I told my husband he should never return to my house again.
My sister wants a small wedding, just the close folk, no unnecessary guests, Andrew muttered.
He stood with his back to me, pretending to search the wardrobe. I watched his shoulders tremble as he shuffled the same shirts from one peg to another.
You know Blythe, dont you? he went on. Shes always well, a bit out of this world.
Yes, yes I had been married to her brother for three years, yet I still felt like the odd one out. As the saying goes, crystalclear
Andrew, I said calmly, lets drop the games. Your sister has invited everyoneyour thirdcousin uncle you only saw at Grandmothers funeral, even Aunt Vera, who merely waters the flowers for your mother when she goes off to the country house. But she didnt invite me. Not your wife. Why?
What do you expect from me? he snapped suddenly. You want me to storm Blythes wedding? Its her day, after all! She can invite whom she likes!
And I have a right to know why my husbands kin act as if I dont exist!
Andrews face fell. He sat beside me, grasped my hand with his cold, damp fingers, and began saying what I already knew. He told me his mother thought he could have found someone better than me, that Blythe was still sore because I missed her birthday two years agoI was bedridden with a fever near forty, but who remembers that? He explained that their family always kept celebrations to a tight circlemother, father, him and Blythe. Any outsider was seen as a threat to their cosy little world.
What are you proposing? I asked when he finished. Do you expect me to wait all my life for your family to deign to accept me?
Not all my life, he tried to smile. Maybe in five years
Just five? I laughed. I thought Id be waiting fifty.
Andrew smiled shyly and looked away.
Listen, Andrew, I said, squeezing his hand, heres my ultimatum. Either we both go to Blythes wedding together, or you stay away from it.
Christine
Yes, Andrew, exactly, I said, looking him straight in the eye. Do you understand?
He nodded hastily, like a schoolboy, promising to speak with Blythe and sort everything out. He kept promising.
Two weeks flew by in a thin, strained tension. Andrew pretended everything was settled, but I saw him gnawing his nailsa habit hed never had beforehesitating when I spoke, lingering too long in the bathroom with his phone.
One day I happened upon a text exchange with Blythe; he had said nothing to her.
Fine, I thought.
Three days before the wedding I bought a dressa gorgeous, costly gown the colour of the sea, the sort that makes a woman impossible to ignore. Andrew saw it hanging on the rack and turned to me, surprised.
Why? he asked.
Because were going to your sisters wedding, I replied sweetly. You said everything was settled, right? As we agreed.
He fell silent, then tried to change the subject.
Fine I muttered to myself, already knowing exactly how I would act.
On the wedding day I rose early, prepared breakfast, set the table, even placed flowersremember, he had given me a bouquet of white roses the night before, a feeble attempt to smooth over his impending guilt. I sat down with my coffee.
Soon Andrew appeared in the kitchen, eyes lighting up at the sight of me in a robe, hair loose, scrolling on my phone.
You uh youre not going? he asked cautiously.
And you? I replied calmly.
He tensed, realizing Id set a trap, but in his halfasleep state he couldnt find the right move.
Sit down, breakfast is getting cold, I invited.
He dropped into the chair opposite me and began, Christine, listen Ive been thinking, maybe I should just go alone? Just for show. Ill turn up at the ceremony and head straight back. You know its my sister; I cant simply not attend.
I finished my coffee, placing the cup neatly on the saucer.
Of course you cant, I said, making my voice as warm as possible. Its your sister. Hurry up or youll be late.
He planted a quick kiss on my cheek, darted to the shower, then scrambled around the flat looking for cufflinks, a tie, shoespopping up every few seconds.
I watched the frantic dance with an amused smile. When he finally stood, ready to march out, I whispered, Do us a favour and leave the keys on the table.
What? he asked, confused.
The flat keys. Leave them there, I repeated, voice still gentle. Youll collect your things later. Dont worry, Ill tidy up.
A sudden hush fell over the house, as if even the second hand on our massive clock had stopped ticking. Andrew stood in the doorway, handsome and festive, yet utterly lost.
Christine he began, plaintively. Youre not serious
I am very serious, I said. Youve made your choice, Andrew, and Ive accepted it. Go to your sisters wedding, have a good time, but dont come back.
But this is absurd! he shouted. Because of a wedding you want
Its not about the wedding, I replied. Its about you never trying to do anything for me. You pretended youd settled things, hoping Id back out at the last minute. As always.
Christine, stop he smiled weakly. Why are you making a mountain out of a molehill? Youve never been a drama queen!
Andrew, I said, do you really understand, or are you just putting on an act? Your family never accepts me. Year after year they make it clear Im an unwanted extra in their cosy circle. And you have you done anything to change that?
He faltered. I talked with my mother
And what did you say? Please, accept my wife, shes truly good.
Christine he tried to step closer, but I stepped back.
You promised to speak with Blythe, to sort this out, yet you never did. Did you think I wouldnt notice?
His face reddened, eyes dropping.
Go on, Andrew, say hello to Blythe for me.
Do you want me to stay? he asked, his final plea.
And you want to stay with me? I asked. Can you defy your own family and refuse to go to the ceremony? When the flood of calls comes, will you tell them youre only coming with me?
After a brief pause he answered, Well its inconvenient.
Then go, if its inconvenient. And dont come back to my flat, I said firmly. This is my home, and I have the right to ask you out. You value your parents and sister more than your wife. Why should we keep living together?
