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“Gotta give it to you lady, you almost made it through us. You must be a real big fan,” a paparazzo said to her.
“Isn’t she a bit too old to be a fan?” another chuckled.
“Looks like a first-timer in LA You know how these small-town folk can be like,” a third paparazzo said, and they all broke into laughter. Rory quickly started making her way to the cab. To hell with these guys. To hell with this city.
What made her feel worse was the fact that she hadn’t been able to rescue Lizzy. Hadn’t been able to keep the promise that she had made to her mother. How she was going to get to Lizzy, she had no idea. If she had thought that she felt defeated about her life in Montcove, then she was wrong because this was what defeat truly felt like.
She was powerless to stop the tears that slid down her face as she approached the car. She was just done with everything. Rory sat in the back seat of the car and hid her face in her hands.
She had to quickly compose herself because it was time to head to her parents’ house and as always, it wouldn’t be a cakewalk. There was no room for crying and feeling bad. She somehow had to find the strength and the composure to endure it.
As the sight of her childhood home came in her view, her heart started beating audibly. They were not expecting her. They’d probably be shocked that she’d arrived early, but at least they’d be relieved to know that she had arrived well in time for the wedding. Rory crossed her fingers and prayed that her parents were in a good mood. The last thing she could stand was another conflict.
21
For once, her wish came true. The atmosphere in her parents’ house was not tense as it always was. It was actually rather pleasant. The front door was ajar and as Rory opened it to walk in with her luggage in tow, she realized that there was a party going on.
There were a whole lot of people in the house, and everyone seemed to be having a good time. She looked around but could not find a familiar face. Clearly, they were friends of her parents and some other younger folk that she had no idea about. Rory could never have imagined that her parents had such an active social life.
The house was as perfect as it had always been, thanks to her mother’s dictatorial rule. Rory sheepishly walked through the crowd of people, realizing that she was probably the worst-dressed person in the room. I’ll just find one of the family, let them know I’m here and go lock myself upstairs. Rory was in no mood for socializing.
“Look who’s here.” A high-pitched, condescending voice greeted her.
“Hello Tara.” Rory grew stern.
“They weren’t expecting you to arrive until the day before the wedding. I wasn’t even sure if you’d turn up.” Her sister Tara let out a sarcastic grunt.
“No. Yes... I mean, of course, I would’ve come.” The same old uncomfortable feeling of inadequacy reared its ugly head again.
“I’m sure Mom and Dad will be relieved that they’ve been able to pry Her Highness away from her castle in Montcove,” Tara chuckled. Rory stayed silent. She knew it was her sister’s way to provoke her.
“You could’ve at least put on some decent clothes for the party.” Tara eyed her from head to toe. “You look like shit.”
“Thanks, Tara. Thank you very much,” Rory said sarcastically. Such a punchable face she has, Rory thought. She heard footsteps coming in their direction.
“Tara, darling, I can’t open
this bottle of wine, will you help…” Her mother became still as a statue upon seeing Rory there. Rory smiled, genuinely, as the shock on her mother’s face amused her.
“Hello, Rory. We weren’t expecting you so soon.” Mary Loughlin’s voice was cold and her demeanor firm.
“Yes, yes. Look, I’m not here to invade your party. I’ll be upstairs.”
“There’s a party going on in your parents’ house and you can’t be bothered to attend it? What will our guests think?” Her mother did a great job of getting offended, as always.
“Mother. I don’t think any of them know who I am.”
“They would, if you’d bother to visit us and check up on your poor parents once in a while.” Two minutes in this house and I am already on the dart board.
“Yes, Rory. Why don’t you visit them more often? What is so precious up there on that little island of yours that you can’t leave it for a few days?”
Rory knew that Tara was playing games, so she left the question unanswered.
“Go upstairs and get changed. You look ridiculous. And come straight down for dinner. I won’t have you in the house and not socialize with our guests,” Mary Loughlin said firmly. What does she think I am, twelve years old?
“Mom. I took a flight and I’ve had a hectic day. I don’t have the energy for this. I am going to go get some rest.” Rory started up the stairs to her old bedroom.
“Rory, don’t you dare walk out on… Rory!” Her mother’s voice disappeared as Rory shut the bedroom door behind her. She knew that she’d have hell to pay in the morning, but for now she just wanted to be alone.
