The food is ready and we make our way downstairs to the dinner table. There are persons already seated who are talking while others are standing around by themselves, watching me.

For that, I feel even more anxious than I did on the ride over and I curse myself for wearing the dress because everyone keeps looking at my tummy and not all the looks are pleasant. Some look at me with disgust while others look at me with hate. It's from the same three guys that Reed was talking to, the same three that don't like me because I'm black.

Trying to keep myself distracted, I turn my attention to the table, which is pretty long, very long actually, since there are fourteen seats on both sides. Reed pulls out a chair for me and I sit, muttering thanks. I rub my hands and look down at my lap until Summer sits beside me and starts talking about how this is the last day she'll be eating meat. She's decided to become a vegetarian because we'll she's watched enough PETA videos which have left profoundly left an indelible mark.

Lucan sits beside her and explains its cool what she's doing but he cannot see himself staying away from meat. "It's too good, plus I need the protein I can get." he slaps his chest, "I'm a growing boy."

Summer flips her hair and looks at me, rolling her eyes, "As I was saying Reena, I'm done eating meat after today."

Lucas and Reed laugh, "Yeah we'll see."

I laugh and look at Lucas, "She can do it if she wants to."

"Yeah I'm sure she can." he laughs and Summer turns on him, telling him off.

Reed laughs and I turn to look at him, "You don't understand babe, she does this every time. Every Christmas dinner she makes some resolution that doesn't last for a week." he comes closer, "You'll see."

Everyone goes quiet as Mrs Max and some other ladies come out with a barrage of food they all place in the centre of the table. There's a huge turkey, ham, bread rolls, mashed potatoes, potato salad, wine, pot roast, fruit salad, spaghetti and meatball, baked potatoes and mac and cheese.

The ham is placed right in front of me and I have to hold my breath, I grab Reeds hand, "What's wrong?"

"The ham." I say, trying my best to keep down the vomit.

He releases my hand and switches the ham with the fruit salad. "Better now?"

"Yes, thanks."

He nods and his mom invites everyone to sit. "Please everyone take a seat, apologies for the delay. Someone decided to eat all the boiled potatoes" she shoots a look at her husband who looks behind him, shrugs and sits, "So, Lucy had to run to the store." she makes a small smile and shakes her head.

"Now sit, please. Quickly, quickly."

Everyone begins shuffling into their seats and right in front of me, are the three boys. I try not to meet their stares or rather glares.

"Okay, let's pray."

I close my eyes and bow my head, listening to Mrs Max voice as she thanks God for seeing another Christmas with her family. She finishes quickly thereafter, "Now let's eat."

Everyone begins grabbing for this and that, I just take a bread roll and some of the fruit salad. The only thing I can eat and keep down nowadays.

I look to see Reed watching me and he's frowning. I smile, shrugging and take a bite of the bread and fruit salad.

Summer taps me on the shoulder, "Don't you want anything else?"

I shake my head, "Only thing I can keep in my stomach. Light, nothing heavy."

She gives me a sad smile and I turn back to my meal.

"So, Reena is it?" A lady with dull ginger hair looks at me and I look up, fork midway to my mouth.

I place the utensil down and straighten, "Yes."

"So you're pregnant, might I ask how far along are you?"

"Almost four months."

"Oh." she grins, "You're finally out of your first trimester. That's great."

"It would be great if I had my appetite back."

"Oh," Another lady says, with green eyes and gorgeous bright blonde hair. "Don't worry, it'll soon pass. We've all had it up to our fifth month."

"Doesn't mean it'll be the same for here Sally." Mrs Max says and Sally shrugs.

"Right, hopefully, it will though." she winks at me and smiles.

Mr Max looks to the boys in front me, and at their empty plates. "Boys, I know you're all hungry so why aren't you guys eating?" Eat something."

"We were." One says, staring at Reed.

"We lost our appetite." Another says right after, staring at me.

I take a deep breath and continue to eat.

"Well," Mrs Max says, "There must be something there you like."

"The food is fine aunty, just that mom taught me that a dog should never be at the table."

I drop the fork and look up to see all three pair of eyes on me, everyone else's attention is on them and they all look stunned.

"What the hell did you just say?" Reed is gripping his fork tightly and he looks pissed.

"Reed calm down." his mom says, and she looks to the boys and takes a deep breath. "Please tell me you didn't just say what I think you did, because there are no dogs here. So who are you referring to Marcus?"

He doesn't answer, instead some else does. A woman who hasn't touched her food either, and she's resting her chin on her hand. "Come on, there's only one person whose here that doesn't belong."

My stomach sinks and I bite my lip, "Elizabeth, do not start with this." Mr Max is staring at her hard.

"Start with what, that your son got a girl pregnant at seventeen, and if things couldn't be worse, it's with a black female."

Reed jumps up and slams his hands on the table, "Shut up!"

"Max!" his mom shouts and he looks at her, "No mom. She can't talk about Reena like that! I won't let her!"

"Son, sit down." his dad says, and he reluctantly sits, finding my hand and squeezing it.

"Elizabeth, what my son did was irresponsible, yes but it's already done and we've accepted it and moved on. Second, there is nothing wrong with who he's chosen to be with. Reena is a lovely girl and now she's apart of this family."

Elizabeth throws down her napkin on her empty plate and stands. "Then I'm no longer apart of it."

Mr Max stands too, "Elizabeth, don't do this."

"Do what?" she flips her dark brown hair over her shoulder and places a hand on her hip. "I'm not going to be apart of this, have you forgotten what uncle Robbie use to say?"

Mr Max face goes rigid and he clenches his fists. "Don't you dare say it."

She smiles darkly and turns her attention to me, Reed's hands squeeze mine even harder. "If you sleep with dogs you will get fleas."

At those words, everyone is screaming, shouting at each other. Max is being held back by Summer and Lucas, and his parents are screaming at Elizabeth. While everyone is distracted, I stand and make my way to the door, snatching Reed's keys in the process.

The cold air slams into me and I move quickly to the car. I get in quickly, start the engine and leave.

***

This was hard to write but I know for a fact things like this happen, no sense ignoring it.

On a lighter note, thanks so much for reading this and I wish you a happy & prosperous new year 🎉🎉🎉

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THANK YOU! 😊

Special shoutout to FluffyBear_K & Tag1617 😗