Ethan sat next to me as we sat at the table. I asked Keenan and Nathan about what was going on in their lives. Keenan was not very forthcoming and only talked with prompting from Charles. At least Charles was trying to make things a bit less strained. Keenan worked with our father, but didn't really get into specifics, which is fine.
Nathan discussed his studies at University and I felt that I could get along with him very easily. Ethan's parents loosened up and if it weren't for Miranda and Keenan I would have said the Brunch was very enjoyable and not awkward. Unfortunately they were there, so I couldn't. Of course it may not have been obvious to everyone, but I could definitely feel their condescension and probably masked hatred toward me. Mom could too because she would squeeze my leg when it was getting too much.
Ethan also made Brunch better, he could sense when I was becoming overwhelmed or withdrawing. I don't know if he knew the cause of my withdrawing, but he knew I was doing it and helped bring me back into the conversation. To the rest I'm sure it looked like he was trying to get to know me for the sake of the marriage arrangement between our families. But when he did, he hit his foot against mine in a playful manner. I'm glad he could act more aloof on one level and more intimate on another. He did really good at pretending he wasn't doing anything under the table. I wonder what others thought of my odd facial expressions when he caught me unexpected.
As we were eating I wondered why we had to have a Brunch anyway. We just had a dinner two days ago and I really just wanted to be on my way to my amazing vacation. Now that Ethan was going I was looking forward to it even more. I knew I would never complain though because that would make me look selfish. I mean, they were letting us use their private jet and feeding me. Complaining about having to sit with them would be so ungrateful. But I never did well in social situations and especially not ones with two faced people, like Miranda.
There was obviously some unwritten understanding that we weren't talking about Ethan and I's relationship. Maybe it was written or discussed between the parents as they all seemed to know to completely avoid anything that related to it at all. Not that I'm complaining that it was avoided. It was awkward enough without some subtle or not subtle insinuations about our future together.
I finished my meal before the others. I'm not a huge eater and so I am typically finished eating first. Charles noticed I was finished and asked if I would go on a stroll with him in the garden before we left as it would be good for me to stretch my legs. I looked at Mom wondering if she wanted to come with us and she shook her head slightly. We're good at communicating without words, most of the time.
I followed my father outside and started walking next to him on the garden path. Based on how long he went without saying anything he seemed to be trying to figure out how to speak to me, this was going to be an interesting conversation. I hoped that I wouldn't regret having this talk with him, I mean what if I feel even more pushed away by him. I don't know if I would even be able to handle pretending I wanted to please him if that happened.
Calm down. I told myself, stop imagining the worst scenarios. I'm really good at that, imagining worst case scenarios.
After a couple of minutes walking my father finally spoke, "Sera, I'm very impressed with you as a person. I'm also sorry I wasn't able to be involved in your life growing up. It was in part because of what your mother said. However there is also a clause in my prenuptial agreement with Miranda that made it almost impossible for me to be in contact with you."
"Mom did an amazing job raising me. I'm grateful to you for paying for summer camp and my education." I didn't know what else to say, I felt weird asking him about his prenup and it's not okay that he just ignored me, so that just seemed safest.
"She did do an amazing job raising you, I just wish I would have realized what an amazing woman she was and married her." Charles sighed. I'm sensing trouble in paradise. Although it doesn't make sense, if he isn't happy with his marriage, he's rich enough to just end it, right?!?