Chapter 6: Something Strained Over Dinner

After giving thanks over the meal, they started to eat with vigor. Samantha began to stare at Jessie, who was playing with the meat and veggies on the plate. Seeing her hesitation, she decided to speak up, “Do you have any dietary issues that we are unaware of, or are you just a picky eater?” Samantha narrows her eyes a little to make her point straight.

“Hugh, no. It’s just been so long since I’ve eaten together with others that I feel more confused and acquired about this all instead of hungry. I guess,” stated Jesse with a slight blush on her cheeks. I hope I don’t mess this up. They do seem like friendly people. I somehow got a second chance with Chris. I don’t want to kill them. However, Samantha looks too intelligent for me to handle.

“Being an introvert can be tough, but social anxiety will only make your life more difficult. I know. That is why I am so proud of my little Judy. So sociable. Hopefully, I raise her right and not into some manipulative jerk like her late father.”

“You never talked much about him before. I just thought he was a workaholic working out of state,” said Chris leaning over his plate toward Samantha.

“No, some government official destroyed companies and families, apparently—something like that.”

“Wow, not some secret agent or scam artist?”

“Not that I know of. Not that he would talk about it. He would be more closed off when he was given promotions.”

“Well, if that isn’t sketchy, but a man buried in his work I can relate with, I guess,” said Chris looking up at the ceiling.

“That was the problem. I would think he was still alive somewhere today if these officials didn’t  come to me with a death certificate and a picture of his corpse along with investigation paper to prove his death in an investigation to identify his body.”

“Hugh,  well.”

“I mean, what sort of heartless people were they to do that to the victim’s wife and family?! Well,” stated Samantha. She quickly stopped in fright, looking at Judy with her head on the table above the empty plait with drops of water falling on it.

She rushed from her chair, picked up Judy, and rocked her in her arms, caressing Judy’s head and saying, “I’m sorry. I know he was your father too. I am still frustrated and sad about losing him. I don’t really hate him. There, there, sweety.”

“Snff, then can I have a new daddy soon? One to make Mommy happy and love me too,” said Judy in between sobs.

“Sure, sweety, I will look for a good man for us both, okay.”

“Great! Then, what about Uncle?”

“Pft,” Chris choked a little while seeing Samantha’s eyes look at him for a moment that seemed full of hesitation before looking back at her daughter.

“Now Judy, Uncle Christian is a good man, but I don’t see him that way. I only see him as a good little brother and friend, perfect to act as your Uncle and Godfather.”

“But Mommy, you look all starry-eyed and distracted when you talk about him at home.”

“Ughh, that is enough, little girl. Mommy just can’t.”

“But he would make a great daddy, and our life wouldn’t change that much as it is, right? Only that I would get a new brother or sister.”

Samantha put Judy back onto the chair, got down on her knees, and looked Judy in the eyes, saying, “Look, Judy, I don’t see that happening. Besides, Mommy found some that she likes from work.”

“What! Since when Mommy?”

“Well, since last week. We have been on two dates. Mommy is really hopeful.”

“Fine. I hope he makes you happy then,” mumbled Judy looking at the ground.

“Hey, you can still see your favorite Uncle Almost every day anyway.”

Judy looks up at Chris and smiles a little sheepishly. Samantha pats her daughter on the head. She smiles at her daughter with her back towards Chris, saying, “Sorry for roping you into our family drama just now.”

“No problem, I guess. Though it was an emotional roller-coaster for sure.”

“Hahaha, ya, I guess you’re right.” Samantha gets up, walks back towards her seat, and sits down. “Jesse, you too. Sorry for this unsightly display from this mother and daughter pair.”

“No issue. I can easily tell how much you love each other, and it makes me miss my mom a little,” said Jesse, a little sad and embarrassed.

“Well, Chris, I hope you can continue to look after Judy for me while I am at work and before you go to your night classes.”

“You can ask me for anything but money.”

“Sure, cheapskate.”

“Don’t worry, this unofficial daycare worker will do all I can as I always do. She is my adorable niece, after all. Right, Judy?”

“Right, Uncle!”

“Okay, enough of the disaster duo’s banter. Chris, how did your meeting go at the publisher?”

” I swear that real monsters and undead workaholics run it. Though I did get rough criticism, I won’t let it down. Can I count on you, Judy, to help me make my story more fun and entertaining?”

“I don’t know. Uncle tries to get me to read books with no pictures.”

“What was their complaint? What needs to be fixed before publishing it,” questioned Samantha.

“The person that gave me the review said it might as well be dry as eating salted crackers in dry desert at midday. I was praised on the teachings inside the story, though.”

“Can’t you put your pride down and work with another author to get your point across since your creative story writer skills still lack?”

“They did offer it, but I don’t know if that is for the best.”

“Drop your pride, work with someone you like, and treat them right.”

“Maybe, but I don’t want my intellectual rights to be taken away from me.”

“Just stop being a chicken and take some chances with someone that knows what they are doing.”

“You too? Fine. I will take care of it before they reply to me on the offer.”

“Now that we are all caught up with the embarrassing events of our lives in this family-sharing time, shouldn’t we get Jesse to share with us next?”

“Yes,” questioned Jessie staring back between those at the table and the food on her plate.