Chapter 28 To-Do Lists, Game Shows, and Skeptical Fathers-In-Law #2
“No, that’s okay, Ben,” I say with a small smile.
“I know this whole thing is strange, to say the least. The truth is, I’m an extremely career-focused person, and I’m in an industry that moves at a furious pace.
You have to make hay while the sun shines, because at any moment, it could be over.
” I have another sip of beer. “I guess I’ve always thought there would be time for that later. ”
He lets out a grunt, then says, “Well, I hope when you’re ready to find the right guy, it won’t be too late.”
“Me too.” I glance up at Ben, my heart screaming at me to tell him the truth before it really is too late.
After dinner, Paige and Mac leave, both of them needing to be up early for work.
Henry, who was exhausted by all the fresh air and excitement, fell asleep on Ben’s lap during dessert and has been put to bed.
A big breeze kicked up off the water so we moved the party inside.
We start to clean up the kitchen, but my mom and Jo put Ben and Roman in charge of dishes, then usher Dominic and me into seats at the kitchen table.
They’re both holding up cue cards and grinning at us.
Jo does a dramatic bow, then says, “Welcome to the ‘Almost Newlywed Game!’ The game designed to test your knowledge of the person you’re pretending you want to spend your life with.”
“What?” I ask, glancing back and forth between my mom and Jo. My mom smiles at me. “It was Jo’s idea, and I think it’s a damn good one. You two need to nail that immigration interview.”
“So without further ado, let’s get started!” Jo announces. “Question one is for Vivian: Would you say Dominic is an early bird or a night owl?”
“Night owl.”
Jo looks at Dominic and they both nod. “One point for Vivian. Now, Dominic: Where was Vivian born?”
His eyes grow wide and he shakes his head. “No idea.”
From the other side of the kitchen, Ben says, “Seriously, dude? She was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, remember? She told us that when we were out for ice cream the other day.”
My mom, who looks very impressed, says, “One point for Ben!”
“Ben doesn’t get any points,” Dominic says, glaring at his brother.
“Can I steal points and give them to Viv?” Ben asks with a wide grin.
“Of course you can, dear,” Jo says. Turning to Dominic, she says, “You should really know where your wife was born. Now, Vivian, same question.”
“This is an easy one—San Felipe,” I answer, feeling rather smug.
“You got it! And Dominic, who are your spouse’s siblings?”
“She doesn’t have any,” Dominic says.
Jo makes a loud buzzer sound. “Wrong.”
“No, I’m not,” Dominic answers. “Natalie was just telling us at supper how their house was so quiet because it was only her and Vivian.”
Ben chimes in with, “Yeah, but her father has two children, Gregory, the varsity basketball player who just started college in Iowa, and Hannah, a tumbler with the cheer team in grade eleven.”
I nod at Dominic while pointing to Ben. “That’s right. I have two half-siblings who I barely see.”
Dominic looks slightly defeated. “Well, obviously I knew that. I didn’t think we were counting half-siblings.”
“We are,” Jo says. “Another point for Vivian via Ben!”
Dom makes a loud tsking sound. “That’s ridiculous.”
“Vivian,” my mom asks, “What food does Dominic absolutely refuse to eat? Bonus points for why.”
“Cotton candy,” I answer. “Because as a little kid he ate some pink insulation and Ben told him he was going to die and he spent the entire night terrified to tell his parents but also believing he wouldn’t live to see the morning.”
“I think that’s worth five points,” Roman calls from in front of the sink.
“Agreed!” Jo says. “Five points for Vivian.” She shakes her head at Dominic. “You better step up your game. You’re going to lose.”
“More importantly, he’s going to get Vivian thrown in jail and get himself deported permanently,” Roman says.
“There is that,” Jo says, wrinkling up her nose a little at her son.
“I’m just getting warmed up,” Dominic says, sitting forward in his chair.
“What degree does Vivian have?”
He winces and taps his forehead with his fist as though that will dislodge the answer.
“A marketing degree!” Ben calls.
I nod at Dom. “He’s right again.”
Mom laughs. “Let’s give poor Dominic another chance.” She changes cue cards, then says, “What is the name of the Mexican restaurant Vivian worked at in college?”
His shoulders drop. “I have no idea, Taco … Bell?”
“Wrong! It was—”
“Gloria’s!” Ben shouts.
Dom screws up his face. “No way that’s right. What kind of name is that for a Mexican restaurant?”
“What? You don’t think someone from Mexico can be named Gloria?” his mom asks. “That seems vaguely racist, Dominic.”
“To be fair, Gloria was of Norwegian descent,” I say. “She just really loved tacos.”
“So, he was right?” Dominic asks.
Jo nods. “Yup. Another point for Ben.”
“Maybe Ben should take the immigration interview for you,” Roman says.
Dominic rolls his eyes. “Ha. Ha. Very funny.”
The game continued for another twenty questions with Ben and me wiping the floor with my future husband.
He did manage to get three answers right, but the rest were woefully incorrect.
By the end, we were all laughing so hard, we had tears running down our cheeks, and Dominic looked like he was ready to throw a tantrum.
When the game was over, he muttered, “Who cares? It’s a stupid game anyway. ”
I purse my lips to stop myself from laughing at him, then put my hand on his. “Don’t worry, I’ll give you a cheat sheet to study before the interview.”
My phone rings, interrupting the fun, and when I see who’s calling, my heart drops. Kevin (Father of Sorts). I glance at my mom. “That’ll be your ex-husband, canceling.”
I stand up and excuse myself, then walk out onto the deck and close the patio door behind me. “Hello?”
“Oh, Viv, I’m glad I caught you.”
No, he’s not. He definitely wanted to leave a message. “Of course. Everything okay?”
“Yeah, we’re fine,” he says, sounding sheepish already.
He’s going to cancel. He’s supposed to show up tomorrow, and he’s just canceling now.
“The thing is, Angela’s passport still hasn’t arrived.
We thought we could get it in time, but apparently not.
So we’re not going to make it. I’m very sorry.
On the plus side, we bought the flight insurance so we can get a voucher. ”
I digest his words, feeling rage and indignation flow through me. He can’t come because Angela’s passport didn’t arrive. “Oh, you got a voucher? That’s great news.”
“Was that sarcasm? That sounded like sarcasm, but I don’t feel like I know you well enough to know for sure,” he says.
“It was, yup.”
“I know you must be disappointed, and if it’s too late to cancel the room, let me know. I don’t want to leave you on the hook for it, even though Gregory’s program is pretty much bleeding me dry right now,” he says, letting out a big sigh. “Oh, I wish I could be there.”
“You can.”
There’s a long pause, then he says, “No, I can’t. I already told you Angela’s passport didn’t arrive. She did everything she could to get it in time. If we had more notice, we could’ve done it, but with only a month, there’s not much we could do.”
“But you have a passport?”
“Yes.”
“So, you could come.” Why am I pushing this? I don’t even want him there. It’s not a real wedding and he’s not a real father. And yet… “But you’re choosing not to. So let’s not pretend this is about your wife’s passport because it’s not. You don’t want to come. It’s as simple as that.”
“Vivian, that’s not true. Of course I want to come. You’re my daughter. I want to be there to walk you down the aisle, but the truth is, Angela would be very uncomfortable if I go without her and stay at a resort with my ex-wife. You can understand that, can’t you?”
“No, I can’t, Kevin. Because if I had a daughter, I’d be there for her. Every fucking day of her life. But you’ve never been there for me. Not once in the way I need you to. Because the truth is, when it comes to me, you don’t give a shit.”
“Okay, listen here, I’m not going to tolerate this abusive language.”
“Abusive?” I ask with a crazy chuckle. “I’m the abusive one?”
“I never abused you,” he answers.
“No, you just neglected and abandoned me, but I suppose that’s not considered abuse, according to someone who does those things.”
He sighs again, then says, “Vivian, I never meant to hurt you.”
“What you meant to do and what you actually have done are two completely different things.” I feel angry tears filling my eyes. “You remember what you said about that fresh start for us?”
“We can have that—”
“Yes, we can. The fresh start is that you need to delete my number and leave me alone. I’m just done. I’m done. I can’t be disappointed by you anymore.”
“Viv—”
“Don’t call me again.”
I hang up and let my shoulders slump, hot tears rolling down my cheeks.
Inside, the kitchen has gone quiet, and when I glance through the patio door, I see everyone staring at me. Ben slides it open and steps outside and I rush into his arms, needing him right now more than I’ve ever needed anything in my life.