Chapter 69 - Spillage
"..." Jin commented with an internal sigh.
Knowing what could happen if this continued, he decided to take a risk. Letting go of his plate, he stood up. Everyone's attention went towards him. Blinking and looking at his mother, her expression did not change. Before she opened her mouth, he stepped toward her right side.
Without asking, he lightly grabbed her right arm. Pulling up mildly, she didn't move. A couple of people veered back a little seeing him move his face next to his mother's. Whispering and being nose to nose with her, his mother's eyes and mouth did not change. However, she slowly stood up.
Pulling her along, the two slowly walked out of the kitchen. Ignoring the individuals staring at them, Jin led Samantha to the front door. Getting his shoes on without tying them, he didn't let go of her. Asking her to get her shoes on, her expression started to become less intense. After she got her shoes on, he opened the front door with one hand. Grabbing an battery powered lantern that was on the small table shelf underneath the drawer, the two went outside.
With both outside, he closed the door. Locking it, he turned around. Mrs. Ainsley was staring at him with still an intense expression. Blinking, he changed hand positions. Interlacing his left hand fingers with his mother's right, he closed them. Looking around, the sun had already set. The night started settling in and made it dark on the road and in the open fields.
Turning on the lantern, the illumination around them improved. Instead of a bright white, the lamp gave off an off-white/yellow hue. It didn't hurt to stare at it and gave a warm color feel. Walking forward, he pulled his mother along. While heading to the street road, he ignored the feeling of people watching from the house.
"What is Jin doing?" Renee asked looking through the kitchen window.
"He is probably trying to cool her head a bit," Alex mentioned and began eating his dinner.
"Mom looked scary dad," Gene stated still looking a little frightened. "Did you and mom have a fight?"
"We...had an argument," he stated then saw Ami stand up. She picked up her plate and walked around the table. Switching hers with Jin's, she took it back to where she sat. Getting into the chair, she picked up her silverware and began to eat.
'...that...is some severe paranoia...' Mr. Ainsley thought surprised. Hearing footsteps, he saw Jin's friend walk back to where her chair was.
"Will they be okay dad?" the boy asked.
"Yes. Eat your dinner."
"I know it isn't my place to pry," Renee began then looked at Jin's father. "But what kind of connection do you have with Ami's father?"
"Other than we were two students in the same high school and had connections through work, nothing else."
"...Jin's father..." Ami spoke.
"..." Alex flinched and stopped eating. He looked up and saw Derek's daughter looking at him with the corner of her eyes.
"Jin stated that...a previous bond was made between his mother...and my father...is that true?"
"..." he replied with his teeth clenching together. Blinking, he looked down at his plate and continued eating.
"...I see..." Ami muttered only loud enough for Renee to hear.
'And I thought my relationship stuff was bad,' the junior thought resuming to eat her dinner.
Five minutes of walking down the street, both Samantha and Jin did not say anything. In the process of heading in one direction, she closed her fingers to hold her son's hand. The cool temperature and faint breeze was helping her calm down. All the raging thoughts from meeting with Derek's family and what her husband told her started to not overbear her. To her mild surprise, Jin did not let go of her hand and continued to lead.
"..." she said looking at her son.
"..." the sophomore spoke back continuing to look forward.
"...kind of cool this evening..."
"Yes. Probably need a sweater if staying out here too long."
"It is rare to see you take control and the lead."
"Did I steal your thunder mom?" he asked not looking at her. He felt her hand squeeze his and moved closer to him.
"You did kind of defuse the bomb before it went off. Were you that concerned for me?"
"...yes..." the male teen replied and looked at her.
"Awe...thank you sweetie," Samantha said with a smile. Thinking his face would relax, it still had a look of trepidation.
"It is rare for you to bottle up that much emotion."
"..." Mrs. Ainsley commented. Turning her head back forward, she gave a small nod.
"That's true."
"Should I ask?"
"Do you want to know?"
"Given how things have developed, probably. However...that is, if you want to tell me."
"Picking the neutral answer?"
"Seems to be the safest."
"..." Samantha responded. Stopping, Jin stopped and turned to face her.
"...would...would you think different of me...if I did not want to tell you?" she asked with a worried expression.
"No."
"...?" she reacted with surprise and blinked a couple of times. "That was quick...can I ask why?"
"Sharing one's past can not be pleasant depending on the choices made. If there are things that you want to keep to yourself, that is fine. If you only want the people who were there at the time to know, then that is fine as well."
"...but...that is holding secrets from you and Gene," Mrs. Ainsley mentioned. "And now that you have meet...Derek...and apparently Heather too...you were kind of forced upon of the secrets."
"There is nothing wrong with keeping secrets mom...it is only when those secrets get leaked out and used as an advantage by others do they become worse."
"...do you have secrets?" she asked wondering.
"..." Jin answered with turning back to the road. Walking forward, his mother was in tow.
"Maybe."
"That's not a real answer."
"If I did mom, I wouldn't run to you and tell you."
"...but...that means you are losing trust in me."
"Wouldn't that be the same thing for you not tell me your secrets?"
"..." Mrs. Ainsley replied with a downcast head. Not liking where the conversation was going, she walked behind Jin and hugged him.
"Mom?" he asked stopping.
"...I'm...I'm sorry..." she stated feeling water build up in her eyes. "I'm...a real mess right now."
"...it is okay mom..." the sophomore remarked quietly. Turning around, he hugged her back.
"...I...I thought...I buried certain things of...my past...but now...they came back."
"It happens."
"I did tell your father...about those secrets..." she began then increased her hug grip. "and he told me his...then...then he...was hiding more from me."
"..." Jin replied. Slowly retracting his hands and arms, he stood there seeing tears falling down her face.
"Not only that...but...there is someone...that keeps reminding me of the past."
"..." he contributed to the conversation. Gently grabbing her wrists and pulling down, the sophomore grabbed her left hand. Pulling her along, both began walking again.
"What would you like to do mom?"
"...honestly...run away," she stated though not proud of saying it.
"If you were still single...and no children...that would be possible."
"I wanted to move out of this town when me and your father got married...he convinced me that it be cheaper and less hassle to stay," Samantha mentioned then gave a sniffle. "Only the financial part stayed true...the other..."
"Where did you want to go?"
"...just...away from here...and cut off any communication or association with...Derek."
"...I see..."
"..." she responded wiping her eyes. Looking back at her son and seeing his face look plain, she thought about his comment. Blinking, she poked his cheek.
"Yessh mom?"
"You know what I said was a cue to asking a follow up question, right?"
"Yes."
"You are avoiding it?"
"Yes."
"Are you getting irritated with me?"
"No."
"Aren't you curious?"
"Yes and no."
"May I have a more detailed answer?"
"Yes from wanting to know what turmoil is going around. No because I don't want to pry."
"You wouldn't be prying Jin...you are part of the family...my family."
"...I thought you just said you didn't want to talk about it," he asked glancing at her.
"...well...maybe I can change my mind...I don't want you to distrust me."
"If you are changing your mind, then would that mean the secrets are not that big of a deal?" he asked. Blinking in surprise, he felt his arm pulled. Resisting, he slowly turned and faced his mother. Her face was contorted.
"IT IS A BIG DEAL!" she shouted at him. Her voiced echoed throughout the open fields around them.
"...kay..." Jin said calmly. "Then which way do you want to go? Continue on the dark road or go back home?"
"..." Mrs. Ainsley replied with her head down a little. Feeling guilty from her outburst, she only muttered.
"...I'm...just following."
"Very well," he said. Heading back to the house, the sophomore pulled his mother along. For the entire time back, neither spoke to each other.
Back at the house, the remaining individuals at the dining table ate in silence. The awkwardness that was left after mother and son walked out of the house never left. Once finished, Mr. Ainsley informed them to leave the dishes in the sink. While he remained sitting in his chair, the others got up. Renee helped Gene put his plate in the sink.
'...none of them finished their meal...' he observed as the three walked out of the kitchen. 'Especially Derek's daughter...she only ate half of it.'
'Maybe given how sick she looks, she wouldn't have much of an appetite...maybe that will change over time.'
'I am still kind of surprised at how Sammy reacted,' Mr. Ainsley stated in his head. He put his elbows on the table and had his hands together near his face.
'I didn't think she had that much hate for Derek.'
'And she reacted more aggressively...normally she backs down and becomes quiet.'
'Does that mean she is bi-polar?' he wondered then shook his head. 'No...probably not.'
'I did not think Jin would have done that...it is news to me that he would take charge,' Alex thought feeling somewhat proud.
'Anyways...now I have to figure out...how to deal with Derek's daughter here,' he pondered. He didn't move from his seat as he stared at the drink in front of him. A brainstorm brewed in his head.
When the two teens and boy walked out of the kitchen, Gene stated that he will go into his room. Neither females said anything except nodding their heads. Watching him go up the steps, he headed to his room. When the door opened and closed, it was just the two of them in the living room.
"...he sure looked pretty shook up..." Renee mentioned out loud.
"...yes..." Ami agreed. Blinking, she carefully looked back at the kitchen. Seeing that Jin's father had not gotten up and had his back facing her, her insides still tensed up. Taking a quick look at the guest room, the door was open. Facing the entry way to the kitchen, the man still remained in the same position.
"What are you being paranoid about?" the junior asked observing her behavior.
"...I do not...trust that mortal," Selbith stated quietly and began backing up. The comment caught the female teen off guard.
"What do you mean? Aren't you being just a little over paranoid?"
"I do not know...him very well...however...he keeps staring at me...as if he recognizes me," she whispered. Continuing to back up, she did not take her eyes off of the adult male.
"...!?" Renee reacted blinking in surprise. Taking a glance at the kitchen from being near the couch, Mr. Ainsley did not move. Thinking on what Ami said as being over the top, she remembered his expression earlier.
'...he was staring at her...but...that could be from recognition to her looking emaciated,' she thought.
Looking back at her, Selbith eventually made it in the guest room. Closing the door, she was able to do so without making much of a sound. Alone, she pondered on what she could do. Hearing small amounts of movement, it came from the kitchen. Remaining still, she looked toward the room.
Seeing Jin's father not in his seat made her feel a little alarmed. Trying to shake off her nerves, her insides cringed a little. Looking around the living room, she looked up to see the second floor. Figuring the room left of Gene's was the sophomore's, she headed toward the stairs.
'...I'm not paranoid...I'm not paranoid...it's that bonehead getting freaked out!' she thought to herself.
However given how this evening has played out, she felt a need of a safe haven. On the other side, she was curious of what Jin's room would be like. Getting to the 2nd floor, she walked to the front of his room. Putting a hand on the door handle, she looked back. Seeing no one behind her, there were footsteps down below.
Entering Jin's room, she closed the door as quietly as she could. The footsteps sounded more muffled. Wondering if there would be ones climbing the stairs, none came. Sighing out loud, she turned around. Doing a slow observation of his room, he didn't fit the stereotype.
'Rather clean and bare,' she thought walking forward.
Going to the opposite side of the room, she looked out the window. Seeing the open field below, the main road could be seen to the left. Looking at what time it was, she pulled out her cellphone. Making a call to her parents, her mother stated that she would go pick her up in 30 minutes. Closing her phone, she began to explore the room more.
After about 10 minutes passed, the front door to the home opened. Samantha entered in first followed by Jin.
"It's gotten more cold out there," she commented rubbing her arms.
"Does seem to be chilly," he agreed then took off his shoes.
"Looks like everyone ate dinner," Mrs. Ainsley stated viewing the kitchen and removing her footwear. Their dinner was still on the table with plastic wrap over them.
"..." the sophomore commented observing the living room. Noticing doors that were closed, he looked up stairs. All the rooms were shut as well.
"...where is everyone?" she asked blinking in surprise. Thinking about calling out, Jin glanced at her. Shaking his head made her blink and pause. About to ask why, his stomach growled. Making a frowning face, he looked at his stomach.
"Let's finish dinner first then we will go hunt for the others," Samantha responded with a smile.
Grabbing his shoulders and turning him toward the kitchen, she guided him to his chair. Getting in hers, the began to consume the barely warm food. Only a few moments passed when both heard a distant door opening. Looking at the doorway, the study room door across the living room was closed. Barely hearing footsteps, it sounded like someone one the first floor.
Coming into the doorway, Ami stood and looked at them. Instead of the black sweats and hoodie, she wore what looked like pajamas. Though it gave an indication that she was relaxing, it emphasized how rail thin and sick she looked. Her black hair looked frizzy as it barely touched her shoulders. Both Jin and Samantha stared at her with his mother looking more startled.
"Hello Ami," the sophomore greeted then went back to eating.
"...hello..." Selbith spoke then went toward him. Stopping next to him, she looked at the woman.
"...are you...calmer?"
"Y-Yes. I just needed to cool my head for a bit," Mrs. Ainsley answered with a nervous smile.
"Understandable," the female teen remarked. Sliding a nearby chair next to Jin's, she sat down.
"Are you cold with only pjs on?" he asked taking a sip of his drink.
"A little. The material feels different from the...sweats," she replied rubbing the sleeves.
"Are you comfortable with the guest room Ami?" Samantha asked.
"Yes."
"That's good to hear," she replied then looked at Jin. A smirk came to her face.
"If you get cold, I'm sure Jin would make an excellent warm body pillow."
"..." the sophomore replied frowning at her.
"I see...if that is so, then that should not be an issue for you Jin," Selbith agreed.
"..." both mother and son looked at her.
"I'm not...a body pillow," he mentioned evenly.
"You can generate heat more than I can with this...physique," Ami countered looking at him.
"Are you serious?" Samantha asked losing the smirk.
"Is it a problem?" the female teen asked.
"Uh...yeah. It is a problem," Jin answered with a frown.
"How so?"
"...you are a girl...I'm a guy...sleeping together is for...when people are in...you know...relationships," he explained while looking at the table.
'That's right. Certain relationships have the green light for that," Mrs. Ainsley thought in her head. Another distant sounding door opened then closed in the background.
"Are we not in a relationship?" Ms. Felmort asked with a neutral expression.
"I'm a caregiver."
"...what is your point?"
"Caregivers don't bed their clients," he mentioned looking at her with a frown.
"The womanizers and man-eaters do," Samantha added in and saw his head turn toward her.
"You are not helping."
"Ami...aren't you pushing the boundaries of being cared for?" the mother asked with a serious face.
"I do not have desires to become intimate with Jin," Ami stated with a neutral face.
"But in the hospital, you stripped down and got into his hospital clothes he was wearing...and both of you were in bed too," Samantha countered. The sound of something creaking in the background came. Jin was the only one that darted his eyes to the wall to the left of the kitchen doorway.
"I'd say that was pretty...intimate."
"In terms of skin contact, yes. In terms of the purpose of doing so, no," the female teen corrected without changing her tone or mannerisms.
"Pretty mature of you to say...did you feel it was more than intimate Jin?" his mother asked.
"...leave me alone..." he muttered then called out. "Who's there?"
"..." both Samantha and Ami reacted by blinking. Turning their heads to the doorway, someone came around the corner. It was Renee in which she looked tense.
"So...you two did do it...how grand," the junior stated with controlled anger. Before she could continue, Selbith stood up. Walking out of her chair, she headed towards her. She was scowling at her.
"Get out of my face you-" Renee began when Ami grasped her throat with one hand.
"...!?" Samantha reacted with surprise. About to stand up and go to them, Jin placed his hand on top of her right. Looking at him, he looked back at her. Giving a one sign and pointing at the time, she reluctantly nodded.
"Listen here you imbecile...I want you to get this in your delusional head," she began looking directly in her eyes. "I did it to escape that damn place. Not to become one with him."
"Ha...get your hands off me-!?" the female student mocked her. Trying to swipe the hand at her throat away, Selbith's scowl intensified. Being pushed up against the doorframe, she gripped the rail thin forearm. It was shaking as the hand grip increased.
"...d...o...y...o...u...u...n...d...e...r...s...t...a...n...d...m...e...m...o...r...t...a...l...?" Ami emphasized slowly through gritted teeth. Evil eyes were boring at her.
"...your...choking...me..."
"...if you feel so upset..." the rail thin teen began and released her hand. Renee felt able to breathe fully and put a hand on her throat. Glaring at Selbith, the intense look on her face remained.
"Sleep with him bare."
"..." the junior reacted blinking a couple of times. "...what...?"
"Do I need to repeat myself?"
"Why would I do that?"
"Hmph," Selbith commented then turned halfway toward the others in the kitchen. "I used him for a means and forced him into it. How does that bother you so much when you have done the same thing?"
"...!?" Samantha reacted blinking in surprise. Feeling her hand being let go, she turned to her son. He was looking at his dinner plate and had redness on his face. He looked both irritated and embarrassed.
"W-What!? I have not!" Renee countered.
"Is your memory that short? No recollection of cornering him in the locker room and having your way with him?"
"...I..." the junior began then closed her mouth. Turning a little red, she looked irritated at her.
'HOW THE HELL DOES SHE KNOW THAT!?' she thought yelling in her mind. Something clicked in her mind. It was like the last nail in the coffin being slammed in for who the identity of Ami really was. Shaking her head, she tried to correct what the young Felmort stated.
"What I did does not compare to you using your body on him."
"Only an immature person says that."
"Why you son of a-"
"Girls..." Mrs. Ainsley interrupted and stood between them. "Do you two remember what I said earlier?"
"..." both female teens answered then calmed down. They nodded and looked less angry.
"Can we all sit at the table and not try to kill each other? If not, I'm sure Jin can take both of you for a nice walk to calm you down," his mother stated. Looking back at him, she gave a sly smile.
"Isn't that right sweetie?"
"...yes mom..." Jin replied with light headbutts on the table.
"Hee hee...by the way dear," the woman asked turning toward Renee. "Do you need a ride home or are your folks coming to pick you up?"
"I called them not too long ago. My mom will be coming to pick me up."
"Okay," she said then looked apologetic to both female teens. "I'm sorry from how I was behaving...I wasn't able to bottle up and hide what I was feeling."
"What wrath did your mate unleash from you?" Selbith asked after nodding her head.
"Oh...hiding secrets and things from the past I thought I buried."
"Geez...that bad?" Renee asked. The mother gave a small smile then nodded her head.
"It is bad in my opinion...I don't really want to talk about it. I was telling Jin the same thing even though I know he was trying to help me calm down."
"I understand," the junior stated with a nod.
"So...how is my son's room? You find anything naughty in there?"
"...!?" Renee reacted veering head back in surprise. Ami's eyebrows went up in surprise.
"Grrrr!" Jin growled then stood up. Getting his plate, he went to the sink. Instead of placing it in the sink, he placed it on the counter. Turning on the water, he got a plastic bag to put the remaining food on the plates. Rinsing the plates off, he began placing them in the dishwasher nearby.
"N-no I didn't...it was fine."
"...hee hee...sorry. I couldn't resist," Samantha said with a bigger smile.
'...to go from seething with wrath...to back to being the jester...in such little time is concerning,' Ami thought feeling her insides tense up a little.