I Went to a Restaurant…

Before either of them could respond, a waiter appeared with menus. As we looked them over, I noticed Richard’s mother leaning towards him.

“Oh, sweetie,” she said in a loud whisper, “do you want Mommy to order for you? I know how you get overwhelmed with too many choices.”

Richard was thirty years old, and Isabella was treating him like he was eight. But to my surprise, he just nodded. I thought he’d tell her to stop treating him like a baby, but I was wrong.

“Thanks, Mom,” he said. “You know what I like.”

I tried to catch Richard’s eye, but he was focused on his mother. She proceeded to order the most expensive items on the menu for both of them. Lobster, prime rib, and a $200 bottle of wine.

When it was my turn, I ordered a simple pasta dish. I was too stunned to have much of an appetite.

As we waited for our food, Daniel finally addressed me directly.

“So, Clara,” he said, his voice gruff. “What are your intentions with our son?”

I almost choked on my water. “I’m sorry?”

“Well, you’re planning to marry him, aren’t you? How do you plan to take care of him? You know he needs his clothes ironed just so, and he can’t sleep without his special pillow.”

I looked at Richard, expecting him to jump in, to tell his father this was inappropriate. But he just sat there, silent.