"I'm requesting leave to prepare for the wedding, but I expect my father to arrive well before I'm permitted to go. Given the circumstances, I'm not going to leave Jim and Felix to handle that by themselves." It's just too delicate a situation, and Jim needs someone there who can cover for him if need be.

"So no, you'll be glad to hear I don't expect you to sit through any family stories. But I do need to make sure I can be seen at my post should anyone come looking."