The Young Wives Club by Julie Pennell

Author:Julie Pennell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books/Alloy Entertainment

24

gabrielle

“I’M SO HAPPY you’re here.” Elaine reached her dry, cracked hands across the square table. The fluorescent lights of the visitation room made her mom’s skin look dull and yellowed. Since the last time that Gabby saw her, the lines around Elaine’s eyes had deepened, and her frown lines had grown more pronounced.

The room buzzed around them—families reunited, husbands and wives talking in hushed voices, visitors trying to cheer up their imprisoned friends—but Gabby tried to tune them out and focus on her mom.

“It’s been months,” Elaine said, lowering her eyes. “Why didn’t you come for Christmas?”

“I’ve been busy, Mama.” Gabby squeezed Elaine’s hands. Busy lying about you, a guilty voice said in her head.

The prison guard walked past them, her boots clicking on the gray tile floor.

“You’re glowing.” Elaine’s lips curled into a mischievous smile. “Who’s the guy?” Her mother put her elbows on the table and leaned in eagerly.

Though Gabby hadn’t visited recently, she and her mom had been keeping up with their regular biweekly calls, but Gabby knew she’d been distant on the phone. She hadn’t told her mom about the engagement yet—hadn’t even told her about Tony—and was afraid that she’d hurt her mom’s feelings. Here, finally face-to-face with Elaine, she wouldn’t be able to hide the truth.

Gabby took a deep breath. “Mama . . . I’m getting married next month.” She leaned back, bracing herself for her mom’s reaction.

Elaine’s eyes widened. “Oh,” she said softly. “I just thought you might be dating someone. But marriage? Wow. I can’t believe . . . I can’t believe I’m going to miss that.”

Gabby paused, her shame intensifying. She didn’t know what to say to that. “It all happened so fast,” she confessed. “We just picked out the venue last week.”

Elaine sat up straight and pushed her curly brown hair behind her ears. “Well, tell me about him.” She was smiling, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Tell me about my new son-in-law.”

Gabby lowered her head. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.” I’m sorry about so much more than I can tell you. . . .

Elaine put her hands across the table, her eyes looking deeply into Gabby’s. “I understand. This . . . it’s hard. But I’m really happy for you.” She softened her tone. “Tell me about him.”

“Well, his name is Tony, and he’s a lawyer,” Gabby said, fidgeting with her engagement ring. “He’s so smart, Mama. And funny.” She smiled, thinking about him. “And kind . . . and has a wonderful family.”

“That’s great, darling. That’s so great.” Elaine swallowed, glancing away. “So, tell me about the wedding. Where’s it gonna be?”

Elaine’s words felt weighted, and Gabby realized that her mom might be jealous. She was spending time with another family, making memories that had nothing to do with Elaine.

Gabby took a deep breath, trying to squash her guilt. It wasn’t her fault that her mom was in jail. “Tony found this gorgeous antebellum home—it’s got huge oak trees and a ballroom. It’s absolutely beautiful.”

“Wow! Sounds so classy.

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