In fact, the more we interfered, the closer Kira and Marcus became.

Every disagreement seemed to convince them that they needed to defend each other.

Eventually, Betty and I decided that arguing wasn’t enough.

We needed another plan.

I arranged what I called an innocent lunch between Kira and the son of one of my colleagues.

He was polite, successful, and came from what I considered a respectable family.

At the same time, Betty arranged for Marcus to meet a young woman from her church.

Neither of us called them dates.

That would have made our intentions obvious.

We simply manipulated the circumstances so Kira and Marcus would show up.

It went terribly.

That evening, Bradley and I went to Betty and her husband Rod’s house.

While Betty and I whispered about our plan, I noticed Bradley and Rod sitting together in front of the television.

They were drinking beer and laughing over a football game.

Later, I pulled Bradley aside.

“What exactly are you doing?”

He looked confused.

“Watching the game.”

“You’re supposed to be supporting me.”

“I am.”

He took another drink.

“But Rod’s a good guy.”

I stared at him.

Before I could answer, the front door slammed.

Heavy footsteps crossed the hallway.

Kira and Marcus stormed into the living room.

Both of them were furious.

“Have you all completely lost your minds?” Marcus shouted.

Kira looked directly at me.

“Our wedding is one week away, and you arranged a date for me with another man?”

I opened my mouth.

Betty answered first.

“We only want what’s best for both of you.”

Kira laughed bitterly.

“You lied to us. You tricked us. You embarrassed us.”

I tried to remain calm.

“I simply think both of you could find people who might be more compatible.”

Kira’s entire body stiffened.

“I don’t care about Marcus’s skin color.”

Her voice cracked with emotion.

“I love him. I’m marrying him because he is the person I want to spend my life with.”

Marcus stepped beside her.

“And I love Kira. I don’t want anybody else.”

Betty and I looked at each other.

For once, neither of us had an answer.

“We were trying to do what we believed was right,” I finally said.

Betty nodded.

“Exactly.”

Kira shook her head.

“That’s what you keep telling yourselves.”

Then she looked between us.

“You both constantly talk about how Marcus and I are too different to belong together.”

She gave a humorless laugh.

“But look at the two of you.”

Betty frowned.

“What does that mean?”

“It means you’re practically identical.”

Kira pointed toward us.

“You’re both stubborn. You both interfere in everything. You both manipulate people when you don’t get your way. Mom, you’ve probably spent more time talking to Betty lately than you have to any of your actual friends.”

I started to answer.

“You don’t understand—”

“No, Mom. You don’t understand.”

Kira’s voice became firm.

“I am marrying Marcus.”

She took his hand.

“You can accept that or you can stay away.”

Then she glanced toward the couch.

Bradley and Rod were still sitting there together.

“Even Dad is drinking beer with Marcus’s father like they’ve known each other for years.”

Bradley awkwardly lifted his bottle.

Kira looked back at me.

“If Dad can get over it, why can’t you?”

I had no answer.

Then she delivered the sentence that finally broke through my pride.

“If you can’t accept us, don’t come to the wedding.”

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