She told me I could attend dinner, but that I should keep my mouth shut because I embarrass the family.”
Lauren stared at my mother.
Her mother’s expression hardened.
The judge said nothing.
Mom put down her glass.
“That is not what I meant.”
“Those were the words.”
“You’re taking it out of context.”
I almost smiled.
“The context was dinner.”
Daniel pushed his chair back a fraction.
“Why are you doing this?”
That question finally made something inside me settle.
I looked at him.
“I came to dinner.
I followed the rules.
Your future father-in-law recognized me.
None of that was something I did to you.”
Lauren turned toward Daniel.
“What rules?”
He rubbed one hand over his face.
“There weren’t rules.
Mom was nervous.”
“You asked Amelia if Mom told her the rules when she arrived.”
Daniel looked at her sharply.
He had forgotten she heard that.
I had not.
Lauren’s mother spoke quietly.
“Daniel, why would your sister’s career embarrass you?”
“It doesn’t.”
“Then why hide it?”
“I didn’t hide anything.”
His voice was getting louder now, which only made the room feel smaller.
The judge remained calm.
“No one is accusing you of anything criminal, son.
You don’t need to cross-examine the table.”
Daniel flushed.
For the first time all evening, I almost felt sorry for him.
Almost.
Mom did what she always did when Daniel was cornered.
She moved in front of the discomfort for him.
“This is my fault,” she said.
“I wanted tonight to go perfectly.
Daniel has worked very hard, and this was supposed to be his moment.
Amelia can be…
intense about her work.
I was trying to prevent competition.”
I stared at her.
“Competition?”
She knew immediately that she had chosen the wrong word.
Lauren caught it too.
“Competition between your children?”
Mom forced a laugh.
“You know how siblings are.”
“No,” Lauren said.
“I know how Daniel talks about Amelia.”
