Chapter 16

Julie

Dinner took forever. Or maybe t didn’t, but it felt like forever.

She couldn’t wait to go upstairs again. And finally the meal was over.

“You seem kind of oblivious today,” her mom said, taking the dishes away to the kitchen.

“Just leave them on the sink, I’ll deal with them later.”

“Nonsense, dear, you made the whole meal.”

“Did you really make it, Jules?” Her father asked.

He always asked her that question when he tasted some of her cooking.

“Yes, dad,” she replied with a laugh.

“She’s ready for marriage,” her mom joked from the kitchen.

Julie rolled her eyes, ignoring what she said.

“No one deserves her,” her dad said, “no one.”

“Charles, you want her to be alone her whole life?”

“Mom, I’m not alone, I have lots of friends.”

“That doesn’t count.”

Oh God, this talk again.

“What about Trey? He’s handsome.”

He heart almost stopped.

“Trey?”

“I trust him,” her dad said, “he’s a hard worker.”

“He’s an asshole.”

“Julie!” Her mom cried from the kitchen, she still couldn’t believe her daughter said cuss words.

“Well, he is!”

“How so?” His father continued.

“Too full of himself.”

“Well, darling, he’s young and has money and a good job. Maybe he’s just confident. “

“Can we stop talking about this, please? The evening was going so well, I don’t want to ruin it.”

“Yes, dear,” her mother said, coming back from the kitchen, drying her hands, “we just want you to be happy.”

“I am.”

There was a brief silence in the room. Her father kept nodding, then he and her mother shared a look.

It was cute to see them do it… but worrisome at the same time. They wanted to say something but couldn’t find an opening to just say it.

“Tell me.”

“What?”

“Tell me what’s on your mind dad. Mom. You come here every week and this is the first time you’re acting weird.”

“No, it’s fine, really.”

“So, what’s happening?”

Her mother smiled and sat down again. Damn, and I thought they were leaving.

“Julie, you know you can tell us anything, right?”

“Sure.”

“Are you seeing someone?”

What the hell?

“No,” she said, buying time. His father was a powerful man, he could easily know everything about anyone if he wanted to. Get all their info so he could use it to his advantage. He wouldn’t do that to me.

“No one at all?” Her father continued. “You can tell me.”

“I don’t follow…”

“Well,” her mom started, “you’re not seeing anyone, you didn’t date anyone in Florence—”

“I did, it just didn’t feel right.”

“That’s what I mean,” her father said, “no one ever feels right. Not even Trey, you don’t even consider dating him at all.”

“Well, I told you! I don’t want—”

“Calm down dear,” her Mom said, holding her hand, “we just want you to know that you can tell us with anything.”

What? She needed to see if they knew about Remy. This was too weird.

Charles looked at her square in the eyes, his face half worried, half expecting her to tell him the truth.

“Okay?” she blurted out, not really understanding what they wanted her to say.

Her father looked at her mom sideways, licked his lips and sighed.

“Anything you want to say, we will still love you…”

“Dad, what are you talking about?”

“Your father wants to know if you’re gay.”

She choked on her own saliva. This was even more surprising than them wanting to match her with Trey.

“What?” She yelled, “You think I like girls?”

“Well, you and Nina are inseparable, and she’s pretty—”

“Dad! Nina’s had more boyfriends than everyone else I know combined! What makes you think—”

“We’re just asking, dear!”

“No, mom! Of course I’m not gay!”

“Well… we thought—”

” I like men, okay?”

She heard it. Upstairs. Remy was trying to mute his laughter. She couldn’t believe it. First her parents and now this. She should bring him down and introduce him to them, maybe that would shut them up.

“Don’t be mad. We were just curious.”

Laughter again, it was muted, but she was no longer sure their parents wouldn’t hear him—

“Do you hear that?” Charles asked, and she faked a coughing fit.

Her mother rose from her seat trying to help her but Julie stopped her.

“Honey, are you all right?”

Julie cleared her throat and finally spoke.

“Yeah. Yeah, it’s fine, thanks for asking.”

Another silence. She was so worried Remy would burst out laughing again it almost made her laugh. It would be the end of the world, for sure, but this whole night had been so ridiculous it wouldn’t be a surprise.

Her mother put her arm on her dad’s back.

“Well, darling, shall we?”

He checked his watch, “yikes, it’s already past eleven. We need to go.”

She stood up and made sure they didn’t notice how she was almost rushing them out. They hugged and kissed her good night, the driver brought their Lexus to the house.

She wanted to scream. Really? She needed to date a bazillion guys for them to be happy?

“Darling, one more thing,” her father said, turning around before she closed the door, “there’s a baptism early tomorrow. A few important people are invited. Please make sure you arrive at the church at nine in the morning.”

“Dad, I need to go to work.”

“I know, but we have some people we want you to meet, old family friends, you can bring Nina if you want.”

“She’s busy.”

“We knew you’d say that,” her Mom said, “that’s why we invited Trey.”

“What?”

“He asked us to, and he’s loyal, I’m sure you’ll like him, once you get to know him.”

“Dad! I said I have to go to work!”

This was too much. They couldn’t just try to match her with that idiot —or anyone, for that matter— and get away with it.

“No. I’m your boss and CEO of our little business and I’m telling you: you’ll be there at nine. Wear your work clothes if you want.”

“So you’re not asking.”

“I’m telling you as your boss dear. You have all night to cry about it.”

She was seething.

Her mom blew her a kiss, “I tried to make him change his mind dear, but you’re not gay, remember? I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”

Her father kissed her forehead and walked to his vehicle, “good night, dear.”

Yeah, thanks for ruining it for me.

“Good night, Charles,” she said, closing the door.