Craving an Aldridge Brother

“You’re cordially invited to the marriage ceremony of Vivienne and Charles.”

That was it. As simple as that.

After five months of no contact, that was the first and only update I got.

I stared at the plain white invite, my vision blurring till I couldn’t make out a word. My mother, Vivienne, who had been married to my father up to five months ago, was getting married… again…

My phone rang immediately, and without looking, I picked it.

“Darling, have you seen the invite?” It was my mother, her voice cheerfully sang over the phone. It was the first time in over five months I was hearing her voice…

“Mother… What does this mean? You’re getting married?” I looked at the card in my hands like it was a figment of my imagination.

“Yes, and you are invited… it’s a week-long stay in the Hamptons. Details will be sent to you soon. Just….” She paused, “Can you believe it, darling? I’m getting married to the love of my life.”

Love of her life? Was my father never good enough? I still remember how hollow his eyes had been after the divorce. When my mom had just grabbed her things and walked out of our lives. I’d spent weeks/months tending to him, trying to make sure he was faring well…. From a heartbreak my mother caused.

Never in a million years did I expect this… a wedding invite.

“We— We haven’t spoken in months, and this is how you chose to contact me?” Dumbfounded wasn’t the right word. I was appalled. Between both of my parents, I’d always had a better relationship with my dad. He was my confidant. And my mother? Our relationship was distant; growing up, I’d often wondered if she birthed me.

I leaned back against the chair, which now felt strangely uncomfortable. I could feel a headache coming, and it was only eleven am on a Wednesday morning.

I waited, but there was no response from her… classic Vivienne. “Mother..” I called.

“Amber, let’s not do this now, shall we? This is an important and exciting time for me, and all I want to do is share this joy with my daughter. All I want is for you to be next to me during this time. Is that too much to ask for?”

My jaw dropped; she hadn’t changed one bit.

“Mother…” I couldn’t help my voice rising slightly…

“Come for the wedding… it’s a week staycation for family. We’ll talk then.” She insisted.

“Does dad know?” I asked, and the silence I was met with told me everything. I swallowed the lump in my throat,

“Goodbye mother.”

I hung up, my eyes now blurry with tears I didn’t want to shed. I looked at the card again and tossed it aside. There was no way in hell I’d be going for the wedding.

“When does your flight leave?” Dad asked over a plate of dry toast and coffee.

I paused, taken aback. “What? How do you—“ I trailed off.

Dad huffed, but I immediately connected it. Damn that loose mouth Harper.

I sighed, dropping my toast. “I’m not going for the wedding. I can’t believe you know, and you’re so—“ I couldn’t find the right words.

“Use your words, buggy,” My father said calmly.

Somehow hearing him call me that ridiculous nickname had me tearing up. I wiped my tears harshly, a lump rising in my throat. “How are you so calm? She- she’s getting married like we never even existed! How can you just—“

“—Just be okay..” I finally said.

“Oh Amber, your mother has the right to move on. I can’t hold her back if that’s what she wants. She’s a free woman and has now found—“ the words seemed stuck in his throat too. “Love.” He cleared his throat. “My relationship with your mother is different from yours. Don’t deny yourself the chance to be with her just because of me.”

I shook my head, laughing wetly. Of course, he’d say that. He’s always been the selfless one between the two of them.

I wiped my tears, sniffling. “This isn’t because of you, dad.” I refuted.

Dad cocked up his eyebrows. “If it isn’t, then you’ll attend your mother’s wedding and spend the allocated week with her.”

That was the last thing I wanted to do.

“That can’t happen, besides, I can’t just give up work for a week and—“

“Your boss has given you permission. All you need to do is take your laptop and check-in once a day for twenty minutes.” He said, showing me the mail my boss had sent.

“Dad!”

“Come on, buggy. There’s nothing holding you back.” He persisted. I squinted my eyes at him, wondering if mother had called to tell him to convince me. I wouldn’t put it past her, anyway.

“I still can’t leave… you’re going to be here alone, and I can’t let—“

Dad smirked, “I knew you’d say that, but look.” He shoved his phone into my face. “I’m leaving for the week too. Harper’s dad and the others have decided to go fishing by the lake in Montego. We will be back after a week.”

I blinked, looking at him. He had figured it all out.

“Dad…”

He sighed and held my hand. “Amber, Go for your mom’s wedding. For my sake. I’ve forgotten all that’s happened, and I want you to forget. Keeping grudges doesn’t reflect the good values I’ve instilled in you.”

I rolled my eyes… keeping grudges was the only way I lived my day-to-day life. I’m keeping grudges against the barrister at the corner who didn’t put a smiley face in my coffee. Keeping grudges against old man Carl whose dog keeps peeing over my welcome rug outside the door.

I keep grudges for a living.

I sighed and nodded as I stood up. “Fine. Since you have it all figured out. I’ll attend the stupid wedding.”

“Amber!” Dad called to chastise, but I shrugged.

“Going to pack up for the wedding. It better be worth it.”