"Hey babe," he answers.
"I miss you so much and we haven't had the time to talk much"
The door to my room opens and Baya comes in for the night trying to tell me something.
"I know babe me too"
"I got you something at the arti…"
"Uh, babe I'll call you back later. Bye. Love you." And the line goes dead. The shortest conversation we've ever had in our three years. I check the time and it's past midnight, everybody else I asleep already.
"Are you lovebirds done?" She asks me.
"Now come."
We walk to the opposite side of our room and she asks me to lean my ears on the wall and I can hear Barbara moan.
"She's fucking her husband, how does that concern us?" I ask Baya.
"Only that her husband left after you went to bed. Said something about a work emergency."
"Holy shit."
"I know, " Baya whisper screams.
And that encourages us to keep on eavesdropping.
"Ahhhh... Your cock... it's so big." Barbara moans.
"Babe, relax." a man says. I've heard that voice before for sure."Touch yourself. I want you to cum on my dick."
Oh god, oh god, oh god. Yes Yes Yes. FUCCCKKKKK. I'm cumming Blake."
"Blake" Baya and I say simultaneously. That's the yoga instructor from this morning. "Holy shit."
At this point we've listened enough so we silently walk back to our bed stunned.
"I can't believe she's fucking the yoga instructor"
"We just heard it happen," Baya states. "And I wanted to fuck him but now I can't…"
"Goodñight Baya," I laugh and we fall silent with our thoughts. Why would Barbara do this? She's the responsible one. I fall asleep with that thought.