I watched Cassie's face go white as she stared down at the table. She looked physically sick, but still her mother continued, extending her long, fake nails in between sips from her glass. She wouldn't even bother to look her daughter in the eye while insulting her. "Cassandra, do something right for a change. Come talk to Brian and work things out. Los Angeles just isn't for a single, 36 year old, naive, little girl. You have no real future here and it's not like you will find a successful man here! And do I need to remind you that we'd like grandchildren while we're still young."
Did Anastasia have any compassion at all? Anastasia, even her name reminded me of a rich, snooty woman. They had money, obviously, and looked down upon everyone they assumed didn't, as if they were a failure. My heart broke for Cas to be unlucky enough to have assholes like this for parents, and the protective side of me instantly came out. But before I could speak, Cassie did.
"Mother, I'm sorry, but I am not coming back to Sacramento and certainly not ready to marry anyone. And I hate to tell you this, but you may never have any grandchildren at all. We've already had this discussion, many times. That's not something I'm interested in. Let it go. I'm a grown woman and can make decisions for myself." She was calm and straight to the point. "Goddamn, you just said that I'm 36 and called me naive, so just let me be naive and happy, here in LA, with Jared. He is a great guy and happens to be extremely successful." As tough as she talked, I could still see the fight in her eyes fading fast. "We're taking things slow and I'm comfortable with that."
"Silly girl, Brian is one of the top pediatricians in the area. Do you know how much money that man makes? Your father told you a long time ago that all you have to do is have a kid or two, and you're set for life. If things don't work out, you will always have child support and alimony to fall back on." She chuckled, granting her husband a wink. "I don't think that will happen though, Brian is a wonderful human being, and you my dear, are an idiot if you don't make a move while he's still single Cassandra."
No wonder she hated that name so much. I made a mental note to never call her that again. I grabbed her hand under the table and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You know Mrs. Warren, Cassie is actually doing very well for herself here. She has a great job, a nice apartment, and I think-"
"What makes you think that I give a damn about your opinion? You don't know a thing about our family, or how she has thoroughly embarrassed us by dragging our name through the mud and then selfishly leaving town. You should keep your mouth shut about such matters." She gulped down another glass of wine before slamming her empty flute down on the table. She was just another rich bitch, barking out orders because she can.
I was stunned that they could treat their own daughter this way. Anger took over and I was unable to stifle myself any longer. I had to speak my mind. "I really don't give a shit what you people have to say about me, but what you just said about your own daughter was awful. You call yourself parents?" I asked, watching her mother clutch her chest and look over at her husband in disbelief. "If you truly cared about her, you'd want her to be happy, encouraging her to follow her dreams, not try to force her to live the life that you want her to live. She is beautiful and so very talented. She deserves people in her life who treat her with love and respect." I sat back and sighed. "God, I don't know what I'd do if my mother ever spoke to me the way you just did to Cas. I love your daughter for who she is, and I'd never try to change her." Pausing, I realized I suddenly had their full attention. "No wonder she was so nervous about coming here tonight. Jesus, can't we simply have a peaceful dinner, or has it slipped your mind that the purpose of us being here is Cassie's birthday. You should be celebrating with your daughter, not scolding her for her decisions."
"You're right." Her father acknowledged, earning a bewildered glance from his wife. Cas looked stunned by the one eighty in the attitude of her parents after my little speech. Although, I was sure it was only temporary. You cannot change someone's thinking process in a mere few minutes.
The remainder of the evening was calm. We discussed only generic things, the upcoming weekend, the quality of our food, and failing health of Cassie's grandmother. We eventually left the restaurant and went our separate ways.
She slid into the passenger seat of my truck and I just sat there for a few seconds. "Are they always this way with you?"
"Yeah." She looked out the window away from me and it hit me, this is why she's like she is. Shitty parents and a fiancé who dumped her for not wanting children explained it all. No emotions equaled no pain and it's why she never wanted anymore from our relationship. "Cas, why didn't you just tell me how they are, I would've understood?"
"I just hoped that things would be different this year. I hoped that they would realize that I'm not going back there and let it go." She glanced over at me, shrugging. "I'm so sorry for asking you to come with me and for the way they spoke to you."
"Stop. Look at me." I waited until she looked into my eyes before I spoke again. "I don't give a fuck what they think of me, but I do care about how they make you feel. Next year, let's break tradition and do something crazy. What do you say?"
Her lips curled into a smile, making my heart race. "That sounds perfect."
"Now, we're going home to celebrate your birthday. I have a surprise for you." I was determined to turn things around and make sure she had a great birthday. I wanted her to forget about her parents and focus on us. Starting the truck, all of the pieces of the past year fit into place in my mind. The more I thought of how we ended up together, the more it made sense.
