Page 41 of Suddenly Single

“Neither of you sound enthusiastic.” Mom sipped her drink, and a suspicious flush raced up her neck. I would definitely drive her to the office. “I have another date with Judge Gottwald after work. He’s taking me to the Dominion Performance Center to see a production of Madame Butterfly. It’s my favorite opera.”

“I want to help plan your wedding!” Granny shouted, taking us all by surprise. She reached up and fiddled with her hearing aid, then shook her head. “You’re my only grandchild, Asher, and Marjorie has too much on her plate as it is. I know you have no interest in planning it, so Carter, myself, and the girls will plan the event of the season.”

“My mother insists on helping too.” Carter winked at me, and Granny scowled. She knew she couldn’t exclude Sissy, but she’d try her best. Honestly, I liked my mother-in-law, though she could be a little over the top. “Why don’t we start planning it tonight? Invite Lila Brooke and Mary Jane over, and I’ll bring Mother.”

Mom eyed Granny, who sighed dramatically. Granny didn’t hate Sissy so much as she resented having to spend time with her. I secretly believed it was because she and the girls felt uncomfortable partying around Carter’s mother. Once Sissy left, they’d get shitfaced.

“I’ll call the event director at the country club and invite her over, too.” Granny tilted her head in Carter’s direction. “Well, that settles it. It’s time to see you boys properly married.”

“Have a wonderful day at the office.” Carter pecked me on the cheek, then did the same to Mother.

“Don’t let Beverly bully you. She’s such a busybody.” Mom opened the door to my Jaguar. “How Randall puts up with her is beyond me.” She referred to Beverly's husband, the long-suffering president of the lung association. “I don’t know how late I’m going to be, so play bridge without me.” She grinned at both Carter and me and got into the car.

“I’ll see you tonight.” I glanced into the car to see if Mom was looking. Then I nuzzled Carter’s neck. “Want a repeat of last night after the wedding planning is done?”

“Stop, or I won’t be able to get any work done.” Carter bit his lower lip and stared into my eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” I reluctantly let go of him and got in the front seat. Mom was using my mirror to apply makeup. While waiting for her to be done, Carter drove off.

“Well, you boys seem to be getting along much better.” Mom brushed a coat of mascara on her eyelashes, then tossed the tube in her purse.

“How are you going to the opera straight from work? You’re hardly dressed for it.” I adjusted the mirror and started the car.

“Oh darling, young people mostly do stupid things, but one lovely thing they’ve done is make everything so casual.” She laughed. “The last time I was at the symphony, half of the audience was wearing blue jeans. Trust me, my pantsuit is just fine.”

I turned out of the driveway, and a moment later we passed the Southalls’ home. Carter was getting out of his car, and Beverly was shaking her hands dramatically in the air. Mom waved, and Beverly’s mouth dropped open. She was a social climber, and Mom was the queen of Richmond society.

“You just made that woman’s day.” I chuckled, and Mom clucked her tongue.

“She’s so pretentious. Thank goodness you can’t see our house from the road. They should build a wall around the property.” Mom patted my knee. “So, how did things go with Carter last night?”

I blushed.

“That good, huh?” Mom laughed. “Fine, I don’t need details. So, about the wedding.”

“What about it?”

“I watched you back at the house, and when Mother brought up the wedding plans, you didn’t react.” Mom’s phone buzzed. She glanced at it, then dropped it in her briefcase. “Just a short time ago, you confessed to me you wished that you and Carter would just shack up. Are you prepared for a society wedding, and all the scrutiny it brings with it?”

“Mom, I will do anything Carter wants.” I gestured toward the green golf course surrounding the Country Club of Virginia on my left. “We’ll be the first gay couple to be married there. I kind of like the idea of breaking that taboo. Plus, if it makes Carter happy, I’m all for it.”

“What about the money? You insisted that Carter keep the costs reasonable, and if I’m any judge of character, Carter’s incapable of having a low-key wedding.” Mom was always a lawyer, arguing both sides to make sure you knew what you wanted.

“Carter’s making excellent money at his design firm.” I sighed. “He’ll help cover the costs. Though I hope he doesn’t go overboard. It’s not the money I’m worried about, it’s the spectacle. If I had my way, we’d go to the justice of the peace, but if Carter’s happy, and the rest of you, I’ll do whatever he wants.”

Traffic slowed at the Libbie Avenue intersection, and Mom shook her head. “When we pass this mess…” She waved her hands at the line of cars waiting to turn. “... take the downtown expressway. I have to be in court this morning, and I can’t be late.”

“Of course.” I said, hoping she’d drop the subject of the wedding. Hell, Carter and I’d barely talked about the new ceremony. All I wanted was for us both to be happy.

“You mentioned a civil ceremony, in front of a justice of the peace.” Mom rested her hand on my forearm for a moment. “Have you ever thought that you should follow your heart? Ever since you were a baby, you were quiet, and you hated society functions. The spotlight doesn’t shine naturally on you." Mom shrugged. "Have you ever thought Carter is the one who should bend a little?”

“But, Mom, he already did. When we were originally married, it was very low-key.” I grinned at the memory. “On the mountain, just us and that incompetent woman. Now, it’s Carter’s turn. He can do whatever he wants.”

“But darling, is marriage what you really want?” Mom’s tone turned sharp. “I’ll drop the subject. But I want you to reflect on the life you and Carter have shared. You are the one who does most of the compromising. Are you prepared to spend the rest of your life playing second fiddle to Carter?”

Chapter 25

Carter

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