‘It’s Just A Meeting, My Son Said When I Didn’t Receive An Invitation To His Big Engagement Party. So I Transferred Back The $25k From The Honeymoon Fund And Updated The Flights I Had Arranged For Them.

The response of a mother who had spent 32 years accommodating her child’s schedule. “It’s just… I wanted to ask about the engagement party. I haven’t received an invitation yet, and I wanted to make sure it wasn’t lost in the mail.”

The pause lasted just a beat too long.

“Oh.”

Then another pause. “It’s just a small gathering, Mom. Mostly Vanessa’s family’s social circle and some of our friends from the city.”

“I see,” I said, though I didn’t.

Not really. “So, it’s not a formal engagement party.”

James sighed. That particular exhalation I’d heard since his teenage years when he found my questions tedious.

“It’s at the Pearson Country Club, but it’s not a big deal. Just a reception, really.”

“You wouldn’t enjoy it. You don’t know anyone there.”

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