Page 45 of The PTA President
Brushing her hair out of her face, exposing her long lashes and perfect button nose, I lean down to whisper. “I think I’m falling in love with you, too.”
ChaptEr 32
Natalie
Life’s a real bitch, and one of her favorite pastimes is fucking you raw in the ass without even buying you dinner first. It’s impossible for me to take a step forward because that evil mistress is there to drag me thirty steps backwards, making it impossible to find happiness. After the concert, life went back to normal. Unfortunately, the dreadful PTA hasn't been dismantled, and Candace still has insufferable parents and a deadbeat ex-husband.
“Do you think you could show up on time,notreeking of cigarettes?” Betty asks immediately upon my arrival.
“Aw Betty! I’m thrilled your husband let you out of your cage today, must feel amazing getting to stretch your legs,” I throw at her, unfazed by her bullshit.
“Candace, are you hearing this? We can’t allow this. We’re the PTA.” She looks around the room for backup.
Instead of their usual passive-aggressive banter, Candace just shakes her head at Betty. “Okay, let's get started, ladies. Put aside your differences so we can discuss Mr. Robert's retirement party and begin planning the prom.”
She looks drained, heavy bags are under her pretty blue eyes, and she’s tapping her fingers on the table in a frenzy. We went a few days without seeing each other after the trip, and it was the hardest three days ever, giving her space to busy herself with the holidays.
We run through all the useless shit we do every week. What’s left in the budget, and who’s chaperoning prom. We’re far too prepared to be having weekly meetings. Most of it's stuff that gets repeated.
“Wait up,” I call to Candace as she hustles to her car. “Where are you going? I thought we could hang out for a little bit. I missed you.” I pull her close to me while making sure no one’s watching.
Taking a deep breath, a small tear drops down her cheek. “I missed you too. I’m so sorry. This week’s been awful. I had so much fun going away with you, but coming back was the biggest reality check,” she says with a shaky voice.
“What do you mean? What are you talking about?” I ask frantically. “The girls told Greg and his wife about you over Christmas, and he was less than impressed when he dropped them off. He disapproves and doesn’t think the girls should be around a mother who’s acting so irresponsibly.”
A violent scream makes its way up my throat, but I push it back down, fighting this urge to tear Greg in half. “What is he talking about? Acting irresponsibly? Isn’t he the one who literally took off, and no longer wanted to be a father? What gives him the right to judge you for dating now that you’re single? What a prick.”
“He was upset that the girls had spent so much time with you, and fears what an example it’s setting to them that a woman my age can have a much youngerplaymate,as he called it. My parents, of course, backed him up once they found out and have been by every night to double-check you’re not there.” We’re alone in the parking lot, but that doesn’t stop her from turning every few minutes to assure we’re alone. It’s a habit I’m growing tired of.
“What happens if Iamthere? What are they gonna do about it?” I’m defensive now and backed in a fucking corner.Remember what I said about life fucking you in the ass?
“It’s been a disaster. I’ve explained our relationship until I’m blue in the face, and I can’t do it anymore. Nobody’s listening to me. They’re intentionally misunderstanding my affection for you and tuning me out.” Her tears go from zero to a flood in three seconds.
“Baby, I’m so sorry. You don’t deserve this. Why do they get to be happy and you don’t? This is insanity. You’re not a teenager still living at home. How can they have any say over your life?”
Grabbing her waist, I pull her into me and die a little as she falls apart against me. “Let me come over tonight and have dinner with you guys. Things won't get back to normal until we do.”
I feel her head nod against my chest. There’s no time like the present to get your hopes up. I’m overly optimistic that we’ll be able to get our groove back one family dinner at a time.
Madison has the door open the second I ring the bell, and her bouncy twin comes sprinting down the stairs, screaming my name. It’s been too long since I’ve seen them, and man, I didn't realize how much space they take up in my black heart.
“Oh, my gosh, Nat, you’ll never guess what our stepmom got us for Christmas,” Kate shrieks, pushing her sister out of the way.
“No, Kate! We agreed I could show mine first, back off,” Madison snarls, and it’s an all-out girl fight in the foyer.
Kate’s got a monster grip on a black and red CD case with a familiar couple on it. “It’s the White Stripes. The one I asked for!” She’s beaming, showing me the inside details and lyrics to her favorite songs.
Madison pushes her sister out of the way to put the new Fall Out Boy CD in my hand, and although they’re not my favorite band, I'm happy to see we’re moving away from angry chick rock.
“Is it true you can’t come over anymore?” Madison asks in a distressed voice.
“Who said that?” Trying to keep my tone light is next to impossible when all I want to do right now is rage.
“Grandpa said you can’t come inside his house anymore.” Kate frowns, taking her CD back.
Before she can say anymore, Candace runs over, ushering them out of the room and shutting the door behind me. “Come inside. Why are you guys just standing at the door?”
“Why do they think I can’t come over anymore?” I ask, following her to the kitchen, hot on her trail as she avoids my question.
