Page 42 of Never Again
Trudy adjusted the glasses on her nose. “Only that I should let you know he stopped by and that it was important that he speak to you.”
“Thanks. Could you order me something from the Japanese place? The usual. I’m going to eat lunch at my desk.” She could go through emails while eating, crossing one more item off her list of things to do today.
“Got it,” Trudy said, already picking up the phone.
Carmen closed the door to her office and sank into the leather chair. Frowning, she considered picking up the phone and finding out what her father wanted but doubted it was anything important. They’d barely spoken since Carlos went back to Atlanta because he’d let his reservations about their relationship be known yet again.
To avoid confrontation, she stayed away from her parents’ house and steered clear of her father at work, which wasn’t that hard to do since they were both often quite busy. She could count on one hand how many times they’d spoken since the night at the charity event, and all conversations had been brief.
She’d waited until the last minute to mention her trip to Atlanta, and now he clearly wanted to corner her and give her another talking to. Well, she wasn’t interested. He’d simply have to deal with his own negativity. It wasn’t her problem.
Sittingwith her legs crossed at the ankles and propped on top of the coffee table, Carmen munched on popcorn as she reviewed the contract on her lap. Using a blue-ink pen, she made notes in the margin and rewrote sentences that she crossed out.
Two firm knocks on the door dragged her out of deep concentration. Only one person knocked like that, and only one person would dare to come to her home after nine o’clock, unannounced. Sighing, she set aside the document and dusted her hand on her sweats.
She didn’t bother to check the peep hole. She opened the door and wasn’t remotely surprised to see her father standing in the hallway.
“Do you mind if I come in?” Alfred asked.
Carmen walked away without greeting him, at the point now where she no longer cared. If he gave her an ultimatum, she knew what her answer would be.
She stood in the middle of the living room with her arms crossed. “Whatever you have to say, say it and leave.” No point in beating around the bush with pleasantries. They both knew why he was there.
“Is that any way to talk to your father?” He still wore a suit, which meant he had stayed late at the office and come here before going home.
“Daddy I love you, but you’ve made me this way. You never have anything good to say about Carlos, and I know this so-called important conversation is about him, and I don’t want to hear you bad-mouth him anymore. Three years have passed, he’s successful as an artist and is working at becoming more successful. He may never be wealthy like we are, but he makes an honest living. Why isn’t that enough?”
Alfred sighed as if she exhausted him. “When you have children, you’ll understand. I had different expectations for you. I worked my fingers to the bone so you could have everything I didn’t have growing up. I didn’t do all that so you could throw it away on some artist with a pipe dream, Carmen.”
“Being with Carlos doesn’t mean I’m throwing away my livelihood. This is the same spiel you’ve always given me. Nothing has changed.”
“You’re only twenty-five years old. Why don’t you wait a while before you make any major decisions?”
“You weren’t worried about my age when you tried to set me up with Tyler.”
His jaw hardened. “Fair enough. But in my defense, he’s a much better prospect. The kind of man who has his own money and wouldn’t be using you for a financial windfall.”
“You’re being ridiculous.”
“This boy has turned you against me.”
“No, he hasn’t! Your actions have made me this way.” Her heart ached. “Why are you like this?”
“You know why I’m like this!” Alfred said with vehemence. “You know how that guy used my sister, milking her for money every chance he got. If my father and I hadn’t stepped in, who knows where she would be right now. Thank goodness she finally came to her senses. And what about that fool you met at the mall, huh? Soon as you were allowed to date, you got caught up with some ne’er-do-well with no money. That boy had you buying him shoes!” He sounded appalled.
“It was one pair of shoes.” He’d mentioned the shoes, and she’d surprised him with them.
“And you paid for your dates.”
“Only a few times!”
“Hah. Trust me, it was just the beginning.” Alfred pinched his nose. “I want to take care of you, Carmen. You’re my daughter. That’s what fathers do—we take care of our kids. It’s what my father did. You can’t fault me for loving you.”
She sighed and swallowed. It pained her to be at odds with her father. “No, I don’t,” she said, softening her voice. “But I fault you for treating the man I love like he’s unwelcomed. You’re hurting me by doing that. Carlos and I are in love with each other. My feelings for him haven’t changed in all this time, and his for me haven’t changed. I wish you would accept our relationship and give your blessing. Welcome him instead of making this so hard.” Her voice trembled at the end.
Alfred studied her. “I know better than you what kind of man he is.”
Carmen shook her head. “No, you don’t. I know what kind of man he is. He’s kind, and he loves me. He left before because of you. Don’t chase him away again. Please. Because if you do, this time I’m going with him, and you won’t see me again.”
