“That I’d be right there.”
She looked toward the reception doors.
“I’ve waited 30 years to watch that boy get married. I’m not going home because someone moved a chair.”
I sat beside her.
“Would you like me to find you another seat?”
I sat beside her.
She thought about it.
“I’d like to sit with my family. But I don’t want Daniel spending his wedding day arguing with his bride.”
Lucy reached for her hand.
“Grandma, he wouldn’t want you sitting there.”
Mom squeezed her fingers.
he thought about it.
“Sweetheart, sometimes we have to accept things we don’t like.”
“Not when somebody can fix them,” I said.
Mom looked at me.
“You’re determined, aren’t you?”
“You’re the one who taught me not to leave a problem for somebody else.”
“Sometimes we have to accept things.”
She smiled.
“I may have taught you too well.”
I stood.
“Then let me find a way to fix this.”
She smiled.
I returned to the coordinator, who confirmed Jenna’s aunt’s original seat was still available.
“Please prepare Mom’s place card,” I said. “I’m going to speak to Jenna.”
I found Jenna talking to Daniel near the reception entrance.
“Could I borrow Jenna for a moment?” I asked.
“I’m going to speak to Jenna.”
“Everything okay, Mom?” Daniel asked.
“I’ll tell you if I need you.”
Jenna followed me into the hallway.
“I’ve spoken to the coordinator. Your aunt’s original seat is empty. I’ve asked her to prepare Mom’s place card so we can correct the change.”
“Everything okay?”
“Without asking me? I’m the bride, Cassidy!”
“Your aunt has another seat. We can fix this.”
“Please don’t change anything yet.”
“Then I’ll speak to her myself.”
“I’m the bride, Cassidy!”
“No, Cassidy. You don’t understand.”
I waited.
Jenna lowered her voice.
“My aunt paid for most of the reception. Mom told her we’d give her a place at the family table as a thank-you.”
I looked at her more closely.
“No, Cassidy.”
“Did you know about this yesterday?”
She exhaled.
“Mom told me she wanted to move Deborah.”
“And what did you say?”
“I said it would probably be fine.”
She exhaled.
“Why would you think that?”
“Because your family is so easygoing. You’ve helped with everything, and Deborah never complains.”
I stared at her.
“Did you ask Daniel?”
“No. He would’ve made a fuss.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Then you knew he’d object.”
Jenna rubbed her forehead.
“I thought you’d explain it to her… She listens to you.”
For a moment, I couldn’t speak.
Jenna rubbed her forehead.
I couldn’t believe what my daughter-in-law was saying.
I’d rearranged shifts, delivered decorations, and taken Mom shopping for Jenna’s wedding.
She knew how much we’d done for her.
And she’d assumed we’d accept this too.
“You expected me to explain this to Mom?”
I’d rearranged shifts.
Jenna’s face tightened.
“You’re making this difficult.”
“No. I’m giving you the chance to fix it before Daniel finds out.”
“You wouldn’t tell him over this,” Jenna said.
Jenna’s face tightened.
“I won’t hide it from him.”
I opened the door.
Jenna caught up beside me.
“Wait. I’ll speak to Mom after dinner.”
“My mother won’t be eating beside the kitchen.”
“I won’t hide it from him.”
I walked away before Jenna could argue again.
Lucy found me outside the reception hall.
