Page 134 of A Dream for Daphne

He stared at her hard and then turned to walk out.

“See what you did,” her mother said. “Started a fight with your boyfriend. All this could have been prevented if you just stayed out of it.”

“I’m not staying out of it,” she said. “If you want to ask Aster for money, go right at it and you can pay the consequences of those actions. I should have said sure, do it. Let you find out that you know I’m telling the truth.”

“Fine,” her mother said. “Maybe you’re right. But how about you helping us then?”

“No,” she said. “I’m not. I’m done with it. I’ve helped you more than enough for years. And the fact you say you’ve got six thousand tells me you’ve got the whole ten and you are just hoping one of us gives you something. I bet if I told you I could give you two, you’d be fine with it.”

“Can you?” her mother asked.

She ran her hands through her hair, but it was in an updo and only pulled on her. “No. I’m not. Don’t ask me again either. Or I’ll do what you know Aster will. And if he finds out we had this conversation, he’ll do it anyway.”

“You don’t need to tell him,” her mother said quickly. “Let it go. You’re father and I will figure it out.”

“That’s right,” she said. “You will. You always do because the truth is, you just want the money for something else. I know it and you know it. Don’t ask either of us again.”

She turned and walked away, found Abe inside, and grabbed her purse.

“What’s wrong?” Aster asked her when she went to say goodbye.

She forced a smile on her face. “Nothing. It was a wonderful ceremony. Been a long day and I’m going to go home and put my feet up. I’m sure you’re just waiting for everyone to leave to get on with your night.”

Aster smiled. “Definitely that.” He pulled her to the side. “You had words with Mom outside, didn’t you?”

“Nothing more than I always do,” she said. “Don’t think anything of it. I’m not either.”

“Dad already tried to hit me up and I told him no,” Aster said. “My guess is Mom tried it with you. I’m done with it and you should be too.”

Her shoulders slumped. “They shouldn’t have said anything to you here.”

Aster laughed. “I expected it. I’m not sure why you didn’t. I’m not worked up, you shouldn’t be either. Abe came in frowning so I bet he witnessed it.”

“I’m embarrassed over that and then he tried to jump in. I know he was going to insult them and I cut him off.”

Aster shook his head and had a big smirk on his face. “You should have let him. And go easy on him. I mean it, Daphne. You’ve got to stop letting them get you wound up. And stop feeling guilty after you speak up. I see it on your face.”

There was no hiding anything from her brother. “Why are they like that?”

“No clue and it’s not for you to try to fix. You get mad when Abe or I step in to protect you, but you’ve been doing it for me for years.”

It was the look he was giving her that said what an idiot she was. “Now isn’t the time to talk about this. It’s your wedding.”

Aster laughed. “The wedding is over and this is you avoiding things.” He leaned down to kiss her on the forehead. “Don’t worry about Mom and Dad. I laughed when Dad asked for eight thousand and told me they had two.”

She growled. “Mom told me another amount.”

“See,” he said. “It’s their game. That should make you feel better about it. Go home to Abe and try not to fight too much.”

She sighed. “We won’t fight. At least I hope not. Go enjoy your night. I’ll talk to you later.”

She walked back to Abe and they left together.

“How much trouble am I in this time?” he asked.

“None,” she said. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have cut you off.”

“Yes,” he said. “You should have. I was out of line. The last thing I want to do is cause issues with you and your parents. I just couldn’t stand to listen to her talk down to you.”

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