Page 31 of Scream Little Sister

I peek at Madison from the corner of my eye as she sits in silence beside me. She hasn’t touched her food, and I expected as much, given the dish my mother made. Madison’s hands rest in her lap with her fingers curled into her skirt until her knuckles turn white. Her discomfort is palpable, and it would take an idiot not to see it.

My mother clears her throat and shifts in her seat as she pops the seasoned potato into her mouth. “So, how long will you be visiting?”

I glance at Jerry. He doesn’t look up from his meal, but I know his full attention is on me, and he will judge my answer.

“A while,” I say.

“Oh?” Glee brightens her face. “That’s wonderful! I’ve missed seeing you around here. Did your sister grab your dirty laundry for me to wash?”

Madison turns her head, and it’s the first time she’s looked at me since sitting down at the table. It’s only a moment before she drops her gaze to her lap.

Good girl. You don’t want a monster like me.

“I can do my own laundry,” I say.

Mom scoffs with a playful smile. “Oh, honey, please. No need to do it when I’m more than willing to do it for you.”

Madison scoots her chair back and begins to stand.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Jerry says.

Madison freezes. “To my bedroom.”

Jerry sits back and swallows his mouthful of food. “And why would you do that when you haven’t touched your food?”

“I’m not?—”

“Sit down,” Jerry says. “Your fiancé called me and told me about what you said to him earlier. That alone demands a conversation, don’t you think?”

Fiancé?

Madison is engaged?

I stare straight ahead at the wall when all I want to do is look at her. Especially at her left hand, where a ring should be. I don’t remember seeing one, but then again, I was too engrossed in watching her expressions.

My little sister is engaged to another man, and that fucking infuriates me. I can’t have her for so many reasons. But none of that stops the rampant jealousy now colliding in my chest.

Another man touches her, hears her moans, and receives her attention. I clench my fists and glare straight ahead.

Madison sits in her seat with her back straight. “Whatever Justin told you, I’m sure he lied.”

“So the picture he forwarded to me is... fake? You think I’m stupid?” Jerry says.

“This can wait until later, Jerry.” Mary uses her brother’s same blunt tone.

Jerry turns his glare to his sister. “This doesn’t involve you. I’d keep my mouth shut if I were you.”

“You’re involving all of us by talking about this at the dinner table,” Mary says. I admire her spirit and how she doesn’t take Jerry’s bullshit. “You don’t want our opinion on the matter? Don’t fucking talk about it at the table.”

Jerry’s face turns a dark shade of red, and I just know he’s debating if he should lay his hands on Mary. I’d like to see him try. “I’m the man of the house, and what I say?—”

“You’re not the man of the house.” Mary cackles and leans forward to make sure Jerry hears her every word. “You don’t do shit around here. You couldn’t even be bothered to raise your daughter and stepson.”

“Mary,” my mother snaps. “Shut your mouth.”

Jerry’s lips flatten. “What I do with my children and how I parent is my business. Not yours.” He tongues his cheek. “You’re dismissed from dinner. Leave.”

“I’m not leaving.” Mary crosses her arms over her chest.