Page 32 of The Perils of Pretending
TheentireAshcombefamily(those living, anyway) gathers in the dining room at Grizzly Cove Lodge.
I smile politely and say hello to Raymond (Dad’s cousin and current president of the family oil company), and his wife, Kathleen, as we wait in the buffet line. I don’t ask them any questions, and they don’t engage with me either. There’s a mist of awkwardness lingering in the air like a foggy morning. It makes it hard to breathe.
“A denim jacket and sneakers?” Grandma says from behind me.
I hang my head, my chin almost touching my chest. I guess she is the first-again family member to insult me. Is anything I do good enough for her? We’re at a lodge in Homer, not a five-star hotel in Monaco. My outfit is on point for the charming seaside fishing town.
I turn, facing Grandma. “It’s cute and comfortable.”
Grandma purses her lips together. “I’m tempted to give up on you. But since you’re family, I won’t.”
Please, I silently beg,give up on me. I don’t have a response that isn’t mean. I face forward again, keeping my mouth shut and my hands clenched at my sides.
Grandma harrumphs and walks off. No doubt off to harass someone else.
Finally, it’s my turn to get food. Filling my plate with halibut, I go sit by Brody.
The staff pushed all the tables into one long row, seating all seventy-plus of us in the large dining room. Windows across the room let in the bright evening light reflecting off Kachemak Bay. The dining chairs are made of dark stained wood and the seats are covered in a pretty blue fabric.
I pick up my fork and take a bite of the white fish on my plate. The warm, flaky meat practically melts on my tongue. Mmm. Fresh fish never tasted so good.
“Just met some dude out in the hallway who says he’s here for you,” Robbie says, wiggling his brows up and down, as he takes a seat next to me. “Nothing like telling your friends you fell in love at a family reunion.” He laughs.
Ew. Gross.
I groan. “That’s my grandma Alice’s doing, not mine.”
He laughs more. “Oh man, that’s even better. I can’t wait to see how this plays out.”
I stab a potato with my fork. “You’ll be very disappointed then.”
“I don’t think I will.”
I side-eye him. “You’re not married yet. Why isn’t your grandma harassingyouabout it?”
“A few reasons.” Robbie points to his sister sitting across the table, four people down, next to their mom, Sandy. “Rachel’s married and pregnant, so everyone’s paying attention to her. Also, my dad works for the family business. It makes him one of thegolden children. Our grandma doesn’t really care what I do, so long as I take over my dad’s position someday.”
In order to become a true part of the family, to do what I want without judgment, I have to work for Peak Oil? The tradeoff isn’t worth it. I’ll deal with Grandma for vacation visits over working at the family business any day.
“Sorry Daphne being pregnant doesn’t seem to be helping you out much, Sadie.” Brody frowns, pushing his green beans around on his plate.
“It’s fine.” I tell Brody. Turning to Robbie, I wave my fork in the air as I talk. “Grandma Alice wasted her time. I have a boyfriend so there won’t be any matchmaking going on.”
“Ha! You think a boyfriend will deter Aunt Alice? Until a rock is on that left finger, you’re fair game.”
The blood drains from my face. I whip my head around to meet Brody’s face. My eyes plead with him to tell me what Robbie said isn’t true. That the crazy scheme I agreed to with Max really will help me and not be a huge waste of time. But we both know I’m lying to myself. Grandma loathes that Dad didn’t marry who she wanted him to or join the family business, or stay in Alaska for that matter. Because Grandma paid for my schooling, I feel beholden to her. It’s stupid. I don’t owe her anything and yet I act like I do.
Try as I might not to, I let her mess with my head regarding so many aspects of my life. I can’t let her control my love life. I want to be like Dad and take a stand for myself. Obviously doing and saying that are different things, but I’m hoping Max as my cover will help me.
Brody shrugs the slightest, looking as unsure as I feel.
No. I won’t let Grandma run over me. “She can try all she wants, but I’m not interested.”
Robbie laces his fingers together, pushing them outward. “I look forward to watching you get this guy away from you. It’ll provide some much-needed entertainment.”
I jab my elbow into his side. “I thought you were my ally. Besides, we’ll be busy every day, doing activities. Isn’t that fulfilling enough?”
“Not even close.”
