Page 12 of Four Weddings to Fall in Love
Back in the day, I had a job at one of those generic chain restaurants, and my manager said I wasn’t perky enough.Yes, he actually used the word “perky.”I would have told him off, but I needed that job.
I do have a sibling, but Freddie isn’t here tonight, on account of the fact that he lives in B.C.He dropped out of university many years ago to become a snowboard instructor, and he smokes a lot of weed.
This, of course, was not the path that my parents had planned for him.He didn’t meet their expectations, so now they’ve heaped their expectations onme.
Yet he’s still the favorite, even if visits only once a year—and never at Christmas or Lunar New Year, because of aforementioned snowboarding.He’s the boy, after all.
Occasionally, I consider moving out of Toronto, like Freddie, and seeing my parents only once or twice a year.But then I’d be using my vacation time to visit family, and I don’t particularly want to do that, either.
“How was the wedding?”Dad asks after we’ve placed our orders.
“Good,” I say.“Everything went smoothly.”I don’t mention the shenanigans with the flower girl, nor the fact that it was too cold to fully enjoy an outdoor wedding.And, of course, I don’t mention Max.
“She should have had the reception at a Chinese banquet hall.”Mom clucks her tongue.“Her mother is Chinese, yes?”
“Tessa wanted to get married in her hometown.No opportunities for a ten-course banquet there.”
I admit such food would have been preferable, but I can satisfy my cravings at Isobel’s and Carl’s weddings.
“Freddie has a girlfriend,” Mom says.“Did he tell you?”
No, he did not.
It’s been many, many years since my brother mentioned a girlfriend, and I can’t help wondering if he really is in a relationship.Did he make it up to please our parents?
No, that sounds ridiculous, but the possibility won’t leave my mind.It’s easier to get away with such lies when you live on the other side of the country, and even if Mom and Dad discovered the truth, they’d make excuses about him being under so much pressure or similar.
Whereas I still can’t live down that time I got a B in grade eight.
Anyway, it’s fine.I can manage my family once a month, but the last thing I need is another family to deal with, which is why I’m not getting married.
One thing I will say for my brother: even though he’s the favored son, he doesn’t get our mother to fight his battles for him, unlike Troy.
I shudder at the memory.
“Are you cold?”Dad asks.
“It’s because you’re losing weight,” Mom says.“It’s warm today.”
“The air conditioning’s a little high,” I murmur, sipping my tea.
Mom returns to talking about Freddie.“I hope he’ll bring his girlfriend when he visits next month.Maybe you’ll have a boyfriend by then, too?You didn’t say you’re bringing a plus one to Mirabel’s wedding, but I’m sure if you change your mind, she could make adjustments.”
“I RSVP’d for one.I’m not changing anything.”
“You’re getting old, Kim.Why don’t you go on dates?Did you see that article I sent you yesterday—”
“Yes, Mom.Just like I saw the one you sent three days ago.”
She doesn’t comment on my snarky tone, perhaps because the waiter is quietly setting a platter of noodles on the table.When he walks away, my mom complains about the amount of shrimp.She thinks there aren’t enough, even though the dish is exactly the same as usual.
I briefly wonder what Max’s family is like—does his mom delight in complaining?
I shake my head.Enough thinking about Max.
After all, it’s not like I’ll ever see him again.
Chapter 7
