He’d also been the one to sit with her when she got sick, and he’d always come with her and her mom to the first day of school. While her relationship with her mother had been fraught, having Milton as her father was easy. No matter what, he was there for her.
“You look good,” he told her. “The black eyes are nearly gone. How are you doing otherwise?”
“Good. I’ve started exercising as best I can. I see my doctor next week for a quick check-in, then the orthopedist in a couple of weeks.”
At some point she would get a walking cast, and wouldn’t that be fun. It was easy to take mobility for granted until it was taken away.
“Can we talk about your stunt work?” her father asked.
“You mean the fact that it’s dangerous and I could get hurt and you’d rather that I didn’t?”
“Only if we changecouldtodid. And it’s not the first time.”
She sighed. “I know. It was a very random accident, but it still happened.” The other times she’d been injured, she’d been itching to get back to work. Not so much this time. Honestly she hadn’t even thought about having to find a stunt job when she was healed. Something for her to mull when she was alone.
“There are other ways to be in the business,” he said casually.
She stared at him. “Dad, no. I’m not looking to work in the movie industry.”
“You’re writing a screenplay, and you’re a stuntperson. What would you call it?”
“Oh, right,” she said, picking up one of the egg rolls and dunking it in the sauce. “Well, the writing thing was your suggestion.” She’d been telling her dad about the horrible breakup she’d had with Prescott, and he’d told her that, while sad, the story was also funny. At least the way she talked about it.
“A lot of people talk about writing a screenplay,” he pointed out. “You’ve actually followed through. You’re also talented.”
She smiled at him. “Thanks, but you don’t know what you’re talking about. You’ve read a pretty crappy first draft. It’s better now.”
“Then I can’t wait to read it, because the first draft was excellent.”
“Oh, Dad, it was garbage, and you know it.Nowit’s brilliant.”
He chuckled. “I can’t wait to read it again.”
“I’ll send you a new scene in a few days.”
“Thank you. And the stunt thing?”
She stared at him blankly before remembering what they’d been talking about. “Oh, right. I got into that because of the gymnastics and cheerleading. It seemed like an easy transition.”
“And a way to torture your mother.”
She was less willing to admit to that, although knowing hercareer choice would annoy her mother had been part of the appeal. She was also blessed with a trust fund, meaning that as long as she didn’t try to buy something crazy like a racehorse, she could be financially comfortable for the rest of her life. Unlike most people her age, she wasn’t scrambling to pay bills or worried about finding the right career so she could save for her retirement.
“Are you disappointed I didn’t go to college?” she asked.
“No. I want you to be happy.”
“Not a doctor?” she asked, her voice teasing.
“Well, if you could be happy being a doctor, that would be good.” He finished the first half of his sandwich, then wiped his hands on a napkin. “Your mother loves you very much.”
She’d just stabbed a piece of chicken from her salad, but when she heard those words, she carefully set down her fork and stared at her father.
“No.”
“I haven’t asked you anything.”
She rolled her eyes. “I know you. You’re talking about Mom loving me while using your let’s-be-reasonable tone. That never ends with me being happy.”
