Her father spoke up, obviously missing the edge that had entered Nick’s voice. “Beth spent most of her life clinically obese. Instead of taking control of the situation, as we encouraged her to do when she was young, she let it continue into her adult life, increasing her risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and coronary artery disease, just to name a few things. As Linda was trying to indicate, a pregnancy for someone with little willpower such as Beth could well cause her relapse into obesity.”
Nick shoved his chair back from the table at the same time Suzy slammed her glass down. Beth looked at the usually cool Nick in surprise as he stood up and leaned over the table, looking at both of her parents. “Do you even hear yourselves?” he asked in a deathly quiet voice. Without giving her parents time to reply, he continued. “I am constantly in awe of your daughters. They are smart, funny, intelligent, compassionate, and beautiful. Everyone who knows them loves them. I’m starting to think they must be adopted. I can’t imagine you two even having children, much less having two as outstanding as Beth and Suzy.”
Beth’s father sputtered, “Now, listen here, young man.”
“No, you listen here,” Nick hissed. “I have always wondered why someone as beautiful and special as Beth would have so many self-esteem issues, and now I know. Have you ever just once praised her or Suzy for anything? Did you actually try to help her eat healthier, or did you just ridicule her for being overweight? Didn’t it ever occur to either of you that she might be using food to escape from her life? As my mother will tell you, Gray and I were both heavier when we were young. Not once did our mother insult or criticize us. Instead, we learned to cook our own healthy meals and we took up a lot of hobbies as a family such as biking and swimming. Never did she say we were doing it because we were obese.”
Beth wrapped her hand around Nick’s arm, trying to calm him down. She had never seen him this upset before. “Nick, it’s okay. Really I’m fine.”
Nick looked down at her and cupped her face lightly with his hand. His gaze locked on hers and in a softer voice he said, “No, princess, it’s not okay.” Then, closing his eyes briefly, he murmured, “I can’t sit here and let them treat you like this. Are you ready to go?”
She slid her hand into his outstretched palm and let him pull her to her feet. Her mother and father sat across the table staring daggers at both of them. Gray and Suzy stood at the same time. Gray looked around the table and settled his gaze on Beth and Suzy’s parents. “Linda, Harris, I completely agree with my brother. Your daughters are two of the most amazing women I have ever had the good fortune to meet, and I ask that you not upset either one of them in my home again.”
“Now, see here, Grayson—” Harris began.
“No, sir,” Grayson said firmly. “I’m not interested in continuing this conversation. Out of respect for your daughter, my fiancée, I’m going to let this go without further comment, and I expect you to do the same. There will never be any other remarks in my home that involve any type of negativity concerning Suzy or Beth.”
Beth looked over to see that Suzy was suspiciously close to tears. She knew exactly what her sister was feeling. When had they ever had anyone stand up for them? To have the Merimon family defending them now was something that she would never forget. She and Suzy had learned to let their parents vent long ago. Suzy would rebel in some way later, but during a lecture, they just wanted it to be over. Vicky and John had remained quiet through the confrontation and she was surprised and relieved to see the smile of support that they bestowed on her.
Nick clasped Beth’s hand and they walked to the head of the table to give Suzy and Gray a hug good-bye. Suzy whispered in her ear, “Same old shit, different day.”
Beth hugged her tighter and whispered back, “I didn’t think I would make it through a meal without a fat comment.”
Nick’s mother walked over to embrace Beth, and said, “You take care of those babies. John and I are here for you if you need anything.” Vicky hugged Nick next and Beth couldn’t hear what she said to him, but she saw his lips curve into a smile. Nick’s father hugged them both next and invited them to Charleston for the weekend.
Beth then turned to her parents and gave them a tight smile. “Mom, Dad, it was good to see you again. I hope you have a safe trip home.” Her parents gave a polite nod in return and Nick and Beth were soon out the door and walking to Nick’s car. Even after the altercation with Nick, she knew her parents would stay until the official end of the evening. They might not say another word, but they would never disregard polite social rules and leave early. She felt sorry for Suzy, Gray, and Nick’s parents, who could possibly have to endure another few hours of her parents’ company.