Part 21 (2/2)
Rose's eyes dart to mine again.
I'm still holding her hand when I say, ”Really, Rose, I can leave if you want to talk to Holly alone.”
”No. I don't. I want you to stay. My mom's setting up a bed for you in the back room.”
”Oh, I don't need to stay.”
”Please.” Her eyes bore into mine and I can't help but comply. ”I feel bad you had to come up; I'd hate to see you drive back down so late. Besides, it's Thanksgiving. My mom makes a ton of food.”
”I'll stay.”
”Yeah. He can drive me home tomorrow night,” Holly adds.
”Sure,” I tell her.
”Why don't we...”
”Rose.” She's interrupted by her mother. ”Why don't you all come in the kitchen? I put some coffee on, and we're all sitting around the table.”
The three of us look at each other.
Rose shrugs and says, ”You guys mind?”
”No,” Holly and I both say.
We're sitting at the table about fifteen minutes before her sister Terri suggests we play Monopoly. So we do.
I'm pretty compet.i.tive and usually stop at nothing to get Park Place and Boardwalk, but I notice that Beth gets sore when I purchase Boardwalk, so when I land on Park Place, I pa.s.s on purchasing it. Making enemies with Rose's family is not my goal tonight. Terri, on the other hand, seems to find it funny that I ruined Beth's plans and broke up the two premium spots. When Beth lands on Boardwalk, I offer to sell it to her.
”Don't you dare, Ben,” Terri says, leaning in close to me on my right. ”Don't let her make you feel guilty. It's good for her to finally have some compet.i.tion.”
”Thanks, Ter,” Beth says sarcastically.
I shake my head and sell her Boardwalk anyway.
”So, Ben,” Terri says, rubbing my forearm before she rolls. ”Are you my sister's boyfriend?” That's some question to ask while rubbing my arm, but I don't know Terri well, maybe she's just a touchy-feely kind of person.
I hesitate to answer, but I do look at Rose first. Staring into Rose's eyes, I reluctantly answer her sister. ”No. I'm not.” But I'd like to be. Saying that out loud may be a bit premature though.
Rose and I are still looking at each other when her sister asks, ”Are you dating anyone?”
”No. I'm not,” I say again.
”Would you like to be?” Terri continues her inappropriate line of questioning.
”Terri, stop,” Beth reprimands her.
”What? I'm just interested in our new friend,” she says coyly, and I'm starting to feel uncomfortable. When I look at Rose, she looks p.i.s.sed.
”So, Patti...” I say, to break the sudden tension, ”wanna sell me Tennessee Avenue?”
She laughs. ”And let you have a complete set? I don't think so.”
I end up rolling three doubles and put myself in jail.
”You ever in a long-term relations.h.i.+p?” Terri asks, so oblivious to the tension she's causing for Rose.
I consider not answering, but now everyone's looking at me, including Rose. So, with my attention on her, I say, ”Yes. Once. In high school.”
Rose doesn't react.
”How long?” Terri asks.
”Three years,” I say as unemotionally as I can. I really don't get why she's asking me all this now.
”Why'd you break up?” This question comes from Rose, and she asks it so low, I'm not sure the rest of the table heard it.
So, only looking at Rose, I tell her, ”I became serious about baseball, and she wanted nothing to do with it.”
Rose nods.
”Have you dated since?” Terri asks.
”Yes.”
”Are you a player?” She winks this time when she questions me.
”Only baseball.”
”I don't believe that,” she says.
”You don't have to,” I say, and I don't hide the fact that I'm getting annoyed.
”I wonder if Rose believes you.” No point in having enemies when you have a sister like Terri, I suppose.
”Does Rose believe me?” I ask Rose.
”Yes.” She does.
”Okay, enough with the getting-to-know-Ben s.h.i.+t,” Patti says. ”Rose, it's your turn.”
Rose rolls the dice, and not so subtly, I move my chair closer to her.
23.
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