I whipped my head around right as my dad came through the door. He looked tired and annoyed.
"Hey." I said tentatively.
He brightened up a bit when I addressed him and smiled at me.
"Hey, kiddo."
"How was your day?"
"It was alright. How about yours?"
"It was fine, you feeling alright?"
He nodded quietly, setting his keys down on the kitchen counter.
"Fine, just a... bit of a headache."
I was immediately on edge, stepping forward carefully.
"Sit down then, I'll get you some water."
He nodded and turned, letting out a quiet yelp as his knees buckled. I caught him and helped him over to a chair, wiping his forehead and going back to fill up a glass from the fridge.
This had Slender all over it. But... why would he be so nonchalant around me, and then cause this to happen to my dad. I was starting to get so angry I almost let the cup overfill. I took it over to my dad and put it in his hand carefully.
"Want some Tylenol?"
He shook his head.
"Took some already, thanks though..."
There was an uncomfortable pause, then my dad pointed weakly to the fridge.
"There should be some left over taco meat from last night... and some lettuce and things... maybe make a salad for when your mom gets here."
I groaned inwardly. Oh, right. She was coming. I knew inside that, after everything that had happened, I should be glad to see her, well... alive. But I still disliked being around her. She made me uncomfortable. Even before the divorce, she'd been so condescending, only reminding me of things I didn't do well enough for her liking. I suppose some people are like that though, it's not and true concern of mine anyhow.
I nodded and shuffled into the kitchen, quietly taking out the tupperware with the meat in it out of the fridge and putting it on the counter. I found some old lettuce and retrieved a cutting board, grabbing a knife out of the butchers block. I paused as I recalled the day Slender had cornered me here. I surveyed the knife habitually, seeing to it that no chunks of black flesh or blood still remained on its length. Static suddenly stung my brain and I rolled my eyes in annoyance. You know, you're really not fucking funny, bastard. I thought. I opened the blinds of the window to glare at Slender and froze.
It wasn't Slender.
It was Michael.
I swallowed and stared at him a minute. He was just standing there, his face was a bloody, tangled mess, too dim in the early evening to see clearly from that distance. His clothes were dirty and ripped, bandages hanging about his neck and wrists loosely. He cocked his head before turning and sauntering off in a drunken stupor.
"Everything alright?" My dad's voice snapped me back to attention. I looked back over at him. He was sitting back up, rubbing his head and muttering.
"Yeah, yeah... you feel alright?"
He stood and nodded, stretching his back.
"Yeah... headache seems to be passing."
"Good, I'm glad..."
I went about cutting the lettuce silently. What was Michael doing here, and why was he causing the static?
I sat quietly at the dinner table, poking my food silently with my fork. An uncomfortable silence had settled over the dinner table. My mom was still a little beaten up, but she seemed to be recovering rather well. My dad was just quiet. I had a feeling both were keeping their mouths shut to keep from saying something they'd regret. I glanced at the clock. Seven forty-five. I cleared my throat and went about clearing the table. My mom seemed to snap back to attention.
"Ah, Juno, darling... I was hoping maybe we could go for ice cream now?"
I blinked curiously a few times before remembering to put on my smile.
"Oh, of course! That'd be nice."
My mom smiled weakly and stood, picking up her keys and her purse gingerly. My dad stood as well, his hands in his pockets.
"You have your phone?" He asked me. I nodded and patted my back pocket.
"Right here."
He nodded back.
"Very good, just let me know what time you're heading home."
"Will do."
My mom and I headed out to her car quietly, she unlocked the doors and slowly situated herself. I watched her quietly, my throat growing tighter as I tried desperately to think of something to say.
"So, um... where were you thinking of going?"
She started the car and put it in reverse, smiling again and turning around to look as she backed out of the parking space.
"There is a little local place with a delicious mint chip, let's head there."
I smiled and leaned back in the passenger's seat, folding my hands in my lap neatly. Well, this is nice. I thought. At least she still seems happy to see me, even after what happened.
Damn, I was so fucking wrong.
Author's Note: Ahah! Oh my goodness! Whatever is going on?! Yes, this chapter is a bit shorter, due to me not wanting to cram too, too much in, soooo looks like you'll just have to wait till next chapter, what a shame. *evil laughter* Anywho, hope you are enjoying, now that I'm able to get back into the swing of things. ^^ Let me know what you think! :) Love you all!
*pushes in trolley of cupcakes* Here we go! I got lotsa kinds today, so take your pick! And aaww, I'm sorry Newsnakeyes, I didn't know that you didn't like lemon bars last time. D: I hope you like cupcakes!