When we arrived at the restaurant, our table was ready, but Brian’s family was late. Deliberately, I realized later, to establish dominance.
Richard offered no genuine apology for their tardiness, and Morgan immediately began her attack.
“So, where is your father? Is he coming later?”
I looked at Brian, who just smirked dismissively. I’d already told him during our date that my father had passed away when I was young. They knew this was calculated.
Mom responded with remarkable composure.
“My husband passed away from illness when Natalie was young. So today, I’m here as her mother.”
That’s when Morgan had raised her voice in that exaggerated manner, making sure nearby tables could hear.
“Oh my, Natalie is from a single-parent family.”
Each comment cut deeper as they continued their performance. The worst part wasn’t their cruelty. It was how rehearsed it felt, as if humiliating people they deemed socially inferior was a family pastime.
“I’m not really into strong-willed women,” Brian interjected when I defended myself, his tone suggesting I should be grateful he’d considered me at all.
That’s when Mom’s patience finally broke. In 29 years, I’d rarely heard her speak so sternly.
“Did you invite us here today just to look down on us? You’re enjoying berating us for being a single-parent family, aren’t you?”
“Please stop with the accusations,” Richard responded with mock offense. “It was just a little teasing, right?”
“No one feels good being mocked, and all your remarks are condescending,” Mom replied. “We have no intention of listening to this any further.”
Brian’s family looked displeased at Mom’s clear statement.
“Presumptuous for commoners,” Richard muttered.
“Commoners, huh? Indeed, that may be the case, but this has made up my mind,” Mom said.
Brian’s family looked briefly surprised, then burst into laughter, clearly thinking, What could you possibly do?
Mom sighed and began to speak.
“Actually, we have funds deposited with your bank, but we don’t wish to entrust them to people like you.”
“Oh, really? But we don’t know your name, so it can’t be much, right? It’s probably insignificant,” Morgan dismissed.
“That’s right. Even if you try to trouble us with your funds, it won’t really affect us. Low-class poor people are not needed,” Richard added.
I realized that even Mom’s last attempt at reconciliation was in vain. They continued to speak disdainfully, unaware of who they were insulting.
I sighed and made the final confirmation.
“We’re closing our account, right?”
“Please go ahead,” they said in a mocking tone, their eyes filled with disdain, making me feel disgusted as they stared at us.