Page 44 of Crying Shame
“Maddie and Arman’s ceremony is next week. They pushed it back as there were problems getting the venue she’d wanted.” I’d already told Arman to make sure Clarissa and Sam were seated at a table with me, and he’d said not to worry.
She stopped eating. “I thought they were already married.”
I shook my head. “They wanted time to plan a Manhattan affair, and she wanted time to finish planning the wedding for Joel and his wife.”
Clarissa smiled. “Kendal's her name. She seems nice. She told me Maddie was now a wedding planner.”
It sounded as though Clarissa had spent time talking to the women in the family while we'd been in Virgin Cove. I only wished she knew how perfectly she fit in. “That’s why they waited to get married. Maddie wanted to focus on ensuring the best for the family.”
I folded my hands, wondering how much Clarissa and Maddie had spoken. Clarissa had said they’d been friends in the past. Yesterday was a blur as all I could think about was her kiss. I cut my eggs. “Did you talk to her much yesterday?”
“We waved.” She picked up her silverware. “We said hi but didn't really talk. We’re texting to catch up.”
All I could think about was how much I wanted to kiss her and hold my family close.
“I was looking at parks and festivals Sam might like, and we can invite Maddie and your brother over if you like.”
I quickly started typing out a text to my brother. “I'm texting to ask him.”
“Aurora was pretty funny,” Sam said.
Clarissa glanced at Sam’s plate. “Eat some more breakfast, sweetie. There will be more later.”
He nodded and took another bite. However, the glances they gave each other caused my stomach to twist. My instincts said they’d gone without eating in the past. I held that thought to myself and read the text Arman had sent back in response to mine. I put my phone back in my pocket. “So they’re coming after they finish breakfast.”
Her eyes widened. “Today?”
I shrugged. The staff would set everything up for whatever we decided to do. “Why not? It’s Sunday, and unlike us, Arman is still actively building his business, so he’ll be focused Monday morning.” I asked our son, “Anything you want to do with Aurora?”
He took out his cracked phone. I’d replace that today, too, and also ensure Clarissa had the latest update.
Sam finished his breakfast. “There is some sort of apple festival nearby. Aurora and I googled it yesterday, so we can check it out.”
“Sounds perfect.” I nodded.
Clarissa’s lips were thin as she stared at both of us.
I put my phone away and wondered if she wanted to institute a rule about phones at the table. Growing up, my parents had one. I tucked mine back in my pocket.
Sam said, “And in the summer, there is a renaissance faire.”
Clarissa nodded and cut her food. “Got it.”
As we finished our breakfasts, I focused on Sam. He mattered and hopefully would take my mind off his mother. “Do you like fantasy stuff, Sam?”
He shrugged, finished the last bite of food, and wiped his face. Then he smiled. “I like how people get messy.”
Right.I needed to know more about him. I sipped my tea and asked, “So what’s your favorite game?”
He tilted his head. “Right now, football.”
I was glad he liked sports. By the sound of it, he enjoyed more than one sport. We went to the Super Bowl as a family almost every year..
Clarissa said, “I had him signed up for a few sports I could afford before…”
“It’s okay.” Now Sam and I had a bonding activity. “We can find out when all the various leagues start, and Sam can join whatever he wants.”
Sam pushed his chair back. “Mom, I'll go finish my homework so you don’t bug me later.”
