Proprietorial - Ch.2 | Pt. 1

Proprietorial - Ch.2 | Pt. 1

broke this chapter into two parts BECAUSE it has a bit of a tone switch :)

pt.1 is definitely a 'transition' if you will, so it's much shorter

pt.2 is the real stuff

Akrasia

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You knew you had to leave this town. There really was nothing left for you - or anyone - here. Most of the sheriff’s department left, just as most of the residents - Leaving infrastructure abandoned and empty. You agreed to stay a little longer, for Thomas’ sake. In return, you’d been invited to dinner - Which laid in front of you. You, amongst the family, sat at the lace-draped table, the only consistent sound being the scraping of utensils against the aged porcelain. Luda Mae, sitting at the left side of the table, broke the minor silence:

“We’re so glad you could join us tonight, dear. It means a lot that you’re staying, ‘specially to Thomas.” 

Thomas blushed a bit in response, he never liked being placed in vulnerable positions. You attempted to smile, “It’s the least I could do.” You really tried to sound convincing, but from Charlie’s reaction, you weren’t the best at pretending..

“So, you planning on staying for long?” 

“As long as I can.” 

“You’re not a good liar, honey.” 

You pushed the contents of your broth around, not making eye contact with anyone. You could feel Charlie’s complacent grin growing the more he stared at you. 

“There’s no reason in lying, hun. You don’t want to stay here.” 

It was true, you didn’t. Everything had dried up - And you, you were parched. Continuing to distract yourself with dinner, you felt yourself get more and more aggravated as the interrogation resumed. Thomas was unusually stiff, staring down at his food just as you were. He really didn’t want you to leave - He’d never admit it, but he loved you; And hearing about you leaving just made that repressed feeling rouse. 

“Charlie, leave the poor child alone. I will not have you riling each other up at this table.” 

Charlie rolled his eyes, mumbling a small “yes mama..” before returning to his food.

Just avoid him - he’s not worth it; You thought to yourself. Charlie really did like riling people up, though, he really was just afraid of being left out. You two never really got along - He was all ‘tough love.’ An intimidating kind of guy who was always judging, even if he didn’t mean it. You were sure there was love in his heart, maybe not for you, but most definitely for his family. You saw the way he looked at his mama - Full of respect with hints of defiance. 

Dinner continued in inconsistent silence - Luda Mae would start up conversations only for them to end just as fast. You tried producing thoughtful responses, putting in more effort than the dispassionate grunts coming from the rest of the table. Monty never really enjoyed ‘meaningless’ conversation, his main focus was to get dinner over with so he could return to the living room - Wasting another day with his legs rotting into the cushion of the reclining chair. 

---

When dinner concluded, the table cleared, and the family members resigned to their usual evening routines, you thanked the Hewitts and packed the little things you brought with you - Parting ways as you left for the doorway. Just before you reached the final step of the porch, the front screen doors swung open.

“Dear,” Luda Mae, of course, stopped you. You turned around, a small ‘hm?’ fell from your lips. 

“We really do appreciate your company. You’re always welcome to stay - Even if it’s just for the night.” 

Just for the night.

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