Family dinner II Jessa
Tessa tried to hold back a laugh when Jason responded to her mother’s rude, insulting question. That was one of the many things she loved about Jason; he didn’t linger on the negative. It was a trait that she definitely wanted to inherit, but it didn’t come easily. Squirming slightly under the concerned gaze of her father and the judgmental, amused look of her mother, Tessa finally decided to speak up. “He’s not a bum musician He’s really, really talented. And I’m sure he’d be great at anything he tried to pursue, music or not. Besides, I’m not marrying for money,” she said softly, that the end of the sentence dripped with venom. She knew how her mother worked; she’d make a ton of money on her own, but anyone with a little more than her, she went after. Tessa knew that wasn’t a life. She moved her hand on top of Jason’s, and squeezed it, more to ease her nerves than prove a point.
“Oh, please. I wasn’t born yesterday. I know how your kind works. You go after girls that aren’t on your level, you breed like rabbits, and you live in rented homes because you’re struggling to make money ,” Ava smirked, crossing her arms as she leaned back in her chair. Tessa’s father opened his mouth to say something, but he was cut off. Leaning forward, Ava rested her face on her hand. “From my research, your parents are both dead. You were raised by your grandmother. Bad genes, huh? And your little sister has a baby at 19, doesn’t she? You must be so proud.” she laughed loudly, picking up a glass of champagne and taking a short sip, her electric eyes never leaving Jason.
“Did you know, Alan, that Tessa got pregnant by this young man? She lost it, of course. Thank heavens. Could you imagine? The kid would have turned out to be a dreg? She called me when I was in Milan, pitiful thing, crying….asking Mommy what to do..” Ava laughed, her eyes now on Tessa, whose eyes were adverted. “He ran off. Actually, he sounds like someone else I know,” she smirked, now facing her ex husband, whose eyebrows were knitted together in confusion. “Is this true? It sounds like you two are rushing into things. You’re 19 and 20 years old. Marriage..it’s a commitment. For better or for worse.” Tessa looked down, trying to force herself not to cry. She wasn’t going to be a good wife; she was busy being a villain, and she wasn’t the nicest person in the world. She hated herself for putting Jason in this position, because he didn’t deserve the criticism. “I love, him, really..”
With furrowed brows, his index finger gently thumped against the table. He himself was unsure whether the habit was compensation for pent up fortitude, or if it have him comfort in the knowing the small piece of control Jason had left. He was at a loss for words, and everyone else seemed to have to many. The conversation had swallowed him whole before he could find the right way to explain himself and at some point in the chaos, Jason had opened his mouth to speak. But only still breathes rolled off of his lips. Every word seemed to be coming at him with greater speed than he could process. And when they reached him, they stung. Ever since childhood, Jason wasn't the sibling to get hung up over other peoples haughty laughter or callous assumptions. He was the one raised to heal. To understand. To rationalize. He couldn't say that he'd never felt any pain in disappointing others, but how could he complain when his sister would come home so much worse off? Jason was capable of being selfish, but he wouldn't dare grieve about such things when Katherine's own image of herself was entirely distorted because of the way other's treated her.
Still, as he sat in front of his fiance's parents, Jason could feel the shame of knowing most of what she said had to be correct in hindsight.
"You go after girls that aren’t on your level, you breed like rabbits, and you live in rented homes because you’re struggling to make money"
True; Tessa was entirely her own person. So independent, confident, and straight forward. He had gotten her pregnant, just last year,for Christ sake. Jason didn't have the greatest income either. Enough to buy food and rent, but barely.
And then, Mrs.Moreno's direction of attack changed. The badgering no longer left him feeling ashamed of himself or guilty, but in place she had planted a powerful bitterness inside of Jason. Listening to Tessa's mother taunt him was difficult, however any anger he harbored was eased by the thought of its possible accuracy and his own faults. Now, as she effortlessly insulted his family and her own daughter, the restraint was disintegrating.
"From my research, your parents are both dead. You were raised by your grandmother. Bad genes, huh? And your little sister has a baby at 19, doesn’t she? You must be so proud."
Before the doubt could settle in his brain, Jason was speaking again, "I'm very proud. My grandmother raised me and my sister well. I haven't gone to jail yet, have I? Oh, actually. I have. You probably saw that in your research as well,didn't you? Although, I don't think my one night there really counts. I'll let you be the judge." Striking his most charming grin, Jason continued without hesitation. "And my sister is a great mother." It seemed as though his mind was in a thousand places at once, but any idea that he'd had before of pretending to be a nice young man was gone with the wind. He could tolerate his own tormenting but, Mrs.Moreno had taken it too far by his standards. Gently grabbing onto Tessa's hand, he chuckled, "I think Tessa will be too. She's good at learning from other people's mistakes. Including mine. Which is why I love her. We're helping each other in as many ways as we can, so as much as I understand where you're coming from, Mr.Moreno, I really do think that she's the only one for me."
