Chapter 6 - The Rehearsal Tension
Friday evening brought the rehearsal dinner at a rustic Italian restaurant near the venue. The air inside the private dining room was thick with unspoken hostility.
My mother sat at the far end of the long oak table, clutching her wine glass so tightly her knuckles turned white. She hadn't spoken a word to me since I canceled her auto insurance, but her eyes threw poisonous daggers across the table every time I laughed with Daniel’s family. Dad sat next to her, slouched in his chair, staring bitterly into his pasta, furious that he had been forced to pay his own cellular bill that morning.
And then there was Chloe.
Chloe arrived forty minutes late, wearing an overly tight, bright pink dress designed to highlight her slight baby bump. Her boyfriend, Tyler, looked completely miserable, shuffling behind her like a tired shadow.
When Chloe sat down, she didn't greet Daniel or me. Instead, she immediately began talking loudly to our extended family members—including Uncle Ron, who had just arrived from Ohio—about her pregnancy, her upcoming baby shower, and how "exhausting and expensive" everything was becoming.
"It’s just so hard when you realize who your real support system is," Chloe said loudly, aiming her voice directly at my back as she cut her steak. "Some people care more about throwing a lavish, vanity party for themselves than helping family members bring a new life into the world."
The table went dead silent. Daniel’s mother looked shocked. Uncle Ron cleared his throat nervously, looking down at his plate.
I didn't lose my temper. I didn't cry. I slowly turned my head, wiped my mouth with a cloth napkin, and looked Chloe dead in the eyes.
"If you're referring to me, Chloe," I said, my voice smooth as silk and easily carrying across the quiet room, "I'm sure everyone here agrees that paying $14,000 of your rent and funding your lifestyle for two years was more than enough support. But if you feel neglected, I'm sure Tyler would be happy to take on a second job to cover your nursery furniture bill."
Tyler choked on his water, turning bright red. Chloe’s mouth snapped open in pure shock. She looked at Mom, expecting her to jump in and defend her, but my mother kept her eyes glued to her plate, terrified that I would bring up her car insurance in front of Uncle Ron.
"Bonnie, please," Dad grumbled weakly. "Not here."
"I agree, Dad. Not here," I smiled pleasantly, standing up from the table. "Let's save all our energy for tomorrow night. I promise you... it’s going to be a wedding none of you will ever forget."
I raised my wine glass toward my family in a quiet toast, took a sip, and walked out to the patio with Daniel.
May you like
That night, back at our hotel, Daniel held me close. "Are you nervous?" he asked softly, running his fingers through my hair.
"Not at all," I murmured, resting my head against his chest. "For thirty-four years, I felt like I was living in their story. Tomorrow, they find out what happens when I write the script."
