“I was saying, you’re so lucky to be getting married to such a nice man who is going to set you up for life. Or else you would have to be working Sunday afternoon shifts.”
“Honestly, I like working at the restaurant,” I say. “But I’m also getting a college degree, remember? Journalism.”
Aunt Miranda shakes her head. “Well, that’s sweet. But your future husband is going to make sure you don’t have to if you don’t want to. Sweetie, it’s a good thing for you. Plus, you’re so in love.”
“What if I want to work, though?”
“I’m just saying, just…Sweetie, it’s just a comment, okay?” Aunty M says.
I twist my ring on my finger and think about Thor’s texts waiting to be returned. I also think about the way Hunter bore his eyes into me earlier today at church. What on earth wasthatabout?
And last, I think about how Keith and my “relationship” is such a total stress point right now, I can’t for the life of me picture what our future could potentially look like.
“I’m sorry, I’m talking out of turn,” Aunt Miranda continues. “And hey, Larry said he was in love with me. I believed him! Now I’m working the Sunday shift at age fifty-five. Don’t marry for love, Faith. And all of you youngsters?—"
“Miranda, don’t you have a restaurant to serve?” Daddy interrupts.
Miranda is my daddy’s younger sister and they have a complicated relationship, to say the least. They care immensely about each other, but when you work at a restaurant with someone day in and day out, you tend to get in each other’s hair.
She gets up. “Not many people to serve today, anyway. Once we purchase that old library property, though, we’ll have that upstairs deck and we’ll surge back. We just have to last until Faith and Keith tie the knot. At which point, we’ll put the property in your name and the restaurant expansion to the river will be a done deal.”
“Right,” I say meekly. “Because that’s the most important thing.”
Something coils inside me as Aunt Miranda walks away. All of the sudden I’m wondering if Aunty M isn’t just making all these comments to persuade me into marrying Keith forbusinessreasons.
“She’s talking crazy,” Daddy says. “Besides, you and Keitharein love.”
I clear my throat.
“Right?” Daddy says when I don’t respond.
I flip my phone over in my hand nervously, and nod, averting my gaze.
My friends try not to stare at me, but I can tell they’re listening for my response. After last night’s escape, they know the deal.
Luckily, the food arrives just then, saving me from having to say anything more.
“Of course she’s in love,” my mom says, smiling. “They’ve been together forever. Just a shame he had to spend the summer in D.C. He’s taking care of business, though. Like a man should.”
As my momma and daddy carry on, I feel April’s hand slide gently onto my knee beneath the table. A quiet gesture. One that says:I see you.
“Hey,” she whispers. “It’s okay, Faith. You could just tell your parents. If you’re honest with them… maybe they’ll understand.”
I shake my head. “You don’t know my parents. They don’t want the truth. They want the plan.”
April nods slowly. “Well, if you need to talk through any of it… I’m not going anywhere.”
She pauses. Then adds, just loud enough for me to hear:
“So… are you going to text him back?”
I shake my head again. She’s the only one I told about the message from Thor.
I didn't even want to say it out loud, but I had to tell someone.
“No idea,” I say quietly. “I just… don’t know what I’m doing anymore.”
“You should text him back. Just saying.”
