Thankfully, it’s not too long before we’re interrupted by the arrival of our food. Rosa passes Alfred back to me. I put him in the highchair the waiter discreetly brought over. At home I usually put him in my lap and eat with one hand, but I can tell Rosa wouldn’t approve. She probably had nannies for all of her kids and left them at home while she went to fancy dinners like this every night. All she had to do was tuck them in and kiss their foreheads when she got home.
“I wanted to talk to you earlier Ciara, I really did. But then Evans told me he was worried about how you’d react. I know it’s such a transitional time getting used to a baby’s schedule and trying to get them to sleep through the night. You must be exhausted. I thought this dinner would be a nice break for you.”
Rosa keeps talking, oblivious to the fact that she is saying all the wrong things. I try to keep my face neutral, although I am gripping my water glass pretty tight.
Calm down Ciara, don’t make a scene here and don’t break anything. You’re better than that.
“I’ve raised four children of my own, and I know what you’re going through with your struggles.” Rosa takes the smallest bite of her salad.
What? What does that mean? What else has Evans told her? Does she know I got put on extended leave?
I must look upset because Rosa reaches across the table and takes my hand.
“You’ll do this for me…for all of us, won’t you?”
I keep my voice as polite as possible. “Rosa, I need some time to process this, and I need to talk to Evans We have to agree on this together.” I take a bite of spaghetti to avoid having to say anything more. All of this rich food is going to make me sick, not to mention the anxiety from this stupid wedding conversation.
To my surprise, she simply nods. “I agree; it would be best if you’re both on the same page.” Then her forehead wrinkles. “Don’t take too long though. A wedding of this scope requires a great deal of planning. There’s the caterers, the venue, flowers, reception favors, the live band, table settings. Your dress, though of course Caroline could help with that. I think a trumpet dress or mermaid silhouette would suit your figure well.” She ticks all these things off on her fingers before looking me up and down like she’s assessing my post baby figure.
“I’m not sure about planning all of this, Rosa.” How am I supposed to deal with all of that while taking care of Alfred, working hard at the hospital, and spending time with Evans?
Rosa keeps talking. “We’re looking at an October wedding.”
Whew.
I can feel the tension leave my shoulders. A year is a solid amount of time to plan a wedding. That will give Evans and me time to convince her to scale things back and, with luck, to support a wedding more in tune with what Evans and I actually want. God, what a relief. “At least that’s over a year away.”
Rosa looks at me. “I’m sorry, you’ve misunderstood. I’m talking about this October, dear.”
Two months from now? Is she crazy?
I pick up my napkin and twist it to calm my hands, which are suddenly shaking. “How am I going to pull that off? I really don’t think that’s enough time, Rosa. Especially not with everything you just mentioned. I just don’t see a way.” I take another bite of food and prepare for the worst. Instead, Rosa reaches over and squeezes my shoulder. This does nothing to calm me down. It just hurts.
“Oh, don’t worry Ciara. I’ve got it under control. I spoke to Elena. She’s agreed to plan everything. She’s always taken a very…vested interest in Evans, after all.”
I can feel my face flushing red. Not only am I being forced into a wedding I don’t want—it’s being planned by a woman that I’m worrying has plans on Evans?