Chapter 3 opens with a bright and cheerful description of a road trip, setting the tone for an otherwise complex journey. The weather is perfect, the Jeep Wrangler is running smoothly, and Tammy has thoughtfully packed snacks and all the necessary items to make the trip more comfortable. The scene feels like the start of an enjoyable adventure, with everything falling into place. However, the upbeat mood quickly shifts when Abigail, the talkative child in the backseat, enters the conversation. She is energetic, constantly seeking attention and engagement, which quickly shifts the dynamic of the trip. Her incessant questions about Maggie and Aidan’s upcoming wedding reveal a deep curiosity and a desire to understand the event’s importance. In addition to her eagerness to connect, Abigail’s questions reflect her longing for stability and security, stemming from the trauma she’s experienced in her young life. Through her inquisitive nature, she is trying to find her place in a world where she has often felt out of control.

As the conversation unfolds, Abigail begins cross-referencing her questions with Lady Evelyn’s Complete Guide to Wedding Etiquette, an old, dusty book that smells of neglect. She pulls it out with a sense of purpose, flipping through its yellowed pages as she explains traditional wedding customs in minute detail. Among the rules she insists on following is the necessity of walking on the bride’s left side to avoid bad luck, an old superstition passed down through generations. With a mix of seriousness and childish enthusiasm, she urges her traveling companions to abide by these outdated rules, believing they are essential for the success of the wedding. Despite her earnestness, Frank feels a growing discomfort at the idea of adhering to such antiquated advice. Tammy, however, responds with more amusement and curiosity, enjoying Abigail’s dedication to the guide and its peculiarities. While both adults appreciate the moment, they can’t help but question whether this outdated guide is still relevant in the context of a modern wedding, which reflects the shifting attitudes toward tradition in today’s society.

The conversation takes an unexpected turn when the topic shifts to the financial side of the wedding, an area where the disparity between the families becomes evident. Frank reveals that he has contributed eight thousand dollars for alcohol, a disclosure that catches Abigail off guard. She, still in the process of understanding the financial dynamics of the event, expresses surprise at the amount. In response, Tammy patiently explains that Aidan’s family has accumulated wealth through education and hard work, setting them apart from the more modest, middle-class lifestyle that she and Frank lead. The contrast between the two families’ financial situations begins to emerge as a central theme in the conversation. Abigail’s innocent questions about Aidan’s family’s wealth offer a glimpse into the differences between her life experiences and the lives of the affluent families surrounding the wedding. These differences are heightened by the financial discussions, which subtly underscore the gap in wealth and social status between the various families involved.

The dialogue naturally evolves into discussions about ambition, work ethic, and success, with Tammy encouraging Abigail to dream big. She emphasizes the importance of setting high goals and striving to achieve them, hopeful that Abigail will learn to believe in her own potential. Frank, on the other hand, challenges the notion of self-made success, particularly when it comes to wealthy individuals like Aidan’s father. He points out that the narrative of becoming successful through hard work alone may not always align with the realities of inherited wealth and privilege. While Tammy continues to hold an optimistic view about hard work leading to success, Frank becomes more cynical, questioning the sincerity of those who claim to have achieved wealth through pure effort. The contrast between their views on ambition, success, and the realities of wealth adds a layer of complexity to their relationship and sets the tone for the ongoing exploration of social class and personal values throughout the chapter.

As the chapter progresses, the interactions between the characters take on a deeper significance, blending humor with more sobering reflections on wealth, class, and societal expectations. Abigail’s innocent curiosity about money and success provides a lens through which the adults examine their own values and assumptions about what it means to achieve success. At the same time, their discussions about social class provide insight into the dynamics at play within the families involved in the wedding. The chapter skillfully weaves these themes into their dialogue, creating a subtle commentary on the differences between social classes, the expectations placed on individuals based on their wealth, and the complexities of relationships shaped by these factors. As they prepare for the wedding, the characters are forced to confront their own assumptions about class, privilege, and ambition, setting the stage for further exploration of these themes in the coming chapters. The combination of humor, introspection, and social commentary adds depth to the narrative, making it both engaging and thought-provoking for readers.