I know, that was low, even for me.
“Are you talking about summer camp?” She guffaws. “You’ve always hated me, haven’t you? You know I didn’t want to put you in the wedding but Mommy made me.”
“You think I wanted to be in that ridiculous blush pink Thanksgiving Day wedding?”
“Adrienne,” Jason grabs my hand because I’m visibly shaking with rage.
“This is why I didn’t want to come.,” I say to him in a shrill voice. “Do you see?”
“You’ve always thought you were better than me, even back then,” Cecily continues berating me.
“I am.”
She didn’t expect that response and is quieted by my confidence and Jason’s silent but strong support of me. Of course I ruined dinner, but the look on her face was frankly worth it.
“Lorraine? Can you come here for a moment?”
My mother pulls her twin sister to the side, and they have a brief conversation. Their mannerisms are almost identical and their facial expressions are somber. I don’t know what exact words were exchanged between them, but they hugged afterwards and then suddenly Aunt Lorraine announced it was time for everyone to leave.
“Do you want to go too, baby?” Jason whispers in my ear.
My mother speaks before I can answer.
“I’d like for you to stay so we can get to know Jett better.”
“You can call me Jason, Mrs. Hodges,” he tells her with his signature hundred-watt smile.
“Then, Jason, please stay and you can call me mom.”
My mother pulls me in for a long hug, and whispers in my ear, “I like him and more importantly I think he loves you.”
I grin and whisper back, “I hope so, because I’m head over heels for him.”
After the three of us finish our dinner and splurge on a slice of apple crumb cake, my mom asks if we feel up to staying a little longer. Jason is of course happy to stay. He’s working so hard to win her over after Cecily and I basically ruined Christmas.
“Movie or photo albums?” I ask him.
“That sounds like a trick question,” he replies.
“If you don’t make a choice, you have to drink.”
“You know I’m not drinking any alcohol right now.”
He’s back on his strict eating and exercise regimen to get back in shape for football.
“Sorry, but that’s how the game is played. If you don’t want to mess up your diet, then you should just answer the question.”
He looks between both me and my mother and finally gives an answer.
“Photo albums.”
My mother claps a single time with approval.
“Great choice! I’ll go get them. You two get comfortable.”
After my mom is out of earshot Jason comments, “So, um, I see why you picked elopement.”
“We should have hung out with my Dena and Danny,” I chuckle.
