"Just suck it up for Dad's sake, it'll blow over."
As course after course rolled out, I was itching to bolt after dinner.
"You can't sit, Jessie! You and your mom are not allowed at the table."
I whirl around, stunned by Grandma's latest antic.
"You and your mom lack manners—girls are supposed to wait on the men. And your mom, showing her face here without having a son, I'd have run headfirst into a tree if I were her."
Ha, I turned to Dad, to see if he heard this nonsense.
Dad looked trapped, and eventually just lowered his head in silence.
"We only come back once a year, don't stir up Grandma, she's been through a lot too."
That even got Mom down.
Once upon a time, Mom didn't mind Dad being dirt-poor, backed him blindly to kickstart his career, and here we are.
He promised just to come back for a meal and swore no hassle for us.
Hearing her son, Grandma beamed brighter than ever.
"Not to be harsh, Jessie, but why bother with college when you're just gonna be someone else's gal? Might save the dough for a check-up, try for a son, or maybe adopt one."