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At that moment, my phone rang. I looked at the screen of my infotainment system.
My grandmother Ruth was calling.
I groaned inwardly.
I liked my grandmother. Very much, actually. But she could be a real tough cookie. She was the dragon watching over the family and keeping it together, as much as possible. It was only because of her that Cameron and I even spoke to each other at all. My grandmother also made sure that everyone was present at family gatherings and that the appearance of harmony was maintained. I found it unnecessary. But that was just part of the traditions of our long-established New York family.
"Good evening," I greeted my grandmother.
"Hello Carter. Are you on the road right now?"
"Yes, I'm just heading to a business appointment," I replied. An appointment where I hopefully would manage to outdo Cameron. I wisely kept that information from my grandmother.
"Good. You know, I greatly appreciate your hard work and I'm happy when both my grandsons are so diligent." Both my grandsons. A first hint that the call concerned a family matter.
"Hmm," I said, waiting. Grandma Ruth would eventually get to the point of her call without me asking. Usually sooner rather than later, as she never beat around the bush. She had always hated small talk.
"As you know, your brother is getting married in a week," she then came straight to the point.
"Of course I know that," I answered, slightly irritated. I took a deep breath. The wedding was one of those mandatory events that every family member had to attend. Cameron had sent me a particularly ugly invitation months ago without any personal note. I had stuffed it into a drawer of the sideboard in the hallway and hadn't sent Cameron a response. He knew I would come anyway. Because I had to come. Just as he invited me because he had to invite me. We had at least one thing in common: we both loved our Grandma Ruth and kept the peace for her sake.
"Are you coming?" my grandmother inquired.
"Of course. I'm looking forward to seeing you there." That was the truth. My grandma could be a dragon. A loving dragon. Raising a toast with her at Cameron's wedding would be the highlight of the day. The only highlight. Knowing my boring brother, he had probably organized an especially boring celebration. The ugly invitation was likely a preview of what awaited me there. Hopefully, there would at least be something good to eat.
"And are you bringing someone?" my grandmother asked further.
I took a deep breath. Before I could say anything, my grandmother continued: "You know, Carter, your personal happiness is really very important to me. It's time for you to settle down, just like your brother is about to do."
I gritted my teeth. A comparison with Cameron was really the worst thing my grandmother could subject me to. Only with effort did I hold back a sharp reply. The vein at my temple swelled.
End this conversation as soon as possible, Carter. You need to stay calm, otherwise you'll end up yelling at Abigail's father instead of convincing him.
"A man your age needs a wife, Carter." Grandma Ruth wouldn't let up.
I knew exactly what I needed. Women who satisfied my needs. Not a woman I would be tied to for life. She would only end up annoying me sooner or later with her demands. Maybe she would even want children. Maybe? Certainly! Didn't all women want children?
Grandma Ruth sighed loudly. I could practically see her sitting in her floral-patterned armchair, tapping her silver walking stick on the floor and shaking her head at me. Lovingly. But still decisively.
"Your silence tells me everything, Carter."
"What am I supposed to say to that?" I replied, looking out through the windshield where the sun was slowly setting. The day had turned out quite nice after the foggy and rainy start. I thought again about my grandmother's words. I DIDN'T WANT to say anything. The less I said, the sooner this uncomfortable conversation would be over.
"I've decided to give you a push in the right direction," Grandma Ruth announced cryptically. "In four months, you'll have your birthday. By that day at the latest, you'll also be celebrating your engagement."
EXCUSE ME? The vein at my temple throbbed harder than ever before. Until now, I had let Grandma Ruth get away with almost everything out of love. But this was clearly going too far!
"I..."
"Let me finish," Grandma Ruth said with unusual sharpness. "If you don't have a woman by that day, then the entire inheritance will go to Cameron. I'll make sure of that. It'll be ironclad. None of your fancy lawyers will be able to do anything about it. It's really time you grow up, Carter."
The entire inheritance to Cameron?
I had enough money of my own and didn't need Grandma's millions, her jewelry, or the family mansion. But the idea that Cameron would get it all and be laughing at me behind my back was going too far! I couldn't allow that!
There was a red light in front of me. I stopped and clenched my right hand into a fist.
"I'm serious, Carter."