"Mom, I know Meryl's background isn't great and you think she's not good enough for me, but we're in love. You have to learn to respect her. Give her a proper bride price so I can marry her with some dignity."
When something was so absurd it defied words, all you could do was laugh.
"I've said it before. When it comes to a daughter-in-law for the Sullivan family, I don't care about background, looks, or education. But there's one thing I won't compromise on: basic decency."
I glanced at Meryl and shook my head.
"Take a good look at what you brought home. Every other word out of her mouth is about money."
Meryl's eyes went wide the second she heard that. James tried to hold her back, but there was no stopping her. She flipped the table and jabbed a finger at my face, screaming at the top of her lungs.
"Pearl Abbott! No wonder you were widowed so young. God was punishing you! No man will ever want you for the rest of your miserable life. And your daughter's going to end up just like you, an old maid begging some deadbeat to take her in!"
"That's enough, Meryl. No matter what, she's still an elder. Watch your mouth."
James pulled her behind him, trying to figure out how to play peacemaker.