Page 26 of Unbreakable
“Then where’s my family? I thought the point was to combine the two.” I gasped, realization dawning on me. “Dyl, we have more pressing business than this. When the hell are we getting married? And where?”
TWELVE
JEANINE
NOW | NOVEMBER
What are you guys doing today?
Rachel
Going over to Obi’s. Annie’s excited to host
(frowny emoji)
I miss you guys so much
We miss you too. MIL still coming over?
Yes. Ugh. Thoughts and prayers appreciated.
Will mention your plight during the blessing at dinner
Perhaps I need more than a prayer
Just guzzle wine and light up a cig at the dinner table. That’ll shut her up. Be everything she accuses you of being
Even better: weed. Get blazed while you carve the turkey. Let the ashes drop on the bird
(dead emoji)
“Carla! Phil!”I extended my arms to my parents-in-law as they waited on our doorstep. Carla’s cloying Angel perfume drifted over me as I was wrapped in a hug with a cheek kiss. I’d told Dylan her perfume gives me migraines, but I was specifically instructed not to make a stink.
Ironic, since she’s the one making it stink, but I digress.
“Hi, doll,” Phil said, holding me close. “Ya look good, kid.”
If only he knew how bad I felt, but I guess I was putting on the show as usual, so why would they know any different? Was there ever a time when my relationship with Dylan’s mom wasn’t strained?
“Oh, Jeannie, the place looks . . . well, are you finished decorating?” Carla took a spin in the foyer.Let the passive-aggressive comments begin. “Where should I put this casserole?”
I was in fact finished decorating. I just don’t have her generation’s taste for clutter.
Dylan appeared at the end of the entry hallway holding Bella, who he’d just been scrubbing cranberry sauce from her face. I had to admit, he’d done a good job. There was no trace of red or pink on her cheeks.
“Ma! You made it!” Dylan floated down the hall, kissing his mom on the cheek. He took the casserole in one hand and leaned to pass off Bella. “Trade ya.”
“Hi, sweet girl!” Carla cooed. Bella stiffened, regarding Carla like she was an alien. The spitting image of me, and somehow always portraying my internal spirit as well, Bella was my girl. Greyson was pure Dylan, down to the occasional Pittsburghesephrase he learned off his dad: a “yinz” for you guys here, an “n’at” at the end of a phrase there. Alice was very much her own person, but even my parents laughed at how much Bella acted like me. My parents, who were out enjoying a nice wine country Thanksgiving with my brother in Temecula, while I was stuck in Columbus being the perfect, obedient hockey wife.
Get it together, Jeanine. Stop being so negative.
Phil and Dylan greeted each other and the casserole was passed to me. No problem, as I was ready to retreat into the kitchen anyway.
I took a steeling sip of my wine in the kitchen, leaning my hand on the counter and hanging my head.
You can do this, Jeanine. It’s your in-laws. They made your husband, who you love. Phil loves you. Carla will be gone in a few hours. You’ll get your post-gathering cigarette.
Yes, I know cigarettes are bad for you, but it’s my one act of rebellion. I only smoked when Dylan’s family pissed me off. And I guess that one time after Dylan was just so dismissive of my emotions. But that’s it. And his family doesn’t come around much and we don’t fight that much either.
