THE GRANDPARENTS

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"A little hustle please," Chip nagged at his siblings as they slowly walked down the steps. "The Colonel's waiting!"

"So, what?" Sabrina asked uncaringly.

There was a strange energy in the house now that Micky was gone. Even though the Pemberton siblings would never admit it, I bet that they all secretly regret letting Micky leave, especially with Alba.

"So, show some respect," Chip spat. "He's a fricken war hero. Dude went buck-wild in Korea!" Chip held up a picture suddenly as he admired it. The black and white photo was of his grandpa during the war. "Look at this beast." He took a dramatic pause, waiting for everyone to look. "If there was ever a guy to surrender the patriarch role to, it's this man."

"You're oddly obsessed with your grandpa," I spoke up.

Chip met my eyes and shook his head firmly. "Don't confuse obsession with admiration, Alice. If you're ever lucky enough to meet someone as heroic as the Colonel, you'll understand."

"Never thought I'd say this, but I'm with Bridgeport on this," Sabrina admitted. She crossed her arms and shot me a fake smile.

I hummed in response. "Never thought I'd say this, but I'm only slightly offended this time."

"Give me time to recharge," Sabrina told me. "I've used most of my cruel comments on Micky."

"Looks like I'm in for a treat now that she's gone then," I exclaimed. Sabrina chuckled as she nodded slowly. She was just pure evil.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. I was hoping it would be Micky returning, but I knew that she would be long gone by now. I would be happy to see her again even if she came back just to steal a few more things. Unfortunately, I wasn't surprised when the four of us were met with an old couple standing outside when Chip opened the door.

His shoulders dropped as soon as he saw the Colonel sitting in a wheelchair. "What?" He spat in disappointment and shock. His dark eyes bore into the Colonel's condition. He looked dead but I could tell that he wasn't since he was still breathing.

The old woman wearing grey pulled her slim lips into a bright smile. Her wrinkles seemed to deepen with the motion of her movements. "Hello!" She greeted. I could see right past her fake smile and high pitched voice. Something about this just felt off. "Oh my goodness! Look how big you've all gotten!" The woman pushed her way into the house, forcing the four of us to backtrack further inside the foyer. "Sabrina, my beautiful angel! And Chip, such a dashing young gentleman. You remind me of my husband."

I almost died of laughter as I elbowed my blonde friend and spoke quietly to him, "The resemblance is uncanny."

"Oh, and Ben, my poor baby," the woman cooed as she bent down to his eye level. "I've heard about that little accident you had!"

"Hello.. Grandma," Ben struggled to speak with the harness on his face.

The woman smiled at her grandchildren before spotting me standing beside Chip. "I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met," she spoke softly. "I'm Evelyn Pemberton."

I put on a smile, knowing this drill all too well. "My name's-"

"Alice Windsor," Chip interrupted. He wore a smug smile as he intertwined our hands. His palms were clammy. "My girlfriend."

My eyes went wide as Sabrina nearly burst out laughing. Evelyn placed her hands over her grey blazer before gasping softly. "Now, isn't that just so sweet," she exclaimed. "Young love!"

"Oh, it is definitely love," Sabrina remarked. I continued to smile but I could feel my face heating up the longer Chip held my hand.

Evelyn smiled between the two of us. "Now, it has been a long day, so why don't we all go upstairs and change into our pjs!" She suggested.

Sabrina wore a cocky smirk when she spoke up. "Yeah sorry, grandma, that's not gonna work for me." She took a step forward. "I've got a party to go to tonight and I probably won't get home until late, so you don't have to wait up for-"

Out of nowhere, Evelyn pulled her arm back and slapped Sabrina right across the face. My hand shot up to my mouth as Chip and Ben watched with wide eyes. Sabrina clutched her cheek, which was probably burning with pain due to the amount of force that her grandma had hit her with.

"I realize, you children, aren't used to having rules," Evelyn stated. She had ditched her fake, high pitched voice about one slap ago. "All of that is going to change, so be a good girl, and do as grandma says."

The silence couldn't have been louder.

"No," Sabrina spoke.

Evelyn smiled before slapping Sabrina across the face once again, but this time, she backhanded her as well. This time, I couldn't help but gasp. Chip moved closer towards Ben as he wrapped an arm behind him with my own hand still intertwined with his.

"I think you'll find, I have very little tolerance for back-sass, dear," Evelyn said. Her tone was calm but I could tell that she was seething. "Upstairs."

Sabrina didn't hesitate to move as she walked past her grandmom and up the stairs to her room. I walked with Chip and Ben towards the stairs as well, but Evelyn placed her arm before the two of us. My eyes slowly moved up to meet hers. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to send you home for the day," Evelyn told me. She had her sweet voice again.

I pulled my hand away from Chip's and nodded. "Oh, right." I tried my best not to stutter. It's best not to show the enemy any signs of weakness. I looked to Chip, who just smiled smugly as he tapped his cheek twice. My dark eyes rolled but I didn't meet his request. Instead, I turned on my heels and walked out the door.

"Please, come over for breakfast tomorrow morning, dear," Evelyn called out to me. I glanced over my shoulder and sent her a small smile and nod. Although I would probably be over here again anyway, I was still a bit nervous to say no.. Evelyn Pemberton was a monster.