Page 100 of The Wedding

“So, this is the part where I profusely thank Ms. Joy for saving me from more rants and tears. Thank you, Jamie. You have done me quite the service.”

“Do you want me to smack you in front of present company?’

“Dunno. Would she like it?”

Jamie held up her hands. “If you two have things to do, I can be on my way. Email me anything you’d like me to help with,” she said to Kathleen.

“Why are you suddenly interested in helping my dearest with her project?” Ira asked. “No offense, but you’re one of the last people I would have expected to step forward right now. Last I heard, you were planning a big wedding for me to get drunk and make a fool of myself at.”

“Yes, I am busy, but a girl has to do something else than plan weddings, right?”

“Wouldn’t know. I was under the impression that one of the funnest things to do when you have money is plan a wedding. Again, wouldn’t know.” That nudge went to Kathleen.

“Don’t start.” Kathleen perched her chin on her hand, showing off what suspiciously looked like a wedding band – but on her right hand.I have no idea what these two are ever doing.Jamie could barely keep up with her own life. She couldn’t imagine becoming the kind of busybody who knew whateveryone else was up to – and why.

“If I may share, you said something about needing something else in your life?” That was directed at Jamie.

“Oh… well, yes. I did say that.” Jamie cleared her throat, eyes cast down on the table. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking… there’s more to life than being a rich girl’s wife, right?”

The couple exchanged wary looks. In one sentence, Jamie had managed to kill the lively mood at the table. No more smiles. No more jokes. No one offering Jamie any refreshments as Ira’s drink made its way to the table and sat untouched.

“Naturally,” Kathleen said, finally breaking the awkward silence. “God knows I don’t want to be no billionaire’s hausfrau.” She laughed. “I get that from my mother.”

“Well, I mostly meant… I’m no good at it, so I might as well find something else that I’m good at and can make me happy, right?”

More awkward silence.

“That’s always a good idea.”

“What?” Jamie didn’t like the nerves prickling their way up her arms. “You both agree, don’t you? That I’m not cut out for such a thing…”

“Well…”

“That’s not to say…”

“What have you heard?” Jamie placed both fists on the table, knowing fully well that she didn’t want to hear the answer, but that she had to. Paranoia wasn’t good enough. She needed to know the truth… even if she regretted asking later.

“Heard?” Kathleen wasn’t playing dumb all of a sudden, was she? “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, please, I hear people saying shit about me all the time. Problem is, I can’t deduce how much of that they actually think is true and how much of it is bullshit for their friends. If I’m going to be thewife of one of the biggest modern businesswomen any of you know, then I need to know exactly what people think of me. You’re both in the gossip circles, whether you like it or not. So what is it? Am I the most embarrassing choice Etta could make?”

“No,” Ira was quick to say. “At the end of the day, as long as you’re not a huge liability because of your scandalized family or whatever, nobody really cares who you marry. It’s just…”

“Just what?”

“Well…”

“Tell me the truth.”

Kathleen took it from there. “Wives fall under three stereotypical characters that you can be pigeonholed into.” She held up a trio of corresponding fingers. “You’ve got your well-bred women. That’s the first one, and the one mothers are looking to marry their primary heirs to. These are women who already come from families of means, whether more so than the other’s family or slightly less. Either way, the woman grew up with the proper manners and has been ‘trained,’ so to speak, to run her future spouse’s household. She’s been educated in something, whether it’s law or fashion design. She’s probably pretty, but also likely to be average looking.”

“Then you’ve got your working woman wife.” Ira slapped their hand on Kathleen’s shoulder, which made her roll her eyes yet again. She’ll go cross-eyed at this rate. “She’s either got her own business or is working for someone else. In the latter case, it’s ideal for her to work for her natal family or, even better, her wife’s family, as long as she brings something powerful to the table. Mothers-in-law don’t like them as much because they tend to not have as many little heirs, if any.”

“Okay.” Jamie sighed. “I’m neither of those types. So… what’s the third one?”

Another exchange of glances.

“Come on, I can take it.”