But even while she was feeling pinched on so many sides, part of her was starting to wonder if all this God stuff actually was real.There seemed no other explanation for why Kyle was acting the way that he was.
Unlike the rest of her life, Kyle wasn’t being pushy.Instead, he was gracious, continuing to let Gen take the lead as far as Bella was concerned.And while that was great in some ways, in others it was disconcerting.Because she didn’t want to do or say the wrong thing, and break this fragile truce that existed between them.Something that was sure to be broken should her mom ever meet his parents, like at this stupid dinner this weekend.
Bella glanced up at her.“Mom, are you okay?”
“Sorry, honey.I zoned out for a moment.What did you say?”
“It’s a yes to meeting them.At dinner, with Grandma.”
Oh no.
Bella’s brow wrinkled.“But do you think I should call Kyle’s mom Granny?”
A chuckle escaped despite her misgivings.“I think maybe you should wait to see how they would like to be addressed.”
“It’s really weird, isn’t it?A week ago, I only had three people in my entire family in all the world.And now it’s doubled.”
Gen’s stomach tensed.And that was because she’d never shared about Kyle or his family.Poor Bella had grown up virtually family-less, all because of fear.
“So, are youreallysure you want them to come?”Please say no.
“Yep!I’ve got to meet them sometime, don’t I?”
She nodded, heart sinking.Was it selfish that she didn’t want Bella to like them more than her?Of course it was selfish.She only hoped that Bella would look past Philippa Tinker’s beauty and glamor and see that even though Minnie Rivas was aged and drove a wreck of a car, she was worthy of just as much attention and respect as rich folk who hadn’t known about Bella’s existence for years, but would likely still try to interfere.Likely?Definitely, that evil angel whispered.
“What are they like?”Bella asked.“You know them, don’t you?”
She bit her lip, holding back the first descriptors she’d like to share.Telling her daughter that her father’s parents hated Gen was probably not the mature thing to do.“The last time I saw them was when your father was at the hospital after he was hurt in a hockey game.They were…”Unpleasant.Unkind.“…relieved to see your father was going to be okay.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t say much about them.What are theylike?Kyle’s dad has got to be handsome, because Kyle is good-looking, isn’t he?”
What answer could she give to this but, “Yes.”
Bella grinned.“Iknewyou thought he was good-looking.”
“You better not go telling him that,” she warned.“We don’t want his good looks spoiled because he gets such a massively big head.”
Bella laughed.“Can you imagine?He’d look like one of those balloons with a face painted on it.That would be so weird.”
“Right?Plus, if the wind came along, it might snatch him away all the way to Japan, and then where would we be?”
“We’d still be here, silly,” Bella said, giving Gen a hug.
Yep.They’d still be here.In this crappy house, with the crappy couch, and the crappy car.Instead of Bella feeling like Cinderella who had been invited to go to a ball.
She swallowed.Of course, whether that made her the wicked stepmother or the ugly stepsister, she didn’t want to know.
Bella went to get ready for bed and Gen texted Kyle.
If it’s still okay, then Bella would like to meet your parents at dinner.
His message flashed back.
Awesome!I know they’re excited to meet her too.
A few seconds later, another text arrived.
Did your mom want to come too?No biggie either way.
