Tense Breakfast

“Hello Melissa.” Anna said in a sweet tone as her eyes met Melissa’s. “If your son would not keep distracting me I could get more done.

“What..?” Melissa sputtered as she stood stock still in the light pouring out of the dining room. The light softened the lines around her eyes but the last year had aged her. Green eyes, identical to her son’s, were bracketed with lines that had only gotten harsher and her once black hair was now striped with grey. The cruel twist to her mouth did nothing to soften the harsh look.

“Anna…” John choked and covered it with a laugh “didn’t you want breakfast? I thought you were hungry.”

“I’m starving.” She said as she ran her fingers down his arm and gave him a wicked smile.

Anna put her hand around his arm and tucked herself into John’s side as he growled at her with fire in his eyes. Melissa gurgled and turned in a huff heading into the dining room.

“Well I’m not sure there is much left as you took so long.”

“I can make do with anything, especially after so much exercise.” Anna said with a smile as Melissa sat down. Anna put eggs and bacon on her plate and sat down beside John with a wink. John smiled at her and gave her a look hot enough to melt metal.

Anna took a bite and moaned in appreciation. She looked over at John as she licked her lips and Melissa scowled darkly. Melissa turned to John and her face changed and softened.

“I was concerned about what I saw last night.” Melissa said in a hushed voice gently touching John’s hand.

“What was that mother?”

“Well maybe we can discuss it later.” She said with her eyes cutting to where Anna was finishing her bacon. Anna smiled at her and continued to eat as if she didn’t’ hear her whispering.

“We have a busy day, and there’s nothing you can’t say in front of Anna right? We are all family.”

“Of course!” Melissa said brightly as she turned a strange smile on Anna. Anna looked right back at her and dared her to say anything else. Melissa was a master at pretending but the smile didn’t’ quite reach her eyes and Anna knew she was mad enough to spit.

“I was so concerned about the fight you had last night. You know I only have both of your best interests at heart and it made me so sad to see you fighting on your anniversary.” Melissa grabbed one of John’s hands in her own and gripped it tightly. “It would have made your father so sad.”

“That is none of your business mother, I appreciate your concern for us but we have worked everything out.” John said disentangling his finger from her grasp.

“I just want to make sure everything is okay for you both.” Melissa said in an overly sweet tone that hurt Anna’s teeth from across the table.

“I appreciate your concern,” Anna said in a tone just as sweet “but John and I are getting along perfectly.”

“Wonderful,” Melissa said with over exaggerated cheerfulness. “It’s just that I worry about you so.”

“You are a saint.” Anna said sarcastically as she went back to her food. If looks could kill she was sure she would have been six feet under.

John smiled at them both and Anna wondered whether he really bought his mother’s act or not. He had always had a blind spot where his mother and sister were concerned. Anna munched quietly on the rest of the eggs on her plate wondering how John could be fooled by his mother and sister. May was just as bad as Melissa but crueler. “I guess bad traits are hereditary”. Anna thought to herself as the door to the room opened and the girl in question stepped inside.

“Good Morning Darling!” Melissa whined as May kissed her cheek.

“Morning” May said in obvious annoyance as she grabbed a black coffee and sat down at the table with a huff. “Why is it so bright in here?”

“It’s really not that bright in here.” Anna said brightly making sure to bang her spoon down on her plate as innocently as possible.

“It’s like the face of the freaking sun in here.”

“Maybe you’re sick.” Melissa asked as she gripped her daughters arm and pinched it discreetly. May looked at her mother like she was a million kinds of stupid but just grunted in reply pushing her short black hair out of her eyes as she pulled away.

“Or drunk again.” Anna muttered as she pretended to drink her coffee.

“Yeah Maybe.” May said as she sent Anna a glare and gave her mother a look that clearly said what the hell.

“Wonderful news though, this should make you feel much better,” Anna said with a smile as she scraped her fork over her plate again “John and I made up.”

“Great,” She said in a voice that dripped sarcasm “I was so worried about you.”

“No need to be, we’re great.”

Just then John’s phone chirped and he rolled his eyes before answering it. He mouthed the words work at Anna before stepping toward the door. Anna took a deep breath as he stepped into the hallway leaving her alone with his mother and sister.

Anna pasted on a fake smile and prepared herself for the worst.