Page 55 of Sweet Summertide

Holly’s analysis was spot on. She was probably more like her mom than her mom was willing to accept. Theodor, on the other hand, was nothing like either of his parents. His father would never come around to Theodor’s choice. He had made it clearfrom an early age that being a lawyer was the only path he’d ever support him taking.

Becoming a chocolatier wasn’t even in the same realm where his father lived. At least his mother was slightly more supportive. Perhaps not supportive, but she would never do anything to intentionally cut him down. He had invited her to the festival but never heard back, and figured it was a slim chance she’d make an appearance anyway. At least he had extended the invitation. Now the ball was in her court.

“Are you staying for the announcement?” Theodor asked Glyn.

“I wouldn’t want to miss it. But if you’ll excuse me, I spot an old friend by the fried dough stand.” Glyn extended his hand to Theodor again. Taking it, he shook firmly. “Teddy, it’s a pleasure. But I’ve got an eye on you.”

“Yes, sir. Enjoy your treat. And make sure to stop in my shop next time you come this way.”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Glyn said and took Holly in his arms. “You look beautiful tonight. Hang on to this one,” he whispered loud enough for Theodor to hear, and winked at him.

The interaction was a little awkward, though Theodor had no reference point for meeting a girlfriend’s father. He had dated a few women who were family friends, so was already acquainted with those fathers. And other girls never brought him home. It never bothered him before, but to see Holly’s blush spread across her cheeks at how proud she was to have her father getting along with her boyfriend made him feel like the luckiest guy in the world.

“Holly, I think I …” he paused his words as he spotted his mother coming through the crowd. “… I see my mother.”

Holly followed the line of his pointer finger and laughed. “No, way. My mother actually came, too,” she said.

“Your mom?” he was confused. His mom was only a few feet from the edge of the dance floor with her unmistakable slicked black hair and whatever Chanel dress she pulled from her closet. She was in a light-hearted conversation with a woman with long, blonde hair wearing blue jeans and a white blouse. The two women laughed at something, both throwing their heads back almost in unison.

“That’s your mom?” Theodor asked to make certain. “Because, if it is, she’s talking with mine.”

Holly’s face became a mix of panic and fear. “This can’t be good.” She swallowed hard and reset her expression to a neutral calm. Redirecting her footsteps, she pushed through the crush of bodies towards the pair. “Mother,” she sang. “What are you doing here?”

His mother spotted him and spoke first. “Hello, dear,” she said and kissed his cheeks in her typical greeting.

“You didn’t tell me you were acquainted with the Blacks,” Holly’s mother said and kissed her in the same manner. “This must be the infamous Theodor. Your mother and I go way back.”

“You do?” he said and searched his mom’s eyes for answers. He recognized the slight raise in her right eyebrow as a way to say she’d tell him more later.

“We met at a charity function a few years back. It was the …”

“I believe it was the Stallion and Stalls gala. We raised several million dollars for equestrian opportunities for troubled youth. It was a wonderful event.”

“That’s right,” Holly’s mother said and snapped her fingers. “You can imagine my surprise to find you so far from Manhattan, out here in the sticks.”

“Mother. This happens to be our home. It’s not like we’re in the boonies,” Holly said and spoke softly. “Why are you even here? Don’t you usually attend the event at the Drayton’s?”

“Yes, of course. I’m heading there soon, but I brought you something.” She turned to Theodor and his mom. “Excuse me, I have something waiting for Holly. Catch up soon.” She took Holly by the hand and moved away from him.

Holly reached back behind, pleading for help, but his own mother turned his attention away.

“The Hollis girl, really?” she said.

“What’s wrong with the Hollis girl?” he said with the same affected tone his mom had just used when saying her name.

“She’s a troublemaker. Her mother says she’s a miscreant and even went to jail. I just hope this isn’t the girl that you’ve been making your questionable life choices for. A pretty face isn’t worth throwing away your future.” She continued without so much as letting him take a breath. “Your father warned me not to come here, but I thought I would come show you some support. But I’m sorry dear, I can’t support this.”

“Which part?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I said, which part? You don’t approve of me being a chocolatier or a small business owner? Or you don’t approve of a woman I’m falling in love with and who makes me feel seen for the first time in my life. Which is it?”

She huffed and feigned offense. Her hand covered her white pearl necklace. “I will not be spoken to in such a manner. I raised you better than to behave like this.”

“That’s the thing. You didn’t raise me. I raised myself, or grandma did. I did what I was supposed to do. I smiled and nodded. And then I grew up. I’m not sorry I didn’t become the lawyer you and dad wanted me to be, but at some point, you’ll see that I’ve become the man you had hoped I would become, just with a different career.”

She stood, slack-jawed at his rebuke and shook her head. “I’ve never …” her words trailed off at having nothing else to say and walked away.

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