“Nice of you to finally make an entrance,” he says.
My mom playfully hits his bicep.
“Well, I don’t control New York City traffic. I got here as fast as I could.”
“He’s just teasing you,” my mom says.
“Yeah. He’s a regular Dave Chappelle,” I mumble to myself. “So, Mom, what did Wade get you for your birthday?” I ask, doing my best to change the subject.
“You know we’re taking a trip,” she says.
The server brings my drink, and I down half of it in one gulp. They’ve been taking this trip for the past five birthdays, and they have yet to go anywhere.
“Your sister and Spence are buying us dinner, and they got me a gift certificate to the spa.”
I can see her left cheek twitch when she mentioned who was paying for dinner.
“Well, you can open my gift when you get home,” I tell her.
“Why? Is it that bad?” Spence says with a snort.
“Um, no. I think she’ll love it,” I say to him. “But thanks for your input, Spencer,” I say knowing he hates being called Spencer.
“Oh? I didn’t realize being at the beck and call of rich women was so lucrative?” he sneers. I sigh, flag down the waiter, and order another drink.
“You’re at the beck and call of rich people all the time, Spence. Is it women that you have a problem with?” I ask while I flip my hair and look away, but I still notice his face redden. I grin in satisfaction.
“Spence, will you stop?” Terri says. She crosses her arms and looks away. Now, that gets my attention. I look at her, but she won’t meet my eyes, so I look at my mother. All she does is give a forced smile and a shrug. “Leave her alone,” Terri adds.
“Oh, Terri, don’t do that,” I say softly. “We both know you don’t mean it, and everyone here knows I don’t need it.”
“Honey, your big sister is only looking out for you,” my mom says.
“I don’t need that, Mom. We both know I can handle my own in this family,” I say, looking around the table. “But to answer your question, Spence, my job isquitelucrative. You know, as my own boss, I set my rates, and you’ll be surprised at what theserichwomen are willing to pay for one of my hourly sessions.”
“Yeah, it’s probably their husbands who are paying for something else,” he mutters under his breath, but I hear it. Then he speaks up and says, “Maybe you can help your sister. She seems to be fighting a losing battle of the bulge.” Terri’s light brown cheeks pinken. I have a ready answer for him, but she speaks before I do.
“Why don’t you shut the hell up, Spencer? Enough is enough. Can we just get through this damn meal without you hurling insults at my sister every chance you get?”
Spence sits up and glares at Terri, who glares right back.
“Well, excuse me for upsetting her royal highness,” he sneers. “Maybe she should have gotten here on time, but—"
“Terri,” I say, interrupting whatever bullshit was about to come out of Spence’s mouth. I don’t bother to look at my sister when I say, “I don’t need you to stand up for me. Ever. Okay?”I finally turn to look at her face. She closes her eyes and exhales. When she opens them again, they lock with mine. I hold her stare, and I know she knows exactly what I’m thinking. She looks away as if she’s ashamed. If she is, it’s six years too late for that.
“Violet, Terri is only—” I cut my mother off before she can continue.
“And I don’t need you to defend her to me either, Mother. I’m two seconds away from getting up and leaving,” I warn. Mom knows I mean it. I’ve done it before with zero regrets.
“Bye,” Spence says. I stand and grab my purse, eager to get away from this, but my mother stands too.
“Please, don’t leave. Spence, if you have a problem, you can go,” my mom says, shocking me. “This is my birthday dinner, and I want both my daughters here.”
“Then who would pick up the check?” he asks with a guffaw.
“My guess would be Terri since she’s the one who tends to pay for these fun dinners. I don’t remember you ever pulling out your credit card,” I throw out. “And for the record, I can pay for myself,” I tell the table. My mom mouthspleaseagain, so I sit.
“Terri, why don’t you tell Violet about your promotion,” Wade suggests. I know this isn’t because he wants to change the subject. It’s to show me how Terri is smarter and more successful than I am. For a man who moved into a house my father owned, and who manages to get himself fired from a job at least once a year, he sure likes to brag about success.