"Besides, if I remember right, your grandfather's eightieth birthday celebration is the day after tomorrow. No time like the present. We'll bring a generous gift, say all the right things. I doubt the old man would raise a hand against someone who came bearing smiles on his big day."
The moment the words left my mouth, Greta's expression turned ugly. She didn't speak for a long time.
It was Melvin who stepped forward instead, every inch the man of the house, scolding me with feigned concern:
"You know perfectly well the James family looks down on you. Are you really going to ruin her grandfather's eightieth birthday just for a moment of self-satisfaction?"
The second she heard Melvin's rebuke, Greta straightened her spine:
"Victor, it's not that I don't want to bring you. The timing is just wrong. Grandpa's health has always been fragile. This whole celebration is meant to lift his spirits. If I brought you along and something happened to him, I'd never forgive myself."
A thousand words, and every single one of them was an excuse to shut me out.
I nodded and stepped back. "Fine."
I turned in silence and walked away. Greta reached out to stop me, but Melvin caught her wrist.