“I apologize. I have some circulation issues.” Ken nodded.
“Now, are you two just friends?” Elaina wrapped her arm around Henry’s waist with confidence. “I see. Well, come on in. Be prepared for your mother. She is none too pleased that you haven’t been coming to Sunday dinner.” He raised an eyebrow at Elaina. She looked down, and he walked toward the kitchen, pulling Nick with him. She chewed on her bottom lip.
“Well, this is slightly awkward. I should have thought this through better,” she said. Nick stood just inside the kitchen door, listening in. They had no idea he was still lingering.
“Don’t worry about it. It’ll be fine. I’m in the house. That’s a step in the right direction.” He turned and cupped her face in his hands. “Just don’t tell them I have been staying the night at your place.” He smiled and gave her a quick kiss. Nick’s upper lip curled into a snarl. He didn’t want any pretty boy taking advantage of his baby sister.
“Yeah, really. They would probably disown me, even though my brother has lived with his fair share, but it’s a double-standard since I’m the helpless female.” Henry chuckled.
They walked into the kitchen, brushing past a seething Nick. She introduced Henry to Maria, who was in her usual Sunday gear: sweater and khakis. Her almost completely gray hair was pulled back into the usual tight ponytail. She was polite, and told him to go have a seat in the family room to watch television while dinner was prepared. Henry smiled and thanked her, walking out of the kitchen. Elaina was just standing there, looking like a lost puppy.
“And where did you meet him?” Maria’s question broke her out of a daze.
“Oh, yeah. Remember a few months ago when I had a flat, lost my phone, and I couldn’t get ahold of anyone? Well, he saved me, in a way. And we have been dating ever since.” Nick rolled his eyes as he leaned back on the dining room table with his arms crossed.
“Well, that’s nice, I suppose. I would think that you would tell me about a new boyfriend, instead of just not showing up to Sunday dinner.”
“I didn’t know how long it would last so I didn’t want to get your hopes up.” More like she didn’t want to deal with the criticisms.
“Is it going well?”
“Yes, I think so. He’s so sweet and nice to me. Respectful, and…well, he’s pretty hot.” More eye rolls from Nick.
“Good. I’m happy for you. He is easy on the eyes.” She smiled. Something was eating at her as she was chopping up some potatoes. “Does he know your job track record, and the fact that you can’t seem to hold one down?” And there it was.
She sighed, and Nick smirked. “Yes, Mother, and he doesn’t care.”
“Have you found another job yet?”
“No.” She hung her head, and Maria shook hers.
“We can’t pay your rent forever, Elaina.”
“I know,” she mumbled. “I’m not proud of it.”
“Well, you had better figure out what you’re going to do. But for now, start chopping up those veggies for the salad.” Maria handed Elaina a knife and she got to the chopping.
“He’s offered to take care of my bills until I find a job.” Nick choked on his own saliva.
“Oh no, he will not!” Maria barked at Elaina. “Then there would be an obligation.” Oh, hell no, Nick thought. He’d kill that GQ bastard if he took advantage of his baby sister. She continued, “And, besides, why burden him with the stress of your bills on top of his own. Your father and I are happy to continue paying your rent until you find another job.” Maria had a slight change of heart because she wasn’t about to let Henry pay Elaina’s bills and make her feel like she was trapped.
“Mom,” she leaned in close. “He’s loaded. Like, has one of those ‘invite-only’ black credit cards loaded.” Maria’s eyebrows lifted. “He refuses to let me pay for anything, including my groceries.”
“What does he do?”
“Runs the blood bank downtown.”
Maria’s face screwed up into a confused stare. “How can he be loaded doing that?”
Elaina shrugged. “Inheritance, maybe? I don’t ask. Not really my business and it doesn’t matter, but I do enjoy him spoiling me.”
“Well, hopefully he doesn’t do anything illegal where running the blood bank is just a cover up.”
“Oh, for the love of all that’s holy,” she mumbled. “He’s a nice guy and makes me happy. I make him happy, as well. He treats me like a queen. Why can’t that be enough for now?”