about the dinner.
It would be the first time our parents met.
James and I had recently become engaged, so to me this felt much more important than simply sharing a meal.
I called my mother twice.
“Mom, this is a big deal.”
“Elena, it’s dinner.”
“It’s the first dinner between our families.”
“Yes,” she replied. “Which means his parents are being evaluated too.”
I laughed nervously.
“By whom?”
“Me.”
“Mom.”
“I’ll behave.”
“Promise?”
“Elena.”
She said my name in that familiar tone that meant she believed I was asking
