Background
Rob and Celia have been engaged for several days but they have not yet discussed any wedding details. Rob returned to work following his bout with the flu and played catch up; Celia’s church choir directing became more hectic as Easter approached.
Current Episode
Rob carried a tray with fast-food Mexican from the counter while Celia filled drinks from the soda machine. The restaurant was near Rob’s office and he planned to return to work after this late lunch, which for Celia was an early dinner. She was off to the church for a worship committee meeting when they finished.
“We need to call my parents,” Rob said, as they settled at a tall table. “I’m starting to feel bad that they don’t know yet, when everyone who can see you with a ring on your hand knows already.”
Celia paused as she unwrapped a burrito. “You haven’t told them?”
“I was waiting until we could call them together,” Rob said. He was kind of excited about it, truth be told. His family liked Celia and had been disappointed, along with Rob, when she declined his offer last fall. Since their engagement had been unexpected this time, he anticipated their happy surprise.
“I didn’t know you were waiting for me. I told Mom and Catherine when I talked to them on Saturday,” Celia said, too casually for Rob’s taste. She regarded her meal and picked up her fork, apparently deciding against fingers.
“But you were supposed to wait for me, so we could do it together!”
“I didn’t know that. We hadn’t discussed that.”
“Yes we did!”
Celia put down her fork and looked at Rob like he had lost his mind. Suddenly Rob was aware that this wasn’t a typical miscommunication. Celia really didn’t seem to have any clue about this plan even though it was burned into his brain. She actually looked frightened.
“Okay. Something’s going on here,” Rob said. He put his hands on the table and took a deep breath. “You really don’t remember this.” Celia appeared to relax a little, although she still watched him closely.
“Mom and Catherine are happy,” she said tentatively.
Rob began to fear that he and Celia were embarking on planning the wedding from hell. If they couldn’t communicate accurately about simple content like this, how would anything important ever happen?
What happened here?
