Chapter 55 Embarrasing
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"Mom, are you...okay?" I walked up beside her to glance into the large two pots on the stove. It was spaghetti bolognese. At least, I assumed that was what Mom was trying to cook.
The spaghetti was overcooked—a thick, clumpy mess sticking together. The bolognese seemed all right, but I didn't plan on bargaining it as eat-worthy before I tried it. You never knew what Mom put in it.
"I'm doing great." Mom placed the spoon back onto the counter. "I thought I would cook you something nice. We haven't had a proper home-cooked meal in a while."
"Is this because you feel guilty?" I put it straight out there.
Mom turned her back to me, digging through the sauces and spices cupboard. When she spun around, a sigh escaped her. "A little."
"Mom—"
"A lot." Her shoulders dropped. "I feel horrible for putting you through that ordeal. I wanted to prove to you I'm not crazy and that these things are real. Now you don't remember any of it."
Her expression made my heart twist. I relayed inside my head the information Kayn and Ember provided me, especially where everyone could die. I needed to remind myself of it and why it wasn't worth it falling into Mom's guilt.
"Mom, it's okay," I insisted. "Even if those things were real, like that Kraken you keep talking about, I'd prefer not to remember. Stuff like that will only give me nightmares."
"But mermaids and fairies are something else, love." Her eyes lit up. "You've seen those pictures. They're—"
"Fake?" I supplied.
Mom's lips turned down, and she pointed a finger at me. "One day, I will prove you wrong. You wait and see."
"Right." She didn't need to know that I was already a firm believer, even if I was having trouble absorbing it all.
"So, what are your plans for today?" she asked. "I saw Ember dropping by at the caravan. Oh, and speaking of a neighbor, we need to put together something nice for Ken. He's already done so much for you."
"I don't think that would be necessary."
"Nonsense. It's the least we could do," she insisted. "It is somewhat odd that Ken seems to be around every time something happens to you, don't you think?" Mom gave me a sideways grin. "He's not stalking you, by any chance?"
"It's Kayn, Mom." I corrected. "I'm pretty sure it's a coincidence."
After everything that had happened, if he was stalking me, I wasn't going to complain. He was the reason I'm still alive.
"That boy has it hard for you."
I was about to sit down by the kitchen table and missed the chair's seat by inches. I grabbed hold on to the edge of the kitchen table, using my free hand to pull the chair closer. "I strongly doubt that."
"Oh no, love, the way he looks at you," Mom sighed. "Carly, I may be old, but I'm not blind."
"Mom—"
She dumped more than half a bottle of ground cinnamon into the pot of bolognese before turning to face me. "We should have a barbeque. Make a nice cake and some snacks. What do you think?"
My brows rose. "Do you even know how to barbeque?"
"No, but I'm sure Hector can help us out. He has warmed up a bit. I think he's starting to feel bad for being such a douche."
I snorted a laugh. "Okay."
"I'll make sure to set the table in such a way that the handsome boy sits right next to you," Mom winked. "Or do you prefer right across you?"
"Mom—"
"Is playing footsie still a thing?" she appeared thoughtful. "It used to be a trend back in my day."
"Oh my word, Mom—"
We both jumped at a loud rap against the kitchen door.
Before I could turn to see who it was, Mom exclaimed, "Ken, how nice to see you!"
I hoped he didn't hear that last part. I would never live it down.
"Hi Mrs. Sutton," Kayn greeted. "It's Kayn, by the way." The tone of his voice said he didn't appreciate my mom calling him Ken. I didn't blame him.
"Sorry, love. Please," Mom waved toward the table. "Come join us. We were just talking about you."
I groaned, dropping my face into my hands.
