Stories told under the Stars

Short Story #2

            Funny how I ended up here. No idea why I am even here. I should leave, but God forbid I do without my mother-in-law found out about my short stay. It's not my fault she doesn't like me! All I ever did to her was marry her son.

Rob and Betsy both were friendly to me when I was first introduced to them. Rob took a liking to me when I followed his conversation about Emerson. On the other hand, Betsy began to keep her distance from me after she saw I wasn't leaving. It may be her friendship with my husband's ex-girlfriend Edith. Levi told me about her, so I know who she is, but his mother, on the other hand, believed Edith was his true love.

"You should have seen how good they were together. Broke my heart when he decided to end the relationship," she had told me during one of the many dinner invites.

I was so close to strangling her for saying that to me, but I held it in and continued as if she didn't say anything.

Now that Levi and I are married, she wasn't as upfront about Beth but still tries to make me uncomfortable with little snips here and there.

Tonight, she was quiet as we sat in the waiting room for any news on Rob. Taking a midnight row on the boat didn't work in his favor.

"Any news?" Levi asks as he takes his seat next to me.

"None so far," I give him a tiny smile. "Your mom hasn't said a word since we got here."

"I know. She's probably still shocked over what happened."

"What was your dad thinking?"

"I don't know any more with him. I have told him numerous times to let me know when he wants to go on his little 'adventures' I don't mind joining him as long as he's not alone," Levi scoffed.

"It's not your fault, don't blame yourself," I assured him.

"Easy for you to say," I heard Betsy from across the room.

"Mom," Levi sighed.

"What? She likes to run her mouth sometimes," Betsy scoffed. "Not everyone was raised without the love of their father, Aria."

"Enough!" Levi snapped. "Ignore her. She's just stressed."

"Doesn't mean she has to attack me, Levi," I sighed. I pulled my hand from his and just leaned back on the chair.

I guess it's going to be one of those nights.

It felt like hours had passed when we finally got news about Rob. He had suffered a minor stroke but was going to be okay. The doctor wants to keep him in the hospital for a few days, which wasn't a problem...until Betsy.

"Levi, honey, I think it'll be best for you to stay with me at the house until your dad gets out. I don't like being alone for that long," she gave him her puppy eyes.

"Aria and I had planned on going out for dinner tonight before the incident. Since Dad's going to be okay, we might go."

"And leave me alone? Are you kidding me?"

"We had planned it—"

"I wasn't talking to you, Aria!" She snapped at me before turning back to her son, "you are willing to leave me alone? By myself during these hard times?"

Levi sighed and turned to look at me.

Hell no. He better not think about asking me.

"Maybe we should postpone?" Levi whispered to me.

"Are you serious, Levi? We have planned this dinner for a while now!" I couldn't believe he was even thinking about this. It would be the fourth time we would postpone this dinner, all because of work and his mom's willingness to interrupt us.

"What's another postponed dinner, Aria?" Levi sighed.

"Another fuckin postponed dinner, Levi! We never have time for ourselves, and now this."

"You are such a selfish bitch!" Betsy screamed at me.

"I have done nothing to you," I sneered at her.

"You took my son away from me!" She screeched at me.

"Aria!" Levi growled at me, "this needs to stop!"

I stop and turn to look at him. He was glaring at me and not at his mom. As if he was blaming me for her reaction and not her for the scene she caused.

"I'm going to go," I snatched my hand from him and turned away.

"Aria!" he called, but I continued to walk away from him and his actress of a mother. He can stay with her for all I care. I'm done, just done with this.

I made it to my car when I felt Levi grab my hand. He turned me around and held me by my shoulders. "Aria, what the hell?"

"What the hell? What the hell is wrong with you, Levi?"

"I'm trying to help my mother, Aria. You would do the same if it were you, mom."

"My mom doesn't push herself in my marriage as your mom does!"

"She's in a delicate state right now. My parents have been together for so long, causing her to act out of character."

"Levi, your mom has always acted this way towards me. This isn't new, and you know it," I scoffed.

"We'll just postpone dinner, and we can do it again, I promise," he sighed.

I was never going to win. That much was true. Yes, I understand how difficult it is for him to leave his mother behind while her husband is in the hospital, but when will he choose me?

I step back, away from him, and look to the ground, "I'm going to go ahead and head home."

"Aria."

"Don't worry, Levi. What's another postponed dinner, right?" I don't even bother waiting for him to reply. I turn and walk away from him and the hospital. I need a night for myself.