Page 3 of My Stepbrother's Wedding
“Yes, but the worst part is, I can’t go to Fort Lauderdale. The wedding is the same week as our trip.”
Karen gasped and covered her mouth. “That’s horrible!”
“Tell me about it.” I shook my head. “The whole summer is ruined, and I can do nothing about it.”
Karen pursed her lips, like she was in thought, and adjusted her nose ring. “Well, maybe we can make the most of this.”
“What do you mean?” I asked incredulously.
“You’re going to Europe, right?”
I huffed. “The butthole of Europe.”
“Just get your dad to stop in Paris, and I’ll fly over to meet you. You can dump the family, and we can go backpacking.”
For the first time since breakfast, I felt something besides despair. “Really, you’d do that?”
“Of course. I’ve always wanted to see Europe.”
Exploring the Old World with my best friend sounded way better than attending some archaic mating ritual celebrating my sworn nemesis. I’d still have to show up for the wedding, of course, but once that was over, we could live it up. There was only one problem.
“Dad will never spring for it. He’s too cheap.”
Karen tilted her head toward me with a wry smile. “Of course he will. You’re his only child, and it’s unfair Will is getting all the attention. Tell your dad he needs to care about you and not just his stepson.”
Karen’s words turned on a light bulb above my head. I knew how to work Dad over when I really wanted something. I’d just never tried for something as big as Paris. I doubted he had the money, but that was his problem. No way was I going to that stupid wedding without something in return.
Chapter 2
When I made it home that evening, Dad sat glued to the couch watching reruns ofThe Twilight Zone, the perfect metaphor for life since he’d remarried. Elizabeth was in the bedroom, which meant it was my chance. Getting something from the old tightwad wouldn’t be easy, but I was determined. I sat next to him and laid my head on his shoulder, ready to move my plan into action.
“Daddo,” I said in a childlike voice sure to pull on his heartstrings.
“Hey, Pooh Bear, how was work?”
He used the quirky nickname from my early childhood—perfect! He was malleable. “It was fine, but I missed you.”
“Aww, that’s sweet of you.”
“I don’t see you enough since I went away to college.” I snuggled up to him like a purring cat.
“Well, I’m glad you’re home. Wanna watch this with me?” He stared at the TV, oblivious to my attempt to garner his attention. I’d half expected this. His emotional IQ was rarely higher than room temperature. I pulled out the waterworks. He couldn’t ignore his baby girl crying right next to him.
“What’s wrong, pumpkin?” He finally gave me the look of concern I was aiming for.
“It’s just that …” I wiped a crocodile tear from my eye. “We don’t do anything special together anymore.”
“What are you talking about, sugarplum? We’re getting ready for our first European trip as a family.”
I could tell by the dumb look in his eye I had him where I wanted. The trick now was not being too obvious or too indirect. If I asked for Paris straightaway, he’d say no. If I made a subtle allusion, it might fly over his head. I had to soften him up to get him to think with his heart, not his pocketbook. I made sure my lips trembled as I spoke.
“It’s just not the same without Mom.” Bringing up my late mother was such a low blow that I’m ashamed to admit I even tried it. Still, the stakes were too high. Without some serious emotional manipulation, I’d never convince him to fly me to Paris.
Dad’s lips drooped into a heartbreaking frown, and his eyes watered, sending a guilty shiver down my back. “Oh, Wini. I’m so sorry. I wish there were something I could do.”
He nibbled at the bait. Now I just needed to hook him and pull on the line. “Do you mean that, Daddy?”
“Of course I do.”
