” Dad… Emily asked us not to come to the wedding… Says shed be embarrassed by her country parents. But how can that be… How, Margaret… Ive waited so long for this day, to see my daughter married. And now she doesnt want to see us, shes ashamed… What kind of nonsense is this?”
“Hello, Mum! Can you believe it? James proposed! Ive dreamed of thisjoining his family!”
Margaret was happy for her daughter. Clever, beautiful, their Emily. She and her father had always supported her. After school, Emily dreamed of attending modelling schoolher looks and figure were perfect for it.
But money was needed for tuition. Her father sold his cattle and pigs, and it was just enough. Emily rarely visited home in the countryside; city life swept her up like a whirlwind. She began earning her own money, doing photoshoots and fashion shows. Her parents were glad she was doing well.
James was the only son of a wealthy executive, and his father denied him nothing. Emily never introduced her fiancé to her parents or invited them to the city, always saying she was too busytheir life was packed with travel abroad.
Margaret worked as a school cleaner and often showed off her daughters photos at work.
“Margaret, why hasnt Emily brought her fiancé to meet you? Is she ashamed of her parents?”
“Dont be silly, Alice. Emily loves us dearly.”
“But when was the last time she even visited? Does she call often?”
“She rang last weekshes getting married. Her father and I need to think about a gift and what to wear.”
***
“Emily, when will you and James come to visit? Your dad made his special piehed love to share it with his future son-in-law.”
“Mum, why bother? He doesnt drink. Were too busy preparing for the weddingso much to do.”
“When is the wedding, love? We need to get ready too, buy proper clothes.”
“Mum, listen… Dont come to the wedding. James family is wealthytheir guests will be high society, and then theres you… Dad always smells like the farm. Can you imagine the contrast? You look like country folk, and you dont know how to act in polite company. Think how Id feel.”
“Fine, love. You wont see us.”
Margaret didnt know how to tell her husband. Hed waited so long to see his little girl in a wedding dress, to wish her happiness. Their walls were covered in Emilys photoshe remembered every date they were taken and often admired his beautiful daughter.
“Dad… Emily asked us not to come to the wedding… Says shed be ashamed of her country parents.”
“But how… How, Margaret… Ive waited so long for this. And now she doesnt even want to see us… What is this?”
William went pale. Margaret handed him water and his heart pillshe had a weak heart.
“William, dont dwell on it. We wont goits alright.”
That night, an ambulance had to be calledthe shock was too much.
“You know what, Margaret? Were going to that wedding, whether she likes it or not! She cant dictate to us!”
Margaret didnt want to, but she couldnt stop him. Finding the wedding date and venue was easyJames was well-known, and details were online. She asked a colleague to look it upthey had no internet at home.
She borrowed a nice dress from a friend, bought William a new suit, and on the wedding day, they travelled to the city. They slipped into the venue quietly, flowers in hand, as the celebration was in full swing.
When the host asked if anyone else wanted to toast the couple, William called out, “We do!”
The host invited them forward.
“James and Emily, congratulations on your marriage! May you live long and happy lives, and may your children always remember their rootswho they are and where they came fromhonouring their parents, never ashamed of them. Cheers!”
William placed the flowers on the newlyweds table, took his wifes hand, and left.
James stared at Emily. “Who were those people?”
“My… relatives.”
James hurried after them. “Wait! Stay for the wedding! Emily said she had no familythat her parents died years ago and shed cut ties.”
“Died? Were right here.”
“Youre her parents? Why would she lie?”
“Shes ashamed of us, James. Were simple folknot suited for high society. No money, no manners. So she lied to spare herself the shame.”
“Im so sorry… I had no idea.”
“Its alright, James. You seem a good man. Dont hold it against Emilybe happy together.”
“Please, stay! Well make this right.”
“No, we wont spoil her day. She didnt want us herewe came uninvited.”
Three months passed. Emily never called or visited.
Margaret was hanging laundry when a taxi pulled up. Emily stepped out with a bag.
“Mum, hi. Im home. Arent you happy to see me?”
“Hello. Why are you here?”
“What do you mean? I just came home.”
“Home, is it?”
“Is Dad inside?”
“Your fathers at the cemetery.”
“Stop joking, Mum.”
“Its no joke. You buried us long ago, but he really died two months back. Couldnt bear his daughters betrayal. And Ill never forgive you. You took my husband and my daughter away. Leave. Youve no place here anymore.”
Emily walked inside. Silence. Her fathers bed was gone. So were her photos on the walls. The house felt foreignas if shed never lived there for seventeen years.
“Mum, I couldnt come sooner. James and I were abroadterrible signal. He was furious when he found out I lied. And… were divorcing. Three months together was enough to see were too different. Im leaving the countrysigned with an agency. The world doesnt begin and end with James.”
“Live as you please, Emily. Goodbye.”
The gate clicked shut. She was gone.
Margaret went inside and wept. What happened to the sweet girl shed raised? She had no daughter now. Emily had made her choice. Margaret cried, staring out the window. Better alone than with a child like that.
