“Okay, okay.” She extends her hands. “Don’t be mad, but I may have asked my followers what a full name for Moth might be—just a quick insta story, and I deleted it once I got enough replies. Nameberry barely gave me any results and Heather said it wasn’t a nickname. I don’t know, I just know so little about you…”
“And your followers suggested … Ti-moth-y?” I shake my head but can’t help but laugh at the strangeness of, well, this whole thing. I suppose there is something natural about having a curiosity for someone your daughter is about to marry.
She shakes her head. “Well, whatever the case, I may have not known what my daughter was marrying into, but I like your mom. Plume is nice—wait, should I address her more formally?”
“I think first names will suffice—we will all be family soon.”
If we can get Heather back.
“Well mother-in-laws don’t always get along, historically-speaking,” she begins. I raise an eyebrow; I was unaware of that. “And I think we are going to make an excellent team.”
Why does that idea cause terror to swell in my veins?
“And she’s single, right? You know, I have a brother. Very quirky, tall, he’s coming to the wedding and I’m sure—”
“I have met Heather’s uncle, yes,” I cut her off before she can continue. When we met at the festival of my likeness last year, he seemed upstanding, and well-adored by Heather…
“You were in the other realm when he arrived for the wedding. Clara set him up with a bunch of projects around their farm to keep him busy. He’s a good guy, a little quiet.” She fidgets with her phone. “I’ve always wanted him to find someone kind he can depend on—”
“If it is all the same to you, I do not have the energy to play matchmaker for my mother this evening.” The mention of matchmaking sets my flesh on edge remembering the fool’s errand my flame has taken upon herself.
“Right, I’ll take care of everything.” Marsha raises her cellphone with such speed it is dizzying.
“Marsha,please.” I pinch my brow, not wishing to engage in this conversation anymore.
“What? I need a distraction! It’s not every day your daughter is taken by a… did you all say he’s avampire?”
“He is.” I nod. “Holly has advised that we regroup—relax even. That seems unfathomable.”
“You’re telling me. You don’t even get Bravo out here and, no offense, the Wi-Fi is horrendous.” She sighs, looking at our ancient television set. “I’ve seen old TVs like this before. Honey always said she wanted one, but I figured she’d gut it and put something with an Apple TV inside.”
“No offense taken.”
I think Heather purposely downgraded with the knowledge that her mother would soon be coming to town.
“And, I have heard of the cocktail but do not understand what relevance or function it would have in this context.”
“Huh?” She blinks.
“An apple—tini…” I repeat. “Is that not what you said?”
To my surprise, Marsha doubles over laughing. What is humorous about “gutting” a television to put an alcoholic beverage inside?
“I don’t think a breakdown of streaming services is going to help us this evening, especially when there’s none here to use as examples.” She shakes her head. “But God, you’re just the cutest thing, aren’t you? And we’re lucky: even with this Wi-Fi situation, I was able to make that post.” She sighs. “Took forever to go through, but it’s already getting a little bit of traction.”
“And you truly think it will work?” I ask, ignoring the strange feeling that I have been complimented and insulted all at the same time.
She says nothing, dropping the bravado she had when she announced her plan to the group.
“I don’t know, Moth. But I can’t just sit around and do nothing.” It is not the certainty I had hoped for. “You have your world, and this is mine. All I can do is what I know and hope Heather doesn’t hate me for it.”
“She will not.” I nod. “If anything, she may commend the craftiness of your plan. I do. Though, the fact you gained access to her accounts is…”
“Not great—I know, I know!” She shows me her device, pulling up screens I cannot decipher the meaning of. “As soon as this is done, I’ll scrub this thing clean, but on the off chance someone sends a DM with information that could help… I promise I haven’t been poking around here randomly.”
“I will trust you on that.” I nod. “It is good to have so many people who care for Heather and are willing to offer their help.”While I sit and do nothing.
“You realize all these people love you too, don’t you?” The words strike me like a sword to the chest. “They’re not just doing this to help Heather—they’re here for you too.”
