And that took less than a minute to work out why he’s really here.
Perfect.
Another conversation about my nonexistent love life. This time, with the parent who adds nothing to my life and yet feels he can have the most say.
“What do you need, Dad? I’m getting ready to go out.”
He tuts, swiping a finger along the bookshelf I know is clean because Maria came to clean the house yesterday as she always does on a Friday.
“I was pleased to see you’re dating. And a receptionist of all things.”
I stay silent for a moment despite a spark of anger threatening to ignite inside me. He is about to insult Mia. I can feel it in my bones. Even the way he saidreceptionistis off. Mia is my receptionist, but she’s more than that too, and I don’t like that he’s insinuating she’s somehow less than I am.
“That’s good…”
Wait…good? I had assumed he would think it unwise to date an employee.
“If you marry her, you won’t have to pay her and you can replace her once you have children. It will be easy for her to leave a non-skilled job and stay at home.”
I sniff, my lips flattening into a straight line.
Patricide is frowned upon in polite society, isn’t it?
The blood rushing in my ears is making it hard to remember all the different types of murder that are illegal.
I hate him.
I hate him so much.
“I’m not going to date someone so I can eventually make them my unpaid receptionist and vessel for procreation.”
He rolls his eyes. Yes, Dad,I’mthe annoyance in this situation.
“When are you proposing?”
I cough, my eyes bugging out. Propose? I’m not even dating her. I can’t date her. She doesn’t deserve to enter this fucked-up family where her future father-in-law has already shackled her to the kitchen sink.
“We’re just seeing each other, Dad. We’re not at that stage yet.”
“You’re old enough. You should be married by now. Children too.”
“I’m not planning on having children; you know this.”
“When I told you to not let yourself get distracted after you nearly let your patient die, I didn’t mean don’t pursue someone.” I flinch at the mention of Stephanie. I knew she would come up eventually; she always does. But it’s like a hot poker straight between my ribs every time, regardless of how well I brace myself for it.
“How are you going to take care of yourself if you don’t have a wife to cook for you when you get home?”
I open up my arms, showcasing my house, my ability to outsource cleaning to a paid service. I cook, I do my own laundry, I run my own errands. Small miracles, I know.
“I have lived alone for a long time, I’m sure I’m not going to forget how to cook spaghetti bolognese in the next five minutes.”
“Don’t take that tone with me. I’m looking out for you. It looks odd to my peers that neither of my sons are married yet. Theodore is gallivanting around doing God knows who. At least you chose a respectable profession. And Miles still has time to find someone suitable.”
“Teddy plays for the NHL. He’s worth more than you and me combined. He’s the best at what he does. So what if he blows off a little steam?”
“It’s disgusting the way he parades around.” He puffs out his chest, his face reddening.
“Well, don’t look at the articles then,” I say, blowing out a calm and steady breath.
