You’ve been planning an elaborate wedding since you were old enough to know what tulle and organza were.”
She sat up cross-legged on the bed. “Corey doesn’t want an elaborate wedding. He says they’re wasteful and prideful.”
“Okay, do you think they’re wasteful and prideful?”
She gave a little shrug and picked at the stitching on my comforter.
“Becca Bug, I don’t want to see you trapped in a marriage with a man you have to grow to love, especially not Corey. He’s always been strange, and his family having money doesn’t change that.”
“I know, but it’s what Mother and Daddy want, and Corey is a godly man.”
“Ungodly rich, you mean,” I said without thinking, but when I heard her small gasp and saw the look on her face, I stopped. “I’m sorry, that was uncalled for. I just want to see you happy.”
“I’ll be happy because I’ll choose to be. There are worse things in life than marrying a successful man, Malcolm.”
“That’s true. There are worse things. But there are better things, too. Like marrying a man you love. I know how much you want to be a wife and a mother, and if that is what makes you happy, that’s what I want for you. But I want you to have it with a man you choose, who chooses you back, and who cherishes the wonderful woman you are. Corey is not that man. Just think about it, okay?”
“I don’t really have a choice, Malcolm. What else would I do?” She whispered it like if she said it out loud, a bolt of lightning would shoot from the sky and strike her down.
“You could come with me,” I said.
She looked at me, brow furrowed. “Come with you where?”
“Becca Bug, what I’m about to say has to stay between us. Can I trust you?”
“Of course, you can trust me,” she said, holding up her little finger so we could pinky swear our silence like we did when we were little. It should’ve been ridiculous. Two grown adults pinky swearing, but somehow instead, it brought me comfort. Maybe, just maybe, there was enough of the old Becca in there for me to reach her. I moved to the edge of the window seat and leaned forward so I could reach and locked our fingers together.
“I’m not back here for good. I only came back to buy some time to figure out my next step. I’m leaving here. I don’t know where I’m going yet, or what job I’ll get, but it won’t be for the office of Senator Malcolm Coben.”
She bit her lower lip, glanced down at our entwined fingers, and then back up at me. “Daddy will be furious.”
“I know. But I can’t work for him. I don’t support the same things he supports. No.” I shook my head. “It’s more than that. It isn’t just that I don’t support them, I’m against them, and I have to go. You can come with me.”
She let go of my finger and slid back. “I can’t. I’m not as brave as you are, Malcolm. Mother says it will work out. She says she’s heard from God, and my marrying Corey is his will. That’s his plan for my life. I can’t go against that. I just can’t.” Her breath hitched. There was a knock at my door, and it opened. Becca spun to face away from it, hiding her face as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
“Rebecca, Corey and your father are done talking. You need to get back downstairs where he is instead of hiding up here.” I gave her a little nod letting her know she looked fine.
She stood and said, “Yes, Mother,” as she slipped past her out the door.
I expected my mother to follow her, but she didn’t. She just stood there watching me. Finally, she spoke. “I’m doing a radio program to promote my next book in a couple of weeks. I’ll expect you to be there.”
“Of course, Mother.”
“And I will expect you to act in an appropriate manner,” she said, like I’d ever acted any other way. Something was going on with her. It was almost like she knew I wasn’t the same obedient little boy she sent off to college and was just waiting for me to embarrass the perfect family image she had carefully crafted.
“Naturally.”
“I think it’s wonderful that Corey and Rebecca are getting married. I always hoped you would find a nice girl at school and settle down. Maybe after Rebecca’s wedding