At the engagement dinner, my future mother in aw s…

Over the next two months, I went to that house four more times. Cordelia sent me text messages almost every day. They started friendly.

Then they became questions. What time did I leave for work? What was I making Lawrence for dinner?

Did I know Marigold had a wonderful housekeeper she could recommend? Had I considered what church we would attend after we married? Had I given thought to how I would adjust my schedule once I was a wife?

I answered politely the first few times. Then I started giving shorter answers. Then I started not responding for a day or two.

Lawrence noticed. He asked me one Sunday why I had not replied to his mother about the church question. I told him honestly that I was not religious, had not been since college, and would not be changing that for anyone.

He went quiet. He said he understood. But maybe I could just tell her I was thinking about it.