Charthur: Part II

Arthur glanced at Chardonnay when she told him he’d have stuff to do at the condo. He groaned. ”Like what? Rub your feet?” He asked. What could she make him do there? Definitely nothing that he’d enjoy, or anything sexy. She had barely looked at him ever since they’d fucked that time after he’d had her over his place.

He glanced out the window at the passing cars, feeling like a sore thumb in Chardonnay’s fancy vehicle. He didn’t understand the practicality of her car and never would. He pulled out his phone to a text from Susan and scanned it. She was asking about thanksgiving plans. She wanted him to invite Chardonnay over. He closed the phone without responding and felt a cool sweat on his neck. He slid his sunglasses back down over his eyes and stole a glance over at Chardonnay. She probably had plans with her family, so why should he bother?

Arthur was focused mostly on the view, not really looking over at Chardonnay to notice her faltering ability behind the wheel. He thought she was her usual self, just being quiet.

When all of a sudden there was a call, Arthur sat up and looked at Chardonnay. She accepted the call, and it was her father. Arthur swallowed a lump in his throat. He didn’t feel a part of the conversation, so he just sat in his seat and listened. When he was brought up Arthur shook his head at the accurate prediction of Chardonnay Thomas gave. Yup. She nearly broke his back with all the damn bags. She really was spoiled. He wondered if Thomas was part of the reason for that – it was highly likely. She always was talking about him as a teen, and fathers tended to spoil their daughters.

Fathers... would he spoil their daughter? He didn’t know. He hoped not, but he didn’t know.

When he was brought up, Arthur’s interest perked. He glanced at Chardonnay and her tenseness and wondered what he could be mentioning. When he asked about Thanksgiving, he leaned back.

”You’re staying here?” Arthur asked. He blinked, looking at the radio screen as if it were Thomas. ”I thought you were going up to your parents place, uhm – “ should he ask now? While Thomas was on the line? No; Chardonnay wouldn’t be comfortable saying no, in that case. So maybe he should just offer? He reached up and scratched the back of his neck. ”Well – I mean, you’re always welcome at Susan’s if you have nothing better to do.”

Then, he remembered Thomas didn't even know he could hear. ”Uh. Hi, Mr. Nicholas.” He added, lamely.

When Chardonnay said they were going to Ohio and Chardonnay didn’t want to go, he was surprised, though he shouldn’t be. She had emphasized before how she didn’t like her extended family and that she was purely close to her immediate family. He felt jealous, a little bit – he wished he had extended family to go and see. He glanced over at Chardonnay when there was a honk behind them, concerned for a second. She was really surprised he offered? Was it that odd?

”Well – yeah. Of course I will,” He blushed, looking down at his knees. It was weird to say yes in front of Chardonnay but what was he going to do? Say no? Well, he wouldn’t, either way. He did want to take care of her most of them time, even if she pissed him off. She usually made doing so hard, though. ”Susan actually suggested I invite you, because she’s really... obsessed with this holiday. She likes to have as many people as possible over. So I just thought you had family, but I mean – Susan’s planning a little thing, so you’re welcome to come.”

He glanced back at the radio screen. Chardonnay hadn’t drifted again, which was good. ”I’m doing good, thanks. Uh – how are you?”

Arthur felt the awkwardness in the car from her father’s nosiness for sure – he could tell Chardonnay was annoyed by the conversation. He flushed a bit, glad his eyes were hidden behind his glasses. Thomas answering for Chardonnay made him feel a bit bad for mentioning it here, and he glanced over at her. But to his surprise she did relent somewhat, asking who was cooking. He snorted.

”Susan likes to try and cook herself but she’s a bad cook, so I usually take over.” He said. He knew Chardonnay would quip he was a bad cook, so he spoke up before she could. ”And before you complain about my cooking, Susan can burn water. We usually follow my mother’s recipe for turkey dinner.”

It was Susan’s way of paying homage to the family, obviously, plus the turkey always wound up tasting delicious. He laughed at Thomas’ comment. ”I’m used to it. She hates any cooking except yours and hers,” he said, with an eye roll. Of course Thomas dismissed discussion about himself, bringing it right back to the holiday. He glanced at Chardonnay. ”Uhm – I can pick you up. You’ve never been to Susan’s new house, and I can drive. You don’t have to bring anything... I mean, if you don’t want. Desert, if you want to maybe.” He shrugged. ”I hope you guys have fun seeing your family in Ohio.”

Arthur opened his mouth when Thomas suggested his mother would be happy to hear it. He wanted to say that his mother was dead, but the words caught in his throat. He was reminded of how his parents weren’t around to experience this with him. He didn’t have his father, for advice on dealing with a pregnant girlfriend, or his mother, on advice raising the baby. He had their medical history, their genes, and Susan. He remained silent until Thomas disconnected. He knew he should say something. He should, but he just felt a wave of sadness come over.

Had his mother been alive, she might do the cooking. She may have had talent enough to impress Chardonnay. She probably would have liked Chardonnay, if she liked cooking as much as Susan said she did. He shifted in the seat, silence overtaking them now. ”...well...” he muttered, grabbing his phone. ’I’m sorry it came up like that. I meant to ask you to come over when it was just us, but... I guess your dad brought it up before I could.”

”Yeah, interesting is a word for it.” Arthur said, shaking his head. ”Susan’s just as family oriented as me, so she always has the place decorated and nice. The past few years, Adelaide’s girlfriends have been able to make it but I think Annabelle’s on vacation this year.” Thank God – he didn’t want to deal with Annabelle and Adelaide on top of this dinner. He shrugged.

”But I meant it, though. I do want you to go. It’ll be... nice.” Even though it’d be a little awkward. ”Susan buys everything and has it all at her house, so we don’t have to worry about ingredients or anything.” Susan did like to talk about family, though. She’d make a comment about their parents. Arthur looked at her. ”And, so you... know...” He bit his lower lip, and shook his head. He couldn’t bring himself to mention anything. The words wouldn’t form on his lips. ”Never mind. Just... I know Susan can be a bit much, but she’ll be really happy to see you can come.”

Arthur shrugged. He supposed it was true – she would be the new girlfriend that year. He knew Chardonnay was blushing over it, but he couldn’t help but smile a hare at the implication. She rarely admitted to being his girlfriend, so on the instances when she did, he always felt a little bit happier. He shrugged. ”Adelaide will learn to shut her mouth. Susan’s talked to her about this before.” He said.

The rest of the drive went by smoothly from Arthur’s end. He told Susan Chardonnay would be coming to her place on Thanksgiving and as predicted she was ecstatic over it. He tried not to read too much into her agreeing to go. He didn’t bring up his parents again, even as they descended into the city’s exit. He knew he should. But he couldn’t bring himself to.

Once they arrived Arthur rolled his eyes at her order, heading to go to the trunk. He was about to grab the things when he noticed Chardonnay stumble and his blood ran cold. Was she going to fall over and hurt herself? She was in heels. Quickly he ran over, noticing her holding the car’s hood tightly.

”Are you okay?” He asked, looking at her face for any signs of distress. He brought a hand up to feel her forehead. She had had a long day. He wondered if the heels had anything to do with it.