Bethany’s Questions at the Table Read More
1. The Invitation That Felt Like a Trap
Christmas lights blinked softly across the living room, but Larry felt none of the warmth they promised. His phone buzzed again.
A message from Bethany.
“I’m planning something special for Christmas dinner. Everyone should be there.”
Larry stared at the screen. His stomach tightened.
Bethany never planned “something special” without turning it into a scene.
Her smile was dangerous that way—sweet on the outside, sharp underneath. Larry knew her too well. If she had invited Sharra, his own family, and even his sister, then this wasn’t just dinner. It was a stage.
And Bethany loved an audience.
He imagined the table already: candles, laughter, fake cheer… and then her voice cutting through it all like glass.
He whispered to himself, “This is a setup.”
2. Larry’s Fear Has a Name
Larry walked back and forth in the hallway, replaying memories he wished he could erase.
The TV he bought for Sharra.
The Christmas gifts wrapped with care.
The hours he spent listening to Sharra talk about dreams, plans, hopes.
Bethany noticed everything. She always did.
She never yelled directly. She preferred questions. Questions that sounded innocent but bled guilt.
Larry could already hear her voice.
“You bought her a TV?”
“That was expensive, wasn’t it?”
“You could have done that for me too.”
He rubbed his face with both hands.
The worst part? He couldn’t say no to Bethany’s dinner. If he refused, she’d explode privately. If he went, she’d humiliate him publicly.
Either way, he lost.
3. Bethany’s Smile Knows the Plan
Across town, Bethany stood in the kitchen, holding a wine glass she hadn’t even sipped yet. The Christmas tree glowed behind her like a witness.
She rehearsed quietly, her lips moving without sound.
Not accusations. Never accusations.
Questions.
Questions were cleaner. Deadlier.
She imagined turning to Larry mid-dinner, tilting her head slightly, smiling.
“I was just wondering…”
She pictured the faces around the table—Sharra confused, Larry’s sister uncomfortable, his parents frozen with forks in their hands.
Bethany’s smile widened.
She wasn’t jealous, she told herself. She was fair.
Why did Sharra get time?
Why did Sharra get gifts?
Why did Sharra get effort?
Bethany adjusted the dinner seating carefully. Larry would sit right across from her.
No escape.
4. The Dinner Begins, The Air Changes
Christmas evening arrived dressed in politeness.
Laughter filled the room. Plates clinked. Compliments were exchanged. For a moment, Larry almost believed he was wrong.
Almost.
Bethany poured wine, her movements calm, graceful.
Then she looked at Larry.
“So… the TV you bought,” she said lightly, as if discussing the weather.
“It must have cost a lot, right?”
The room went quiet in a way that wasn’t sudden—but intentional.
Larry’s sister shifted in her chair.
“I mean,” Bethany continued sweetly, “you could’ve bought one for me too. Or at least asked.”
Larry felt heat crawl up his neck.
“Bethany, this isn’t—”
She raised her hand gently.
“I’m just talking,” she said, smiling. “We’re family here.”
Her eyes flicked to Sharra.
“And the gifts,” Bethany added softly.
“The money you spend on her Christmas presents… you could spend that on me too, couldn’t you?”
Forks stopped moving.
Breathing sounded too loud.
5. Larry Tries to Stop the Explosion
Larry leaned forward, his voice low but shaking.
“Bethany, please. Not tonight.”
She laughed—quiet, controlled.
“Why not tonight?” she asked. “Isn’t Christmas about honesty?”
She turned to the table.
“Don’t you all think time matters?” Bethany said.
“Because he gives her so much of it. More than me.”
Larry’s heart pounded. He saw it now—the trap fully closed.
This wasn’t about a TV.
This wasn’t about gifts.
This was about proving something.
About ownership.
About making him choose.
Larry opened his mouth to speak again—
And that’s when Sharra finally looked up, her expression unreadable, and said—
“Larry… is that true?”
The room froze.
The Christmas lights flickered.
And Larry realized it was already too late to stop whatever Bethany had planned next.
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