“Andrew is the primary signatory and payer on the contract. Poor our terms. He has the right to terminate the reservation as long as the final balance hasn’t been paid, which it hasn’t.”
That was true.
I had only paid the deposit.
The rest, the bulk of it, was still unpaid. They were supposed to reimburse me tonight.
Funny how that part got forgotten in all the family speeches and catered many kishes.
Rick turned on me then, voice tightening.
“You can’t be serious.”
I looked him dead in the eyes.
“Carol said I don’t contribute to this family, so I decided to act accordingly.”
And with that, I stepped back and let the chaos unfold.
Lauren rushed over next, her heels clicked furiously against the stone tiles, her engagement ring catching the fading sunlight as she waved her hand around wildly.
“Andrew, are you kidding me right now? You’re going to ruin my entire party because of what? A joke?”
I raised an eyebrow.
“A joke? Your mom was pretty serious about it.”
“She was being sarcastic. You know how she is.”
I shook my head.
“No, Lauren. I know how all of you are.”
There was a beat of silence just long enough for Lauren to realize that this wasn’t going to be fixed with a pout and a tearful apology.
I took another slow sip of my drink.
“I’ve been over backwards for this family, paid bills, booked venues, stepped in when no one else could be bothered, and it’s never enough. I don’t do it for praise, but I’m done being disrespected.”
Lauren’s face contorted into something between disbelief and rage.
“This isn’t about you. This is my engagement.”
“And you’re right,” I said quietly. “It’s not about me. Not anymore.”
At that moment, Amelia stepped forward again, clipboard in hand.
“I’m sorry, but we do need to start breaking down the audio equipment and prepping the space for closure. Do you want to help us coordinate with your family, Andrew?”
I nodded once.
“Sure.”
The DJ was already packing up. Caterers began slowly wheeling trays and stands toward the back.
Decorations were being unplugged, lights dimmed.
One by one, guests began murmuring awkward goodbyes, unsure whether to stay or flee.
Some of the younger cousins were wideeyed, clutching gift bags.
One little girl tugged on her mom’s sleeve and asked, “Is the party over already?”
The mom, Emma, my cousin who hadn’t spoken to me since she borrowed money last spring and never paid it back, shot me a venomous look but didn’t answer.