“I was so worried about tonight. But it went really well,” Autumn smiled.
“Why would you have been worried?” James asked.
“I just know how high your standards can be for me. For my business. And I was afraid you wouldn’t approve of what I’m trying to build here,” Autumn wavered.
“Don’t be perposterous. We’ve always been supportive of you and your dreams,” Moira argued.
Autumn felt her jaw clench. She had to make a decision. Did she want to let her Mother’s words go? They could still end the night on a high note. Something inside of Autumn couldn’t let it go.
“You’ve always been supportive of me doing things your way. But you’ve both had plenty of opionions as far as how I should go about being a success,” Autumn answered. There was a newfound coolness in her tone that she wished she could tamp down.
“Of course we’ve had opinions through the years. We want you to do well. All parents have their thoughts on how to improve thier kid’s lives.”
“True. But not every parent won’t let their kid take a breath without considering whether what they’re doing is good enough.”
“We weren’t like that.” Autumn watched her Mother cross her arms over her chest in the rearview mirror.
“Mom, you and Dad told me that a baking soda volcano wasn’t a good enough science fair experiement for a Kingsport. You made me redo my entire exhibit.”
“And you won that fair,” James huffed in frustration.
“I was seven. I didn’t want to win the fair. I wanted to make a baking soda volcano.”
“Are we actually going to fight about your science fair experiment?” Moira asked pointedly. In the statement Autumn felt the pressing weight of her Mother’s judgement.
“It isn’t about the science experiment. It’s just an example. I never felt like I was good enough to be your daughter unless I was perfect.”
Her parents went silent. They didn’t argue or offer any rebuttals. There was no offer for comfort or validation. That was the final push she needed. Autumn could feel the tears welling up in her eyes as she pulled into the hotel parking lot. She helped unload the luggage in the back of her car. Her Mom brought her in for a hug, and it felt like she held on tighter than ever before. A few stray tears fell, though Autumn managed to hold most of them back. Her Father gave her his customary short hug but there was a sweetness to it that Autumn hadn’t noticed previously. Autumn gave her parents one final goodbye before getting back inside her car. As she pulled out of the parking lot red hot tears stung her eyes. She owed Quinn big for facilitating such a wonderful evening between herself and her parents.Somehow even after having the best possible evening with her parents she’d managed to mess everything up.
Chapter 25
Quinn had never cleaned the bar up more quickly. Everything inside of her desperately wanted to be with Autumn. A flame had developed through the day and now Quinn had a full-blown forest fire raging inside. Quinn longed to be in Autumn’s arms. She’d gotten the I’m home text from Autumn about thirty minutes ago. Quinn had managed to shower and throw on some clothes before heading over. To say there was only one thing on her mind would be an understatement.
Quinn’s entire body hummed with anticipation as she knocked on the door. She heard Autumn call out for her to come in. Quinn’s smile was wide as she opened the door but one look at Autumn froze her thoughts in her head. Autumn sat cross legged on the couch wearing teddy bear pajamas. Upon closer inspection she could see that Autumn had been crying.
Autumn’s eyes were bleary and the under her eyes was puffy. Quinn’s mood instantly shifted. She sat beside Autumn on the couch. Autumn leaned her head onto Quinn’s shoulder and sighed deeply.
“How did things with your parents go?” Quinn asked tenatively.
“Not great. We had such a great dinner. Which is honestly thanks to you.”
Quinn was touched by Autumn’s words. She’d never put more effort into an event than she had tonight.
“So what happened on the drive home?” Quinn asked, her curiosity sparking.
“I felt compelled to ruin it by bringing up my childhood.”
Quinn softened further, she wrapped her arms around Autumn. She drew Autumn in closer. Quinn was surprised when instead of stiffening, Autumn releaxed into her touch.
“It sounds to me like you brought something up that was important to you.”
“It is important to me,” Autumn answered.
“How did your parents respond?” Quinn asked.
“They didn’t,” Autumn stated blandly.
“What do you mean?”
