Fuck no. I didn't want to see it. I turned away without answering.
With a sound of irritation, Lauren Jane announced, "I'm bored."
Loretta spoke up. "Then maybe you can do the dishes."
"But I don't wanna do the dishes," Lauren Jane whined. "I know. Make Chloe do it." She turned to Chloe. "I mean, you're used to it, right?"
What the hell? No. That wasn't going to happen. And besides, the clock wasn't just ticking. It had run out. If we didn't leave now, it would be Chloe drivingme, and not the other way around.
I pushed back my chair and said, "Sorry, but Chloe and I have to get going."
Loretta frowned. "Why?"
"Prior engagement," I said. "A thing at the hospital. You understand, right?"
I knew exactly what she'd make of it. She'd assume it was some charity thing and then use that assumption to make herself feel important. I knew the type.
Sure enough, Loretta said, "Oh. Of course."
Chloe's dad pushed back his chair and stood. "I guess we'll let you two cowpokes head on down the trail, then."
Loretta slammed down her wine glass. "Oh for Heaven's sake, Dick. Enough already!"
He gave her a blank look. "What?"
I looked to Chloe. "You ready?"
She glanced at Josh, who was still smiling. She glanced at Loretta, who was glaring at her dad. She glanced at her dad, who had sat back down and was reaching for more dessert. She glanced at Lauren Jane, who was scrolling through her phone, probably looking for that stupid bikini picture.
Shit, for all I knew, it was a full beaver shot, minus the bikini.
"Lauren Jane!" Loretta said. "For the last time, no phones at the table."
Lauren Jane mimicked her mother. "No phones at the table."
"Young lady," Loretta said. "Are you mocking me?"
Chloe, looking amused as hell, turned to me and said, "Yup, I'm ready." Looking to Josh, she asked, "Wanna walk us out to the car?"
At the table, the argument between Loretta and her daughter was heating up. We heard words like "old bag" and "ungrateful snot," followed by a threat to cut Lauren Jane's allowance.
It should've been funny, but it mostly pissed me off. All this time, Chloe had been hurting for money. Where washerallowance?
I had to ask. "Shestillgets an allowance?"
Chloe shrugged. "Maybe not for long."
By the time we reached the front door, the argument had turned into a wrestling match, with Lauren Jane gripping the phone with both hands while Loretta tried to pry it away. If there was any justice, the phonedidhave a beaver shot, and Loretta was about to get a good eyeful.
As sick as I felt, I had to smile. It would serve both of them right. As I opened the door, I turned to see Chloe's dad shoveling more cobbler into his face, not bothering to say goodbye to the daughter who brought it.
What a tool.
When we reached the driveway, Chloe hugged Josh goodbye, and I shook his hand, man-to-man.
He grinned over at us. "Best Thanksgiving, ever."
I glanced toward the house. If I had anything to do with it, it would be the last Thanksgiving dinner either ChloeorJosh ate atthatplace. But now, I had to get the hell out of here, and fast. My skin felt funny, and my tongue was getting that thick feeling again. Somehow, I knew that water wouldn't be solving anything this time around.
