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familiar tension pounded in Maddie’s head, and she rifled through her purse lying on the bed to get the bottle of aspirin. “Sorry, I’m busy with work. Give Eddy my regards.” From Maddie’s brief interaction with the prospective groom, she rated him higher than a speed bump, even though he resembled a human Q-tip.
    “ Edmund’s family would like to meet you.”
    “Give Eddy’s family my regards too.”
    She waited for Felicia’s melancholy tone. One, two, three…
    “You’re practically my only family, and I’d like you to be my witness.”
    “I thought you kept a wedding party on call.” This time, Maddie was determined to stand her ground and not drop everything to tend to Felicia’s whims. It was either that or rent the Lizzie Borden biography.
    “Don’t tease. I’m under a lot of stress. Rosita quit.”
    Maddie stifled a loud sigh. “Okay, give me her new number. I’ll talk to her.”
    “I don’t have a number. Anyway, she went back home. She said she missed her country.”
    Maddie rolled her eyes. “She comes from a country ruled by a dictator and she’s gone back. Doesn’t that tell you something?”
    “Never mind that. I need your help with the wedding. I’ll pay for your flight—”
    “It’s bad timing. You’ll have to tie the knot without me this time.”
    “I’m sorry if it’s bad timing,” Felicia snapped. “The world doesn’t revolve around your schedule.”
    “Thanks for the tip.”
    “What if I said the same to you when you get married?”
    “You won’t. Marriage isn’t in my future. Look, I’m tired ¾ ”
    “Madison, what do you mean? You need a man to take care of you. Have I taught you nothing?”
    “You’re right. You taught me nothing. Marriage vows mean nothing. Commitment means nothing.” Including your commitment to your daughter .
    She and Felicia had inhabited so many apartments Maddie had never bothered to unpack her suitcase. No wonder she was a low-maintenance traveler. She’d been doing it her whole life.
    “Don’t blame me because you can’t find a man and settle down,” Felicia said.
    Not trusting herself to respond, Maddie remained silent. She popped the lid off the aspirin container, grabbed a bottle of water and swallowed two pills.
    “Why are you like this with me?” Felicia asked. “I’m always trying to make our relationship better. How many times have I offered to pay for breast implants?”
    Maddie wasn’t a vulnerable teenager anymore, but the implied criticism hurt. Still, she wasn’t going to let her mother undermine her confidence. “Unlike some women—” meaning you, Mommy Dearest, “—I’d rather fill my brain instead of my bra.”
    “Madison, are you implying I’m ¾ ”
    A flake? Yes. “Congratulations on your engagement. I’ll call you.”
    “When?” Felicia demanded.
    “When the phone rings and it’s me.”
    “Don’t be flippant,” Felicia shot back. “Okay.” She let out a loud sigh. “I deserved that. The implant remark was out of line. You know, men don’t like women who are always cracking jokes.”
    “That won’t be an issue.” Maddie took a sip of water. “I’m going to join a convent.”
    “There you go again. Why can’t you ever be serious?”
     Oh, you want serious, Felicia? How’s this? My so-called jokes result from a lost childhood spent bolstering your fragile ego.
    It was on the tip of Maddie’s tongue to say so. Instead, she restrained herself. “So what’s this month’s issue?”
    “I’ve been under some pressure lately…” Felicia trailed off and paused for a few beats. “I’m not getting any younger. Edmund tells me I’m beautiful, but sometimes I don’t feel young and attractive. I was stunning at your age.”
    Okay, time to pull out the self-esteem boosters. “Forty-nine is not old. Everyone thinks you’re as gorgeous as when you were twenty. You’ve heard the saying beauty is skin deep.” Maddie glanced down at her chest. “Personally, I’d go with