FORD
Sitting at a table in Catch 22, I pass a small toy to Hudson’s and Piper’s daughter. Hudson is busy cutting up pieces of chicken on a plate. He has a daddy afternoon that he managed to fit into his schedule, and we agreed to meet for lunch. It’s a cloudy day, as the last days of summer are here.
“You okay with Connor back at school and Brielle in Hollows?” he asks as he slides the plate to Gracie who attempts to pick up a few pieces with her fingers.
“I mean, I would rather they be here, but it’s doable. I try to head there once during the week, and they come here on the weekends. Maybe the space is also a good thing.” I’m not going to lie, I’ve felt a little down lately.
Hudson gives me the once-over. “She’s still not feeling great, huh?”
“Physically she’s fine. I think she has come to terms with the Bar exam and the idea that she has to repeat the test, but it’s more our parents being complete idiots that really triggered her.”
“Did she even get her test results yet?”
“No, but she said that she blanked out on the last section, so it isn’t possible to get the score she needs. Anyway, she isn’t sure what to do career-wise. I also don’t ask anymore. I recognize that there are maybe more opportunities in Chicago than there are here, and I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t wish for certainty that she would end up here. I mean, I’ll follow her wherever.”
Hudson grabs his iced tea. “Give it time. When the results come in, then maybe more clarity will come.”
I scoff a sound and grab a fry. “We have a few weeks still, but I already told Connor to check the mail so he can grab the envelope before Brielle sees it, then I can guarantee I’m there for her when she opens it.”
“And your parents?”
Grabbing another fry, I smile bitterly to myself. “Her parents hate me. Or at least her dad. We had a big blowout the other week.”
“Have you tried talking to him?”
“Hell no, I’m not going to waste my breath.”
Hudson leans back and grins. “Don’t do that. You’re a man now who has maturity and class. Be the man you would want your own daughter to marry.”
“I don’t have a daughter,” I rebuff.
“But I do, and I’m older and wiser. Trust me, you may never see eye to eye, but at least be able to say you tried.”
I groan because he’s right. I owe it to Connor and Brielle at least.
“I have my own father to deal with first. Besides, I feel guilty,” I admit. “Her father may have a point. I threw a lot at Brielle this summer, for my own advantage.”
Hudson checks on Gracie’s eating progress before fixing his gaze on me. “Love makes us do crazy things. The last time I checked, the two of you aren’t new. I also don’t think entering into a relationship that’s been years in the making needs a right date. Love is organic, so it works in its own time.”
I tip my chin up. “I kind of pushed fate along on this one.”
“And she didn’t run away.”
“I just…” I bite my inner cheek, frustrated. “I hate that her dad is so damn right. She sacrificed more.”
“You can’t change what was done. You both have to learn to let it go.”
“I feel like I can only do that once I know she is at peace with how the cards fell. I feel like she is lost a little right now, and I hate that.” I rub my temples with my fingers. I’m stressed to say the least.
Hudson curls a finger to rub his upper lip. “Patience can be the best medicine. I don’t particularly have it, but I know that sometimes people need to figure out something on their own before they return to you.”
“I wasn’t sure if that’s the philosophy that I should follow, but grand gestures and ultimatums don’t seem fitting right now.”
He taps the table with his knuckle. “Then wait.”
I nod and turn my attention to Gracie who squeals and has ketchup all over her face, and it’s hard not to smile weakly at that.
“By the way, my sister asked about Brielle.” As she probably would since Brielle interned for her a while back. “She wants to meet up with her to give career advice but only after Brielle gets her Bar results, because she believes that you shouldn’t plan on a maybe. Lawyers like hard facts.”
