Her words jabbed at everyone like a needle, and they froze and exchanged uncomfortable looks. Gloria felt awkward.
Wayne finally caught on. He got up, grabbed a stool, and placed it next to him.
“Babe,” he said, “come sit beside me.”
My heart sank when I saw the cheap blue plastic stool. Everyone else had a proper chair, and there I was, stuck with something that looked straight out of a dollar store.
Wayne came over and draped his arm around my shoulders, murmuring, “I’m sorry, babe. I never meant for you to be treated like this. You can take my seat.”
I gazed at the man I loved with all my heart and swallowed the bitterness rising within me.
A small hiccup like this wasn’t going to ruin Christmas Eve, though. The Coopers carried on eating happily, while Lucy seemed detached, almost as if she didn’t have a care in the world.
Gloria cleared her throat, took out a gift from her pocket, and handed it to me. “Michael and I got you this because it’s your first time at our place, Mel. We hope you’ll like it.
“But just so you know, we don’t normally give gifts to our daughters-in-law. That’s just how our family works. Once you and Wayne have a baby, we’ll start giving gifts to the grandkids instead. Lucy hasn’t had a gift in ages, either.”
She slid the gift toward me. It should have been a heartfelt moment, but her words stung, leaving me unsure if I should take it.
Just then, Lucy burst out laughing. “Seriously, Gloria? Who are you trying to fool?”
