“Father… Emily asked us not to come to the wedding… Says shes ashamed of her country parents.”
“But how… how can this be, Margaret… Id waited so long for this day, to see my daughter married. And now she doesnt want us there, ashamed of us… What sort of”
*Ring, ring.*
“Hello, Mum? Victor has proposedcan you believe it? Ive dreamed of this, joining his family!”
Margaret was overjoyed for her girl. Clever, beautiful, their Emily. She and her father had always supported her. After school, Emily had set her heart on modellingher looks and figure made it possible.
But money was needed for the course. So her father sold the cattle and pigs, just enough for tuition. Emily rarely visited home after that; London life swept her up like a whirlwind. She earned her keep through photoshoots and shows. Her parents were proud she could stand on her own.
Victor was the only son of a wealthy businessman, spoiled by a father who denied him nothing. Yet Emily never introduced her fiancé to them, nor invited them to the city. “No time,” shed say. “Victor and I are always abroad.”
Margaret worked as a school cleaner and often showed off Emilys pictures to her coworkers.
“Margaret, why wont Emily bring her young man to meet you? Ashamed, is she?”
“Oh, dont be silly, Alice. Emily loves us dearly.”
“But when was the last time she visited? And does she even call?”
“She rang just last weekshes getting married! Now we must think of gifts and what to wear.”
***
“Emily, when will you and Victor visit? Your fathers made his famous roasthed love to share it with his son-in-law.”
“Mum, reallyVictor doesnt drink. Weve no time to visit, not with the wedding plans.”
“But when *is* the wedding? We must prepare too, buy proper clothes.”
“Mum… listen. Dont come to the wedding. Victors family is posheveryone there will be high society. And then theres you… Father always reeks of the farm. Can you imagine the contrast? Youd stick out like a sore thumbyou dont even know how to act in proper company. Think how *Id* feel.”
“Very well, darling. You wont see us.”
Margaret didnt know how to break it to her husband. Hed longed for this day, to see his girl in white, to wish her happiness. The walls at home were lined with Emilys pictureshe remembered every date they were taken, often admiring his beautiful daughter.
“Father… Emily doesnt want us at the wedding. Says shes ashamed of her country parents.”
“How can it be… How, Margaret… Id waited so long…”
William went pale. Margaret fetched water and his heart pillshed always been frail.
“William, dont fret… We wont go. Its fine.”
That night, an ambulance was calledthe shock had been too much.
“You know what, Margaret? Well go anyway! Weve every right!”
She dreaded the idea but knew she couldnt stop him. Finding the wedding details wasnt hardVictor was well-known, the venue listed online. Margaret asked a colleague to look it up; they had no internet at home.
She borrowed a nice dress, bought William a new suit, and on the day, they took the train to London. They slipped into the reception once the celebrations were in full swing.
When the toastmaster asked if anyone else wished to speak, William stood. “We do!”
He was handed the mic.
“Victor and Emily, we wish you a long and happy marriage. May your children never forget their roots, nor scorn the hands that raised them. Cheers!”
He laid their bouquet on the newlyweds table, took Margarets hand, and turned to leave.
Victor stared at Emily.
“Who were those people?”
“Just… some relatives.”
Victor hurried after them.
“Wait! Stay, please! Emily said she had no family leftthat her parents passed years ago.”
“Passed? Were right here!”
“Youre her *parents*? Why would she lie?”
“Shes ashamed of us, Victor. Were just simple folkno airs or graces. So she spun a tale to save face.”
“Im so sorry… I never knew.”
“Victor, you seem a good man. Dont hold it against her. Be happy.”
“Please, stay! Well fix thiswell visit you soon!”
“No. We wont spoil her day. She didnt want us here.”
Three months passed. No word from Emily.
Margaret was hanging laundry when a cab pulled up. Emily stepped out, suitcase in hand.
“Mother, hello. Ive come home. Arent you pleased?”
“Hello. Why are you here?”
“What do you mean? Its *home*.”
“Is it?”
“Is Father inside?”
“Your fathers at the churchyard.”
“Stop joking.”
“No joke. You buried us long ago, but he truly left us two months back. Your betrayal broke him. And Ill never forgive you for it. You took my husband *and* my daughter. Leave. Youve no place here now.”
Emily walked inside. The house was silent. Her fathers chair was gone. So were her photos. Nothing felt familiaras if shed never lived there at all.
“Mother, I couldnt come sooner. Victor and I were in the Maldivesno signal. He was furious about the lie. And… were divorcing. Three months together was enough. Im signing with an agency abroad. The world doesnt end with Victor.”
“Live as you will, Emily. Goodbye.”
The gate clicked shut. She was gone.
Margaret went inside and wept. What had become of that sweet girl shed raised? Her daughter was lost to her now. Shed made her choice.
Better alone, Margaret thought, staring out the window, than with a child like that.
