Built his own career in environmental consulting instead of joining the family business.
And gave away enough of his income to environmental organizations that his relatives considered it embarrassing.
When he finally took me home to meet them, I immediately understood what kind of evening I was about to have.
His mother, Eleanor Washington, welcomed me with flawless politeness.
Her smile was perfect.
So was the way her eyes examined me.
My dress.
My car.
The nursing shoes I had forgotten to change before arriving.
She formed an opinion before I had finished introducing myself.
Terrence’s younger sister Chloe was less subtle.
She looked at me like I was a problem that had not yet been categorized.
Howard Washington, Terrence’s uncle and the effective head of the family after his father died, shook my hand warmly.
“Terrence talks about you constantly.”
“I hope he says good things.”
“Of course.”
The way he said it made me feel as if I had asked something strange.
I spent the evening navigating conversations carefully.
When Terrence and I finally drove away, he reached across the console and took my hand.
“I’m sorry.”
“They’re your family.”
“That doesn’t make it okay.”
