“No ring no bring,” Pappa groaned.
No ring no bring. The adage that if one wasn’t at least engaged, they weren’t allowed to attend events as partners, they didn’t receive security, and they weren’t consideredpartners. Watching Cici and my brothers navigate this was difficult, but most married people already in a similar social strata.
“We all know the dance,” I said. “And I won’t force that. No, she’s not one of us. She’d never be invited to our parties. She doesn’t know the protocol. Even if she is accepted by some miracle, the scrutiny will be intense.”
No one disputed it.
“We’ll address that,” Cici said. “I promise you.”
“And I know how that works, sweetie,” Mamma said. “We will be kind.”
“I just want to make it clear that no matter who I am in the family, if I am with someone, they are a priority. Mary needs to be safe. This is already going off the rails. The story is more salacious than anything.”
Pappa and Uncle Olav exchanged glances. I wondered if they would try to dismiss my concerns as if I were a child. But before they could speak, someone defended Mary and I in a way I didn’t see coming.
Cici strongly said, “No ring, no bring ends here.”
The room fell silent. I worried she might soften on her stance, but she didn’t.
Her words rang true. “If I have a say, it ends. It looks homophobic and I found it crushing.”
Her father recoiled, about to say something, but Cici and Aunt Kiersten glared. If it was Cici’s ship to right, he had to leave the bridge. I shot her a grateful look. There was much to work through, but Cici held to her word and stuck her neck out when I least expected it.
I slumped on the couch by Ingrid.
Paulie approached. “Hello, Auntie.”
“Hi, my love,” I said.
“Do you need a hug?”
“I wouldlovea hug.” I helped settle him in my lap.
It shook me out of my funk.
“Some work isn’t the end of the world,” Aunt Kiersten added. “She’s going to be just like any of us.”
“So, no one is freaking out?” I asked.
“We just want you to be happy, sweetheart,” Pappa said. “If you are happy, then so are we. And if she loves you, I am sure it will be alright.”
“Can we table all of that?” I asked. “I appreciate the support. I do. However, until Mary is here and I can make sure she is okay—thatweare okay—I can’t think about any of this.”
Chapter 50
Will it blow over?
MARY
The minute I saw the video, I knew it was over. I put two and two together so fast, even if my entire band tried talking me off the ledge. I told myself the only reason they did so was to continue celebrating and stop me from being a sad sack. But as we milled in the green room post-announcement, I was gutted. She was gone—again—and all because I had a mental breakdown.
“Where do we want to go?” Clarice asked.
“Don’t ask me,” I answered, scrolling social media where a gif played over in infamy.
“That won’t help. And youarecoming out because this will totally blow over,” Alicia said, confused. “Why are you freaking out? The whole day was a shit show, but she’ll text you soon. It will all be better.”
“Will it? They are describing the kiss as a ‘make out sesh’ and using alliteration in a way that makesmevery uncomfortable. I can only imagine her family is going to lock her away and I’ll never see her again.”
