A Long Dinner

Mary loves her family, she really does. Her mother is sweet and took great care of her. Her father has always been an upstanding man who had refused to let corporate life corrupt him. Her brother always had her back growing up, and still does.

But right now she wants to strangle them, and it all goes back to Brittany.

Every time someone would try to include Na'el in the conversation, Brittany would meanly shut her down. Mary clapped back, but had to hold back. If she blew up, she knows that she lost.

After a while, her parents gave up on talking to Na'el, and ignored her. Matt was never outwardly rude to Na'el, as he never even acknowledged that she was there.

Mary could see it in her wife's eyes, the same look that's there way too often. It hurt. It always hurts her.

And that makes her furious.

She wasn't even listening to Brittany going on about how great her husband is with his new company. She just wanted to slap her in her stupid face.

She felt Na'el gently take her hand and squeeze it twice.

The signal.

Mary stood up and pulled Na'el with her.

"Well, it was great to see all of you, but we gotta get going." Mary hated the look of disappointment in her mother's eyes.

"But darling, we haven't all been together in so long." Thankfully, her father came to her aid.

"Dear, let them go. It was great to see you Na'el."

"Good riddance," grumbled Brittany. Matt stood up with a smile.

"Please, let me walk you out to your car." Mary's glare tightened and she pulled Na'el closer to her.

"You mean us, right?" Matt still didn't look at his sister-in-law.

"Yes, of course."

"Fine, try to keep up." Matt offered Mary his arm, but she pushed past him.

...

Once they were outside and away from eyes and ears, Mary violently grabbed her brother by the tie.

"I swear to all that is holy, if your wife ever talks to my wife like that again, I will make your life hell." Matt held up his hands and tried to back away, but her grip tightened.

"I can't control her. She's ju-" Mary didn't let him finish that sentence.

"She's just what? Putting her in her place?"

"Mary, you know I'm not like that."

"Do I? You haven't even looked at her all day. She's my wife. She's your sister-in-law. Yet you refuse to even spare her a glance." Matt sighed in defeat, and Mary released him. Finally, he looked at Na'el.

"Na'el I-" This time it was Na'el who cut him off.

"Save it, I know you're not sorry. Honey, can we just go home. I don't want to be around these people anymore." Mary took her wife by the hand and pulled her into a kiss.

"Of course darling."

They drove off into the night, leaving Matt behind.