Chapter 19
I feel like I’m floating. I have a date with Ben. A real date. This weekend has been surreal. Not only having Ben in my world but getting to see a glimpse of his. We only separate once it is time to do the send-off. I had to remind myself that I was still working. I left Ben with the hope of seeing him again before the night was over, but that plan was quickly squashed at the sight of my mom with my grandparents. I didn’t see them come in. It makes sense that they are here though; Grandma did suggest the venue, she must be friends with the Blakes.
I see the three of them standing toward the end of the back porch in a deep conversation. A quick study shows nothing seems to be too off. Mom isn’t holding her normal defensive stance when talking to my grandmother. I still approach with caution.
“Grandma, Grandpa, what a surprise!” I address them warmly. Grandpa attempts to wrap me in a hug, but it’s a bit awkward.
“Amelia dear, we were just congratulating your mother on a successful event,” he says.
“Yes, we didn’t want to intrude earlier as you both looked busy,” Grandma adds. I’m still getting used to her. She seems like she wants to be civil but isn’t sure how to without coming off condescending.
I move to Mom, wrapping my arms around her waist. “Oh, Mom is the best at pulling off the impossible.”
Mom puts her arm around me. “I couldn’t do it without my partner. Amelia was such a huge help yesterday and today.”
“Yesterday? Amelia, did you miss school to help with the event?” My grandma asks with concern in her voice. I wouldn’t be surprised if she tried to call child services.
“No. Friday is specials day and I have golf. It was canceled because of the rain.” I rush to mom and my own defense.
“Oh, I see.” She rolls her shoulders back and smooths her skirt. “You play golf?”
I laugh off her question. “Not well. I just picked it because I had to have a P.E credit. I’m not very good.”
“I play golf.” My grandfather interjects a little unsure. “I could help you if you wanted.”
I beam up at him. “I would like that.”
My mom stiffens, and a look to her “I’m sure we can work something out. Mom, Dad, it was great to see you, but we need to get started on cleanup. Mom, thank you again for the recommendation. Dad, I’ll call about lunch.” Lunch? What did I miss?
After saying goodbye to my grandparents, Mom and I don’t go straight to cleanup. Mom pulls me upstairs. She looks a bit panicked. By the time we reach our apartment, I half expect her to explode.
“She takes credit for something I did! I did! Okay yes, she mentioned that we have an inn here and the grounds are beautiful, and we have built a rather good reputation, right?” I don’t respond. “Right. But here is the thing. I built that. Me. I didn’t have her help. Then she makes one little comment and now that we have pulled off the wedding of the century, she talks about how I will have all this business coming my way and I will be on the map. On the map! Well, let me tell you something lady, I was already on the map! It just wasn’t her map!” She finally takes a breath.
“I’m assuming we’re talking about Grandma.” I stare at my mom with full sympathy.
“Yes we are talking about Grandma. Who else?” She moves and collapses on the couch, pulling a throw pillow out from under her and squeezing it. I sit on the arm of the couch at her feet.
“I feel like I’m missing some information here.” I say looking down at her. “Want to fill me in?” This is one of those moments where for a while we aren’t mother and daughter. We are best friends and right now my best friend is hurting.
Mom goes into a recount of her conversation with Grandma and Grandpa. Apparently, spy needs to be added to my grandmother’s list of jobs because that is what she was doing the entire ceremony. Spying on Mom and me.
She waited until Mom was completely done and received a big fat check from Celia before she swooped in. Grandma started out by congratulating Mom on pulling off such a glorious event. She made snide comments about how she always knew Mom would like this life. Event planning, as if that is all she does. She basically implied that the life she ran from now surrounds her.
Then she started on all the business Mom would get. Grandpa, being good at reading the room, broke in and asked if we could all start having lunch. Here. On Sunday afternoons. He said that he loved seeing her happy and comfortable in her environment, and then Grandma mentioned she might like to start having her antiquing meetings at the inn. That is when I walked up. Apparently, I interrupted just before she could answer. Mom is relatively calmer by the end of her explanation.
“It’s just, I have worked immeasurably hard. Now she thinks she can swoop in and claim credit for my success. Like I still need her.” She groans and puts the pillow over her head.
“Okay, yes, it was wrong of Grandma to say all those things, but I think they may come from a semi-good place. Maybe this is the only way she knows how to be a part of your life.” I’m grasping for straws.
“That’s the problem. The only way she knows how to be in my life is to have some sort of control over it.” She removes the pillow and sits up. “It’s why I left in the first place.”
I slink down next to her, unsure of what to say. She lies broken on the couch. This happens every time we see my grandparents. Maybe having them involved in our lives was a bad idea. Mom takes my silence as what it is and reassures me.
“Hey, don’t worry about this. This is my own stuff. I think you should still try and build a relationship with them. Grandpa was excited about taking you golfing, and for him, the golf course is sacred ground. Take it as a huge compliment.”
I know what she is trying to do. It’s kind of working.
“He was probably just being nice.” I shrug.
“No way. Anyone would want to spend time with you, even” she drags out the last word “golfing.” This makes me laugh, and the mood is successfully lightened. I’m still worried about her though, so I suggest we stay in. Let the weekend manager finish the cleanup. We can sleep in then have breakfast in the morning and spend the whole day cuddling on the couch and make up for the movie night we missed. Everything else can wait.