“Here you go, ma’am. Your Big Italian Daddy Double, your Big Greek Daddy, two orders of chips, and two of Daddy’s favorite cookies.”
The customer giggles as she takes the bag from me. The silly names of the shop’s sandwiches used to make me laugh when Ifirst started working here, especially since this particular shop, which is part of a regional chain, is owned by a lesbian couple. There are no daddies in sight.
During my break, I eat half of a West Coast Daddy (chicken and avocado on sourdough) and catch up on text messages, most of which are from my sister, Sadie.
“Did you get your shoes yet?” one reads. She also sent pictures of intricate updos. “Do you like any of these? Do you think my hair is long enough to pull this off?”
I ignore the shoe question for now, because the answer is no. Sadie’s wedding isn’t for a couple of weeks. I have plenty of time to buy a pair of nude-toned heels, and I need to wait for my next payday.
“I love the last pic. It has an effortless elegance to it.”
“Right?” Sadie types back immediately. “I think Mom would like it too. I asked Adam for his opinion, but he said they all look nice. No help at all.”
I smile at that. Sadie’s fiancé is an agreeable type, and he idolizes Sadie. He’d be perfectly happy if she decided to walk down the aisle with a shaved head.
Our mother, on the other hand, would fall over dead from the shock. Or disown Sadie. Or more likely, find some way to blame me for the disgrace.
I’ve heard that the youngest child is often spoiled and babied, but that’s not how it works with my mom. My big sister can do no wrong. Sadie has a great boyfriend, Sadie has a meaningful and well-paying job, Sadie’s about to have the perfect wedding … and then there’s me.
I’d be resentful of my sister if she weren’t such a wonderful person and my best friend.
“Has Mom called you yet today?”
I cringe as I take another bite of my sandwich. “No. What’s today’s crisis?”
“Something about place cards, and she’s getting stressed about the favors.”
“I told her I’ll be over on Saturday to work on those.”
“Just giving you a heads up. She seems to be even more tightly wound than usual today.”
“Don’t let her rub off on you. Just enjoy the preparations.”
My sister responds with a string of silly emojis that express just how challenging that is.
As I finish my sandwich, I debate the pros and cons of being proactive versus avoidant when dealing with my mother. I’ve tried both approaches, and each is stressful in its own way.
If I avoid talking to her, the prospect of an eventual phone call hangs over my head like a dark cloud. When I take the initiative and contact her, I’m hit with a barrage of worries and concerns about the wedding. No matter how much Sadie reassures her that everything is on track and under control, my mother won’t rest.
She would have been like this no matter who Sadie was marrying, but the fact that Adam and his father have money has put pressure on her to plan an impressive event. I haven’t met Mr. Hargrove yet, since he got called out of town and couldn’t attend the engagement party last year, but I wouldn’tbe surprised if his attitude toward the wedding is every bit as unbothered as his son’s, even if he is footing most of the bill.
Meanwhile, my mom is very bothered.
While I’m still deciding whether or not to contact her, my phone vibrates, and I don’t have to look to know who’s calling.
CHAPTER 4
CALLIE
“Callie, so glad I caught you. I’ve been running around like a chicken with its head cut off, making no progress today.”
“Eww. Mom.” I’m glad I finished my sandwich before she called.
“As Sadie’s maid of honor, I need to be able to rely on you?—”
“Mom, I planned the bachelorette party, I’ve been making and ordering props for the photo booth, I drove all the way to the next county to pick up the cake knife you wanted, I’ve been helping Sadie work on her vows, and I’ll be over this weekend to assemble the table favors. Yet you act like I’m not doing anything.”
“I didn’t say that, Callie. It’s just that there’s so much to do, and time is getting tight.”
