I watched her arrange a napkin beside my plate.
“Mom, I’m sorry.”
Her hands stopped.
“For what?”
“For letting Ashley treat you that way.”
She sat down slowly.
“Nathan, you did say something.”
“After she insulted you. After I let things get that far.”
Mom looked toward the window.
“I’ve handled worse.”
“That’s not a reason you should have to handle it from my wife.”
She didn’t answer.
I took a breath.
“Why didn’t you tell Ashley you paid for the wedding?”
Mom looked surprised.
“Because you asked me not to make a fuss about money.”
“I asked you not to mention the family business during the speeches.”
She smiled sadly.
“Perhaps I took that a little too far.”
I stared at her.
“How much did you pay?”
She hesitated.
Then she went to the cupboard above the desk and returned with a folder.
The invoices were neatly arranged.
Venue.
Catering.
Flowers.
Photography.
Entertainment.
Transportation.
