“Hi, mom.” Mary heard the grogginess in her voice, and rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling.
“Are you sleeping at five in the afternoon, Mary?” Her mom’s voice was filled with authority and accusation, but Mary didn’t say anything, just breathed out roughly, not caring if the sound was loud right in the receiver.
“Yeah. I’ve been working a lot, and my school and workload has been packed these last few weeks and I am tired.”
“Hmm.” That was the only response her mother gave.
Mary knew what was coming and didn’t bother stopping her from going there. Let her get it out so it was done and over with, and she could move onto her nap. What her mother was about to bring up was a repetitive conversation, and one Mary was used to, unfortunately.
“Mary Sandra Trellis,” her mother said in a scolding tone. “If you just let your father and I pay for your schooling and room and board, you wouldn’t have to be living in that horrid little house and could focus solely on your studies.”
Mary scrubbed a hand over her eyes, where a headache was starting to bloom. Although the words could have been construed as a mother looking out for her daughter, the truth was, they were said because Stephen and Marsha Trellis did not like anyone in their family looking less socially acceptable than they were.
“Please, I don’t want to get in to whatever you’re about to say.” There had been too many times where Mary had gotten into heated arguments with her mom on the fact money wasn’t everything, and standing on your own two feet and earning your way was completely normal and acceptable. And it made someone have pride in what they accomplished. It made someone appreciate what they’d worked hard for.
Not to mention it made Mary feel human. She enjoyed working for the things she had, and everything she had she’d paid for all by herself.
“Fine, I won’t be getting in to this with you over the phone. That’s not why I called you anyway.” Mary knew the phone call today wasn’t to see how she was doing, but instead to talk about Margo’s wedding.
Although her mother called Mary several times a week, it was either to talk about the wedding, about Mary’s lack of money, or it was to gossip because something scandalous had happened at the country club.
Her mother continued talking about the wedding, and then started going on about a brunch Margo’s friends were throwing for her, one Mary hadn’t been invited to. But that was a plus because Mary didn’t want to go anyway, especially if it meant spending an afternoon with the cacklers, which is what she called Margo’s clique of friends.
“Why so many?” Mary hadn’t realized she’d said those words out loud.
“Why so many what?”
Mary didn’t respond right away, but said fuck it. “This has to be the fourth pre-wedding gathering since the engagement was announced last year.” It was another pointless gathering, and just an excuse for them to get together all in the name of “celebrating” and throwing money out the window. That’s all they seemed to know how to do.
“Well, Chanel and Heather love throwing gatherings, and what better reason than to celebrate your sister’s wedding?”
At the mention of Margo’s Maid of Honor and bridesmaid, Mary gritted her teeth. Even though Mary and Margo were sisters, Mary was at the very bottom of the bridesmaids list, standing at the end of the line.
“Mary, are you even listening to me?”
Mary blinked back and said, “Yes.” Although she hadn’t heard anything her mother had said after the whole celebration brunch.
“You’ve talked to Margo about everything?”
“Yeah, mom.” No, not really.
“Okay, good. Now, on to the next reason I called. Have you found a date for the wedding?”
Mary closed her eyes, a little surprised it took her mother this long to bring up the issue about a date.
“I don’t need to bring a date. Me showing up should be good enough. Besides, won’t I be too busy doing wedding things to pay attention to someone else?”
Her mother sighed loudly. “Mary, do you want to be the only woman there without a date? It’ll look pathetic. It’ll look like there’s something wrong with you… with our family.”
Extreme tiredness settled into Mary’s body and she closed her eyes once more. “I don’t need a date, mom.” Mary heard her father in the background, his deep voice piercing through the receiver. Whoever her father was talking to it was clear he wasn’t pleased with how things were going.
“Listen, we’ll talk about this later, but Mary, darling, you need a date. Going alone to your sister’s wedding is just not acceptable. This is a once in a lifetime event and I want everyone to be up to standard.” There was ruffling on the other end of the receiver, and then her mother was hissing out words. A moment later Mary’s father’s voice grew even more distant. “I’m sure there is a nice and respectable boy at your school that would attend with you.”