Mom says, “It did sound a bit outlandish. We thought maybe it was a cheesy gimmick.”
“What do you mean?” Charlie asks.
“You know, like a cheesy gimmick to sell more of those fancy-shmancy chocolate bars,” Dad says.
“No, it—it was real,” Charlie says, stumbling over his words a bit. “We’ve really connected, and you know I’ve never really been the romantic type, but he’s incredibly smart, well-spoken, not to mention well-dressed. I…like him.”
Grandma nearly explodes with elation. This is the happiest he’s seen her in a long time. “Charlie! Oh, Charlie! How exciting!A wedding! We’ve always wanted to be around when you married. Haven’t we, Grandpa?”
“You betcha.” Grandpa beams alongside her. “What wonderful news!”
Charlie can’t focus on his grandparents’ delight when it’s being overshadowed by his parents’ evident skepticism.
Mom shakes her head. “He’s known you for a week. How could he possibly know he wants to marry you?”
“Charlie’s a catch!” Grandma says, coming to his defense.
“Grandma and I got engaged after only a few weeks. When you know, you know!” Grandpa exclaims.
Dad sets down his coffee mug. “Today’s world isn’t like it was back then.”
“I’m not prehistoric,” Grandpa chides.
“What does he want from you?” Dad asks, ignoring Grandpa.
“Companionship and love! What else could he want?” Grandma says.
“I think your dad is asking about logistics here. It’s one thing to win a contest and a free trip. It’s another to accept an engagement from a stranger,” his mom relays in a much calmer manner.
“He hasn’t asked, and I haven’t accepted yet. He’s only requested I stay longer so we can figure out whether we could get married and build a life together.” Angelo stirs in his lap. Charlie pets him between the ears to give his fidgeting fingers something to do.
“Well, good,” Dad says with a huff. “I don’t care how smart or well-dressed he is. Call me old-fashioned, but I think it’s a man’s duty to meet the father and ask for his blessing before he proposes. That’s what I did.”
“Dad, this isn’t some Austen novel. You don’t need to give him a dowry or some sh—stuff.” He hates cursing in front of his grandparents. He can have the blue hair and the tattoos and thepiercings, but he draws the line at that. His rebellion has its hard limits.
Is one of those limits not marrying someone his family disapproves of?
“Still, we should meet the man in person if he wants to be a Moore!” Dad says.
“Maybe we can arrange to have you all come out here?” Charlie says, confidence dimming.
“And miss work?” Mom asks.
“I’m not sure I’m well enough for a nine-hour flight,” says Grandma, losing some of her sparkle.
“We’re about to lose our house, Charlie.” Tears speckle Dad’s eyes. In twenty-eight years, his father has never shown this much emotion before. It frightens him a bit.
“I know…” Charlie’s voice is as thin as a chocolate wafer. His breath shortens.
“Do you?” Dad asks, really laying into the words.
“I do because I’m the one who got the letter from the bank.” They all go ghostly white at the confession. Charlie wishes relief came along with his words, but the hurt he’s inflicted on his family registers deeper than before. His guilt is a mallet plunking him on the head. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I know you’re all under a lot of stress right now with your jobs and your health, and I wanted to step up and handle this for us. Originally, that was the reason I came out here. Dario must marry to inherit Amorina, and he is very rich.”
“Marrying him doesn’t make it your money, Charlie. Don’t you think you’d have to sign a prenup?” Mom asks.
“You were using him for his money?” Grandma asks, concerned and perhaps a tad disappointed.
“No, I mean, well, at first I…” Hadn’t he already worked through this? Hadn’t Dario confirmed that Charlie’s need did not outweigh his feelings? That he would write the Moore familya check to save their house, no questions asked, because helikedCharlie.
