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“Don’t you mean gallery, Mom? A studio would show I’m an artist.” Lainey reached down to pour tea.
“God forbid, not an artist. Yes, you must say gallery. I guess all that schooling was good for something. Please say you’re not putting all that sugar in your cup of tea.”
Mateo watched as Lainey’s hand tightened on the silver sugar spoon until her knuckles turned white.
“Now, you.” Lainey’s mother turned to look at Mateo. “Did you rent a tuxedo? If you did, we need to get Lainey’s father’s tailor in here immediately to fit you for a proper tuxedo. You must look your best. I suppose you do have that tall, dark, and handsome thing going for you, so that’s good.”
“No, I didn’t rent my tuxedo. It’s already been fitted, so I won’t need your husband’s tailor.”
The old witch raised an eyebrow. “And you’re a scientist?”
Mateo shrugged. There was no way he could tell her about the whirlwind shopping trip that Jada Harlow had taken him on. He was amazed how fast clothes and shoes could add up to thousands of dollars just for a few days’ worth of outfits.
“What brand? Who’s the designer?”
“Mom, we’re done.” Lainey stood up and pulled Mateo with her.
“Sit back down, MacLaine. You’re embarrassing yourself in front of your young man.”
“No, you are being rude to me and to Matt. We’re leaving.”
“Fine. Be down here at three-thirty so we can go over who will arrive first. I want you to know their names.” She turned to Mateo. “If you do not feel comfortable talking to someone, then don’t. The last thing we need is for you making others uncomfortable. Do you understand?”
“Mother, you didn’t understand me. We’re leaving, leaving. You’ve just attempted to ravage my self-esteem in front of a man I care deeply about, and now you are going to start picking him apart. I won’t have it. We’re getting a hotel, and then we’re flying back to Maryland tomorrow.”
‘Atta girl!
Mrs. Simpson came halfway out of her chair. “You can’t do that. I need you. I can’t do this without you. What would people think if I didn’t have one of my daughters in attendance? If I had Bennett I could, but I don’t, so I need you.”
“Get Bart’s wife, get Lee’s wife. They might not be blood relatives but they married into this menagerie. They’re Simpsons. They can take their turn at bat.”
“They’ve refused. No matter what I’ve said to Bart and Lee, they will not command their wives to assist me with any more of my functions.”
“Well, good for them. Maybe now Lee won’t get a divorce.”
“Bite your tongue. Simpsons don’t get divorces.”
“It’s amazing they got married after—”
Mateo gave Lainey’s hand a gentle squeeze and she shot him a grateful smile. He was pretty sure she didn’t want to burn the bridge too far.
“You can’t leave me in my hour of need, MacLaine. This is my fortieth wedding anniversary. Does that mean nothing to you? If you won’t do it for me, think of your father.”
“You mean his campaign.”
“Yes. His campaign. This is something he wants. Are you going to deny him this? He’s already extremely successful, now he wants to be even more. What’s wrong with that?”
“I thought going into politics was to serve the people you represent,” Lainey countered.
“I’m sure he’s going to do that, too. But how will he be able to do that without you assisting us?”
He watched as Lainey blew her bangs off her forehead.
“Mother, if I do this, promise me you will not pick on Matt. Not one word. I’m used to the putdowns. This is our little love language, but Matt is off limits.”
“Actually, Mrs. Simpson, if you pick on Lainey, I will take Lainey home. I care about her too much to see her belittled.”
“Belittled?” Lainey’s mother was now standing on her tall pointy shoes in her dusty blue sweater set, looking like a puffed-up robin. “I do not belittle my daughter, and how dare you try to interfere in our relationship.”
