Linda felt certain that she had raised her son correctly. He was going to marry this beautiful girl, and they had already discussed starting a company together. But the maid of honor’s one speech was going to permanently damage her son’s reputation.
I’ve always thought of myself as a decent mother. I tried not to come across as intrusive or like one of those “boy moms” who are too protective of their children, as they are sometimes depicted online. I instilled in him a respect for women, the old, and the vulnerable. He developed into a real gentleman. I was very happy to see my son Connor and his girlfriend, Carrie, when they came home. I had no idea that their wedding would be a complete failure.
I checked my background, of course. Carrie gave off the impression of being a regular girl; she traveled in an outdated, basic vehicle and used the bus when it broke down. She never asked Connor for anything exorbitant, and the gifts she offered us were elegant but affordable.
I saw that she occasionally gave herself a luxurious dinner or a spa weekend, but I put it down to wise money management. Don’t you believe every girl deserves to treat herself once in a while?
You can only imagine how surprised I was when we got in a fancy sedan and headed to meet her folks! It came out that her father ran a well-known construction firm, which allowed their family to live opulently. Their daughter’s mother gave me an explanation of their arrangement when I questioned how she lived so simply. They wouldn’t pay for her daily needs, but they would help her if she wanted to launch her own company. They intended to pay for her ideal wedding as well.
I watched the spark go in Connor’s eyes when Carrie explained that she didn’t have a business strategy yet. Since he was young, he had wanted to launch a technological firm, but we never had the money, and he had never been successful in getting grants. He regarded this as the ideal chance, of course.
When Connor pitched his plan to Carrie on the way back, she was instantly in favor of it. They talked about it all the time, and I was happy to see them starting their company together as a soon-to-be family. Even after their wedding, Carrie recommended meeting with investors. I wish I had known that this would all end soon.
I saw that Carrie was acting differently as the wedding drew near. Though I could tell she was having internal struggles, she did her best to live up to my son’s expectations for their business. I asked her if something was wrong, and she gently waved my worries away. Her becoming pregnant was a possibility, too, even though I figured it may have something to do with family problems or a small argument with Connor. But I made the decision to let the youngsters resolve their own conflicts.
Carrie appeared especially nervous on the wedding day, but I dismissed it. Who wouldn’t be anxious, given that she was the bride and her father had invited a number of well-known individuals? I saw her maid of honor, Susan, fighting with Connor as she made her way to her seat and accepted congratulations. I was surprised to see them engaged in a fierce debate, but I knew better than to step in. I sensed a crisis developing deep inside.
The maid of honor lifted her glass, signaling the start of the speeches, which caused silence in the room. She appeared as though she was about to perish. She said the usual hellos and thank-yous before dropping the bombshell.
“Carrie. You’ve spent many years as my closest buddy. Regretfully, I am unable to say the same about myself. This entire situation needs to end. I’ve been having an affair with Connor for months now!
The room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on the bride. She burst out laughing, shocking everyone with her loud, almost demonic laugh. “Susie, wow,” she said. “I’m so glad you were able to confess. I assumed I would have to speak for myself.
“You see, I knew you two couldn’t be trusted from the way you looked at each other,” she said as she moved to approach Susan. Thus, I coveredtly placed cameras throughout the home. What do you suppose I witnessed? My love nest is home to two lovebirds!
Susan’s microphone was grabbed by her. “My soon-to-be husband signed a lovely prenuptial agreement without reading it, thanks to my dad’s help.” Just in case you were wondering, being unfaithful leaves you with nothing!
“But gentlemen, don’t worry! Your cake bits were spiked with a laxative that works slowly! Bastards, have fun on your first night together!
It was anarchy after that, like a tidal wave. From a distance, the bride and her family watched as others hurried to the restrooms and vomited out cake. Carrie came over to me and grabbed my hand after noticing my uncertainty.
Do not be alarmed, Mrs. Green. You’ve been considerate to me always. You can eat the cake without risk.
That day, I left the wedding hall feeling absolutely destroyed. The one thing I knew for sure is that I didn’t think I knew the man I had reared.