Page 146 of Lau Ahi
“Oh, so just a third of the families were touched by violence. And you married someone that you hated. This isn’t really looking too good for your case.”
“I have no case.”
“You don’t?” I’d assumed she wanted to convince me to accept her son but I was surprised at her refusal.
“I don’t need to convince you of something that your mind was set on before you arrived.” Her smile was slick and knowing and I was shocked at the ease in which she’d made her assumption about me.
“Why would you—”
“No woman grills someone about a life she has no desire to partake in. Your curiosity shows your commitment. And don’t insult me by saying you’re naturally curious because you’re not. You couldn’t handle Ori and not have a strong sense of self. Arrogance even. If there’s something you don’t know you won’t take someone else’s word for it; you would figure it out on your own. Your inability to put up a wall shows me that this conversation is personal and not hypothetical. Morbid curiosity wouldn’t have you concerned for your well-being if this wasn’t a life you wanted to be a part of.” Faith looked content with her assessment and finished her champagne before pouring more.
“And when were you going to tell me that your family owned this place?” It was too easy to change the subject than to fess up to anything that she’d said. I felt exposed and wanted to return the favor.
“Peeped that did you?” She smiled holding her champagne flute near her face tickled that she’d thrown me off but gracious enough to keep her gloating to herself.
“I did. First, the two of you look a like and the ease in which you let me order was more about your confidence in the food being good rather than appeasing me. Which means you know them or you’ve been around for much longer than we know.” She wasn’t the only person who could make observations and she smiled to show there were no hard feelings.
“I haven’t lived in DC.”
“I’m sure you haven’t. But that wouldn’t stop you from popping in and out. To check on things and people.”
“An assumption?”
“No. Your eyes light up whenever you say his name. No matter how badly you would’ve wanted to, resting on the sidelines would’ve been impossible for you even in the worst of situations.”
The server came over placing the massive amount of food I’d ordered on the table. She left but I knew before the meal was over I’d be having her sit down so I could figure out her familial connection with my soon to be husband too.
“You can tell how I feel about my son just by how I look?”
“It’s not like you try to hide it.”
“Can I give you some advice?” Her tone was hesitant, as though she was concerned it wouldn’t be well received.
I wiped my mouth with my napkin because I hadn’t hesitated to dive into the food on the table. “Of course.”
She toyed with her flute before mustering up her courage and speaking her piece. “Your poker face isn’t nearly as good as you think it is. I’d prefer you to be open with him but I get you want to guard yourself. If you both stop being afraid maybe you’ll stop needing them.”
WEDDING BLUES
ASHA
“You cannot be serious!”
My mother’s shrill voice echoed throughout the bridal salon shocking everyone who was standing with us. I’d just walked out from behind the curtain and true to form, she couldn’t help but shout her displeasure with my actions.
I saw Sasha cringe with embarrassment and that wasn’t enough to stop theI told you so’slook I directed her way.
“Oh, this is stunning.”
I glanced at Jada who was sitting there nodding her approval, tapping her finger to her thumb as she grinned. I gave her a slight nod of gratitude but it was funny that she seemed to read the situation as quickly as she did. Jada was a prime example of how being psychotic didn’t mean you weren’t intelligent. I was prone to believe that we were probably far more adept at reading rooms and human behavior than people gave us credit for.
“Don’t lie to her. She looks absolutely ridiculous. Who ever heard of a bride wearing something like that?”
Eight sets of angry eyes turned to my egg donor and I couldn’t help but laugh internally. My mother always felt as though my father’s money insulated her from anyone correcting her bad behavior. It was clear she thought these women were either going to be on her side or that they would agree with her just because. Too bad for her this wasn’t the posh upper-class setfrom London that she was so used to playing by the rules for. The women here were my peers had met me before and some were even my friends. She’d gravely underestimated the control she had over this audience.
“I’m sorry, you’re her mother?”
Babette Cannon, who I’d learned would’ve been my mother-in-law had Ori not volunteered as tribute in the game of matchmaker., sat forward angrily. As much as I didn’t want a husband, I felt cheated that this woman wasn’t my mother-in-law. Vanya had revealed her pregnancy and Babette wasn’t going to allow her to travel by herself. They’d showed up to the bridal boutique arm in arm and I could tell they genuinely loved one another. Of course, Faith wasn’t proving to be too bad so maybe I’d have this, eventually.
