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I should have guessed they would have been here together. My father lives to torment me. You would think by now I would have learned my lesson and thrown his ass out on the streets as soon as the first shovel of dirt was thrown on my mother’s grave. But as much as I loathe him, and as much as he’s hurt me, and as much pain he’s caused my sister, it’s the love my mother had for him that keeps him living the life he's accustomed to. If she'd ever once conveyed to me any disdain she had towards him, then he'd have been long gone many years ago, but she never did. She made excuses for him. She blamed his upbringing; the lack of love his parents showed him. She'd always tell me that if he were loved as a child then he would have loved as an adult. You can’t do something you have no knowledge of. I call bullshit. He knows how to love power and money, so his lack of love towards his family is something that I can’t comprehend.

I know I’m probably hurting Laney because I can’t bring myself to loosen my grip on her. I’m afraid if I do, then she’ll disappear. “Oh, Nathan, I didn’t see you there.” Diane stares at me completely ignoring my wife and the girls.

“I find that hard to believe, Diane. You’re internally built to seek out money, and since I’m the wealthiest man in the room, I’m sure your gold digging senses were in overdrive.” I feel little fingers dig into my thigh. I know the girls are here, and I know they don’t need to be witness to this.

“Always such a nice view, that is, until you open your mouth.”

“Ah, well since I rather you didn’t look at me, I’ll just keep up my winning personality when it pertains to you. Come on, love, let’s find you better company.”

I go to pick up Amanda so we can make better time when I feel a hand on my shoulder. “Love, did you say? So you call her love as well. I should be hurt, Nathan. I thought that was my pet name you gave me. Better to give her a pet name rather than try to remember her actual given name. That’s understandable though seeing as you have only known each other for two seconds.”

I hand Amanda off to my sister who puts her on the ground and then proceeds to push Addie, leading them away from what I now know will be a colossal argument. “Please don’t cause a scene and make yourself look more pitiful than you already have. There was never a time that I called you love or any other pet name. Our relationship was far from the point in which pet names were used. Maybe you were thinking of my father.”

Ignoring my words, she turns to Laney. “So you’re the one who took what was mine then. Nice to meet you in person. Laney is it? You know what they say, the camera adds ten pounds. Unfortunately, this time it seems the camera has caught you right on point. Sad really, to let yourself go. I mean being a mother doesn’t mean you have to completely stop trying.”

“You must be Diane. I can tell by my husband’s description. What was it that you said, Nathan? Desperate, pancake makeup on over Botox skin; oh yes, and who insists on using dollar store bleach for her hair. It seems he was spot on. Now I’m more than convinced the horror stories he also told me were accurate. I was giving you the benefit of the doubt. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone so desperate.”

“Coming from someone who forgets I had him first.”

“You along with every other woman in New York. You see, Diane, I know of my husband’s less than stellar years. But really, it must have been unfortunate for you when you got the news that this gorgeous man and all of his money was out of your reach for good. It was probably even more unfortunate knowing that you were only left with an older, saggier version of Nathan while I get to keep the real deal.”

“You forget, Laney—” she starts to reply but Laney cuts her off.

“Oh no, sweetheart. My friends and family call me Laney. Hell, I even allow my patients to call me Laney. You may address me as Mrs. Whitmore. Come on, Diane, love, try it. Say, Mrs. Whitmore.

Mrs. Nathan Whitmore. Because that’s me.” My wife gives Diane a wink.

Just when I think the night can’t get any worse I see Vivian walking towards my sister and the girls. “Grandma.” The girls seem excited to see her. Natalie looks over to me, the look on her face is one of apology.

Pushing Addie’s chair with Amanda by her side, Vivian brings the girls back to us, my sister following close behind. “And why has Mommy brought you to a charity event?” She lifts her eyebrow in disapproval.

“The charity is for the children. Natalie wanted the girls here to see it all. She wanted them to know how important tonight is for the kids of the city.”

“Laney, they are only five, do you really think they understand or even care for that matter? Stop treating them like they are older than what they are. I’m not even going to mention the fact that pushing Addie around in this chair is a huge inconvenience.”

I step to Vivian, taking the chair from her hands. “We want them to know and understand, Vivian; it’s never too young to learn what you have and what other kids may not have. It’s called humility. The girls need to know they’re fortunate and what they have is an honor and not because they are entitled to it.”

“Yes, Vivian,” Natalie joins us. “I wanted the girls here. It’s my house, my event, and my right to invite anyone I please. You know it never fails though,” she looks over at Diane, who has her arms wrapped around my father. “There are always people who show up knowing they would never be invited. How did you get in, Diane? Did you scurry in under the gates with the other rodents? I don’t believe you were invited.”

“I’ll have you know, Natalie, your father invited me. It shouldn’t come as a shock to you. I’ve always attended these functions. I’m just usually on the arm of Nathan and not Joseph.” Diane glares at my sister.

“Natalie, do you mind taking the girls for a moment? I’m sure this conversation will bore them, anyways.” Laney asks. Natalie nods her head as she takes the girls back to the children’s table.

“Aw yes,” I turn back to Diane. “My father has a knack for searching out fellow leeches. Please remember this is a fundraiser. The purpose of you being here is to donate money to a good cause. If you don’t have the money, which I’m assuming you don’t since you no longer have me, I suggest you leave. Preferably before dinner is served.”

“How do you or your sister expect to raise any money tonight with an attitude like that? Hmm, Nathan. You’re so rude and abrasive. More so than usual.”

“Oh honey, my husband just has this attitude for those he doesn’t like, surely you’d remember that about him.”

“Now I know the attraction. You two are both snarky.”

“I reserve my best snarky attitude for people like you. “If you will excuse us.” I interrupt. “I’d like to introduce my wife, to more important people. I have better things to do than continue the back and forth.”

Christ, I didn’t think I'd have to deal with all the evil people in my life in one location. The first night out, as a family and I have to deal with that shit. I lead Laney back into the house to the library. She opens the door, and the room is filled with several kids. Some are being held by what I’m assuming are their foster parents. There are kids running around while others are sitting and watching television. “These are our guests of honor tonight.”

“This is amazing.” Laney’s in complete awe.

“This is how it is every year. Although, by the looks of it, there are more kids here this year.” I take her through the children playing with the volunteers. We see the girl at a table coloring with my sister by their side.

“This is okay, Mommy?” Addie asks. “We can play with the kids, right?”

“Of course, you can. Make sure you’re nice to anyone you meet. Be polite and please be gentle with the kids that are younger than you.”

“Amanda,” I say, “Make sure you help your sister. If you need us, or if she needs to go anywhere, please let us know.” She nods her head and continues to color along with her sister and the other girls their age.