Page 33 of Modern Persuasion

Both boys perked up at the idea of playing on the beach. Thing One jumped from Fredrick's arms and ran out of the room with Thing Two at his heels. Seth followed them while Fredrick helped me up. I felt a slight shiver run through my body as our hands met.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"My pleasure. They love you, but little boys have their own way of showing it," he said before walking out of the room, leaving me alone.

By the time I got back up to the patio, Seth, Fredrick, and the boys were gone. I found Dave standing off to the side, watching me.

"I heard you were here somewhere," Dave said and offered me a beer.

I shook my head and showed him the still-full bottle in my hand.

"I was just playing with the boys," I said before taking a sip.

"I just saw Louisa's boyfriend and Fredrick Wentworth run after two toddlers. My small brush with fame! They went down to the beach if you're looking for them."

I led Dave over to lounge chairs, where I collapsed. "The toddlers would be my nephews. They're exhausting."

Dave sat in the other. "Your sister seems to manage. Does that mean Auntie Elizabeth and Auntie Emma help out a lot?"

I let a small laugh escape my lips. "More like Auntie Emma, Auntie Louisa, and Nana. Elizabeth has no tolerance for children unless... no... no tolerance for children."

"Not even family?" Dave asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She just wasn't designed that way. Even worse, they sense her disdain, and she is the first one they go to with poopy diapers or messy hands. Many a designer bag and dress have been ruined."

"I don't remember Elizabeth like that," he said and squinted.

"There weren't any children around back then," Elizabeth said as she and my father walked outside.

My older sister was dressed immaculately. Her makeup was perfect, her hair was professionally done, and her clothes were perfectly pressed. She had been laughing at something my father said, the two of them in their own world.

Once the table was set and the food cooked, we all found our places at the dinner table on the deck. By the time Fredrick went to find a spot to sit, his only option was to sit next to Elizabeth. My older sister raised an eyebrow and looked Fredrick up and down before making the instantaneous decision that he was beneath her. With a flip of her hair, she turned in the other direction and spent the entire dinner talking to Dave and my father, who also sat close by. I was curious about their reactions to each other, and I got what I expected. I wasn't sure if I was amused or disappointed. My father had judged Fredrick the same way eight years ago. I knew what to expect, but part of me wished she had shown some interest in him, if only because he was famous.

Seth's proposal to Louisa happened in the middle of dinner. Everyone seemed excited for them, but I saw the smirk my father and Elizabeth exchanged. There was something snobby about it, and I was irritated by their reactions. Nobody was good enough for them. A famous actor and writer sat at a table with them, and both acted like it was an inconvenience. The longer we all spent at the table together, the angrier I got.

"Tomorrow, we're meeting again for the big fireworks production on the beach, right Walter?" Mr. Musgrove said while everyone was eating.

"Of course. Emma is going to the beach tomorrow to put the chairs and blankets out, so we get the best spot," my father said without even looking at me to confirm.

"No, I'm not doing that," I said without thinking.

Everyone stopped eating and looked at me. Even I was surprised by what I had said; it felt good to say it.

"Excuse me?" my father said, finally meeting my eyes.

I decided to embrace my act of defiance. I sat back in the chair and crossed my arms. "If you want the spot on the beach that will assure you are seen by a Kennedy, then do it yourself. I'm not your slave."

"You always do it," Elizabeth whined.

"You're both adults. One of you is actually a parent, and neither has a job. I have work to do," I said and added a shrug.

"But Emma, you're on vacation," Mary said.

"I am tired of playing servant," I said, not sure where this boldness was coming from but feeling great as I let out all my frustrations. "I'm going to sit where I want, with the people I want, and I might not even go anyway. Plus, I am tired of being the adult in this family. Nobody ever does anything for me or asks me what I want. Everyone just assumes I will take care of Walter and Elizabeth for the rest of their lives. You would think you're disabled, the way you expect me to do things for you. I actually have a friend who is disabled, and she does more for herself than either of you have ever done. Oh, boo-hoo, you're sad because Mom died. You know what? I miss her too! I am sad she died too, but do you see me falling apart and not getting on with my life. It's been nearly fifteen years. She would be disgusted by the two of you. Mary, she would probably be proud of, but the three of us would disgust her. I'm done. I'm going to think of me and only me for the first time in years. Sorry, not sorry!"

I finally stopped to take a breath and realized I was on my feet. I could feel my pulse racing, and my face was hot. Everyone spoke at once. There was indignation that I would even consider not going to a family tradition. There was anger that I accused my father of treating his daughter as an indentured servant. My father insisted this was inappropriate behavior and that I was acting like a spoiled child throwing a temper tantrum. Mary demanded I was needed to take care of the boys. Louisa begged me to reconsider and not ruin such a wonderful week. Elizabeth was close to having a tantrum of her own. The only one who didn't say anything was Fredrick, who silently looked at me, an eyebrow raised as he fought a smile.

I stormed off without another word.