on. “Oh, Lord … we have so much to be grateful for, and we know that Your graciousness is beyond our capacity to understand, even though we don’t know what Your Grand Plan really is … Oh, Lord … “
Claire rolled her eyes at Jason. He was holding back giggles.
“Bless these children that they may find the Path of Righteousness, lead them into the light of Your Eternal Love, and bless their unborn child, that he …” she paused. “Or she … will be a Lamb of the Lord and serve You well on earth as he … or she … shall in heaven.”
Claire shivered at the words.
Mother silenced. Claire sighed. Finally!
“Deliver us from evil, Oh Lord.”
Oh, crap.
“Keep us from the grasp of Satan’s servants, wherever they may be lurking. We know that Lucifer wears many disguises, and we ask that You, in Your righteous almighty wisdom, steer us away from all of that which You do not condone.”
There was a long pause, and Jason spoke up. “I’m starv-”
Mother shot him a dirty look, then reclosed her eyes. “We ask this in Your holy name, Amen.” When at last she unclasped her hands and reached for the salt shaker, the sudden motion was startling. “Well,” said Mother. “I think the Lord won’t mind if we eat now.” She shook salt over her plate. Enough to banish demons.
Sitting next to Jason, with Mother in her usual position at the head of the table, Claire was half-surprised she allowed them to sit so close to her. She remembered the days when she and Tim were placed a good six feet down the table because Mother didn’t like to listen to her children chew. There’d been advantages to that; this close, it was clear that mother had dipped herself in a fresh layer of Opium , and Claire’s head was beginning to ache from the cloying stench. It added to her dizziness, bringing on small waves of nausea.
Claire almost told Mother she didn’t think she could bear the perfume, but now wasn’t the time. She was determined to give Mother a chance since the woman had tried so hard to impress her. She knew Mother’s kindness was just an act but held her tongue for Jason’s benefit. He’d figure it out soon enough.
“Well.” Mother looked at Jason. “What do you think of my cooking?”
Jason had taken a large bite of pasta and held his finger up while he chewed. After swallowing, he said, “It’s fantastic, Prissy.”
Mother beamed, then looked at Claire. “Are you going to eat, honey? You haven’t touched your manicotti.”
Claire gave her a weak smile and pushed the pasta around on her plate. “I’ll eat. I guess I’m just not that hungry yet.”
Jason smiled. “We ate too much at the grill, but given how good this is, I’ll find room no matter how full I am.” He took another big bite. “Why didn’t you tell me what a great cook your mom is, Claire?” He grinned at Mother, who radiated pride.
Claire knew damn well that the woman didn’t deserve any praise. She took a bite of manicotti. Yep. Straight from Bartoli’s Deli.
While they ate, Mother sat there, poking at her meal and watching the two of them. It was nerve-wracking and Claire almost told her to quit staring.
“You should try some Alfredo, Prissy,” said Jason. “It’s fantastic.”
“I’m watching my figure. At my age, everything goes straight to my hips.”
Jason laughed. “Nonsense. Your figure’s great. You should at least enjoy your own cooking.”
Claire managed not to choke.
Mother laughed and waved the compliment away. “Here.” She picked up the dish of manicotti. “Have some more.” As she leaned forward to hand the manicotti to him her long silver and gold beaded necklace dipped deeply into the Alfredo bowl.
“Oh, dear.” Mother snatched it up and sucked the locket clean, then laved it with her tongue. The cheese sauce was gone in an instant. She picked up her napkin and dried the necklace, inspecting it for missed cheese. Satisfied, she tucked it back into her blouse.
Claire rolled her eyes at Jason. He was holding back giggles.
“Bless these children that they may find the Path of Righteousness, lead them into the light of Your Eternal Love, and bless their unborn child, that he …” she paused. “Or she … will be a Lamb of the Lord and serve You well on earth as he … or she … shall in heaven.”
Claire shivered at the words.
Mother silenced. Claire sighed. Finally!
“Deliver us from evil, Oh Lord.”
Oh, crap.
“Keep us from the grasp of Satan’s servants, wherever they may be lurking. We know that Lucifer wears many disguises, and we ask that You, in Your righteous almighty wisdom, steer us away from all of that which You do not condone.”
There was a long pause, and Jason spoke up. “I’m starv-”
Mother shot him a dirty look, then reclosed her eyes. “We ask this in Your holy name, Amen.” When at last she unclasped her hands and reached for the salt shaker, the sudden motion was startling. “Well,” said Mother. “I think the Lord won’t mind if we eat now.” She shook salt over her plate. Enough to banish demons.
Sitting next to Jason, with Mother in her usual position at the head of the table, Claire was half-surprised she allowed them to sit so close to her. She remembered the days when she and Tim were placed a good six feet down the table because Mother didn’t like to listen to her children chew. There’d been advantages to that; this close, it was clear that mother had dipped herself in a fresh layer of Opium , and Claire’s head was beginning to ache from the cloying stench. It added to her dizziness, bringing on small waves of nausea.
Claire almost told Mother she didn’t think she could bear the perfume, but now wasn’t the time. She was determined to give Mother a chance since the woman had tried so hard to impress her. She knew Mother’s kindness was just an act but held her tongue for Jason’s benefit. He’d figure it out soon enough.
“Well.” Mother looked at Jason. “What do you think of my cooking?”
Jason had taken a large bite of pasta and held his finger up while he chewed. After swallowing, he said, “It’s fantastic, Prissy.”
Mother beamed, then looked at Claire. “Are you going to eat, honey? You haven’t touched your manicotti.”
Claire gave her a weak smile and pushed the pasta around on her plate. “I’ll eat. I guess I’m just not that hungry yet.”
Jason smiled. “We ate too much at the grill, but given how good this is, I’ll find room no matter how full I am.” He took another big bite. “Why didn’t you tell me what a great cook your mom is, Claire?” He grinned at Mother, who radiated pride.
Claire knew damn well that the woman didn’t deserve any praise. She took a bite of manicotti. Yep. Straight from Bartoli’s Deli.
While they ate, Mother sat there, poking at her meal and watching the two of them. It was nerve-wracking and Claire almost told her to quit staring.
“You should try some Alfredo, Prissy,” said Jason. “It’s fantastic.”
“I’m watching my figure. At my age, everything goes straight to my hips.”
Jason laughed. “Nonsense. Your figure’s great. You should at least enjoy your own cooking.”
Claire managed not to choke.
Mother laughed and waved the compliment away. “Here.” She picked up the dish of manicotti. “Have some more.” As she leaned forward to hand the manicotti to him her long silver and gold beaded necklace dipped deeply into the Alfredo bowl.
“Oh, dear.” Mother snatched it up and sucked the locket clean, then laved it with her tongue. The cheese sauce was gone in an instant. She picked up her napkin and dried the necklace, inspecting it for missed cheese. Satisfied, she tucked it back into her blouse.
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