#Chapter 99: Bloodlines

Iris & Arthur Iris An awkward silence falls over the table. I shift uncomfortably. The only sound is that of the kitten racing around in the other room, playing with a bottle cap. Wendy glances at the cat with a wrinkled nose but says nothing. Arthur clears his throat and offers me a grin. “Everything looks delicious, Iris. Thank you for arranging this.” I flash Arthur a grateful smile as I serve Miles his mac and cheese, then offer the prime rib to Leonard and the salmon to Wendy. They accept and take their seats, but I can tell they’re not particularly thrilled. Leonard takes a careful bite of his prime rib, chewing slowly. But Wendy merely picks at her salmon, pushing it around her plate more than actually eating it. I can tell they’re both judging me, but I try not to let it get to me. Generational differences, I keep telling myself, as if the age gap can somehow justify their shitty attitudes. “I normally love to cook,” I say with a light smile. “To