Page 53 of Bliss: Part 1
I nodded back. “Yep. Just give me one sec to grab my shoes.”
As I turned to head toward the mudroom, I glanced back out the window again. The guys were still arguing. Dash had now thrown his hands up in the air and was pacing, while Ashby was pointing toward the roof like something up there was the problem. Rhys just looked done, and Tripp was trying to calm everyone down.
Yep. It might take them all day to even agree on where to start.
And as tempting as it was to go out there and watch them, I had something better to do. A simple trip to the store. Just me and my dad.
The diner wasn’t busy. A few booths were occupied, mostly by older couples or locals eating alone, sipping coffee and reading the paper. Lorelai, my favorite waitress, behind the counter gave us a smile when we walked in, then waved toward the booths along the window.
“Sit wherever you like. I’ll be right with you,” she said, and Dad nodded at her before steering us toward a booth near the back.
We slid into the booth, Dad on one side, me on the other. The menus were already on the table, but I didn’t look at it. I already knew what I wanted: the double cheeseburger with curly fries and an ice cold water. Dad looked at the menu, but I knew he would just end up ordering the same I did. He didn’t really care what got on his plate, as long as he got to eat. Dad’s a simple man, and I admired him for that.
Lorelai came by and took our order, and once she left, we sat in silence for a few moments. Dad leaned back in the booth, glancing around the place like he was seeing it for the first time, even though he’d been coming here for decades.
I watched him for a second. He looked relaxed, but I could tell he wanted to say something. He seemed nervous, playing with the napkin, and ripping it apart as if it had done something to him.
“Are you okay, Dad?” I asked, unable to hide my amusement.
His eyes met mine, then he chuckled and crumpled up the napkin in his fist. “Yeah, I’m okay, kid. Was just thinking about a few things.”
“What things?”
He kept his voice casual, but his eyes told a whole different story. “About other possibilities.”
I blinked. “What possibilities?”
“You know…if there’s anything you want to do instead of working atThe Old. We never really talked about it.”
That caught me off guard. “Not really. I figured I’d keep working there. With you and the guys. I thought it’s what we all just silently agreed on.”
He nodded slowly, then sat up a little straighter. “Yeah, I figured that’s what you thought. But I just wanted to make sure you know that if you ever want to do something else, I’ll be right here to support you. Just because the garage is there, and the family works there, doesn’t mean it’s your only option.”
I smiled tightly. “I know, Dad. I know it’s not myonlyoption. But it’s not like I have this big dream I’m ignoring. I’m not secretly dying to be a lawyer or go to med school. I just…like where I am right now.”
He nodded again. “And that’s okay. I’m not pushing you out. I’m not trying to tell you to go to college or get out of town or anything like that. I just—” He paused and looked at me, his expression softening. “I want you to know that if one day youdowake up and want something else, I’ll back you. No questions asked. No guilt. No pressure to stay. You get to choose your life, not just accept the life you got.”
It was rare hearing him talk so much, and also so poetically. I liked his view of things, and his words didn’t feel like a weight he was putting on my shoulders. He simply wanted to reassure me that I still was in control over my life, and if I ever wanted change, he’d accept and support it.
I smiled gently and fought the urge to reach over the table and touch his hand. “Thanks, Dad. That…means a lot.”
He smiled back, but there was still something serious in his eyes. “I’ve seen it happen too many times. Kids stay because it’s easier. Because it’s familiar. Then one day they look around and wonder why they never left. I don’t want that for you. If youwantto stay, great. I’ll be proud as hell to have you working atThe Old. But if you want something else, or even just want totrysomething else, that’s just as good.”
I was quiet for a bit, letting it settle. “Are you seeing it happen with the guys? Do you think they’ll one day regret staying?”
This time, he let out a loud laugh. “Fuck, no. Those boys are meant to work and stay here. I might be giving you the chance to run and do something else, but none of the four will ever leave. Not like they want to, anyway.”
While he wanted the best for me, he kept the boys on a much tighter leash. He was harder on them. More rules, more discipline. But with me, he was the kind of father every daughter should have. He was gentle, protective, and full of quiet pride.
I laughed softly, then pursed my lips before saying, “Maybe don’t be too hard on them. They’re not all that bad.”
“If I don’t keep them in line, they would be,” he stated, his voice low now. “But I mean it, kid. You don’t have to have it all figured out right now. You’ve got time. Just promise me you’ll keep your eyes open. Don’t settle because it’s comfortable.”
I nodded. “Okay. I promise.”
Lorelai came back with our food, placing the plates in front of us. We both thanked her and picked up our burgers. For a few minutes, we ate in silence, and between bites, I looked at him again and asked, “What about you? Did you ever want something else?”
He looked up from his plate, chewing thoughtfully before answering. “No. I got exactly what I always wanted, the way I wanted it. I got lucky. Married your mother, had you and your brothers. The shop was already there, and it made sense to stay.”
