"Could've ordered pizzas and been done with it,"Ilaugh.
"I did suggest getting a sub platter from Wegman's, which I still think is more than those people deserve."
I wrap my arms around Helen's waist and give her another squeeze."Thanks, Helen."
She pats my arm."Don't let the bastards get you down."
A genuinelaughbubbles out. Maybe I will survive this all.
I don't see my mother or father anywhere, so I use this temporary moment of peace to gather my wits about me. I steal into the family room and have a seat, reaching for my phone and coming up empty.Shit.I think I left it on my kitchen counter when I went back to retrieve the earrings. Guess I won't be able to call for help.
My reprieve is short-lived. Mom pokes her head in the room, then seeing me, comes in and shuts the pocket door behind her.
"I didn't realize you'd already arrived. You can't hide out all day,Palmer."
"I was merely gathering my energy before the hordes descend."
"Do you think, for today, you could brush the chip off your shoulder? I don't expect you to do it forRaniaorBrennan, but I'd appreciate it if you'd do it for me."
She purses her lips, painted a subtle shade of coral that matches the short-sleeved sweater set she wears."I'm not happy withRania, but she's my only niece, and family must forgive family."
I've heard some version of that my whole life, and I am sick of it."Even when family stabs you in the back the way she did?"
"I understand your anger and I agree it's justified,"she says. She perches on the edge of the sofa cushion next to me.
"Then why are you doing this? Why throw them an engagementpartyand make me come for it?"
"It's the right thing to do toshoweveryone there are no hard feelings."
Mylaughis more of a cackle, but I can't help myself."Oh, but there are hard feelings."
"But we don't have toshowthem?—"
"Why not?"Istand, a fire catching in mystomach."Nowadays, this wouldn't even rate a comment on Facebook."
"It's about appearances. You have no idea what it's like to be the subject of gossip and mockery. I do. I need you to do your part."
"This isn't healthy, Mom, and I can't keep doing this."I breathe in through my nose and exhale a resigned breath."This one last time, I'llshowmy face, slap on a smile, and go through the motions. But do not expect me at the wedding, Mom. I mean it."
"I suppose that's fair."
“And you and Dad need to start coming to my games.” I hold up a hand to stop whatever she’s about to say. “You’re all about appearances. Well, how do you think it looks when one of your clients knows more about your daughter and her career than you do? You don’t have to approve of what I do. But I’d appreciate some support. Just like I’m showing my support for you today.”
“All right. You make a good point.” She stands, hergazeslipping down my dress until she zeroes in on my tattoo peeking out from under the hem."Is that... a tattoo?"
I put my arm around hershouldersand guide her out of the room."You can yell at me later, Mom. Appearances, remember?"
Workers set up a large whitepartytent in the back, where the guests will sit. Tables and chairs are being moved inside, while my parents' gardeners unload apickup truck full of flowers. The kitchen has been taken over by servers arranging finger sandwiches and hors d'oeuvres on serving platters, and Helen is nowhere to be seen. I don't blame her.
When the valets arrive, I offer to help them set up along the drive, recalling how my mother has done it in the past. I finish giving directions and making sure they have shade and water, andstartback to the house. I'm thinking aboutCharlieand wondering if I should try to call him from the house phone. I need to hear his voice. I don't like how things went last night, and it's all my fault. I'm lost in my thoughts, so I don't see the happy couple until I nearly bump into them.
"Palmer."My name on Rania'stongueis cloying. She opens her arms, but I step back, forcing her todropthem. She loops an arm through Brennan's and the two of them smile at me like idiots.
"Rania. Dickhead,"I greet them.
Brennangivesme a pitying look."Really? Name-calling? It's beneath you,Palmer."
"Actually, you're beneath me,"I retort.
