Chapter 24: Sacred and untainted

Rain sat across from me, arms folded, barely touching her food. Her eyes darted everywhere but at me. Why did I do this to myself? It was torture. I had gone over to visit my parents because I missed them, and I felt terrible for all the excuses I had made to avoid seeing them.

Dad was in the kitchen with his first love—as my mother would put it—the stove, humming a tune as he sautéed vegetables for the meal, while Mom casually sipped her wine at the dining room table, eagerly waiting for dinner to be served.

They both sensed the unease. “So, how’s everything going with you girls?” Dad asked, setting the pan down and glancing between us.

Rain let out a small huff, picking at her salad. “Oh, you know, everything’s great.”

I could feel her frustration radiating off her.

“It’s fine,” I said quickly, hoping to deflect. “Just... busy, that’s all.”

But Rain wasn’t letting it go. “Busy avoiding me, you mean.”

Mom raised an eyebrow. “April, is something going on between you two?”