reaction.
“It’s as if you decided that by paying for everything yourself, you’d be able to have everything your way, and we could either fall in with your plans or not. Is that the type of relationship we can count on in the future? You two make all the decisions, and we can choose to participate or not? I have to say, I’m really hurt. I thought we raised you to be more considerate and family-oriented than that.”
Jenny sat quiet for a minute, letting her mom’s painful words sink in.
“I don’t even know what to say. Apparently I can’t do anything right.” Tears glistened in Jenny’s eyes, and disappointment roughened her voice. She was so tired of fighting—and losing. She sighed. “There’s no grand plot here, Mom. We aren’t trying to exclude you and Dad in any decisions. Your reaction to our engagement made it crystal clear that you weren’t enthusiastic about our wedding, so why would I think you’d want to be involved?
“I’m sorry we didn’t consult you about the date. It never occurred to us that it might be inopportune for Dad—we were trying to minimize the time out of school for Ted, since it’s hard to make up college classes. And you can pay for whatever you want. I’m not trying to deprive you of anything. The resort we picked is really nice and rather pricey, so Gabe didn’t want you stressing out about the cost, since we did pick it without consulting anybody.
“And true, nobody’s had a chance to meet and get to know each other, which is exactly why we thought a week’s vacation in Maui with the family would be so great.”
“So we’re all going on your honeymoon with you?”
“No, we’re staying two weeks.” Jenny sighed. “I’m sorry for this mess. Gabe and I are spontaneous. We didn’t think it’d be this big of deal for everyone. We thought it’d be fun. But we’re totally willing to change the date to one that’s more convenient for you guys if it’s a problem.”
“Haven’t you put down a deposit?”
“Yes, but it shouldn’t be a problem to change the date. It’s not exactly Maui’s high season. Besides. You’re my family, and you have to be there. Please say you’ll come.”
“I’ll talk to your dad, check with Michael’s teachers, and see what we can work out.” “Thank you.” Jenny looked at Mom. “If you have time, I’d love to get your opinion of the stuff we chose. There are a couple of things I’m waffling about. It’s all online.”
“Sure.” Mom sighed, and worry replaced the tightness in her features. “But I still have one big problem. I have no idea what the mother of the bride is supposed to wear to a beach wedding.”
The tightness in her stomach unwound, and Jenny offered her mom a smile of relief. “I can help you with that.”
* * *
George moved around the wooden sawhorses and stack of drywall to the backyard where one of the workmen had told him he could find Jenny. Stepping over a pile of debris, he frowned at the ripped-apart house. No way was this worth all the money Gabe was plowing into it.
So it was on the lake? He could get the same house for half the price if he just walked across the street and up the hill a block. He shook his head; this lavish renovation wasn’t like Gabe. He’d never cared about comfort things or money. It must be her.
George rounded the corner and found Jenny hunched over her computer. Her fingers flew like pistons, punching the keys, undoubtedly crafting more lies. He tripped over the uneven flagstone and cursed. He looked up to apologize for swearing, but Jenny was apparently deep in concentration. He moved closer and tapped her shoulder.
She jumped, and then smiled. Putting a hand to her ears, she pulled out orange striped cones. “George. Hi.” She held them up. “Ear plugs, so I can work.”
He smiled and nodded. Without waiting for an invitation, he took the chair next to hers and fiddled with the envelope in hand. “I was on my way to the driving range
“It’s as if you decided that by paying for everything yourself, you’d be able to have everything your way, and we could either fall in with your plans or not. Is that the type of relationship we can count on in the future? You two make all the decisions, and we can choose to participate or not? I have to say, I’m really hurt. I thought we raised you to be more considerate and family-oriented than that.”
Jenny sat quiet for a minute, letting her mom’s painful words sink in.
“I don’t even know what to say. Apparently I can’t do anything right.” Tears glistened in Jenny’s eyes, and disappointment roughened her voice. She was so tired of fighting—and losing. She sighed. “There’s no grand plot here, Mom. We aren’t trying to exclude you and Dad in any decisions. Your reaction to our engagement made it crystal clear that you weren’t enthusiastic about our wedding, so why would I think you’d want to be involved?
“I’m sorry we didn’t consult you about the date. It never occurred to us that it might be inopportune for Dad—we were trying to minimize the time out of school for Ted, since it’s hard to make up college classes. And you can pay for whatever you want. I’m not trying to deprive you of anything. The resort we picked is really nice and rather pricey, so Gabe didn’t want you stressing out about the cost, since we did pick it without consulting anybody.
“And true, nobody’s had a chance to meet and get to know each other, which is exactly why we thought a week’s vacation in Maui with the family would be so great.”
“So we’re all going on your honeymoon with you?”
“No, we’re staying two weeks.” Jenny sighed. “I’m sorry for this mess. Gabe and I are spontaneous. We didn’t think it’d be this big of deal for everyone. We thought it’d be fun. But we’re totally willing to change the date to one that’s more convenient for you guys if it’s a problem.”
“Haven’t you put down a deposit?”
“Yes, but it shouldn’t be a problem to change the date. It’s not exactly Maui’s high season. Besides. You’re my family, and you have to be there. Please say you’ll come.”
“I’ll talk to your dad, check with Michael’s teachers, and see what we can work out.” “Thank you.” Jenny looked at Mom. “If you have time, I’d love to get your opinion of the stuff we chose. There are a couple of things I’m waffling about. It’s all online.”
“Sure.” Mom sighed, and worry replaced the tightness in her features. “But I still have one big problem. I have no idea what the mother of the bride is supposed to wear to a beach wedding.”
The tightness in her stomach unwound, and Jenny offered her mom a smile of relief. “I can help you with that.”
* * *
George moved around the wooden sawhorses and stack of drywall to the backyard where one of the workmen had told him he could find Jenny. Stepping over a pile of debris, he frowned at the ripped-apart house. No way was this worth all the money Gabe was plowing into it.
So it was on the lake? He could get the same house for half the price if he just walked across the street and up the hill a block. He shook his head; this lavish renovation wasn’t like Gabe. He’d never cared about comfort things or money. It must be her.
George rounded the corner and found Jenny hunched over her computer. Her fingers flew like pistons, punching the keys, undoubtedly crafting more lies. He tripped over the uneven flagstone and cursed. He looked up to apologize for swearing, but Jenny was apparently deep in concentration. He moved closer and tapped her shoulder.
She jumped, and then smiled. Putting a hand to her ears, she pulled out orange striped cones. “George. Hi.” She held them up. “Ear plugs, so I can work.”
He smiled and nodded. Without waiting for an invitation, he took the chair next to hers and fiddled with the envelope in hand. “I was on my way to the driving range
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