Chapter 2

My stomach dropped. Had they figured it out?

"Grab me a pack of smokes, the good brand! I'm in a good mood today, splurge a little!" My dad shot me a look.

I nodded. "Got it."

"And remember, low-sugar juice, all natural. Your brother's girl is watching her weight lately!" The door slammed behind me, shutting out every last voice.

It was still blazing hot outside, but I felt calm all over.

There was an iced-latte place downstairs, and I walked in.

The blast of cold air cleared my head even more.

One cold sip of iced fruit tea and I felt alive again.

I wondered what their faces would look like when they found the kitchen empty.

My mom posted in the family group chat: "Mildred, what drinks did you go buy, and you're still not back?"

"Hurry up already, are we supposed to eat or not! It's already noon!" My brother chimed in right after.

"Bring me a whole carton while you're at it, save yourself another trip." My dad sent a voice message, taking his sweet time.

Normally he bought his own, and he'd never spring for the good brand.

I couldn't hold back a laugh.

Rested up, I drove back to my own place.

Two years ago I'd bought myself a condo, not big, but decorated warm and cozy, and I loved it.

It was like only inside my own place did I ever feel at home.

Another half hour passed, and my mom called.

I hesitated a moment, then picked up.

"Mildred! Are you out of your mind? The food! I'm asking you where the food is!" My mom's shriek nearly blew out my eardrum.

I checked the time. It had been over an hour since I left, and only now had they noticed the food was gone.

"I figured none of you were hungry, so I ate, and dumped what was left." I said it lightly.

My mom lost it. "Mildred! Our whole family waited all this time, and you say we weren't hungry? Did you do this on purpose?"

"She knew Zelda was coming over to eat today, she damn well did it on purpose!" My brother's voice came through the phone.

"Great, so no good smokes for me today." My dad muttered.

"Does your sister not want me here? Maybe I should just go." I heard Zelda's pitiful little voice.

"Zelda, you can't leave! Mildred's just like that, she's got a screwed-up temper, she's a total nutcase!" My brother swore up a storm, like he wanted to tear me limb from limb.

When I was drenched in sweat in that hundred-degree kitchen, not one of them asked if I was tired.

The second they couldn't eat, every one of them came out swinging, righteous as could be.

"Mom, I worked all morning in that kitchen, and I couldn't even get you to carry out a plate."

"So I had no choice but to eat by myself."

"You've got some nerve! Mildred, how did I ever give birth to a piece of garbage like you? What are we supposed to do now? Where are we going to pull a whole spread of food from!" My mom demanded over the phone.

"That's your problem, not mine. Either way, I'm full!" I didn't want to listen to her rant, so I hung up.

My mom wouldn't give up, calling me over and over, and I didn't pick up a single one.

Half an hour later, my manager called.

"Mildred, didn't you say you took the day off to cook at home? How come your mom and your brother showed up here to eat at the hotel?"

"What!" I shot upright off the couch.

"They ordered a whole table of seafood, king crab, lobster, premium abalone, and they grabbed a bottle of the most expensive wine we've got!" There was a bit of gossip in my manager's tone.

"Mildred, I never would've guessed, your family's really loaded! Oh, right, what did you actually take the day off to do? We were slammed here!"

Before I could even explain, my mom tagged me in the group chat: "Today I'm going to teach you a lesson you won't forget!"