“Okay, that’s it” Mike said decisively, and he pulled Deb up. “You go take a shower, then I’ll take care of dinner”
Reluctantly, Deb left the kitchen, and startled a little when she saw Ryan and Claire. She didn’t care much for Max’s opinion. She hurried to the hallway, and ran upstairs.
“Totally insane” Mrs. Weston noted.
“Shut up” Ryan snapped.
Mrs. Weston raised her eyebrows. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to strike a nerve”
“I’ll see if she’s okay” Max suggested, but as she stood, Claire put a hand on her arm.
“No, I got this” Claire said.
Deb’s back ached from the burning hot water, but she didn’t lower the temperature.
“Are you okay?” Claire banged on the door.
Deb rolled her eyes, and closed the tap. “Why does everyone feel the need to check up on me?” she muttered, and she stepped out of the cabin. “I’m fine” she spoke a little louder.
“So, Mike’s mother seems to be a piece of work” Claire tried to make a joke. The door opened and Deb stepped outside, wearing nothing but a black bra and matching panties. She was drying her hair as she walked to the bedroom. “What the hell happened to you?” she heard Claire gasp behind her. She groaned and quickly let her hair fall down so it covered her back, and mais importantly the scars.
When they arrived back in the living room, jantar was being served por Ryan. “Don’t worry, it’s delivered” he winked at Deb, and she relaxed a bit. She pressed her lips together when she saw Mike and Max sitting seguinte to each other, unmistakably orchestrated por Mrs. Weston. But then Claire offered to switch places with Mike, which granted her a grumpy glance from Mrs. Weston, but a grateful one from Deb.
Ryan, Claire and Mr. Weston tried to keep casual conversations, but the rest of the party felt rather awkward. It was awkward for Deb, because she knew Mrs. Weston couldn’t stand her. It was awkward for Max, because she knew Mrs. Weston tried to set her up with Mike. And it was awkward for Mike, to be in the middle of it all.
“Well, I think we’re all done, here” Mrs. Weston announced eventually. “Debra, you can collect the dishes”
Automatically, Deb stood, but Mike stopped her.
“No, I’ll do it” he said short. “Mom, care to help?”
“Actually, I think Maxine should” Mrs. Weston replied hastily, seeing an opportunity and grabbing it with both hands.
“Max is our guest” Mike replied, dismissively.
“Well, I’m your guest, too” Mrs. Weston argued.
“Yeah, an uninvited one at that” Mike snapped. “Kitchen. Now” He collected the dishes and walked into the kitchen.
Mrs. Weston reluctantly stood, and followed Mike.
“I’m sorry, Michael, I didn’t mean to-” she started, but Mike cut her off.
“I need you to stop bullying Deb” he said sharply. “She told me what happened. How can you be so mean to someone you don’t even know? You won’t even give her a chance”
“I’m just worried about you, Michael” Mrs. Weston tried to reason with him. “Why does she need a cop to keep an eye on her? She must’ve done something seriously wrong”
“Has it ever occurred to you that Max is here for Deb’s protection?” Mike fired back, angry.
Mrs. Weston swallowed. “Protection from what?” she asked, frowning.
“People like you, it seems” Mike snapped hostile.
“Is that the reason she’s mentally unstable?” Mrs. Weston asked, carefully. “Because, she’s not in her right mind”
“Yeah, and you bitching on her, every five seconds, doesn’t help either” Mike replied, not really denying Mrs. Weston’s assumptions.
“Mike, that woman needs mental care” Mrs. Weston hissed. “And, honestly, I think she’s too old for you. She could be your mother”
“That’s gross. Deb’s four years older than me. That would mean…” his voice trailed off. He was going to say ‘That would mean someone forced himself on her when she was still a kid’ But since it had happened, although not at the age of four, Mike found it inappropriate to voice his thoughts. “If you can’t be nice to Deb, leave her alone. You can’t upset her…She’s pregnant”