Page 194 of Terms Of Un-Endearment
Piper gives me a questioning look that I return with enough of a smile to soothe her. She goes back to taking notes on her iPad while Stella lays out the tactics she’ll use on social media to gain traction before the launch. I pause long enough to marvel how two girls in their early twenties have figured out how to start a company in a matter of days. It’s impressive is what it is and only makes me want to work with Piper more.
I’ve gotta have funds in place. I don’t want to hold her back while I make that happen. It’s not going to be as easy as simply selling the house.
I walk half a block up the street, away from the line of people outside Frothed and the other foot traffic, before ringing Dad. I pace twenty steps then turn and pace back, waiting for the inevitable voice message greeting.
When Dad answers, I stop short, shocked that I’m not ordered to leave a message.
“Archie?” Dad says when I fail to return his hello.
“Hi Dad.”
“Are you calling about your credit cards?” he asks. Dad’s not big on chit chat, buthow are youwould have been nice. Even ahow’s the weather?
“Yeah. The Amex got declined.”
“I warned you about your allowance, Son,” he says firmly but with a hint of regret, as though he’s sorry he has to teach me a lesson. “I didn’t want to cut it off, but if you’re determined to push back on coming home to Brisbane, I didn’t have another option. You need to know what to expect if you stay in LA.”
“Did you see my proposal?”
“Sybil will look over it.” He’s not unkind. Just dismissive—which, I guess, is a type of unkindness.
“I’d like you to review it. You’re the expert.” I force a smile and wave at Mitzi’s boyfriend, Harry, who lives across the street, then go back to walking up and down the sloped footpath.
“I haven’t got time right now, but I will. You come home, and we’ll go through it together.”
For a second, I’m tempted to believe him. Old habits are hard to break. But I can’t ignore what’s become clear. Our relationship is the only one that’s still intact for him because I haven’t pushed back when Dad gives orders. He has control.
Life is easier with someone else in the driver’s seat, but less satisfying.
“I’m not coming back, Dad. I’m staying here.” I answer with a firmness that will leave no question whether I mean it.
When the words leave my mouth, something else goes with it: the weight of wanting Dad’s approval. The weight of wanting his love. I’ve been carrying it so long I’d forgotten how heavy it is.
“How do you plan to support yourself?” Dad asks in his blustering way.
“Dunno yet.” I smile to myself, feeling a hundred times lighter. “Bye, Dad.”
I start back toward Frothed, knowing I have all the people—including Piper—who love me as I am, waiting for me there.
Chapter 34
Piper
The only break I take from working on my line Saturday and Sunday is to say goodbye to Frankie. After reconnecting with her, I have to choke back tears when she leaves. I hope she’ll come back soon. Even if she doesn’t, I don’t think we’ll lose touch again. This weekend has shown me that family is more than I’ve let it be. Family has nothing to do with who Mom is married to and everything to do with who has my back when I need them most.
I fall asleep before Archie comes home from dropping off Frankie at the airport. The next morning, I’m greeted with noise and the smell of coffee coming from the kitchen. I smile, knowing it’s Monday, Archie’s in the kitchen, and he’s not going anywhere. That’s enough to get me out of bed, even though I hate the idea of going back to Valente.
When I come downstairs, Archie’s in his board shorts and “Surf City” apron. No shirt. No shoes.
Just right.
“Hi,” I say.
His face lights up, and he hands me a mug. “Mornin’. I made you coffee.”
“Thank you.” I breathe in the rich aroma of arabica beans and Archie.
“You want a smoothie, too?” He smiles down at me, and I realize this is the first time we’ve been alone since Frankie showed up on Friday. There’s nothing to stop us from kissing, except our own silly rules.
