The Unexpected Call
Years passed. Josh kept in touch with his father, but I was invisible to him.
Until one day, Josh called me. I thought I was hallucinating when his name flashed on my caller ID—he had never called me before, not once.
“I’ve got important news,” he announced. “I’m getting married to Kelsey; Dad must’ve told you about her.”
“Congratulations,” I replied.
He continued: “Here’s the thing. Kelsey wants a destination wedding in Costa Rica. It’s going to be expensive, so we’re hoping family can help out financially. We’re only inviting close family, so it’s not like you’ll be there. But if you actually care about this family, you’ll help make this happen for us.”
I took a breath. “Let’s see if I’ve got this straight: you want me to help fund a wedding I’m not invited to? Sorry, Josh, but I think I’ll pass.”
Josh hung up immediately.
Later, when I told David, he shook his head in disappointment. “Why would you do that? This is your chance to fix everything between you two!”
I stared at him. “Fix everything? By giving money to someone who told me I’m not close enough to attend his wedding?”
“You’re being too sensitive. This is about family,” David said, pacing. “I can’t believe you won’t do this for Josh, that you don’t even want to try to repair your relationship with him. Maybe… maybe I should reconsider our marriage.”
My jaw dropped. Images flashed through my mind—every insult from Josh, every time I tried, every moment David refused to stand up for me.
Family. What exactly did he think that word meant?
