“Andrew and I are getting married tomorrow.”
The room exhaled.
“We are not discussing anyone’s business finances tonight.”
“Dad, that includes you.”
Marcus nodded.
“Mr. Whitmore, that includes you.”
Richard nodded too.
“Mrs. Whitmore.”
Eleanor straightened.
“You and I will have a conversation about the words ‘keep this brief.’”
The room laughed.
Even Eleanor.
“Fair.”
Camille handed the microphone back.
Dessert resumed.
The rehearsal dinner never recovered completely.
That was okay.
Some nights should not be rescued into perfection.
Marcus left before coffee.
Not because he was angry with Camille.
Because he recognized himself becoming defensive and knew he would say something about Richard he could not take back.
He drove to his hotel.
Sat on the edge of the bed.
Called his younger daughter Tessa.
She was twenty-six and had skipped the rehearsal because her flight from Chicago was delayed.
“What happened?”
she asked.
Marcus stared.
“How do you know something happened?”
“Camille texted: ‘Landed yet? Family exploded.’”
Marcus closed his eyes.
“Your sister has inherited your mother’s restraint.”
“What did you do?”
“Why assume me?”
“Dad.”
He explained.
Tessa listened.
Then:
“You paid how much?”
“Not important.”
“That means awful number.”
“Sixty-eight four.”
Silence.
“Dad.”
“Yes.”
“Are you insane?”
“Apparently.”
“Did you tell Camille?”
“Eleanor did.”
“Oh my God.”
“Tessa.”
“Sorry.”
Then:
“No, not sorry.”
“Grandma Whitmore announced it?”
“She is not your grandmother.”
“Tomorrow she basically is.”
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
Tessa continued.
“I cannot believe I missed this.”
“Your mother would be grateful.”
“No.”
“Mom would have taken the microphone.”
Marcus smiled.
Danielle would have.
Absolutely.
Tessa became serious.
“Why didn't you tell Cam?”
Marcus repeated his reasons.
Wedding pressure.
Richard’s responsibility.
Protecting Andrew.
Temporary cash flow.
Tessa listened.
Then said:
“So you decided information was dangerous and money was safe.”
Marcus stopped.
“What?”
“You gave sixty-eight thousand dollars but thought a conversation might be too much.”
He stared at the carpet.
“You two are enjoying this.”
“Enjoying what?”
“Becoming smarter than me.”
Tessa laughed.
“Mom's long-term plan.”
Marcus smiled.
Then she said:
“Camille is going to forgive you.”
He looked down.
“Don't say that.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't want forgiveness to become the part I wait for.”
Tessa became quiet.
“Okay.”
That was something.
Across town, Richard and Victoria sat in their hotel suite.
Neither had changed clothes.
Victoria stood by the window.
“You let me keep spending.”