Chapter 1342
No one could really tell if Keaton was trying to prove a point or just get a rise out of his dad and Beatrix.
Right there in front of everyone, Keaton grabbed his phone and updated his profile bio.
He added a new line to the end:
“Proudly anti-marriage. If I ever get hitched, may I eat my own words p>
He showed it off to Winona, grinning like he’d just won the Super Bowl.
Winona, a little tipsy and squinting to read, finally burst out laughing and gave him a big thumbs up. “You’re nuts, dude. Love it p>
Keaton nudged her, “You gonna change yours too p>
Winona shook her head, still hanging on to some sense. “Can’t, I’m a celebrity, remember? Gotta look out for my image. But no way am I getting married, ever! I’ve made up my mind p>
Keaton snorted, “So, whichever of us gets married first is officially the world’s biggest loser p>
“Deal p>
So there they were, the two of them holed up in the family chapel, munching on pizza and chips, gossiping and laughing like it was just another Saturday night.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Janelle was an absolute wreck.
Her son was battered and bruised, hadn’t eaten all day, and now the sun was down and Richard still wouldn’t let him out of the chapel. He’d said Keaton could stay in there until he’d “reflected enough” on his actions.
Janelle’s heart ached for her boy. She was so upset she’d threatened Richard with divorce.
A few family friends-Mr. and Mrs. Windham, Mr. and Mrs. Murphy-had heard the commotion and came by to offer their two cents.
The women, Mrs. Windham and Mrs. Murphy, tried to comfort Janelle.
The men, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying themselves a little too much.
“Listen,” Mrs.
5. Windham said, “kids grow up and make their own
choices-especially when it comes to marriage. You can’t rush these things My son Gale wouldn’t even propose for five years, and now he’s finally agreed p>
Mrs. Murphy chimed in, “At least your son’s stubborn. My Booker is easy-going, but if I so much as mention grandkids, he flips out. Every family’s got their own O headaches p>
But the dads p>
Mr. Windham boasted, “If I tell Gale to get married, he gets married. End of story!
This year, too. I just told him, and he agreed p>
Mr. Murphy laughed, “If Keaton’s hopeless, just move on. Have another kid!
Plenty of folks start over these days. You never know-second time might be the charm p>
Richard’s face went dark. He and Janelle were both pushing sixty, and already had grand-nephews. Starting over? It was ridiculous.
“So, Gale’s really getting married?” Richard asked, forcing a smile.
Mr. Windham puffed out his chest. “Of course. They’re picking a date for the winter. I’ll send you an invite p>
Richard turned to Mr. Murphy. “Booker too p>
Mr. Murphy was all smiles. “You bet. He promised me a grandkid by next year p>
Richard could only stare. The Windhams were getting a daughter-in-law, the Murphys were about to be grandparents, and what about the Hubers?
They’d raised a son who didn’t even want to get married-and now the whole internet was buzzing after Keaton’s anti-marriage post.
Richard was so furious he nearly choked.
He shot up from his seat, ready to storm down to the chapel and give Keaton a piece of his mind.
Janelle saw the storm brewing and hurried after him, tears streaming, “Richard, if you lay a finger on him, I swear
I’ll divorce you right now! I mean it! Not another day, I’m done p>
Mrs. Windham and Mrs. Murphy rushed after them, still trying to play peacemakers.
“Richard, don’t do anything crazy! He’s still your son, you’ll regret it if something goes wrong p>