Read In a Moon Smile for Free Online

gowns.
    Chesney sighed, wanting to melt so she could slither down the heat vent and avoid the feelings churning around in her stomach like a storm. For a few moments, they were silent. Unmistakably, a tension was building between mother and not-so-favorite daughter. Chesney counted the stones in the fireplace, hoping to hypnotize herself. Maybe she would slip into a coma. Maybe her mother would suddenly turn into a warm, cuddly type of maternal figure, the kind who would never dream of beating her daughter to death with her own shame.
    “You aren’t behaving like a happy bride-to-be,” Madelyn said suspiciously.
    “Nerves,” Chesney shrugged and stood up though her legs felt wobbly.
    “Jack is such a gift in your life,” Madelyn said. “He’s a power house attorney. He’s so confident and wealthy. He adores you, darling. He’s so many wonderful things.”
    Hmm, you left out man whore. Or maybe we can overlook that characteristic since Jack is so filthy rich. Is that what you would suggest if I told you the truth about Jack’s sex sports involving Belinda’s fat ass?
    “Chesney?” Madelyn was now staring, glaring even, at the daughter she had never quite understood. The air between them was thick with an unspoken fear. Chesney saw the fear, written in tight blue lines across her mother’s forehead. She was horrified, waiting to learn if her oldest daughter was once again on her way to making a mess of the perfect family plan. Chesney felt wounded as she realized that her mother did not trust her for happy endings. But then again, why should Madelyn trust that Chesney could bring joy? Charlotte was the bride. She was also the one who gave Madelyn a grandchild. Chesney, on the other hand, was the one the rest of the family made excuses for. She felt dizzy. Pain fluttered around in her chest.
    “Is there something you need to say?” There was ice in Madelyn’s voice.
    “Like what?” Chesney asked, feeling like she stepped quickly back to her defiant adolescence, which was spent, by the way, constantly at war with Madelyn.
    “Did one of your bridesmaids ruin a dress? Is the menu workable for the caterer?”
    Ha, those are the tiny worries, Mom. How would you feel if I told you about Jack’s obsession with handcuffs and other women’s vaginas?
    “All the wedding plans are wonderful.” For her mother’s benefit, Chesney left out the part about the groom being a rotten rat bastard. She also left out the part about the cancellation, or at least the fact that the wedding would be cancelled. Soon. When Chesney could grow a backbone enough to face the family ground war.
    “I need to go,” she said as calmly as possible. Knowing her mother was now studying every move she made, trying to anticipate the next disaster. Chesney stumbled across the room and forced her feet a little too aggressively into her boots.
    “I hope you’re telling me the truth,” Madelyn said. This was also her mantra during Chesney’s teen years. Madelyn stomped now across the shiny floor and Chesney’s eyes stung with old pain.
    I wish I could tell you the truth . But it would be one more example of how I fell short as your daughter. It would be one more moment when I failed to live up to your expectations. Brace yourself, Madelyn; I’m getting ready to rain all over your perfect parade again, just like I always do.
    “How are things going with your book?” Madelyn asked. Then she adjusted the scarf around Chesney’s neck as if her daughter was eight years old. She smoothed the curls away from Chesney’s face, smelling of a faint mix of Merlot and spearmint.
    “The book is fine,” Chesney lied again.
    Actually I have not touched the manuscript for several days, maybe even weeks. It is not even remotely close to being referred to as a book. But I pile that lie right in there with all the other lies I have tossed out today to avoid criticism.
    “Your father will be so upset that he missed visiting with you, dear .