Poison -12- by Melanie Brown

Copyright © 2024

Part 12

The door opened, revealing a very pretty girl whom I assume was around eighteen; about the same age as Zach. I’m sure it was Gene’s sister. Like Zach, she was graduating from high school. The city’s rival school was having their ceremonies tonight on Saturday. Zach’s school will have theirs on Monday.

Gene’s sister was wearing a black miniskirt and a white tank top. Her long, dark brown hair was put up in a high ponytail. Her nails were done in black which is what most girls in high school were doing, and her make-up was perfect. Why am I noticing these things?

“Hi!” the sister said pleasantly. “You must be Diane. Please come in. I love your dress and aren’t those just the cutest earrings!” She pointed at the couch. “Make yourself at home. I’ll let Gene know you’re here.”

“Thank you,” I said as I sat on the couch.

“Oh. Let me take your purse and put it over here,” said the sister as she took my purse from me. She placed it on a table near the door.

It dawned on me that I don’t know how to react around women. Yes, technically Mom is a woman, but she’s Mom first. So far, she hasn’t taught me any secret handshakes or code words that I’m sure women have.

Gene came bounding into the room with a wide grin. “Hey Diane!”

I stood to greet. “Hey, Gene. Good to see you.”

Pointing at his sister, who had started setting plates out in what I assumed was the dining room adjacent to the living room, he said, “I guess you met my sister Donna. I think she’s in school with your brother.”

I nodded.

Gene said, “My mom’s in the kitchen. Come with me. I think dad’s still out in the garage. He’s trying to restore a ’71 Super Beetle but he’s having trouble finding parts.”

I followed Gene into the kitchen. “Hey Mom! Diane’s here.”

In the kitchen was an attractive woman about Mom’s age, slightly taller with a short hairstyle. She was wearing a dress and sandals and had an apron tied around her waist. As she turned towards me, she started to untie the apron. Something smelled wonderful in the oven.

His mother smiled and said, “Diane! It’s such a pleasure to meet you. Gene’s father and I are very grateful you were able to help with his math test so he could graduate to high school.”

I smiled back. “I was happy to help, Mrs. Miller.”

Gene opened the oven door and peeked inside. “I hope you’re hungry. Mom makes a great chicken parmesan casserole.”

“It smells wonderful.” I said honestly.

“Gene said you only just now came to his school?” asked his mother.

Looking shocked, Donna said, “Seriously? That’s terrible.”

Frowning, Mrs. Miller said, “Donna, go tell your father Diane is here.”

Lying out my ass, I said, “I’m not sure why I had to transfer, but it had something to do with my father’s death.”

Looking like she wanted to change the subject, Gene’s mom said, “Oh. I’m so sorry for your loss, dear.”

Gene asked “How did he die?”

Mrs. Miller frowned, “Gene!”

I said, “He was disintegrated. The university gave us a small paper envelope to bury him in at their own expense.” It was kinda sorta true.  Mom was given an envelope that said ‘In memorium’ along with my old name on it.

Looking aghast, Mrs. Miller said, “How horrible. You poor thing.”

I sighed. “You don’t know the half of it.”

Donna shook her head. “Still. Pulling you out of your school at the end of the year and putting you in a new one is a rotten thing to do.”

I said, “I have to agree.” Yeah. I wanted to stay home and enjoy my death.

A door off the dining room opened, and a tall, burly middle-aged man with a buzz cut entered. His hands and shirt were greasy. I correctly assumed it was Mr. Miller, Gene’s father.

Mr. Miller smiled at me and held up a greasy hand. “Hello, Diane. It’s nice to meet you. Gene has mentioned you a lot. Let me go wash up. I lost track of time working on that stupid car.”

I grinned at him. “Nice to meet you too, Mr. Miller. And it’s okay. My dad used to get lost in his side projects.” Mom sold my project off to a junk dealer.

Mrs. Miller said, “While Ernest is doing that, Gene would you show Diane to her seat? Donna, would you please pass around the salad bowl?”

It was less than five minutes before Mr. Miller returned wearing a clean shirt and washed hands. When he plopped down in his chair at the head of the table, he said, “Sorry about that.”

As he scooped quite a bit of salad into his bowl, he said, “Gene’s mother and I want to thank you for assisting Gene in that test.”

As I picked up a dinner roll, I almost said ‘No Problem’. But Mom had informed me that that doesn’t substitute for a real ‘You’re welcome.’  I smiled at Mr. Miller and said, “You’re welcome, sir. I’m glad I could help.”

As he scooped up the first helping of chicken, Mr. Miller causally asked, “What kind of work does your father do?”

Before I could answer, Gene said, “He’s dead, Dad.” Donna kicked Gene’s shin under the table.

Mr. Miller looked terribly embarrassed. He said, “I’m very sorry for your loss.”

I quickly added, “He was a chemical engineer at Janus Corporation.” I was about to get a promotion, too. Dammit.

Mr. Miller said, “That must be hard on your family. What does your mother do if I may ask?”

I put some butter on my dinner roll. “She’s in IT at Central Bank downtown.”

Mr. Miller chuckled. “Looks like brains run in your family. Your older brother is graduating this year along with Donna. Does he have college plans?”

I nodded. “He’s going to Mulberry University on a football scholarship.”

Ernest nodded approvingly. “Good school. I understand their science department is ranked number one in the state.”  Look what they’ve done for me.

Gene took a bite of his dinner and spoke with his mouth full, “Your brother is a good player. The Rangers almost made State.” Zach was still kicking himself for the game-losing fumble that cost them getting State.

Donna looked over at me. She asked, “Are you trying out for cheerleader?”

I shook my head. “I hadn’t really thought about it.”

Donna’s face lit up. “Oh, you should! You’d love it. I was cheerleader all four years, and it was a blast. They’re going to need some new girls this year. All but one of us is graduating.”

I said, “I don’t know. I’m not really the type.”

Sounding excited about the idea, Gene exclaimed, “Oh you should! That’d be great!”

Donna said, “I could help you, if you want. Being a cheerleader will definitely cure you of that shyness.”

Mrs. Miller said, “Don’t force the issue, Donna. If she doesn’t want to, she doesn’t have to.”

Donna looked down at her plate. “It was just a suggestion.  I’m sure she’d love it.”

I smiled weakly. “Well, I’ve got the whole summer to think about it.”

Gene stuffed a roll into his mouth. “Isn’t your little brother going to start high school along with you?”

Mrs. Miller looked at me curiously, “Oh? You have another brother your same age?”

Gene laughed. “Didn’t you say he’s a brother from another mother?” I didn’t, but I’ll run with it.

Mrs. Miller said, “Oh, he’s your half-brother?”

I nodded. “Dad had a previous marriage.” Let’s not think about this too hard. I’d better remember to tell Mom.

Ernest took a big swallow of ice tea and said, “So did you know Gene before your transfer? How long have you two known each other?”

I quickly said, “About a week. We’re in the same math class.”

With a smirk, Donna asked, “So you two haven’t started dating yet?”

“I didn’t even know him until a week ago,” I said, worried about where the conversation was going to go.

Gene shook his head. “No, Donna. We’re not dating.  Yet.” He then chuckled.

Hoping to leave now before there was any more talk of dating, I pushed my plate back a little and said, “That was a wonderful meal, Mrs. Miller. I really enjoyed it.” And I did.

Smiling broadly, Mrs. Miller said, “You’re very welcome, dear. I’m glad you liked it.”

Gene asked excitedly, “Mom. Can I show Diane the present you got me for graduating?”

Mrs. Miller said, “Of course. I guess dinner is over. Help me with the dishes, Donna?”

Ernest belched.

Gene jumped up from the table. “My room is over here, Diane.”

I stood up and gently patted my lips with a napkin. Mom had told me that ladies don’t just drag their napkins across their mouths. I should though, just to get rid of what was left of my lip gloss. I followed Gene to his room.

Leaving the door open, Gene proudly pointed and said, “Cool, huh?”

Sitting on his desk was a totally awesome gaming computer. He put his arm around my waist. “Isn’t that just totally badass?”  I tried to disengage his arm.

I said, “That’s cool, alright. I guess I should call my Mom to come get me.”

Gene said, “Before you do. I’ve got something I want to ask you.”

“You can ask…”

“Would you like to go to a movie with me?” asked Gene, looking me directly into my eyes.

Well shit.

End of Part 12