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“But sloppy joes?” She chuckled again. “I have never seen my mother eat something like that.”
“Well, she shouldn’t knock it until she tries it.” The devilish look in his eyes said he was looking forward to her mother’s reaction. Jezebelle had to admit she was looking forward to the same thing. So wrong of her, yet she couldn’t help it. Her mother never stopped to think how she felt about things, why should she worry about the same?
A knock on the door startled her.
Brick set the spoon down and winked. “I’ll get it.”
She blew out a deep breath and stood up, swiping her hand down her dress a few times, unable to help herself. She had most of the day to mentally prepare for this dinner. Brick had texted her, and then she had called him once her shift at the restaurant had finished. While she had assured him she wasn’t upset, the prospect of this dinner had disturbed her the rest of the day. Although, thankfully, not enough to disrupt her rhythm while practicing with Mia. She felt pretty confident about her lines. Not so confident that she’d snag the part.
Brick walked back into the room with her parents in toe. Her father smiled as soon as he saw her and didn’t hesitate to wrap her in his arms.
“I’m so sorry, pumpkin. I hope you’re not too mad at us.”
She didn’t respond because she didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t necessarily mad at her father, but it hurt it had taken so long for him to reach out. No matter the things her mother said or did, he always stuck by her side. It was infuriating and endearing all in the same breath.
Her father stepped away and pulled her mother into his side. She smiled gracefully while looking Jezebelle up and down. She wore a blue summer dress that hit just above her knees with thin straps on the top. Not exactly the kind of dress her mother would approve of—as it showed too much skin—but Jezebelle didn’t care anymore what her mother thought of her. She was done trying to reach an approval she would never get.
“It’s nice to see you, Jezebelle. We brought the presents from the party with us.”
“I don’t want them.”
Her mother flinched. “But everyone was so kind enough to give you one.”
“Well, as you don’t think this marriage is worth it, and the party was all a sham to pull Brick away from me, why should I accept any of it?”
Her mother’s lips thinned.
Jezebelle didn’t care what was going through her mother’s mind. If she thought Jezebelle was going to pretend nothing happened at the party, then she was mistaken. She wasn’t about to sit through an entire dinner dealing with her mother’s cruelty without a small apology for her actions—an amusing one where she didn’t envision her mother actually eating a sloppy joe.
Her mother opened the small purse she had clutched in her hand and pulled out a check. Her hand hung in the air as she waited for Jezebelle to take it.
“Well?”
Jezebelle shrugged. “Well, what?”
“Aren’t you going to even look at it?”
“Why? I don’t want your money. I plan to pay you back for the money you gave to me as well.”
“Nonsense. I never actually expected you to pay me back.” Her mother turned to Brick. “Take it.”
Brick moved closer to her, shaking his head. “I stand behind any decision Jezebelle makes. Instead of shoving shit in her face, why don’t you listen to her for once?”
She could kiss this loving man right now. Right in front of her parents. Show him how much his undying support meant to her.
Her mother shoved the check back into her purse. “I may have made an error in judgment. I was only trying to make amends by giving you both the money I had offered Brick.”
Oh. Interesting. Maybe Jezebelle should’ve looked at the check. Then she would’ve known the amount her mother had offered him.
But Brick was right. It was better she didn’t know.
“I don’t want your money, Mother. I want you to accept me for me. I love the stage. I love acting.” She sighed heavily. “I love Brick. I love this tiny apartment we live in. I love my life the way it is. And I don’t want your half-ass apology if you don’t mean it. You may have made an error in judgment? No, you completely did. You not only offended Brick, but you hurt me. You embarrassed all of us by what you did.”
Her mother glanced away, indicating a spot of shame. Her mother never showed weakness. She always stood her ground, not moving an inch in her beliefs.
“I’ve only ever wanted the best for you, Jezebelle.”
“Yes, by doing so, you disregard what I want. Sometimes, the best thing for me is just to support me.”
