The Marriage Dare

Pulling my cell phone from the pocket of my suit, I dial her number, but there’s no response. After what she heard, I don’t think that there would be. But this will not stand.

I stalk back into the house, filled with unholy rage. I don’t remember ever being so furious at my parents before. My parents are good people. Solid people. I can’t understate the amount of love that they’ve shown me in my life. I never want to make them feel like I don’t appreciate them, and I understand more than most how deep this grudge can go. But to not even give somebody a second chance because of who their family is, it’s utterly unacceptable to me.

I try to calm myself down as much as possible. I don’t need to be driven by anger in this. I think anger will only make it worse. “I would like you both to explain yourselves,” I say.

My mother looks a little stricken. And it is a moment before she speaks. “I’m sorry that she heard that, but it doesn’t make what we said any less true.”

“If you or Dad had committed a crime and gone to jail when I was in high school,” I say, “would you want my life ruined, tainted by your own actions?”

I let those words sink in, so that they can see how ridiculous they’re being. Monica was a teenager when most of these crimes occurred, despite the fact that they didn’t come out until later. There is no excuse for blaming her for her parent’s actions. “Because that’s what you’re doing. And frankly I don’t care what you think. I love her, and I married her. If you can’t accept that, I’m going to have to reevaluate our relationship. Believe me,” I say, “I don’t want to have to do that, but I will, for the sake of my marriage.”

They look at me, and then they look at each other. I’m gratified to know that they look at least a little bit ashamed. But they say nothing.

“Will you at least meet her? Talk to her if she’s even willing after what she just heard? Instead of condemning a woman that you barely know?”

They don’t look happy about it, but both of them nod.

“Enjoy dinner,” I say. “I need to go repair the damage that you’ve done.”

My mother catches me before I reach the door, and pulls me into a hug. “I’m sorry,” she whispers.

I can’t say that I forgive her. Not yet. “If you really are sorry,” I say, “prove it. Take a hard look at everything you said tonight. Let me know your decision.” I do hug her back before I leave, because I love her. But right now, I need to find my wife. Because I need to tell her that I love her, and it can’t wait another second.

14

Monica

I hold it together. I hold it together while I’m in the car, and I hold it together as I walk through the doors of the casino. Jack is the one who sees me, and sticks himself to my side as I enter. I hold it together as people take pictures, and I smile. But I don’t go up to the suite. That’s the first place that he’s going to look, and I need some time. So instead, I go to the poker room. Jack doesn’t even question when I go inside, standing outside the door and sealing me in.

It’s then that I let myself go, and the tears come.

I got the text to come straight inside from Daniel. But I didn’t know that when I walked inside, I would hear his parents giving voice to my worst fears. They think I’m a gold digger who’s going to run away with his money. They think I’m a monster for what my parents did. They think that I’m seducing him for the sake of money and nothing else. And they are not wrong. I thought about giving into my father and sending him the money that he wanted.

But that would make me exactly who they think I am. I can’t do it. I’ll let myself be ruined, and I’ll risk Daniel leaving me behind, but I won’t do it. I love him. I can accept it now. I want to say it. I wish I had said it before I heard all of that. I know that he loves and respects his parents, and there’s every chance that they’ll get through to him. I don’t want to think that it could be possible, but it is.

All that I want right now is to curl up into a bed and bury myself in blankets. But my situation hasn’t changed, and I have nowhere to go. I suppose I could lock myself in the guest bedroom in the suite, but I don’t want to do that. I’ll just stay here for now.