Chapter 12
Suzy raced home. As she suspected, the dirty dishes were untouched. Ken was in his den watching a ball game and Izzy was likely in her room on her phone.
After Suzy dried the last dish, Izzy appeared, grabbed a glass of water, and didn’t say a word.
Suzy bristled. The silent treatment, and for what?
Ken sauntered into the kitchen all smiles. Apparently he noticed his wife and daughter were avoiding each other like two wary cats. In an obvious attempt to break the awkward silence, he teased, “Glad you came back before bedtime, Suzy. How are my two favorite ladies?”
Izzy linked her arm through Ken’s while simultaneously challenging Suzy with her eyes. “Hi, Daddy.”
Suzy refused to take the bait. She would be the adult, no matter how freaking difficult it was. Opening her laptop, she retreated to the breakfast table. “I’m going to stay up late and work on Jon and Fernando’s wedding.”
“I’m sure they appreciate it.” Ken kissed the top of her head and half-heartedly glanced at the computer screen as it flickered to life. “When is the wedding again?”
“Soon. We haven’t yet locked in a date nor a venue. Since it’s a small, private affair, I’m able to plan it quickly. It’ll just be family and a few close friends. I’m taking care of a few requisite details before I involve the boys.”
“’Requisite?’ Why do you have to use such big words?” Izzy rolled her eyes. “You’re so formal. Not like my mom at all.” She beamed at her father who, as usual, avoided any confrontation. Instead, he walked into the kitchen and poured a scotch.
Suzy let the hateful remark go. She had finally figured out that not engaging Izzy was better for her blood pressure. “Why don’t you look the word up?” I’m sure that phone of yours has a dictionary.” Suzy couldn’t resist the slight jab and knew Alex would be proud.
Ken sipped his amber drink. “Suze. Your tone.”
Suzy stiffened and concentrated on the screen so hard she was surprised it didn’t burst into flames. This spoiled teenager is not going to win.
“Come here, Ken. I want to show you two beautiful beaches and resorts. I’d like your input.” Suzy noticed Izzy frowned before stomping down the hall and knew she had won that battle at least. She’d take it.
As Ken leaned over her shoulder, Suzy’s cell rang. The caller ID indicated it was her son. “Hi, Jon. How are you, honey? I was just working on your—”
Jon didn’t bother with a greeting. “Mom, there’s going to be a change.”
Suzy could tell by the inflection in his voice that something was wrong. Very wrong. “What, sweetie?”
He sighed into the phone. “Fernando isn’t sure about a beach wedding.”
Suzy’s brows knitted. “What do you mean?”
“He’s wondering about Europe,” Jon said.
“Europe? I can’t plan a European wedding. I mean I could but it would be difficult from afar and very expensive.” She frowned at the screen. “How do you feel about this?”
Jon said meekly, “I want Fernando to be happy.”
Suzy sat up straighter. “What about your happiness?”
He hesitated. “I’m happy.”
This was the first crack in their seemingly perfect relationship. “That’s not exactly convincing.”
“It’s fine. Everything is fine. Just put our beach wedding plans on hold for now, okay?”
“Are you sure?” Suzy asked.
“No,” he said.
“You’re not sure?”
“Mom, you know I’ve always wanted a beach wedding. Of course, in high school, I thought it would be with Vanessa. She wanted one too. We were silly kids then but a beach wedding has always been my dream.”
Suzy tensed. “Jon, are you having second thoughts about . . . anything?” She didn’t want to question the fact that Jon didn’t come out until after he graduated from high school. He had convinced her that he had known he was gay since he was a teen and had explained that his high school crush was more friend than girlfriend, even though Suzy was almost positive Vanessa didn’t feel the same.
“Talk to me, son.” Suzy noticed Izzy had returned and muted the television. Suddenly, her stepdaughter was attentive. Suzy pressed the phone against her ear and headed for the front door. Once outside, she said, “What’s going on?”
“I love Fernando. With all my heart. You know I’ve never been this happy. I want to marry him. Spend my life with him.”
Suzy felt a rush of relief. “Good. I really like Fernando. I thought maybe—”
“No, no. Nothing like that. It’s just that Fernando’s big Italian family is somewhat . . . How can I say this delicately?”
Suzy noticed her son’s breathing picked up. “Just say it, Jon. They’re what?”
“Overbearing. In fact, they’re beyond overbearing. They’re smothering. And Fernando doesn’t see it. He grew up with a big, chaotic family, so it’s second nature to him. He loves all the hullabaloo. To me, it’s bedlam.”
Suzy giggled. “Sorry. I don’t mean to laugh. I can relate. I’m dealing with family issues too. Go on. Finish your story.”
“His family wants us to get married in Italy with a giant family wedding, pre-dinners, toasts, heaping platters of Italian food, and celebrations for days on end.”
Suzy paced on the driveway while pressing the phone against her ear. “Along the lines of a ‘Big Fat Greek Wedding’ except Italian style?”
“Yes, exactly like that. I envisioned a small, quiet, romantic wedding day—not hordes of loud, brash family members who I’ve never met.”
She weighed her words and settled on one simple question: “What does Fernando want?”
“I-I’m not sure. I thought he wanted a private beach ceremony too.” Jon let out a loud sigh. “He has a hard time standing up to his domineering mother. He doesn’t like conflict.”
“Sounds like my husband.” Suzy waited until the neighbor’s dog stopped barking. “Do you want me to call his mom?”
“Absolutely not,” Jon said.
Suzy breathed a sigh of relief as she absentmindedly twirled her red hair.
“We’re grown men. We can handle this, but thanks for offering.”
Suzy heard the front door open and turned toward the sound. Ken poked his head out. “Everything okay? I’m ready for bed.”
Suzy nodded and sat on the porch. “Go ahead. I’ll be in soon, honey.”
“Sorry, Mom. I’m totally disrupting your evening.”
“Don’t ever think that. You’re my only son. Call me every night if you want.” She stared at a chipped nail. “Before we hang up, should I continue to explore beach-themed weddings?”
He sighed. “I guess. Maybe. No. I don’t know.”
“Well, it’s not like I have brides lined up around the block. It has been a slow spring for some reason. I enjoy the research and will keep looking. Besides, if you two don’t use my ideas, someone will.” Jon groaned and her heart went out to him. “I can hear your frustration. You need to tell Fernando how you feel. Everything will work out. Don’t worry.”
“You always know what to say. Thanks, Mom. Love you. Ciao.”
“Love you, honey. Night.”
Suzy stared at her now-silent phone. She wished she could reach through the screen and hug her son. Once inside, she found Izzy sprawled on the couch and trolling Facebook while ignoring the blaring television. Bristling, she held her tongue. I need a book about being a new stepmother. Alex would simply turn the damn television off.
Saving her beach-themed files, she said goodnight and retreated to the bedroom. She wasn’t in the mood to fight with Izzy, especially after this new complication with Jon and Fernando.
“Everything okay?” Ken asked between gargles.
“It will be. I hope,” Suzy said.
Ken spit the mouthwash into the sink. “What’s going on?”
Suzy reached for her toothbrush. “Jon and Fernando want a beach wedding but Fernando’s mother prefers a big family wedding in Italy. I’m sure they’ll work it out.”
Ken raised his eyebrows. “I hope so. A European wedding would be extremely expensive. The flights alone would cost an arm—”
Suzy held up her hand. “I know what they cost. I’m a wedding planner, remember?” She brushed her teeth, yawned, and hugged her husband around the waist. “Have I told you how much I love you?”
Ken turned around. “I hope you still love me. You’ve seemed distant lately.”
Suzy’s thoughts turned to her confrontational stepdaughter but this wasn’t the time for that conversation. “Of course, I love you, silly.”
“I love you more.” Ken framed his wife’s face with his hands. “We’re lucky we found each other after all those years.”
“Thank goodness you broke off your engagement with . . . what was her name?”
He grinned. “Doesn’t matter.”
She stared into Ken’s soft eyes and brightened. “You can say that again. I married the most handsome guy in our class.”
“And the smartest.” Ken playfully patted her behind. “Hurry up and come to bed, beautiful.”
As she pulled her nightgown over her head, her mind raced. I’ve got to think fast. Jon and Fernando are perfect together. But I don’t want to be a busy-body, call Fernando’s mother, upset Jon in the process, and get off on the wrong foot with his family. She put Chapstick on. They’ll sort it out.