– Kate, pay for your sister’s wedding. You have the money, after all, – her mother exclaimed.
– You need to come over! We need to talk! – Mrs. Julia Dobson startled her eldest daughter with an unexpected call.
– I can’t, I’m at work, – Kate whispered into the phone, fearing her strict boss might overhear.
– Surely you can ask for some time off? – Mrs. Dobson retorted in annoyance.
– I can’t, – Kate replied, glancing around nervously.
– This can’t wait! – Julia insisted that her daughter leave work immediately.
Knowing her mother wouldn’t relent, Kate promised she’d come as soon as possible and hung up quickly, before her stern manager could catch her.
She immediately realized there was nothing urgent about the call. Her mother simply had another one of her harebrained ideas that she wanted to share.
– She could have called Mary instead, she’s not working anyway, – Kate muttered under her breath as she returned to her tasks.
When her daughter didn’t arrive within the hour, Mrs. Dobson kept calling, forcing Kate to eventually switch off her phone.
After work, turning her phone back on, Kate found out her mother had called another twenty times, indicating just how important this was to her mother.
– Max, could you pick up our daughter from nursery? Mum’s urgently called, and I doubt I’ll have time to dash over and back, – Kate phoned her husband on the way.
– Mum’s got some grand scheme again? – Max grumbled, but promised he’d pick up their daughter.
On her way, Kate stopped by a shop to pick up her mum’s favorite pastries.
– Took you long enough! I’ve been waiting ages! – her mother complained the moment she walked in, but softened upon seeing the box of treats in Kate’s hand. – I have news! Mary and Nick have finally decided to tie the knot!
– Hm, well, that’s good for them, – Kate remarked dryly, realizing this was why she was summoned.
– You don’t seem particularly happy for your sister, – her mother eyed her closely.
– Mum, it’s them who should be thrilled, not me, – Kate shrugged. – Actually, Mary should be happy, and Nick should be sad.
– Why’s that? – her mother asked, almost dropping the box of pastries.
– Because he’ll be carrying the burden of a jobless wife, – Kate smirked.
– She’ll find a job. Stop nagging her about it, – Mrs. Dobson defended her youngest daughter.
– She’s been looking for two years. Aren’t you tired of supporting a thirty-year-old? – Kate asked sarcastically.
– I don’t really support her. Just help when I can, – Mrs. Dobson looked away, which gave her away. – Would you like some tea?
– Yes, please, – Kate yawned. – Is this why you called me over? Couldn’t you have told me over the phone?
– No, that’s not all! – Julia said firmly and started pouring tea into mugs.
A tense silence fell between them as if Mrs. Dobson was gathering her courage to share important news with her eldest daughter.
– Mary and Nick want a simple registry wedding, – she finally stated after a moment’s pause.
– What’s the issue with that? – Kate held the mug warming her hands.
– Marriage only comes once in a lifetime…
– Well, not for everyone, – Kate interrupted her mother.
– I want them to have a proper wedding! – she declared grandly.
– I think they can’t afford it, – Kate mumbled, puzzled as to why her mother had summoned her.
– That’s exactly why I wanted to talk to you! – Mrs. Dobson beamed.
– To me? What do I have to do with it? – Kate asked, her face twisted in confusion.
– Let’s arrange a wedding for your sister!
– What? – Kate choked on her tea, nearly spilling it.
– Let’s have a wedding! We’ll chip in and organize it. I checked, it’ll be about two hundred thousand pounds. I have fifty, but you can cover my share, and I’ll pay you back when I can, – her mother said excitedly.
– We’re going to fund a wedding for two fully grown people? Are you serious? – Kate fumed, standing up abruptly. – Mary hasn’t worked in two years, sponging off you, and now we’re supposed to finance her wedding? Fantastic! Let her earn for it!
– They don’t want to!
– Especially since nobody asked you to help, – Kate gestured in exasperation.
– I want this wedding! I want my daughter in a white dress, with balloons, flowers! – her mother stomped angrily.
– You had your wedding. Why shouldn’t she?
– Let me remind you, mum, that my wedding was paid for by my husband and me! – Kate’s mother’s stubbornness started grating on her nerves.
– You organized yours, help your sister too! – Julia fumed with anger. – I thought you were better than this, Kate.
– So I’m supposed to give away my savings so you and Mary can be happy? – Kate was filled with indignation.
– I don’t believe you can’t find money for a wedding. You’re just jealous of your sister, – her mother insisted, refusing to listen to Kate.
Kate threw her hands up and, realizing explaining was futile, hurried out.
After this argument, Mrs. Dobson refused to reconcile with her elder daughter.
A week later, Kate decided to call her mother, but she refused to speak with her.
However, a couple of days later, they bumped into each other on the street. Julia tried to walk past proudly, but Kate wouldn’t let her go.
– Mum, can we stop this? – Kate grabbed her mother’s arm.
– I’m not upset, but because of you, I had to take out a loan for Mary’s wedding. Now I’ve got interest to pay as well, – her mother replied crossly, regretting getting into debt.
– How is this my fault? – Kate retorted calmly. – I didn’t need this wedding.
– That’s why we’ve decided not to invite you! – Julia said curtly. – You didn’t want to help, so no point in attending the family gathering.
Kate looked at her mother in surprise, a flustered smile on her face.
– It’s your own doing. Let your stinginess be a lesson, – her mother chided and walked away, leaving Kate deeply affected.
On the eve of the wedding, Mary finally called her older sister, extending a lackluster invitation, but Kate declined, citing her busy schedule.
