The Beginning of the End

Chapter 2

<Chapter 2>

Every person at the table was too shell shocked to speak for a moment. Lydia was the first person to recover.

“Asher that is no way to speak to somebody!” She chided.

“I wasn’t being rude; I was merely asking who in their right minds would name their daughter May-June!” He rolled his eyes. Lydia and Gordon’s eyes bugged out of their sockets and Anna was about to wring his neck when I cut everyone off.

“See, I was born on thirty first of May exactly at twelve midnight. So my parents thought it the name would be appropriate.” I explained patiently. Asher seemed satisfied with my answer and gave me a slight nod.

When he noticed that everyone at the table were staring at his with their mouths agape he looked at them quizzically.

“What? I thought we’re practically family now.” He said rather sarcastically.

That got everyone to shut their mouths and clear their throats.

“Well, I suppose that’s right. I’ve heard so much about you, Annabelle. And you too, May-June.” Lydia said kindly.

“Funny since I hadn’t heard a word about you.” Anna said rather sharply, getting straight to the point.

“So they did the same thing with you? I didn’t know shit about you, either.” Asher said laughing slightly.

To be honest, I found the situation rather funny too, but I dare not crack a smile or my best friend would kill me.

“Well, this might seem extremely funny to you, but we’re serious. I love Lydia very much and that is why we have decided to get married.” Mr. Gilbert said the last sentence slowly and carefully.

The two beside me choked on their drinks simultaneously and started spluttering and coughing. I awkwardly pat both of them on their backs till the coughing fits subsided a bit.

“Err…congratulations.” I said uncertainly giving a nervous laugh. This in turn brought about another coughing fit from the two. I continued to pat them on their backs.

“Oh my god! Can you please stop this instant and just think about this! Gordon and I love each other deeply and we want to seal the deal. I would think that at least our own children would be more supportive about this! This is hard for us too, you know?” Lydia cried and Gordon nodded.

“And this is would be good for the two of you too. You’ll have a mother figure in your life and Asher, a father figure. You both can be the siblings for each other that you never had!” Gordon reasoned.

“Oh please! I have a mother figure in my life and a sibling who’s sitting right beside me, thank you very much!” Anna shrieked.

Anna and Asher were seething and Gordon and Lydia looked utterly hopeless and frustrated. I decided it was time for me to intervene.

“Your dad’s right, Anna. Lydia seems like a great person and she has no intention of replacing your mum.” I told her calmly. Lydia nodded affirming my statement.

“She can help you though, with the girly stuff in your life. She could take you shopping, for spa treatments. She could make you lunch for school and all.” I continued but Anna just sat there with her cheeks puffed up.

“And you’ll always have me in your life. It’s not like I’m going anywhere. And Asher can be like the big brother you’ve never had. He could keep the guys at school at bay, you know the ones that have been after you for ages and annoy the bejeezus out of you?” I reminded them of her and she shook her head knowingly.