Invitation Pt. 2

>"Anon, Monika's here!"
>You already knew that
>You knew from the second the doorbell rang that Monika was 2 hours early
>You had excused yourself to your room after spending Christmas morning with your mother
>The last thing you needed was for her to watch you watch the clock for 6 hours
>You head downstairs, slipping a package into your coat as you leave your room
>>Monika! Merry Christmas
>After a period of time just long enough to be noticeable, you go in for a quick hug
>"Merry Christmas, Anon! I hope I'm not too early. I thought I might be able to lend a hand in the kitchen."
>"If that's okay with you, Mrs. Anon."
>She's looking over your shoulder, toward the dining room
>Your mother saw your weakness
>The glint in her eyes guarantees you'll hear about that later
>"Of course, Monika. Anon's a complete mess in the kitchen."
>She drops her voice to a playfully conspiratorial whisper
>"Of course, I'm not much better."
>Monika lets out a peel of laughter, following your mother around the tall counter that separates the kitchen and the dining room
>You're torn
>One giant, aching part of you wants to be in that kitchen, monitoring the situation
>While your rational mind reminds you that both of these women can read you like a book
>You hate yourself for feeling embarrassed of your mother
>She's been your whole world for as long as you can remember
>Well, her and Sayori
>But Christmas always reminds you of how different you are from the rest of your peers
>Not quite ready to face those demons, you settle yourself at the counter, facing into the kitchen
>You make small talk with the two of them, filling the gaps on your phone
>You can tell that your mom is a little uncomfortable with having someone else in her domain, but she's making the effort to be welcoming
>"So, kids, how's the literature club going?"
>"It's great, Mrs. Anon. It's a lot of fun to hang out with friends who share your interests! Ahaha~"
>"I still can't believe that Sayori convinced Anon to join you guys. I thought he'd be up in his room until the day I die"
>Monika shoots you a smirk
>"Well, he's a great addition to the group. His poetry has really been improving lately!"
>Your head collides squarely with the counter
>"Reeeeaaally? Anon, you never told me about any poetry..."
>whyme.jpg
>>It's nothing, Mom. Monika's just being nice
>"I can't believe you'd keep such a thing from your mother, Anon"
>You glare at Monika
>She's cute when she's smug
>There's that glint in Mom's eyes again
>fucking monikammmmmmmmmmmm

>It's dinnertime
>The table is considerably fuller than normal
>Christmas dinner generally consists of a turkey that you'll eat at for a week and some... economical side dishes
>You can tell that Monika's presence really kicked Mom into overdrive this year
>Sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top, a from-scratch green bean casserole, and the fluffiest mashed potatoes you've ever seen grace the spread
>Your mother is the only one at the table who'd count herself as a Christian, but both you and Monika bow your heads respectfully while she says grace
>"Our Father, for this day, for our friends, for this food, we thank Thee. Amen"
>>Amen
>"Amen"
>Monika's voice is a little unsteady
>Your mom shoots her a wide smile
>You all start to dig in
>Table conversation is relatively light, but pleasant
>"So, Monika, Anon tells me that your parents work overseas?"
>"Yeah, they're in the technology field. They go all over the place, but to hear them tell it, they spend most of their time on airplanes. Ahaha~"
>Mom politely laughs, but, hearing the discomfort in Monika's voice, lets the topic pass.
>Soon enough, everyone is done with dinner.
>Mom, citing the special occasion, pours 3 glasses of wine as she slices into the pie that Monika brought from home.
>After no more than 20 seconds, the older woman speaks up again
>"Well, I am beat! Thanks for all your help, Monika. Merry Christmas, kids!"
>With that, she hurriedly picks up her plate and glass and heads upstairs.
>Now you're alone with Monika
>and wine
>You glance at each other and simultaneously blush
>>She is such a dork
>"I think she's sweet"
>You both pick at your pie and sip at the cheap red wine that your mother prefers
>>This pie is great, Monika
>"O-oh, thanks Anon."
>You realize that in her haste to get you two alone, Mom forgot about the leftovers
>Monika helps you clean up
>You insist on boxing up some of the extra food for her
>She did help cook it, after all
>After the kitchen is clean, you go out to the living room
>You share the rest of the wine while sitting in the glow of the tree.
>It's quiet, but a comfortable quiet
>>I'm really glad you came, Monika
>"So am I, Anon. I had a great time. Thanks for inviting me"

>After a few more minutes, Monika decides to head home.
>Of course you're going to walk her home
>You run upstairs to grab your coat
>While you're up there, you lightly knock on your mom's door
>No Answer
>You gently open the door to find her asleep above the covers with the TV on
>Pfft, lightweight
>You find Monika waiting for you at the door, doggy bag in hand
>"Did you say thank you to your mom for me?"
>>She's... indisposed at the moment, but I'll tell her in the morning
>Monika laughs as you follow her into the chilly December night
>She lives in an apartment downtown, so it's a bit of a walk
>Between the wine and the conversation, the time flies
>Soon, you're outside her building
>"Well, this is me. Thanks again, Anon. I really appreciated spending Christmas with you guys"
>>You're very welcome
>>In fact, I'm sure that you could drop by any time you want
>>My mom loves you
>"Come on, Anon. She was just being nice"
>>I haven't eaten a sweet potato in 6 years
>"Ahaha~"
>>Oh, shit, I almost forgot, I have something for you
>You pull the wrapped package from your pocket and hand it to her
>>Everyone should have a present to open on Christmas
>She smiles widely at you, ripping through the paper to see what's inside
>It's a framed picture of the five of you together
>It was your mom's idea
>"Oh, Anon..."
>"This is so sweet. Thank you"
>She gives you another incredibly tight hug
>You feel her hand moving to her eyes behind your back
>She kisses you on the cheek as she pulls away
>She starts toward her building
>"Merry Christmas, Anon! See you at school!"
>>M-merry Christmas!
>You barely get the words out as she goes through the door
>You stand there for a few more seconds, frozen, before turning around and going home.