Page 8 of A Nantucket Wedding

Felicity sniffed. “Sorry I’m so pathetic. You’re right. I am tired.”

Alison rose. “I think it’s time we grilled the steak. Jane, will you take over at the grill? I’ve coated the asparagus in olive oil and kosher salt, so when you turn the steak, put the asparagus on.” She gathered up the wine and her glass. “Felicity, would you bring the other glasses in? I’ll toss the salad.”

Felicity was grateful that her mother didn’t comment on her outburst. Wryly, she admitted to herself that Alison had seen plenty of Felicity’s meltdowns before. On the deck, gathering the glasses, she paused to let the aroma of grilled steak seduce her. Her mouth watered. Sometimes it sucked, being a vegetarian.

Back in the house, her mother said, “Toss the potatoes in butter in that bowl over there, the blue and white striped one.”

At last they all sat down to eat. Felicity said, “I’m sorry, but would you mind?” Without waiting for answer, she sang, “Thank you for this food this food this glorious glorious food and thanks to the animals and the vegetables and the minerals that make it possible. Amen.”

“Lovely, darling,” Alison said.

Jane said nothing, but at least she didn’t roll her eyes or snort.

For a while, they all focused on the meal, so aromatic, so succulent, so satisfying. They served the salad last.

“So,” Jane said, “want to talk about your wedding, Mom?”

“Good idea,” Felicity said. “What’s your vision?”

“Myvision…” Alison’s mouth trembled with suppressed laughter.

“Start with your dress,” Felicity prompted.

“Let her tell it her own way,” Jane said to her sister.

Alison was smug. “Actually, girls, David and I don’t have avision,but we do have some plans. Let me explain. David married Emma in a big church wedding. I never had that, not with either of your fathers. You know I was pregnant when I married Flint, so it was a rather sober event in front of our parents with a justice of the peace. And then, when I married Mark—” She put her hand to her throat, as if to ease it. “Well, we got married quietly then, too. We just went to the clerk of the court. We paid strangers to be our witnesses, they have people waiting for that purpose.” She cast an apologetic look at Jane. “We didn’t want to make a big deal of it because—”

“Because you had an affair with Mark and left my father.” Jane’s words were clipped.

Alison held back a sigh. She’d been over this many times before with Jane and Felicity, and she wasn’t going to take them all down this prickly memory lane again.

“SO!” Alison clapped her hands like a delighted child. “I told David I want our wedding to befabulous.”

Alison watched her daughters exchange surprised looks. She knew exactly what they were thinking:Mom, fabulous? Alison was attractive, but she was more maternal than remarkable. She was generous and reliable and loving and sweet.

“I mean a fabulousparty,” Alison amended. “A sort of celebration of life and love with our families and our friends.”

“Please don’t tell me we’re all going to stand in a circle holding hands and singing ‘Kumbaya.’ ” Jane groaned.

Alison laughed. “Don’t worry. David isn’t a ‘Kumbaya’ kind of man.” Alison stood up and stretched. “Let’s go in and get comfy on the sofa. David had the computer synced to the TV in the den and we can check out the dresses and see what you like.”

“Well, you know, Mom,” Jane said, taking the bottle and her glass and following her mother, “I’m not sure you can managefabulouswhen your wedding is in September. These events take lots of preparation and research and time—”

Alison settled on the cozy sofa in the den. “It’s all right, Janey. It’s all set.”

Both daughters collapsed next to her as if Alison had hit them behind the knees.

“What?” they cried.

“David and I have been seeing each other for almost a year, and during that time, I’ve gotten to know his friends and he’s come to know mine. We’re all…I guessmaturewould be the right word. We’ve been through a lot. We’ve been married before. So we thought this time we would have a wedding that is really a spectacular party. But neither David nor I have the skills it takes to organize a party—”

Felicity piped up. “We could help you with that!”

“That’s sweet of you, honey, but his assistant, Heather, has it all under control.”

“ ‘His assistant, Heather’?” Felicity echoed.

“Cool,” Jane said. “Tell us more.”

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