"Whatever."I waved off her comment."The point I'm making is thatyoudecided to spend all that money.I never asked for any of it, and I'm certainly not going to pay you back."
Joan sat forward abruptly, and I noticed both Georges sat up a little straighter, although junior was having a tough time of it.
"Now you listen here, you little witch.You were never ever good enough for my son, but for some reason, he chose you.I can only assume that you are well-versed in the sack because you always had that slutty aura about you.And after I saw your friends"—she rolled her eyes in disgust—"let's just say all my intuition was right."
I looked over at George to see if he'd consider coming to my defense.Not a word, though.Not surprising.
"I don't really care what you think about me," I told her."I assure you my intuition about you has always been spot on as well."I decided not to elaborate with insulting details mostly because I just wanted to leave.I was visualizing a quick escape, an Uber ride to my parents' rental and then a long drive home with the people I loved, the people who made me feel safe and wanted.Trayton sounded so dreamy now I couldn't believe that I'd badly wanted to leave it when I was a teenager."I think we should all just part ways and never speak again."It seemed like a perfectly logical conclusion to the whole mess, and George didn't argue.Joan, however, had her own plan.
Joan's mouth was pulled tight as she smoothed her skirt with her hands."You will not humiliate my son by leaving him at the altar.You will go through with this marriage."
George finally snapped out of his drunken stupor."What the hell are you talking about?"
Joan lifted her hand to silence him as if he was a small child.Something told me the high and mighty Dr.Plunkett was now wishing he'd gone easier on the bottle of hundred-year-old scotch.
"Hear me out, dearest."Joan turned her fiery gaze back to me."We will explain to everyone that it was just a case of bridal nerves, that you were overwhelmed by the long weekend and all the excitement.Then the two of you will say your vows, we'll move the reception along quickly.People will stay for the lobster and filet mignon.You will be married for two years?—"
I gasped.Both Georges stared at Joan as if she'd blown fire from her nostrils.George Senior finally cleared his throat to speak up.As far as I knew, it was all money from his side of the family, and Joan had married into the lavish lifestyle.Still, she ran the household and made all the decisions.George Senior was only interested in talking about stock portfolios and playing golf.
"Two years."A slightly hysterical laugh bubbled from my lips."You expect me to go through with this marriage and then stay for two fucking years?Then what?Do you arrange for me to die in some kind of accident?"
Her penciled in brow lifted as if to say "shit, I hadn't thought of that.""In two years, we'll let society know that you have far too many mental health issues, and even though George tried to make it work, in the end, it was just too much for him.He'll file for divorce and then thanks to the prenuptial agreement, you'll walk away with three hundred grand and the shirt on your back, and none of us will have to see or speak to you again.In fact, during the two years, we will keep our social interactions minimal.George will go to parties on his own making excuses for you, which will play perfectly into the?—"
"Into theJane Eyrecrazy wife in the attic scenario.Right.Well, I've heard enough of your crazy plan."I stood up and looked over at George.He'd sobered up some and stared back at me with his signature expressionless face."I'm sorry it turned out this way, George, but I think we'll both be happier."
"Mom is right," he said."You've fucking humiliated me in front of everyone."
"Yes, she has."Joan smiled for the first time because her son was in agreement.She looked over at her husband, who seemed torn about the whole thing."George, did you contact Roger Trundall, like I asked?"
"Yes, dear."
"Thank you."Joan looked at me, and I knew the venom had only started to flow."If you refuse to go through with the marriage and the two-year plan, then our lawyer is prepared to start legal proceedings to collect back the 1.4 million dollars we spent on this wedding.After meeting them, I'm sure your parents don't have a million dollars in their bank account."
"No and that's a good fucking thing, especially when I see how millions of dollars turns people into vile monsters."
"Well, it's up to you then."Joan leaned casually forward and poured herself a cup of tea as if we'd just been chatting about the weather instead of how she planned to destroy my entire life."Either marry George and wait for the divorce or see your parents brought to financial ruin.They'll be living in a trailer."She smiled wickedly as she blew on her tea."Or maybe that's where they live now."
I turned to George."Do you really think I would have ever been happy married to you and having this pit viper as my mother-in-law?You can blame her as much as your utter indifference to my feelings for the reason I walked out this morning."
"Well?"Joan asked, then sipped her tea, pinky lift and all.
It felt as if there were rocks in my stomach.I sat back down, utterly deflated.I looked at George for assistance, but he seemed already resigned to his mom's insane plan.He didn't want to face society as the man left at the altar.
"Why two years?What about two weeks?"I really wanted to suggest two days.
"After the trashy spectacle this morning, there is already far too much gossip about this marriage.Two years gives it some weight, and by then, people will have forgotten all about this morning.I have the minister on retainer."She looked me up and down and scrunched her nose."You look awful.I'll send up hair and makeup and have your dress pressed.I expect you outside at the altar in an hour.Call your parents, please.We need to make this look legitimate."
I laughed."That's hysterical."
Joan pointed a sharp red nail at me."You will play the good, sweet and overjoyed bride, or I will make the next two years of your life so miserable you really will need to be wheeled off in a straitjacket."
"Too late.You've already excelled at the first threat, and right now, being wheeled off in a straitjacket sounds like a fucking honeymoon compared to the real thing."I hurried out of the study and raced up to my room where I promptly broke down in tears.
SEVENTEEN
THEO
Itook the last jump too fast and overshot the landing, which placed me in a rock garden.The bike and I bounced a few times, but I avoided a crash and kept pedaling.Dad and Cormac were at the end of the trail.Dad's hand moved down sharply as he stopped the watch.Cormac looked over his shoulder to check the time, but I didn't need to see it.My times had been shit all day.
