Page 36 of Father of the Bride

“That’s not really your dad’s fault, Dav.”

“Yeah, it is. He made more, and now you’re trying to survive on one income doing the same tiring work you always did, but now you gotta work more at your age.”

“That’s not your concern,” she said firmly. “I’m grown. I’m your parent. You’re the child. I can take care of myself.”

“I know that, but you’re not living like you used to,” he said softly. “Look, you can put on a happy face all you want, but I’m not stupid.”

He paused before he hit her with the dagger.

“Why didn’t you get any money from him?”

Sunny rolled her eyes. “Because there was no money to get. Okay?”

“I’m confused.”

“It’s really not your business, Dav. You had everything you needed, and that’s what matters.”

“I’m twenty-six. That’s old enough to know the truth,” he said. “Whatever it is.”

It was hard enough having this conversation a few hours after she’d been fucked within an inch of her life. Now he wanted truths and explanations?

She was not in the mood.

But if this was what it took to get that boy down the aisle, so be it.

“Okay, well, the truth is that we had three sons who we never wanted to say no to, who attended expensive private colleges and didn’t get full rides, who we wanted to focus on their grades instead of working to support themselves.” She leaned in closer. “There’s no money left, Davion. Now,thatpart is not a regret at all. I’d do it again, and so would your daddy. Is that honest enough for you?”

“Damn.” His slight pout reminded her of when he was a baby. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. And we would have never told you that, but that’s part of marriage, too. Working together. Making sacrifices. Being selfless.”

“That sounds less like marriage and more like being great parents. Why couldn’t y’all do that with each other?”

She sighed. “We did, until we didn’t.”

Silence stretched between them as they both considered the implications. Sunny had no real way to reassure her son of anything given the way her marriage ended. But this was a conversation his father should have had with him—not her.

As if he’d read her mind, he mumbled, “I’m still pissed at him.”

She nodded. “Understandable.”

“I looked up to that man,” he said, his eyes fixed to the floor. “I used to want to be just like him. But now…” his voice cracked, his pain seeping out of him and rolling down his cheek.

Another round of tears welled up in Sunny’s eyes as she moved to sit next to her oldest baby. That’s what he would always be to her, married or otherwise.

“I’m so sorry, baby.” She put an arm around him, leaning into him, but he stayed rigid. It was as if his body couldn’t even relax anymore.

He sniffed, wiped his face, and leaned away. “It’s whatever,” he said, sounding every bit the tough 26 year old. “I’m good. Just had to get that out, I guess.”

He was embarrassed, Sunny could tell. Men and their emotions. She couldn’t imagine going through life repressing her deepest feelings. What a burden.

“How would you feel about me seeing somebody?” she said, hoping to lighten the mood.

“I already know you’re seeing somebody. Old boy that’s coming to the wedding, right?”

“Uh…yeah,” she said as she moved back to the chair.

“I mean, I ain’t met him yet, but if you like him, it’s all good.” Dav narrowed his eyes. “He treating you right?”

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