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haven’t paid much attention to the reasons why people were in. It was so busy that I was just trying to get to tables and give the people good service.
              “Has anyone made any offers on the place?” I was worried about his response, and if it was yes, I might cry.
                  “No, no, like I said, I was thinking about it. I haven’t done anything yet, nor will I without talking to you and your mother. Believe me, there will be no deciding anything without your mother involved. Could you imagine living with her if I sold without her input?” We both let out a chuckle, because we knew she would be a bitch to live with.
                  Just then the girls started to argue whether or not Josie had called out Uno or not, so I had the girls clean up the game. It was perfect timing too, because Alex had finished dinner and my mom was summoning all of us to the dining room table. As I walked in with my arm around my dad, Alex was placing the sauce and meatballs on the table. Everything smelled so good. I was impressed.
                  We sat around and ate. The girls monopolized the majority of the conversation. Most the time their voices rose higher and higher to get the attention so we would listen to one over the other. My mother had to hush them a few times. Monday dinners always seemed so chaotic, yet so relaxing. It’s a feeling hard to explain. Alex and I looked at each other throughout dinner. We never usually spoke to each other because we tried to keep up with the girls and their conversations. My eyes were currently connected to his when I heard the latest conversation. My head quickly snapped over to Lily. I was about to interrupt her when my mother held up a hand to my face. This was always her signal not to interrupt and to be quiet. The more I sat and listened to her, the harder it was to be quiet.
                  My mind was racing. I did not intend to discuss with my parents whether Alex slept over, and to have Lily campaign to my mother on the fact he should was driving me insane. I was not able to respond because my mother decided it was her place. She dropped her hand as she spoke to Lily.
    “You know, my dear, it isn’t your decision or mine. It is your mother’s and Alex’s. I do agree with you though that if the house isn’t a lot of money to Alex and he doesn’t mind it sitting empty at night, then let it sit empty.” I was shocked at my mother’s statement. I had spent the summer listening to her lectures on rushing things and jumping in and not thinking. Now I was sitting at a dinner table with her telling the girls she agreed with them on allowing Alex to spend the night.
                  Instead of saying something inappropriate or rude, I decided to stand and start clearing the table. It was getting late and the girls still had to have showers and read, because it was a school night. “Girls, why don’t you start gathering all of your things? We need to get you home and ready for bed.”
                  The girls carried their plates to the kitchen without complaint. I heard Josie ask Jasmine about dessert, but nothing was said to any of us still around the table. The girls walked to the entryway and started packing their things. My mother broke the silence in the dining room.
                  “Abby, why don’t you stay and help clean up here? It’s only right, since Alex did all the cooking. I’m sure Alex can take the girls home and get them ready for bed. He is used to helping out at bedtime.”
                  “Actually, that sounds like a really good idea, and I don’t mind.” Alex stood up while grabbing his plate and utensils. He took them into the kitchen.
                  Knowing I was not going to win, even if I tried to argue with this suggestion, I just kept quiet. I knew my mother was scheming, and instead of just coming out and