CHAPTER 4

“I hate anyone calling me Robbie.” Robert stated. We were in an art gallery. I wanted to go and I dragged him with me.

“You always insist that I call you Robbie.” I was curious. I looped my arms through his. He stared at our joined hands and slowly looked up to me.

“You are different. You are not anyone.” I blushed and looked away. “You do not call me like that with disgust.”

Disgust? Someone looked Robbie with disgust! The surprise and anger on my face might have looked funny because he started chuckling and then shook his head.

“If I did not know better, I would have thought you were in love with me.” He teased.

I gasped and pushed him off. “Well you don’t know everything, then.” I mumbled.

I was not sure if he heard me. But he pulled me closer and stared deep into my eyes.

“Come on.” He whispered and payed for the painting I bought.

I was left speechless. I felt funny that night trying to sleep.

“Are you listening to yourself, JANICE?” I was jolted awake from my daydream.

No, not daydream. Memory.

Memory? I was not hundred percent sure. My mind was playing tricks, after...after... NO.

“I cannot believe you!!!” Aunt Marie was trying her best not to shout. With all the guests roaming around, it was understandable.

We- Aunt, Janice, mom and myself- were having a family discussion as Aunt Marie kindly put it.

The reason for discussion was Janice’s sudden decision to change her bridal gown.

The wedding was in two days. She had signed all the papers that came with the purchase, stating she was completely satisfied with the dress and they would not accept any returns. Alteration, yes, but no returns.

But some other dress from some other boutique apparently caught her eye. Maybe if it was from the same boutique it would not have been such a hassle.

Janice was crying and screaming. Aunt was not budging at all.

The new gown costed 55 K and given that the first gown was around 40 K did not make this easier.

All I wanted to do was to inform them that I was leaving for college that evening. I could not bear myself to stand here and help with the marriage preparation.

I was miserable before but now I could not stand to see myself in the mirror.

I did not belong here. It could wait now; I did not want to add more to this drama.

“Where is the money for all this? Tell me? If you have a few grands lying around, then buy it yourself.” Janice looked like she was sucker punched.

I sighed. This was going nowhere.

“Marie, maybe we could talk to the boutique? There must be some way. Please take a seat.” Mama was trying her best to dissolve the escalating situation.

It would not do any good. The fitters made it clear on the day of purchase before Janice signing the deal.

“The new dress is on discount sale, mommy” Janice whined, “it was 75000, this is a good offer.”

It was not.

First of all, 20 K discount is rather fishy on a gown. Second, even if its market price was a billion dollars, it did not matter. Janice needed to pay 55000 upfront. Then, last but not least, the first 40000 was going down the drain. That alone made the price of the new gown to 95 K, in my opinion.

All for a onetime event. She would not be able to wear this gown after the ceremony.

“What is wrong with the gown? You were sure on the fitting day.” I tried, if it is something that could be changed, it would not cost much.

“You stay out. This is no concern of yours.” Janice spat out.

I blushed.

I deserved that. What am I doing here anyways! I... especially after Robbie... I squeezed my eyes shut.

If only Aunt Marie made up her mind.

I would inform them about my early departure. And hopefully drown in my misery without any audience.

“You want him to stay out of this?” Aunt Marie laughed without mirth. “Do you know the Truscott’s investment in this wedding?”

Janice swallowed her next words. Of course, she knew.

“Marie, let us not go there. She meant nothing by...” Mom was trying her best.

“I will come back later.” I stood up to go.

“PARK YOUR ASS RIGHT THERE.” Aunt Marie shouted. We all jumped.

I parked it obediently.

Aunt Marie was the only one in my all life who spanked my butt. I am kinda still scared of her.

“Dave, how much is this wedding costing you?” She smiled at me.

“Auntie, technically, it is not my...” I gulped at her look. “Two hundred thirty” I mumbled.

“LOUDER.”

“Two hundred thirty-three thousand dollars.”

“Exactly. Now, my dear daughter, do you want Dave to stay out of this wedding? After all, the only thing I could afford on my own was the wedding gown you were so sure of purchasing.”

Janice continued to look at me with despise.

I heard Auntie sighing. “I made up my mind Claire. I owe you that much money. It is not fair to you or your son. I will sign some papers claiming I owe you. I was already feeling bad. Now...”

“Marie, everything is fine. You do not owe us anything.”

“Still not right. It will make me feel worthy.” Aunt Marie was a force to reckon with. “Janice, you are not getting the new gown.”

“I hate you.” Janice looked like she was ready to murder. “I fucking HATE you. All I wanted was a nice gown. You are not even a mother. One good day of my entire life and you spoil it. I wish I was never born. I wish my father took me away with him”

Janice left all of us speechless as she stormed away.

I was not-so-nicely asked by my mama to leave the room and check on the florist. They always mix unwanted flowers if left unsupervised. Her words, not mine.

The flowers were amazingly perfect and the florists were real professionals. What I thought to take rest of my day, ended in couple of hours.

I decided to pack my suitcases a bit early. I wanted to leave this place. I needed a good excuse. Maybe a surprise test which added 30% of whole grades? It would work.

I was building up a story to back up my plan when mom came to my room running. “Please, go and meet Marie, dear. I cannot calm her down.”

I followed her fast. “Mama if it is about that stupid gown, we can buy it for her. Nothing is worth auntie’s panic.”

Mom winced. “I tried telling her that. You go tell her. She may listen to you.”

“Auntie” I ran to Aunt Marie when I saw her chugging on wine from the bottle itself. She looked like someone had died.

I barely heard mom leaving the room. “David, it is all gone. How could she do that? Without even telling me. David, baby boy, I do not know what to do!”

“Deep breaths, my sexy mama.” It was our inside joke. She gave me a watery chuckle. But soon she started bawling.

“Auntie, if this is about the gowns...”

“The trust fund. There is no trust fund anymore, David.”

Huh? I was on academic scholarship; my trust fund is...

“Janice blew up her college trust fund. Since she dropped out of high school, it was supposed to be there. She spent everything. Not even a penny. I called the bank. Not a penny, David. Nothing is left. Your father set up hers along with yours.”

I froze.

“How much?” I whispered.

“150.”

Wow.

“We will figure something out, please do not cry.” I did not know how to calm her down either.

“We will call the attorney and go to bank tomorrow. There must be an explanation or some mistake. Okay? Everything will be fine. That happens, you know. It was a college trust fund. There must be some technical errors.”

“Okay. I am glad you are here David, my baby. Look, all grown up and being a man.” Wine was definitely taking the effect. Her eyes were swollen and droopy.

I held her close.

“You will be there, tomorrow, right. I do not want to go alone. You help a lot David. You are my boy. Everything will be fine tomorrow, right? You will be there. Of course everything will be right. The stupid banker knows nothing. My smart boy.” She was looking so broken but the hope in her eyes was killing me.

Or it was the guilt of... her son-in-law... Do not go there. I squeezed my eyes shut.

“Yes, Auntie, I will be there.”