A Crazy Family

“As you may have heard,” Sylvia said, “Byron recently had a bad breakup. It really took him by surprise. I don’t know for sure, but I have the feeling Nova was the woman he wanted to marry. Byron has always been a little bit depressive, but this was... really bad. He pretends like nothing is wrong, but I know...” There was a tearful note in the woman’s voice, and Emily felt a rush of sympathy. “I know he’s still not over it. He’s so distressed.”

“I’m so sorry,” Emily said. She thought back to Byron’s sad looks. Was that because of Nova Summers? “It must be hard for you, not being able to help.”

“That’s the thing,” Sylvia said, “Maybe I can help. This might sound a little odd, but hear me out.”

“Okay...”

“How would you like to date my son?”

“I would like to, but...” Emily sensed there was something more.

“I just need to be sure he’s with someone who is not going to break his heart. You have to promise that you’ll never break up with him. I can pay you. Ten thousand a month.”

“Now that sounds...” Emily was too shocked to say... “No, that’s really not right, in many ways.”

“You don’t understand,” Sylvia said, “He couldn’t handle it if his heart was broken again. I think he could be suicidal.”

“There are other ways of dealing with those problems,” Emily said, “and I can’t agree to this offer at all.”

“But I can tell you like him...” Sylvia pleaded.

“I don’t think so,” Emily said. “I can’t get involved with him if things are as bad as you say. It’s not good for me or for him.”

“But you could probably use the money,” Sylvia suggested, looking at Emily’s dress. Why were these women picking on her dress all the time?

“I’m a designer,” Emily said proudly.

“Do you have your own enterprise or are you working for a particular company?”

Emily thought it wouldn’t be a complete lie if she said she was self-employed. She had only one week remaining at her current job...

“I have my own business,” she stated.

“So you’re unemployed?” Sylvia retorted.

This lady was very good, Emily had to hand it to her.

“I’m doing well enough,” she replied, “thank you.”

“Look, I’m not trying to make you feel bad,” Sylvia said more gently, “This city is tough. I know what it’s like to be out there on your own. Just think about it.”

She gave Emily her card, and Emily took it just because it might make her go away.

Pam finally came back and introduced herself to the older woman.

“Pamela, you seem like a sensible girl,” Sylvia said, “You could convince Emily to accept my very reasonable proposal.” She winked at them and added, “I’m counting on you,” and walked away on her high heels with total confidence.

“Let’s go for a pizza,” Pam offered, “I’m starving!”

“But we just ate,” Emily said absently.

“Those canapes were so small.” Pam complained. “What was that all about?”

“You won’t believe it. Come on, let’s get out of here.” As they walked to the car, Emily said, “That elegant lady was Byron’s mother, and she offered me money to date him.”

“What? But you were going to date him anyway. Did you get his phone number?”

“Yeah,” Emily said tiredly. “But she wants me to never leave him. That’s insane, right?”

“Well, maybe it was too good to be true,” Pam said, “a guy this good-looking, there had to be something wrong with him. But now at least you know, he has a crazy family.”

“I’m starting to change my mind about seeing him,” Emily said gloomily.

“Oh, come on. That’s just one crazy mother. And she likes you already!”

“Yeah, but I am wondering how sane is Byron, having been raised by a mother like that?”

“Hmm... good point.”

“And now what? If I start dating him, will she throw money into my mailbox?”

Pam laughed uproariously. “It wouldn’t hurt. You could use the money anyway.”

“No,” Emily said, “this is so messed up. But pizza... sounds like a good idea.”

She left with a heavy heart, but at least some greasy food could wash her sorrows away.