God, Clay was right when he described them as cold and loveless. I couldn't imagine growing up with this couple as my parents. And I felt the guilt again as I thought of my own warm and loving parents who, in all of their over protectiveness, just wanted what was best for me.

“Coffee?” Mrs. Reed asked, after finding the filters and grounds. Clay and I shook our heads. “Why are you here?” Clay demanded, getting straight to the point. I cringed, not feeling comfortable being privy to this familial exchange. His fingers clenched mine so tightly it was cutting off the circulation.

“We wanted to see you, Clay. To make sure everything was the way it should be.” His mother said frostily. Her eyes moved to our joined hands and she looked me over appraisingly. “And this is...?” Mrs. Reed looked at me pointedly.

Clay stood up straight. “This is my girlfriend, Maggie Young.” He told her, his voice hard. I stuck my free hand out in an attempt at civility, though Mrs. Reed had made no such motion toward me. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Reed.” She looked down at my outstretched hand and then back at my face. She looked at me with suspicion for a moment, but the expression vanished and was replaced with her practiced fake politeness. She took my hand in hers and gave it a firm shake. “And you, Maggie. This is Clayton's father, Nickolas. Nick, say hello.” She commanded, as though her husband were a child.

Nick Reed finally lifted his eyes from his laptop. His gaze slid over me, head to toe as if assessing a horse, never making eye contact, then he returning to his work. “Hello.” He said with disinterest. Clay stiffened beside me at his father's rudeness.

This was becoming increasingly more awkward as the silence stretched on. “Girlfriend? Well, isn't that...nice.” Mrs. Reed commented, though her tone registered distaste. “So, you're just stopping by, right? I mean, you can see everything's fine here.” Clay said. He was becoming increasingly more agitated, if that was possible. I squeezed his hand to try and help him calm down.

His mother looked at him, making it clear she didn't believe his assertion that everything was okay. “Is everything fine Clayton? I think that has yet to be determined.” What a bitch! It was as though wanted something to be wrong with Clay. Mrs. Reed poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table, crossing her legs.

Watching Clay and I levelly with icy eyes, she sipped her drink. I felt like a bug under a magnifying glass being analyzed. I tried not to squirm beneath her steely gaze. “I'm not sure how long we'll be staying. We're staying at the Hyatt in Rockbridge. Your father is assisting on a case in Charlottesville. A high profile case that's getting a lot of national attention. I decided to come along to visit and to make sure you are fine.” She said condescendingly.

Clay's lip curled upward in a sneer. “I assure you, mother, that I've managed all right without you. Wouldn't want you to put yourself out or anything.” The bitterness in his voice made me sad for him. I could see how much he really wanted these people to love him. And I could see just as clearly how completely unable his parents were to truly love him the way he needed. Or at all.

No wonder he clung to me the way he did. The poor, lost boy beside me had never known unconditional love and support. He had been reared by the coldest individuals I had ever met. His mother didn't respond to his blatant jab. “Well, I think it would be best if we stayed for awhile. Moreover, your father's case could take weeks. Months perhaps.” Her words seemed almost threatening as she looked at her son with no emotion in her voice or face.

Months? From the way Clay had begun to tremble, I knew that would be very bad for him. These people triggered something dark in him and their presence could spell disaster for his precarious mental health. Clay made a strangled noise in the back of his throat. I looked at him in surprise as he snatched his hand from mine and fled from the kitchen. He left me all alone in the lion's den. I could almost hear Mrs. Reed sharpening her claws as I stood there, uncomfortable and dumbfounded.

Finally, I made my feet move as I turned to follow my boyfriend. “Maggie.” Mrs. Reed called out, stopping me. I turned back around to face her, trying not to be intimidated by Clay's beautiful yet cold mother.

“Why don't you have a seat. I'd like a moment with you.” She wasn't asking me, she was telling me. She indicated the seat beside her. I looked to Mr. Reed again, but he was oblivious to what was going on outside of his computer screen.

Mrs. Reed watched me as I slowly approached the chair and sat down. I folded my hands in my lap and looked at her politely. “How long have you and my son been dating?” She asked me, sipping her coffee. I cleared my throat, feeling strange sharing anything with her.

“Almost three months, ma'am.” I fidgeted in my seat under her unyielding stare. “And is it serious between the two of you?” She asked nonchalantly. Why was she asking this? What business was it of hers? This just felt creepy. “I guess so.” I answered reluctantly.

Mrs. Reed leaned forward, attempting to appear as if we were two girls sharing confidences. It made my skin crawl. “And are you aware of Clayton's...issues?” She said it as though he had a contagious disease. Her lips curled and I could see how repulsive her son's mental health was to her.

“I'm very aware of all his qualities, good and bad, Mrs. Reed. Clay has been very honest about his struggles with his mental health.” I said, sticking my chin out defiantly. I saw a flicker of disappointment, almost as though she wanted to be the one to tell me this. Maybe she wanted the information to drive a wedge between Clay and I. But why?