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“Get some water and sit,” I said.
She nodded weakly. I stepped in, taking a break from helping load the vans. I watched her take a seat by the catering table, digging into the plate of digestive biscuits. Satisfied that she was sitting down andnotabout to fall asleep like a horse in a stall, I turned back to what I was doing.
That was until my mother came towards me. “Why is Daphne sitting there?”
“She needed a break,” I answered. “I decided to step in.”
My mother let out a long sigh, then walked off. No matter what Daphne did or didn’t do—no matter how perfectly—it would never be enough for Mom. It set me off. I stewed for a minute before turning to see Mom talking with Daphne. Or, rather, talkingatDaphne. Seeing red, I strode over, hearing only a bit of their conversation. Daphne’s give-a-damn was busted and her jaw was set. It wasnotlooking good.
“Well, just drink some coffee. It will be alright,” Mom said.
She would if she could, Mom!
“I’m fine,” Daphne said. “I just need a moment.”
“Mom, why don’t you leave Daphne alone to rest?” I asked.
“We areallworking. She’s younger and healthier than you?—”
“Mom,” I said, tone sharp. “Leave her be. She’s just taking a minute.”
“Is there an issue?”
I turned to see Danna Delphine to my right and knew things had gone off the rails completely. There was about to be a battle among the city’s proudest matriarchs. New clashed with old out of the gate.
“Daphne is taking a minute,” I said.
“I am worried about her,” Mom insisted. “She looks so pale. I told her to drink some coffee and she will feel better but she’s refusing that.”
“I’m good. Really,” Daphne protested.
“And I told you, Mom, she’s fine,” I said. “Just a little overwhelmed.”
Danna crossed her arms. “See, she’s fine.”
Mom, annoyed, rolled her eyes and left. Daphne looked up at me, small as could be. All I wanted to do was hold her, but that was completely off the table.
“Elise, what is your issue? Did you come here to help or judge my daughter?” Danna called after her. “Because to my knowledge, Cal invited you out of the goodness of his heart but all you’ve done is chide us and make it about you.”
Mum spun around. “Oh, like the hospital benefit you madeallabout you after my grandmother died? Where you put me on the worst committee?”
“Because you claimed to be too upset?—”
“I was not too upset. You told me that I was too tacky to plan anything!”
“I never said such a thing!” Danna scoffed.
“No, you told Janine that, though!”
Danna set her jaw the same way Daphne had moments before. I knew it was about to come pouring out. Davey caught my eye, moving into view. I met his gaze, worried we might have to step in if hands were thrown.
“Regardless of whatIdid or did not do?—”
“You did do it, though, Danna ! You did.”
Danna repeated, “Regardless of what I did or did not do, my daughter has been nothing but gracious to you. She loves Cal. She is good to him. Is that not enough?”
“The way he treats her like some wounded bird annoys the hell out of me!” Mom declared, throwing her arms around. By now, Tim emerged from the background.