Page 77 of Keeping You

“Thanks, Dad.”

He looks at me, and his smile is genuine as he says, “You must be the Grayson I’ve heard so much about.”

My eyes flick to Hannah, and pink tinges her cheeks. I reach a hand out to shake his. “I am. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Smith.”

“The pleasure’s all mine, son. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

“You, too. I’m sorry I couldn’t make dinner earlier this week. I was on a bought of night shifts at the hospital.”

He pats me on the arm. “No need to explain. I know how crazy your guys’ shifts can be. I’m just happy when I can actually see my daughter.”

We laugh and socialize with our friends. People come over and offer their congratulations, and we do our best to be polite with these people we don’t know. The night is winding down and people are starting to leave when the air around us changes, becoming cold and stiff.

“Albert.” Lauren’s voice comes from beside me.

His smile is forced, but not fake the way Lauren’s is. “Lauren. How are you?”

“I’m good. I’m just going to steal Hannah away for a minute.”

Hannah’s eyes widen as she looks at me.

I lean down and kiss her cheek whispering, “You’re strong.”

She nods slightly and follows her mom.

I clock the time the second they walk away and check my watch every five seconds.

“You good?” Liz asks.

“I’m giving her three minutes before I go and check on Hannah,” I say.

“I’m sure she’s fine. It’s just her mom,” Matt says.

I look at him with a serious expression. “I’m giving her three minutes, and then I’m going to check on my wife.”

Matt laughs. “Separation anxiety, Mr. I-Won’t-Fall-in-Love?”

I shake my head. “No, I’m going to make sure that this time when we leave this house, my wife isn’t in tears. I’m going to make sure that someone who should love and respect her isn’t in there tearing into her because she hasn’t conformed to the mould she wants her to fit.”

Matt’s jaw drops, and I walk towards the house, not caring if the three minutes are up or not. When inside, I follow the sound of raised voices.

“How dare you invite that man into my house?” Lauren shrills. “Why can’t you just do as expected? I raised you, fed you, put a roof over your head, and this is how you treat me, by making a fool of me in front of my friends?”

I round the corner as she throws her arms out to the side. Hannah spots me, and I lean against the doorway. I’ll step in if I need to, but I want to give Hannah time to handle this.

“Why are you so ungrateful?” Lauren continues.

Hannah takes a few deep breaths, her eyes on me, and I breath with her. That small action seems to ground her a bit.

“This party was supposed to be to celebrate my marriage. I’m not sure why I wouldn’t be able to invite my friends or my father,” Hannah says, her voice coming out strong and steady.

“Do you really think your friends belong in this life? With my friends?” Lauren says on a huff.

“You mean to say that my polite and respectful friends don’t belong here? Or is it because they don’t all come from money the way you’ve married into it?”

Lauren’s head snaps back. “Don’t talk to me like that, young lady. Don’t forget your place. I brought you into this world, and I can take you out of it.”

Hannah shakes her head, and her arms flail at her side as tears start to gather in her beautiful hazel eyes.

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