Page 75 of Crash

We put a few tables together, and to fuck with Troy and Tracy, I get cake for Emma and Tristan while they are distracted with Rosie.

Steve arrives at the same time Mrs. Etienne escorts out the bride and groom. She eyes Vivi’s mother again but puts on a smile for my family.

“Josh and Lil, I need to talk to you about the men in your family,” she says as she approaches.

“Oh. What about them?” my dad asks.

“They are taking the women in my family one by one.”

“Well,” my dad says with a smirk, “maybe it’s not the men in my family. Maybe it’s the women in yours. You better watch out. I have a few cousins your age who are single.”

Mrs. Etienne waves my dad off as everyone laughs.

“Not possible. I gave up on that a long time ago. First, I watch this one chase my daughter,” she says pointing at Jake. “And now, I get to do it again. Vivi, you go. I will work the register while Steve washes up.” She kisses Vivi and the rest of the family, but when she gets to Sandy, she caresses her face and wraps her arms around her daughter.

“Let’s get this lunch over with, Sunshine,” I whisper in Vivi’s ear.

“Hello.” We all turn around at the voice that is eerily similar to Vivi’s. “I’m Vivienne’s mother, Jocelyn Chateau.”

An awkward silence falls over the bakery. I’m not sure what my family knows, but it’s obvious from the stunned expressions that they know something. They recover quickly because in an instant, they are shaking her hand one by one. Everyone except Sandy and Jake.

“We remember you from the wedding,” my mother says, looking from Jocelyn to Vivi with the fakest smile I’ve ever seen on her face.

“Yes. I wish we had an opportunity to talk more, but I understand you were parents of the groom.” Everyone remains quiet after that last statement, unsure of what to say.

“Uh, we’re going to lunch. You’re welcome to join us, Jocelyn,” Dad says

“No!” Vivi says loudly. Everyone turns to look at her, but I don’t miss Jocelyn’s shoulders sagging in defeat. The hurt in her eyes only lasts a second before she forces a smile. “Jocelyn was just leaving,” Vivi says.

“I’m Mom to you, not Jocelyn. That will never change.” She turns from Vivi after delivering that rebuke.

“It will never change?” Vivi asks. “Well, I guess if giving birth makes you a mother, then you’re right.”

“Vivi,” Sandy says.

The entire room goes quiet after that. I reach for her hand underneath the table, but I can’t stop looking at her mother. She doesn’t shrink under Vivi’s words. She stands taller and squares her shoulders.

“Thank you, but I can’t today. Hopefully, we can do it another time. I would really like to get to know the family of my daughter’s boyfriend. Please.” The last word comes out rushed and desperate. That’s all it took for my mother to drop her fake smile and replace it with empathy. Offering her the comfort of a friend, she puts an arm around Jocelyn, and walks her to the other side of the bakery where they have a silent conversation for a few minutes.

“Are you kidding me?” Vivi scoffs. She starts to walk over to our mothers, but I pull her back. Luckily, their conversation doesn’t last very long.

“I will see you soon, Vivienne. Sandra and Jacob, it was nice to see you too. Thanks for taking care of my daughter.” She’s out the door before anyone can respond.

CHAPTER 44

LUKE

She’s already waiting for me when I get to the restaurant. She looks sad but resolute as she stands against the wall. She starts to look around and smiles in relief when she sees me. She walks towards me immediately, reaching me in a few quick steps. Like she did at the bakery, she offers me her cheek. That’s not enough this time because she takes both of my hands in hers and surprises me with her strength by pulling me into a tight hug.

“I’m so happy you’re here. I was scared you would not come.” I smile nervously, and when the hostess tells us to follow her, I’m relieved to get a break from Jocelyn Chateau’s intensity.

“Why am I here?” I ask as I take a seat at the table, borrowing a page out of Mrs. Etienne’s book and getting right to the point. “And how did you get my cell phone number, Mrs. Chateau? Your calls and texts have got to stop.”

“I’m desperate, Lucas. I got your phone number from Steve. Please, don’t be mad at him. He’s the only one in the family who doesn’t see me as a monster.”

I can tell she’s nervous as her accent gets more pronounced.

Fucking Steve. For someone who changes women as often as he changes underwear, he sure caved to the pressures of just one.

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