CHAPTER 42: A DEFINITELY TROUBLESOME FAMILY

«I’m really glad you agreed to meet them. They don’t know anyone here, so most of the time they just stay locked up at home, and I feel bad about it. I knew they were excited to spend some time in New York, and I’m sure you’ll really like them!»

I have to admit, I’m also happy to meet her relatives now that I’ve seen them—especially now that I know her relatives are her aunt and her little cousin.

Her aunt’s name is Britney Everglade, thirty-five years old, and... she looks exactly like Elaine from the future! Seriously, no joke, she’s identical.

Same punk rock look—the only difference is that her hair is dyed blue instead of green—same way of speaking, and even physically she’s a carbon copy.

Her cousin, on the other hand, is called Melania Narkhalis (what a bizarre surname), twelve years old... and she’s the complete opposite of her mother.

Long straight brown hair, a fashionable city-girl look—shorts, sneakers, and a cropped T-shirt that shows her stomach.

I guess that’s what’s in fashion now among kids.

So it’s obvious why I’m so happy Elaine introduced us.

Don’t get me wrong, of course I’m glad for her aunt, a woman who, being a carbon copy of Elaine, makes me feel the same sexual pull—maybe even stronger since she’s a milf.

And a single milf at that.

Elaine told me that Melania’s real father abandoned them shortly after her birth and then disappeared without leaving a trace.

Since then, Britney has raised her daughter alone and managed their finances by herself.

But now that she’s lost her job and they were evicted, Elaine’s family was more than happy to take them in until she finds new work.

Sure, I said my enthusiasm was mostly about Britney... but hell, I’d be lying if I said Melania leaves me completely indifferent despite being so young.

She’s twelve, but her body looks like that of a fifteen-year-old.

And her boobs—how the hell does a girl that age have bigger boobs than Elaine?

Maybe it’s just a push-up bra, but her face... no makeup, no tricks.

It’s not the face of a twelve-year-old, not even close.

And her hips are too developed as well—this girl is the definition of premature!

«So you’re the famous Ren Lazar. I finally get to meet you. You know, Elaine has told me so much about you,» Britney comments, shaking my hand.

«I’m really happy to meet you too,» adds Melania, standing a little apart, with a strange smile.

It’s not a happy smile, but neither is it malicious or teasing.

It’s more like... a faint, sinister grin, so subtle and fleeting I might have just imagined it.

«Perfect. Now that you’ve met... what do you say we take a walk through Manhattan? It’s almost lunchtime, and I was thinking of trying out that new steakhouse that opened in Hell’s Kitchen, on 9th Avenue. Cordesol Meat, I think it’s called, run by a young Argentine chef, Santiago Cordesol. Even though it’s his first restaurant, everyone’s already raving about it!» Elaine suggests with enthusiasm.

It’s a proposal we all gladly accept—I love meat, especially rare... and no, not because I’m a vampire.

Of course, Brianne would have been with us too... if only she hadn’t vanished.

Once we leave Elaine’s house, I expect to see her lurking around, ready to cling to me again... but nothing.

I won’t deny I feel a little disappointed, but I can’t exactly go chasing her all over New York.

She must have finally gotten tired of sticking to me 24/7.

«This meat is so delicious!» Elaine exclaims after her first bite.

«I agree. That Santiago Cordesol is only twenty-two, and yet he’s already this skilled. I’m certain he’ll go far!» Britney says with equal enthusiasm.

Only Melania stays silent, glued to her phone, tapping away between bites without once looking up from the screen.

«Melania, how many times have I told you no phones at the table? Do I need to confiscate it?» Britney scolds her.

«Shut your mouth,» Melania replies coldly—so cold it gives me chills, though she never lifts her eyes from the phone.

These new generations really are a disaster... brain-dead from their phones, with no respect for their parents.

If I ever talked to Isabelle like that, I’d get a slap so hard my head would spin, and my phone would already be flying out the window.

But she’s not my daughter, so it’s none of my business.

I just keep eating like nothing happened.

Elaine, though, is far from indifferent.

«Melania, your mom is right. Put the phone away at least during meals. And don’t talk to your mother like that—it’s wrong!»

At last, Melania looks up, staring Elaine straight in the eyes with a gaze that even intimidates me.

«Texting my boyfriend is more important than listening to you. Today’s our one-month anniversary, but because of my mom, I can’t even be with him since he lives in Los Angeles. Who knows when I’ll see him again! He’ll dump me, and it’ll all be her fault. If she hadn’t lost her job, I’d be with him right now! But then again, she couldn’t keep my dad, let alone a job—»

—SLAP!

The sharp sound of a slap silences the entire restaurant—Britney’s hand across Melania’s face.

Elaine and I freeze. We exchange a quick glance—mine puzzled, hers apologetic.

Yet, she doesn’t look surprised at all.

Clearly, things like this must happen often.

«I... I did everything I could to give you a decent life! You know better than anyone how hard I worked these past years! Fourteen, fifteen, sometimes sixteen hours a day, breaking my back in that damn factory, but with a smile, knowing my sacrifices could give you as normal a life as possible... And this is the thanks I get?! You treating me like a failure? I... I...»

Britney jumps to her feet.

«I’m sorry, Ren...» she murmurs through sobs, before running out of the restaurant in tears.

And yet, Melania shows no compassion.

No guilt, no regret... only hate.

She grits her teeth, clenches her fists, and mutters curses and insults under her breath at her mother.

Then she gets up and storms out with heavy steps.

«I’m such an idiot...» Elaine murmurs, just as devastated as Britney. «I thought taking them out might help, but instead things only got worse... Melania is such an idiot... but maybe she’s just too young to understand the sacrifices her mom makes for her. And knowing she was abandoned by her father certainly didn’t help. She wasn’t like this before, Ren, believe me. It started last year, and since then it’s only gotten worse...»

It must be the classic rebellious teenage phase, though there’s no excuse for what she said.

I was abandoned by not one, but both parents, and even then I would never dream of venting that frustration on Isabelle.

Sure, it makes me nervous from time to time, but I keep it to myself.

I can’t imagine what Elaine must go through, living with the constant tension between Britney and Melania.

But I know one thing—I have to do something before even Elaine loses her mind.