“I’m glad you finally see that now. If only you would see true reason and come join me. I promise you, there’s a better future in actuaries than any dive bar you and your friends might cobble together.”
Just like that, my father bounces back to what I expect. The disappointment in my career. A lack of faith in my choices. My temper rises, but this time I put a chain on it. I’m here to fix this, and Savannah’s unwritten rule of negotiation is don’t check your emotion at the door, but don’t let it cloud your mind.
“I know that’s what you’d like me to do, but I have to do what I think is in my best interest. Which means if you continue to act like this, and not take responsibility for your actions and help those you’ve hurt, then I’m not going to be a part of this family.”
And just when they think they have you, cut them loose.
Dad sits up, his color rising. Maybe it was too soon after the heart attack? But then I remember what he looked like in the room. He’s fine, just using the situation to his full advantage. This had to be done. Because I am done with my parents’ particular brand of bullshit.
“Is that supposed to be a threat? You’re barely part of it as it is.”
“That will end today if we don’t reach an agreement. I won’t stop by, I won’t call, I won’t answer when you or Mom call. There will be no leniency in me until you can come to terms with those you hurt.”
“That’ll kill your mother. She’s barely kept it together since you decided to start this whole foolish endeavor.” Spit collects at the corners of his mouth and in a few moments I’m going to be treated to a yelling match from my youth. He holds it in to only come out with: “You’re my son. My only son.”
And you raised me on Machiavelli—if this is how I get you to make amends, than those ends will justify my means.
“Yes, I am. If you want a relationship with me, then I suggest you look into your heart and find some way to make it right with those you hurt. Because I can’t be around you or this family until you do.”
Check and mate. Where’s my celebratory cocktail?
There, I’ve said my piece. I stand and my father’s eyes track me as I rise. In all the years we’ve fought, I’ve never threatened to cut them off. I just ran. Always holding out hope for a reconciliation, I only look back once. He’s picked up his book again. Some things never change, but that doesn’t mean I have to remain stationary.
A door closing catches my eye in the hall—Tasha. I walk down the hall and open the door. Her room’s a mess of art supplies and the contents of her closet.
“Oh, it’s you. Come to cut us all off again?”
I lean against the doorjamb. I was hoping to run into Tasha before I left. There hadn’t been any time to prep for this visit but I wanted her to know that just because Emmett and Martha were out of my life, didn’t mean I was getting rid of her.
“Only the dead weight,” I say. “Just wanted to stop in and see if you wanted to come to the opening of my new bar?”
Tasha stops and looks up at me. “You’re inviting me?”
“No, your evil twin. Have you seen her?”
“What about what you said to Dad?”
“You’ve got to stop listening to things not meant for you. I promised you, Tash, no matter how I feel about mom and dad, we’re in this together.”
I hold my fist out and she gives me a precursory bump. “You gonna tell me about the girl downstairs?”
“Maybe.”
“Scared I might frighten her off?”
“I left her to handle Mom. Whatever you can dish, Savannah will serve it back to you. But you can come to dinner sometime.”
“Really? You’d introduce me to your friends?”
“I mean you’ve had all your shots…” She slugs me in the arm and I fake an injury. She gives me a hug and I hold onto her.
I pause on the terrace and nod to Savannah. She escapes my mother’s claws without issue and joins me.
“That good, huh?” she asks, reading me like a book.
I shove my hands into my pockets. “Yup.”
I always knew it would probably come to this, but in all the years I just couldn’t walk away. Savannah threads her arm through mine and leans on my shoulder.
“Come on, I have a way to cheer you up.” She tugs me out of the house, and for once I’m looking at the future.
Epilogue
A few weeks later...
I’m not officially on for the evening, because a partner can’t always be down in the trenches. But I can’t resist taking at least one turn around the bar. The Library is officially open for business, and the crowds have never been better. People love the old bookstore and can’t get enough of the cocktails.
I round the corner and see Savannah sitting at the bar, holding up a small sign that says ‘reserved.’ Her curls fly every which way, a product of our little tryst in the car before we came in.