“I will,” I say.
“Great. How are things with Sydney?”
“Good.”
Great, really. I can’t imagine a life without her.
“That’s good to hear. Is she on board with the move?”
“We’re talking about it.”
Sort of. I need to ask her about the other night. But like all the other questions I’m afraid to hear the answer to, I haven’t brought it up again.
“Talking about it? Care to elaborate?”
“Her family is here, Dad. She isn’t just going to jump at the chance to leave.”
“And what happens if she stays?”
I shrug. “We aren’t sure yet.”
“Well, maybe I should get you in touch with our family lawyer. Look at your options.”
“Options for what?”
“On making sure things are handled appropriately.”
“What kind of things?”
His tone is pissing me off, and I’m not really sure if this has anything to do with the transfer or Sydney being hesitant to move.
“Being with someone like you comes with perks, Mark. We need to be smart.”
“I am being smart.”
“Are you? If you come home without her, how do you know she won’t try to milk this family for as much money as she can?’
“Um, because I know her, and she has a lot more pride than that.”
“Maybe before you, but now she’s had a glimpse of what you can offer her, and this would be bad for all of us if some girl—”
“She’s not just some girl!” I snap. “She’s the mother of my child. She is a smart and strong woman who I am lucky has given me the chance to know her and support her. She’s a woman who is slowly making me a better man, even if you can’t see it.”
Because she is.
“And she sure as hell isn’t with me for my money!”
“Mark, you need to think about this. I’m not trying to be the villain, but you’re about to have a family, and you—”
“Look, Dad, I have to go.”
It’s a cop-out, but I’ve made my decision. He isn’t going to listen to me. It’s better to wait and let us both calm down before we continue this conversation.
“I’ll call you later,” he says and hangs up.
I sigh and flop onto the sofa.
“Hey,” Syd says, poking her head out of her room and slowly coming down the hall.
