Mom’s face turned bright red, and she screamed before shestormed out of the formal dining room, out the double doors, and to the grand staircase.
I blinked rapidly. What should I do? Do I run and give him a hug? Was that weird? “Do you think Mom will ever forgive me for not wanting LUXE?” I whispered.
“There’s no knowing what your mother will or won’t do.”
I peeked up to meet my dad’s eyes. “Are you sure?” I whispered. “You’re willing to help Hillsdale?”
Dad’s eyes squinted, he frowned as he shook his head no.
I gasped and leaned back in my seat. Had I misunderstood?
“I uhh, I don’t understand.”
He smiled. “Astrid, I’m willing to helpyouin whatever way you choose.”
I pushed back my chair and rushed along the long dining table and fell into my father’s open arms. He stroked my back. “Oh kiddo, I’m so, so sorry.” He hugged me a little tighter. “I hope one day you can forgive me, but even if you don’t, I won’t give up this chance to do one thing right by you. I want to get to know the woman my daughter has become.”
I leaned back and looked into his eyes.“Thanks,” I said, hugging him again. “I’m excited to get to know you better too.”
The next fewdays were spent talking to Dad about Hillsdale and my life there, and with Mom avoiding us both. I learned my dad actually hated golf, but Mom had pressured him into it because it’s what successful men do.
He told me that if he learned anything, it was that life was short and could be gone in an instant. So choose your time wisely.
It was almost time to go, so I made my way up to Mom’s bedroom and knocked.
“What.” She obviously wasn’t in a great mood.
I eased the door open. “Hey, Mom, just wanted to say goodbye and ask again if you want to join Dad and me.” Her bedroom was decorated in teal and gold. It had a diamond chandelier hanging over the four-poster bed. “I think if you saw Hillsdale you might like it?”
I was lying. She wouldn’t get it. She would see the rundown shops, outdated fashion, and lack of press and feel her skin itch like she caught some invisible plague. I wasn’t like my mother, but maybe I was more like my father than I ever knew.
I nodded to Janice and waved hello as I walked past her and went to Mom’s bedside.
“I’m surprised you even want me to come.” She shifted on her silk sheets to be farther from me.
“Of course we want you to come.” Maybe.
“Well, I refuse to make a fool of myself, and your father should reconsider as well. Think of what this could do to our brand.” She shook her head and turned away from me.
I was glad Dad wanted to come see his “future investment” and, as a way of trying to appease Mom, I even agreed to come back for holidays and call more often.
She wasn’t appeased, and she wanted nothing to do with my life in Hillsdale.
“Bye, Meredith.” If that’s what she preferred to be called, I would do my best to honor her wishes.
Her eyes met mine; they were watery. “Mom is fine, just not at big public events.”
I smiled. “That should be an easy promise to keep.”
“Don’t remind me.” She groaned as she looked up at the ceiling.
I plopped onto her bed and gave her a brief hug. “Thanks, Mom.”
She gestured for me to go. She didn’t like it, but she wasn’t asking me to reconsider anymore, so I figured that’s a win.
I rushed down the stairs and met Dad near thefront door. He opened his arms wide to show me his new maroon and gold sports jacket with an Eagle mascot on the back.
I chuckled. “That’s perfect! I can’t believe you found that.”
