As guests were leaving, I was helping my mom box up leftover cupcakes. Gavin’s mother approached us, smiling, but with a noticeable tension in her posture. She leaned in and said something that immediately made us wary: “I just hope there’s no hard feelings, all things considered.”
My mom, confused, asked, “What do you mean?”
My mom’s grip tightened on my arm. I could feel her nails digging in. “What exactly didn’t they tell us?” she pressed.
Looking around to make sure no one was listening, Gavin’s mom lowered her voice even more. “They’re technically already married. Since last year. It was for—well. Legal reasons.” She then quickly added, “But it’s not what you think. It was… complicated.”
My mom was visibly shaking. “What do you mean, legal reasons?” she demanded.
With a whisper that felt like a secret between us, Gavin’s mom explained, “Immigration. He was about to get deported. They did a civil ceremony quietly. It was supposed to be temporary.”
My stomach dropped. I could hardly believe what I was hearing. “They married for a green card?” I asked, completely shocked.
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