Belly and her mother do not speak for a week. One night as Belly returns home from work, she hears her mother crying in her room. Belly stands outside her door; part of her wants to burst in and apologize, but then she hears her mother’s sobs subside, and she leaves. Belly cries herself to sleep that night.
In the morning, Belly wakes to find her father over for breakfast, knowing that her parents are presenting a united front against her decision to get married. Belly is angry that Laurel told her father about the engagement before she had an opportunity to do so herself. Her father states that he and Laurel have spoken and that, as a compromise, Belly and Jeremiah can live together that fall. Part of Belly wants to accept the deal, but she declines, stating they want to get married, not just live together. Laurel tells Belly that she cannot support Belly with her decision to go ahead with the wedding and that she will not be in attendance. Belly calls Jeremiah and tells him that Laurel will not attend the wedding. Jeremiah asks if she wants to postpone, and Belly says no and that they should move ahead with planning.
By Jenny Han