Sunday rolled into Monday seemingly without a hitch. Everyone woke up and went about their morning routines as if nothing had happened the past five days.
Spencer woke up feeling better than ever, though that odd dream she’d had the previous night was still weighing on her mind. Was it her being paranoid, or was Julie really plotting something? She wouldn’t… would she?”
“Spencer are you up yet?” Maggie Lawson called from downstairs.
“Ya, I’m up.” Spencer called back. There was no point in dwelling on the subject now. But if Julie really was up to not good…
“Do you need a ride to school?” Again, Maggie’s voice interrupted her daughter’s thoughts. Spencer hastily threw some clothing on and then nearly leapt down the staircase.
“No, I’m walking over to Eric’s house. Ben’s driving today.” Spencer said. Maggie looked up from her cooking and saw Spencer in the kitchen wearing black jeans and a maroon sweater. Shortly after she came down, Evan followed.
“Where’s Mike?” Maggie noted the distinct lack of her father in law. Evan merely shrugs a response. He doesn’t care where his father is, so long as Mike stays out of trouble.
“Alright… Well I’m heading to work now that you two are up. Try not to get into any trouble Spencer. Your arm’s still on the mend.” Maggie reminded her, bending over to kiss Spencer’s forehead. She tries to bat her mother away, but to no avail.
“Ugh, I know Mom, I know!” Spencer said, cringing with ever kiss. Evan is more than happy to return Maggie’s affection, while Spencer gags at the sight of her parents sticking their tongues into each other’s mouth.
“Hey, I’m trying to eat here. Unless you’d like to see what partially digested Fruit Loops look like, then please continue.” she remarks. Her parents laugh and then Maggie departs for work. She’s always the first one out of the house, and the last one home.
Evan takes over cooking duties, or tries to. Again. cooking isn’t his forte, and the only thing he can do is turn the burner off and scrap the food onto a plate.
“So, have any plans for today?” Evan asks casually.
“Eh, I dunno. Why?”
“Well your mother’s going to be at work most of the day. And I’m going to be out dealing with our ‘guest’. God knows where your grandfather is. Either way, seems like you’re gong to have the house to yourself this afternoon.”
Evan looked up from his plate to see Spencer putting two and two together.
“Don’t worry Dad, I know the house rules.” she assured him. The rule being that she doesn’t do anything (more like anyone) in the house.
“I’m sure you do. But we both know you’ve never put much stock in rules.” Evan looks pointedly at her. Spencer internally sighed. She’d hoped her dad had gotten off his “military” horse. But it seemed like things were finally back to normal.
“I promise, only PG activities.” Spencer held her hand to her heart as best she could. Because her right arm still didn’t want to bend that much yet.
Evan nodded, knowing Spencer would keep her word. At least when it came to Eric, she followed the rules. Anything else, it was like a game of Russian roulette. And if Spencer was the gun, she had more bullets than empty chambers.
---------------------------------------------------
Elsewhere…
The Andersons were having an equally quiet morning. As usual, Nate was the last one downstairs this morning. He found his parents talking about work in the kitchen, while Eric was on the couch reading. Like nothing had changed in the course of the week.
“Have a good night?” Martha asked Nate.
“Mmm, you know I did.” Nate said, ducking his head into the refrigerator looking for something other than leftovers to eat. His father was eating a piece of pie for breakfast, while Eric seemed to only be half invested in the slices of toast on the table in front of him.
“What’re you two planning after school? I’ve got late classes so I won’t be home until later.” William asks. Nate shrugs while Eric is trapped in his own bubble.
“Eric.” William says a bit louder, as he’s not sure if Eric didn’t hear him, or what disconnected from the rest of the world at the moment. Wouldn’t be too unusual.
“Ya?”
“Plans this afternoon?”
“I dunno. Maybe. Why? Do you guys have something planned.” asks Eric, setting the book down.
“Not really no. Just curious. I’d better get going soon. Do you boys need a lift to school?”
“No, Ben’s driving us and Spencer today.” Nate said. Martha and William exchanged a look and smiled. Maybe things were finally looking up for everyone. The past two weeks had gone by like in a blur. But it seemed the worst of everything was behind them.
Or so they thought. Because in the Stovall house, while her parents exchanged intense stares (and in Melissa’s case glares), Julie was plotting her revenge