Page 29 of Fathers of the Bride

“Oh, I think they’re out on the deck listening to Terry and Brad talk golf. It’s so sweet of your daughter to humor them.” Then she asked, “Don’t you think it’s odd that we didn’t know each other a few short weeks ago and now we’re going to be family?”

“Well, people have been joining their families for centuries,” Andy said.

“Actually, millennia,” I corrected. “Though it’s been centuries since there was an exchange of goats.”

“Oh, do you like goats?” Lissa asked.

“Not especially.”

Andy gave me a look and threw a confused Lissa a softball question, “Avery tells us you own part of Security Financial.”

“We do. Well, technically Terry and Pudge do. Bradley has family money. His grandfather invented a very popular septic pump.”

I really never expected to hear the words popular and septic pump in the same sentence. One more unusual experience in an afternoon of—

“And your family?” Andy asked.

“Oh, we weren’t rich. My parents could barely send me to Vassar. In fact, they had to rent out their beach house for three of the four summers I was there just to pay the tuition. Parenting is all about sacrifice, don’t you think?”

“Absolutely,” Andy said while staring at me. “Don’t you agree, Miles?”

“Of course, I agree. Why wouldn’t I agree?”

“I didn’t say youdidn’tagree.”

“Yes, you did. You implied it.”

“No, l didn’t. I askedifyou agree. And you do, don’t you?”

“Yes, yes, I said that already.”

Lissa began to giggle. I looked at her in horror as she said, “You two are so adorable.”

“This? This is your idea of adorable?” I asked.

“Well, yes, it is…” she said doubtfully. I had the distinct feeling she’d be bringing this up in her next group session with Dr. Fefferman.

“Miles is a little on the dramatic side,” Andy said. “You’ll get used to it.”

“I am not dramatic.”

“I’m sorry, should I have used a more clinical word? Hysterical? Irrational? Frenzied? Neurotic?”

Lissa was giggling again. I felt my blood pressure rising like the tide. In the midst of a hurricane. And then, to make matters worse, I looked over and saw Raj heading our way. He already had his hand out as though he were about to shake my hand.

Quickly I said, “Excuse me. I have to use the restroom. To rest.”

10

Andrew Lane

“Was that a cut?”Raj asked. “Did he just cut me dead?”

“I think he had to pee,” I suggested, though, yes, Miles had just cut him dead.

“He couldn’t wait twenty seconds.”

“It gets more urgent as you age.”