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“Yes, I’m fine. I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you how beautiful you look today. It must be stressful for you to meet my hoard.”
“I’m fine. Wow, you were not kidding me. Did I get involved with Irish royalty?” Avery asked as we drove up the driveway to my parents’ house. I was used to it but could see how the huge Georgian building and grounds would overwhelm others. The wedding was being held in the garden, and there was a huge marquee set up at the side of the house on the lawns leading down to the walled garden.
“You will be fine. There are so many guests here we will blend in.”
Avery held on tight to my hand as we headed through the main doors where we were greeted with a glass of champagne. The house had a beautiful curved staircase and beneath you could go through to the ballroom that opened onto the back lawn. My mother, aunt, and uncle were stationed at the door to the ballroom and greeting everyone. My mom and her sister looked so alike except my mother was in a wheelchair. There was no sign of my father anywhere. Knowing him, he would be in the bar chatting up a bridesmaid.
My mother smiled when she saw me, and I bent down and kissed her.
“Flynn, it is so wonderful to see you, and congratulations on your Emmy, darling. This must be Avery, I assume,” Mom said, and I could tell from her smile she was genuinely interested in meeting her.
“Yes, She is a cousin of a friend of mine, Declan, and she is visiting from Australia.”
“I’ve always wanted to go to Australia. You will have to tell me the best places to visit. Obviously, I won’t be climbing the Sydney Harbor Bridge. I do know some horse breeders down there.”
“That’s what I said to Flynn about Ireland. I always wanted to come, and he has been very gracious with his time showing me around.”
“I brought him up with good manners so I am glad to hear he is looking after you. I’ll catch up with you both later.”
That was the easy part as we made our way out onto the patio overlooking the grounds and mingled. I made sure I stayed close to Avery as relatives came asking questions, but she was holding her own. Then we were all gathered on the lawn for the wedding. It was beautiful and fun with the celebrant making jokes about how the two met which involved a small car crash. Their love had bonded while in hospital for two days and not looked back.
Then we all moved into the marquee for nibbles until the official reception with speeches was held in the ballroom. I had managed to ignore my father as he sat at the wedding two rows in front of us. He had his cronies from golf with him. He wasn’t even sitting with Mom. There was not a classy bone in his body.
Now he was gone, and I couldn’t see him. My mother came over with her neighbor Geoff March who also bred horses. I always believed he held a torch for my mom but would never act on it, though he was a widow now. Maybe I could convince Mom to leave Dad once and for all.
“So, how long are you staying?” Mom asked.
“Just until tomorrow. We have to go back early but have had a wonderful week traveling around.”
“I kissed the Blarney Stone, drank Guinness, and nearly got blown off some cliffs. I had a great time.”
“Then you will have to see if you can make Flynn visit more often,” Mom said as she touched my arm. “Flynn, could push me around to the side entrance? I always find it difficult and have a gift for you in my office. Geoff will look after you, Avery.”
I pushed Mom up the path at the side of the house.
“I wanted to get you alone for a bit. By the way, she is lovely so don’t mess it up like you usually do. I wouldn’t mind another wedding here.”
“Mom, you only just met her. We’re seeing where it goes for now so don’t frighten her off.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
We went in through the French doors to my mother’s office. I heard Mom’s sharp intake of breath, and my hands fisted at what I saw.
“What the fuck, Dad.” My father had one of the bridesmaids sitting on my mother’s desk as he stood between her legs with his tongue down her throat. I headed over and pulled him off and went to land a thump on his chin as he tried to do up his pants. I was seeing red.
“Stop, Flynn,” my mother shouted. She was probably the only person who could stop me when I was in a rage. “Leave us, Shona, and make an excuse because you need to leave. I will not have my niece upset by this on her special day.”
The bridesmaid rearranged her dress and ran from the room. I looked at my mother. I had never seen her so calm around my father. He had a way of intimidating her so she would always give in. There were days when he would call, and she would end up shaking. I had felt so helpless as a kid to do anything for her. It had been worse as a man and I had to stay away.
“Malcom. You will pack your bags and leave. I will contact my lawyer tomorrow to arrange the divorce. You won’t get a penny so don’t try fighting me.” Mom was almost smiling.
“You have to be kidding. You have been carrying on with Geoff for years, and you expect me to not fight for what’s mine. You haven’t been a wife to me. What did you expect that I wouldn’t go elsewhere.”
“I have tried to ignore your dalliances, but I expected you to have the decency to not fornicate on my own desk.”
“I should have pushed you harder all those years ago, and this would have been all mine.”
That was it, even my mother’s words would not stop me this time as my fist came up and connected with my father’s chin and he went down.
