Denying the Bad Boy(10)

“Yes, Mom. I have been working a lot these past few weeks and am tired.”

“Hmm.” Mary knew what was coming and didn’t bother stopping her mom from going there. It was a repetitive conversation, and one that wouldn’t be over with anytime soon. “Mary Sandra Trellis, if you just let your father and me pay for everything you wouldn’t have to be living in that horrid little house, and scrounging to survive. I mean, it isn’t healthy for you, and it also makes us look bad.” Stephen and Marsha Trellis did not like anyone in their family looking less socially acceptable than they were. And to them the way Mary was living was akin to a homeless person under a bridge.

“Please, I don’t want to hear whatever you’re about to say.” Her mom made a sound, and Mary knew if she hadn’t said something Marsha would have gone on a rant about appearing regal and not like some kind of peasant. There had been too many times where Mary had gotten into a rather heated argument with her mom on the fact money wasn’t everything, and standing on her own two feet and earning her way was completely normal and acceptable. Not to mention it made her feel human. She enjoyed working for the things she had, and everything she had she had paid for herself.

“Fine, I won’t be getting into this with you over the phone. That’s not why I called you anyway.” Mary had no doubt today’s phone call had to do with Margo’s wedding, because although her mother called her several times during the week, it was either to talk about the wedding, about Mary’s lack of money, or about something scandalous that happened at the country club. Her mother continued talking about the wedding, which Mary was already so sick of hearing about. She then started talking about a brunch Margo’s friends were throwing for her. This had to be the fourth pre-wedding gathering since her sister announced getting engaged last year. It was a pointless gathering, and just an excuse for them to throw another brunch. Chanel and Heather, Margo’s maid of honor and bridesmaid, had been close friends with her sister for years, and were clearly held in higher regard since Mary was at the bottom of the bridesmaids list. It didn’t matter in the long run, and Mary even wished she was just a nondescript guest.

“Mary, honey, are you even listening to me?”

“Yes, Mom.” Mary grabbed a pillow and shoved it under her head, because she knew damn well this conversation was just getting started.

“You’ve talked to Margo about everything?”

“Yes, Mom.”

“Okay, very good. Now, have you found a date for the wedding?” May closed her eyes, a little surprised it took her mother this long to bring up the issue with a date.

“I don’t need to bring a date. Me showing up should be good enough. Besides, won’t I be too busy doing wedding things to pay attention to someone else?” Normally the wedding party just stuck with each other: the bridesmaids with the groomsmen. But Marsha was intent on Mary bringing a date. Her mother sighed loudly, and Mary rolled her eyes. Marsha Trellis was dramatic about everything. She supposed that’s where Margo got it from.

“Mary, do you want to be the only woman there without a date? It’ll look pathetic.”

“I don’t need a date, Mother. I’ll have Chad, or Thad, or whatever his name is.” Mary rubbed her eyes, and pictured the groomsman she had been paired up with. He was perfect in that parted blond hair and blue eyes look. Hell, Mary even thought he played lacrosse, or polo, or something along those lines.

Mary heard her father in the background, his deep voice piecing right through the receiver. Whoever he was talking to it was clear he wasn’t pleased.

“Listen, we will talk about this later, but you need a date. Thad is not a date. Going alone to your sister’s wedding is just not acceptable. I’m sure there is a nice and respectable boy at your school that would attend with you.” Aha! His name was Thad. At least she had almost gotten it right.

In other words Mary better bring a rich and gorgeous boy, preferably one who drove a luxury car. Maybe Mary should just find a guy who had no money to take her? Or maybe she should find a guy that everyone that ran in her parents’ circle would look down on? The image of Alex came to mind, but not because Mary thought he was less than she was or anyone else. Her parents would shit bricks if she brought him to Margo’s wedding. He was a Hulk, with tattoos and an all-around bad boy persona. Yeah, he would so not fit in with her parents’ friends, but taking him was out of the question. For one thing she didn’t have the guts to even ask him to go with her, and for another thing even if she did work up the nerve he would no doubt turn her down. Surely he would have a party or something to go to during that weekend. He didn’t know her, and probably just thought she was some goody-two-shoes, in other words the type of girl he tended to stay away from.