Only for the Summer

"SUN, PLEASE! JUST CONSIDER OUR OFFER!" my mom shouts.

Char and I walk into the house from another trip to the beach, clearly interrupting something. We drop our bags next to the door and slip off our sandals quietly. We had kicked off most of the sand outside, but that's always a hazard of going to the beach—getting sand everywhere.

"I'm going to head upstairs," Char whispers. I nod, walking toward the yelling. I figure my brother needs some support with this.

"What's going on?" I look between my parents and Sun. At least Chanda isn't here to be a witness to the craziness of our family.

"Mom just offered to pay for the wedding," Sun says angrily.

"Well, clearly I'm missing something because that doesn't sound like something to be upset about." I chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. There's probably a catch attached.

"Only if we have the wedding a year from now," he adds, flaring his nostrils. He's trying to keep his cool.

"Oh." I frown. It has only been two weeks since they announced the wedding. Most conversations between Sun and my parents have been ending like this. They ask him to push back the wedding, and Sun refuses. I've stayed out of it most of the time, offering my support afterward or adding my supportive comments where I can.

"We're just asking to give it a little more time. If we pay for it, you guys can take the money for the wedding and use it toward a house or something for your future," my father pleads.

"We don't want to wait. We have the money to get married now. We've been making plans, and we intend to stick to them," Sun says firmly. I haven't known anyone more stubborn than him, except my mom.

"I don't know why you're being unreasonable about this!" my mom says, throwing her arms in the air.

"I don't know why it's so hard for you and Dad to be on board with the wedding." Sun sighs.

"We don't want you to make a mistake!" my mom shouts.

The room goes silent at her revelation.

"I can't believe you just said that," Sun scoffs, shaking his head.

"Mom." I shoot her a look. That's too far.

"It may be harsh, but it's the truth. Marriage isn't something you just rush into. It's a lifelong commitment. We don't want to be helping you through a divorce a year from now." Her face hardens. I can tell this is hurting her to say aloud just as much as it's hurting my brother to hear.

"Then don't come," Sun says through his teeth.

"Sun," my father warns.

"No, if she can't support me and my wife-to-be, then she shouldn't be there. We only want those who are supportive to be there."

"Fine," my mom says with tears in her eyes.

"Maybe we should all take a breather and talk about it another time?" I suggest.

"No, I'm out of here." Sun spats and marches out the front door.

"Sun!" I ran after him, catching him before he got in his car.

"What, Sia?" He sighs. He's tired, his whole demeanor has changed in the last few weeks. This should be one of the happiest times of his life and instead, it's one of the most stressful.

"I'm sorry." I pause. "Give them some time; you know how they are. They care, sometimes they just show it a little differently."

"Yeah, well, maybe I'm tired of being understanding of that."