2.
I lifted my head and looked at Vivian.
"You won't let your parents up on the stage."
"You sat us at the back table, without even a corsage."
"Vivian, you've really outdone yourself."
Then I looked at Rachel.
"I don't need you to arrange work for me."
"When the time comes, just make sure the chairs that belong to us are ready."
At that, Rachel turned at once to Vivian with a helpless look.
"Viv, it seems your uncle doesn't want to accept your kindness."
At that, Vivian's face went cold.
"Leon Fox, don't throw my goodwill back in my face."
"Didn't you hear what she just said?"
"If it weren't for me, you two wouldn't even qualify to attend a high-society wedding like this."
"And Rachel was kind enough to offer you work. Fine, turn it down, but what's with the attitude?"
"You still want up on the stage? How much dowry can you put down? What do you even have to put down?"
My wife instinctively spoke up for me.
"Vivian, don't talk to your father like that. He prepared something for you too."
"This time he put together one—"
"One thousand?"
"Don't make me laugh. Not enough to embarrass anyone."
Vivian's face was full of contempt.
My wife started to speak again.
I shook my head.
"Don't bother. Today let's just see how far his ingratitude goes."
Vivian sneered.
"Enough with the act."
"You don't dare say the number, do you. A thousand dollars and still putting on airs."
Cold settled in my chest.
All these years, I hadn't been around Vivian much, but every time I came home I bought him plenty of the things he liked.
The little time I had, I spent it all with him.
That he felt little for me, I never held against him.
But here, in front of this many people, he called me by my name.
Seeing the anger rise in my face, Rachel stepped in at once to smooth things over.
"Uncle, you want a corsage, don't you? Don't be upset, I'll go get them right now."
She went to the dressing room and came back quickly.
"We're all family now, so as your daughter-in-law it's only right that I pin them on you myself."
With that, she carried a corsage over and stopped in front of me.
I read the words on it.
"Late Father."
And my wife's said "Late Mother."
Rachel curved her lips and explained.
"Uncle, don't misunderstand."
"I only wanted to make a distinction. After all, in a little while Vivian is going to be my uncle's son."
"You're his original parents. The word 'late' just marks who came before."
I looked at her, and my anger broke loose.
I ripped the corsage off and threw it at her.
"What is this supposed to mean?!"
"Are you cursing us to die?!"
"And which ear of yours heard me agree to let your uncle up on the stage?"
Rachel put on a wronged expression.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Before I could speak again, Vivian shoved me hard.
My back slammed into the corner of the table.
When he was little he'd been reckless, and to keep him from being hit by a car I'd injured the bones in my back.
Ever since, on rainy days or with a careless knock, it would ache faintly.
Right now.
The sharp pain came roaring back.
But my son didn't spare me a glance.
He looked at Rachel with concern.
"Rachel, are you okay?"
Then he fixed cold eyes on me.
"Leon Fox, what exactly are you trying to do?!"
"Rachel already explained it to you, so why did you have to get physical?!"
My eyes went red.
"Vivian, she was cursing us to die, didn't you see it?!"
"Rachel is a city girl. She doesn't have all the hang-ups you country bumpkins do!"
Looking at him like this, I found him a stranger.
I thought of him before he met Rachel.
Back then he'd been a good son.
My wife often praised him over the phone, saying he'd bought her groceries.
Bought her a massager.
Or bought her new clothes.
But ever since he got together with Rachel, he'd started thinking himself a cut above.
I was about to keep speaking when
my wife clung tightly to the hem of my clothes.
"Leon, today is our son's wedding. Don't give people something to laugh at."
"The wedding comes first. The wedding comes first."
Hearing her, Vivian grew even bolder.
"Looks like my mom is a lot more sensible than you."
"Leon Fox, haven't you noticed? You're the only one here making a scene."
"Aren't you ashamed."
"You're not welcome at my wedding. Get out!"
