Quoted By:
You honestly don’t know how you should be feeling. There’s a confusing, jumbled mix of emotions tearing through you right now. You’re a bit nervous because these gatherings are almost always hopelessly awkward. And just thinking about the third degree that they were going to subject you to was already putting you on edge.
On the other hand, you could always throw Richard under the bus if that meant getting their attention away from you for a few minutes. Let him get in trouble for once.
But underneath all of that, you were worried about them, more than anything. Worried that they wouldn’t believe you or trust your judgment. Worried that they might choose to stay out of pure stubbornness, ignorance and spite. Worried that Vic might feel guilty, and choose to stay with them out of necessity. Worried that Peter would undoubtedly have to stay with Vic, placing your entire family in danger.
For the fourth time in as many minutes, you aggressively tugged at your tie and ran a hand through your hair. Vic had convinced you to dress up for this occasion, and you were already regretting it.
It wasn’t because you didn’t like the way that you looked in a suit. But considering how backed up traffic had been these past few days, you were either going to be shoved in a stuffy subway car, or forced to endure the tyrannical monologues of a migrant New York cab driver.
Or worse. You might have to…<span class="mu-s">walk</span> there.
You suppressed a shudder, choosing instead to pay attention to your sister helping Peter into the little outfit that she picked out for him the other day. His ensemble consisted of a plaid, short-sleeved shirt, a pair of slacks and a tiny little bowtie.
Vic was wearing a dark blue dress made out of a rather breathable fabric. You figured that she was anticipating the stuffy subway car ride just as much as you were.
<span class="mu-g">“Is everyone ready?”</span> she asked, despite only looking at you.
You grumbled something unintelligible as a response, and she seemed to take that as a yes, because she was rushing you all out of the apartment a moment later.
<span class="mu-g">“Great. Because we’re already late.”</span> she said as she entered the hall and closed the door behind her.
<span class="mu-r">“We could always take it a step further and just…not show up?”</span> you proposed. But it was promptly ignored by both Peter and Vic. Everyone knew that there was no getting out of this one. <span class="mu-r">“Just a suggestion.”</span>
For just a singular moment, you couldn’t help but feel jealous of your brother for missing out on this wholesome family outing.
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(Cont.)
