Page 97 of Resisting the Temptation
I’ve never wanted to punch a woman before, but I want to right now.
I lean over and place a kiss on Emma’s shoulder. “You eat as much as you want. Just save room for dessert later.”
Emma’s cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink as she nods.
Jane glares at me. “She should be watching her weight if she expects to keep a man happy.”
“I’m more than happy with her just as she is. She doesn’t need to starve herself to keep me.”
Emma squeezes my thigh under the table.
“Well, at least you’ve brought a man home.” Jane sighs. “Your cousin Ava divorced her husband of six yearsto move in with herfriend.She told your aunt they’re ‘in love.’ Ava and her husband have two kids! What kind of example is she setting for them?” Jane puts air quotes around “in love.”
“Didn’t Ava and Shea get divorced over two years ago? When did she move in with her girlfriend?”
“Six months ago.”
“Okaaaaay… so Ava divorced him before she moved in. And as for the example she’s setting for their kids? She’s showing them that love is love. There’s nothing wrong with two women being together.”
“It’s inappropriate to shove it in the kids’ faces! She’s probably trying to make her daughter gay. Marriage is between a man and a woman. That’s it,” Jane states with an icy glare towards Emma.
Jesus.
We’re saved from further conversation by the server asking how our meals are tasting. That seems to be the unspoken end of the discussion about her cousin.
We sit in uncomfortable silence while we eat, and I don’t get it. They don’t see their daughter very often, but they don’t ask her for updates on anything other than work.
I get why they’re avoiding talking to me since they don’t think I’ll stick around, and they’re clearly racist, but I don’t understand why they won’t talk toher.
“Emma, I hope you’ve packed something appropriate for the funeral,” Jane clips out of nowhere.
“I did,” Emma says.
“Well, I’m having trouble finding anything that covers my knees. All the dressesare just so short nowadays. I wish they made the bigger women’s clothes in normal sizes. They always have the cutest things.”
What the fuck?
Chapter 47
Emma
Ifucking hate talking about clothes with my mom.
I hate shopping with her even more, so I avoid it at all costs.
When I was here last year, she roped me into going shopping with her and when we walked through the plus-size section of Target, she clicked her tongue and said, “These arehuge.There’s no way any of them will ever fit me.”
The clothes she was holding were my size.
It was a blow to my self-esteem. It doesn’t help that every time I see her, she’s “concerned” about my health and tries to fat-shame me into going on a diet.
I’ve worked really hard to learn to accept my body for what it is. I don’t love my body every day, but it’s gotten me through a lot, and it deserves to be cared for.
I’ve told her time and time again how she should refer to it as the plus-size section instead of the “bigger lady”section or the “full-figure” section, but she doesn’t listen, nor does she care.
Luckily, I ask if they have any upcoming trips planned with her twin, Janet, which forces her to change the subject. Apparently, they’re planning a cruise to Hawaii for the spring.
When the check comes, my dad insists on paying, even though Ben offers. I used to think it was because my dad is a generous man, but now I realize it’s how he asserts his dominance and shows off his wealth.
