Garden of Sins

I also take a bite of potato and notice everyone is still staring at me. All conversations have long since stopped.

Your fingers move to my neck and your fingertips stroke the sensitive skin. One command from you to relax and my body automatically responds. Thank God it does. Why am I so charged now?

“And how long have you two been together,” Keaton continues, and I get the feeling he already knows the answer and simply wants to test my honesty.

“A month,” I reply.

Keaton stares at you and you shrug. Then he looks at Carter, who gives him a what-do-you-want-to-do look.

I don’t understand anything, but I think non-verbal communication is important in this family.

“One month...” Keaton mumbles slowly and takes another bite of potato. “That’s not very long.”

“She is something special,” you reply easily and I tingle inside when you say that. “And besides, it’s far too boring in this dump if I can’t take my girl with me.”

Olivia makes an ecstatic “Ooooooh!” and Mason snorts snidely. Apparently, Keaton’s point is that you are introducing me to your family so soon.

Keaton maintains a straight face. When he looks away from me, it’s like a cinder block falls from my shoulders.

Then he stares at Mason, who looks back at him with tired eyes. “What? What do you want, Dad? What?”

Keaton takes another bite of potato. “So?” he asks, smiling a little. “What’s it like having two sons, Mason, who came from you?” That sounds gleeful.

He looks at his father in agony. “I’m so sorry, Dad, for everything I ever did to you. I only now understand.”

Keaton smiles happily and eats some asparagus.

“I guess that’s what they call karma.”

And then, all of a sudden, the tension is gone and everyone’s laughing again and relaxed.