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The preset meal makes it easy to wrangle the orders of everyone in our party. We submitted our desired dish out of three options last week and I naturally chose the chicken penne. As they set the dish down in front of me, I don’t miss the way my mother’s eyes linger on my plate.
She’s always been intent on policing what I eat. Linda Thatcher-Miles is what the kids call an “almond mom.” Despite never having had issues with my weight, she’s convinced that I’ll blow up like a balloon.
“Hannah.” The fake cheery disposition doesn’t meet her eyes as she grins across the table at me.
“Yes, Mom?” I look down at my food, pushing the chicken around so I have something to look at other than her.
“Are you sure that’s the best route? I’m sure this kind gentleman could grab you a salad from the back.”
I feel terrible for the poor server who is now standing next to my mother, a look of discomfort plaguing him.
“I’d be happy to grab you something from the back that you’d like better, miss.”
“I think she’d enjoy that, Enrique.” My mom makes a point of looking at the poor boy’s name tag, no doubt not giving a single shit about what his name is.
“No, I’m good. Thank you, though. I’ll have the pasta.”
My mother’s face drops when Enrique walks away, but she doesn’t carry the conversation surrounding my choice of sustenance much further, thank God. She starts talking with Gen’s dad at the other end of the table, giving me a much-needed reprieve from her scrutiny.
“So, Hannah! How did that audition in New York go?” Liam’s mom, Caroline, peers across the table with genuine interest. Stephen must have told her about my taking PTO lastFriday, but I can’t quell the hope that maybe it was Liam who told her.
“It went really well, actually. Fingers crossed!” I grin from ear to ear, my pride evident in my voice. I worked hard on preparing for the two auditions I attended while in New York and it shows.
However, I don’t miss the way my mom scoffs. I’m prepared to ignore it and continue eating my pasta, but she doesn’t allow that to happen.
“You really should be using your time more wisely, Hannah. With all the time you spend going on these silly little auditions, you could be putting in extra time to move past being an assistant at the firm. Isn’t that right, Stephen?”
Stephen Park looks noticeably uncomfortable about being brought into the conversation. He’s notoriously Switzerland when this happens, and he almost never has a quip to interject.
“I believe what Hannah does with her time outside of her scheduled hours at Baker & Park is her business.”
At first I think it comes from Stephen, which is surprising on its own, but he’s just as confused as I am.
It’s Liam who interjected.
“Excuse me?” My mom scowls at Liam’s clear insolence before continuing, “I don’t believe your opinion was asked for. If I want my daughter to pursue something realistic rather than using that stupid theater degree she insisted on getting, then that’s my right as a mother.”
“It’s also your right as a mother to treat your daughter like a human being.”
“I beg your pardon?!” My mother nearly screams across Stephen and Caroline, who are sandwiched between her and Liam. I genuinely feel bad for them right now, but not enough to put a stop to whatever Liam is about to say.
“You heard me, Linda.” He wipes his mouth with the cloth napkin in his lap before he continues, turning in his seat to look at my mother head-on. “Hannah is not a child. She is an adult with her own goals and ambitions. She wants to pursue theater, and she’s damn good at it. So if you could stop making whatever your issue is with the way she lives her life everyone else’s problem, that would be great.”
My mouth drops open in pure shock. I want to say something, but I can’t think of a single word. I expect Jackson to say something—he’s notorious for defending our mother and the way she treats me; he says it’s because she wants what is best for me—but as he looks at her now, he just seems sad. My dad is redder than a tomato, but it doesn’t seem to be because of Liam. He’s not a fan of dramatics or theatrics, so it’s no surprise that we’ve never been particularly close. However, my mom’s display of sparring with Liam is sure to get her an earful on their ride back to the hotel.
Liam, however, is so getting laid tonight.
“That’s enough now, Liam. Let’s salvage the rest of this evening and celebrate Gen and Jackson.” Stephen finally breaks his silence as his eyes meet Liam’s, an unspoken conversation happening between them right in front of my eyes.
Mom’s eyes meet mine and it honestly seems like she expects me to defend her. However, as Enrique walks by to fill up the water pitchers, I grin up at him.
“Can you please send compliments to the chef? The chicken penne is delicious.”
THIRTY-NINE
LIAM
The decision to have the entire bridal party stay at the hotel was initially a weird one as we all live in Atlanta. The wedding and hotel might be an hour outside the city, but it still feels like a bit much. However, if we’re honest, as I tap my knuckles against Hannah’s hotel room door, I feel like it was the most brilliant idea Jackson has ever had.
