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“See you then.”
“Thea is the name of your hippie friend, right?” Mom’s voice freezes my entire body. I hadn’t realized she was in my room.
I nod and start packing my clothes. “She’s a counselor, has a Ph.D., and she’s the sweetest girl you’ll ever meet.”
Mom entwines her fingers and places the tips on top of her chin. “How do I explain that I only want the best for you?”
“Not many people are lucky enough to find the person they belong to. We—Thea, Matt, and I—belong to each other. IloveTheaandMatt.”
Mother gasps, covering her mouth. “Tristan.”
“I’m deeply in love with Thea, but I also love a man, Mother. That doesn’t make me a bad person. It makes me Tristan Cooperson. That’s who I am. No labels,” I clarify.
I go back to packing. The thick air of this house is choking me.
“That’s not normal, Tristan.”
“I don’t know if it’s normal or not, but it would be great if you tried to understand. Circumstances, your nasty daughter, and life took them away from me, but I’m working hard to be worthy of them, of their forgiveness. I wish you were supportive. Be a mother for once.” I close my luggage, placing it on the floor. “Not the judgmental woman you’ve become. It’s sad that my man’s family accepted me and made me feel more a part of them than I do here.”
I look around the room, making sure nothing stays behind, then give one last glance to my mother. “Father changed. I hope you do the same someday.”
“Goodbye, Tristan,” she says without any other comment or a gesture of love.
I’m tempted to hug her but talk myself out of it. There’s no point in pining for what’s never meant to be. “Goodbye, Mother.”
After going through airport security, I head to the Frequent Flyer Lounge to wait for my flight and to call Pria.
“Tristan?” she answers.
“Hey, I’m at the airport. All is set and en route. The moving trucks left early today. Wanted to see if you have a minute to talk next steps?”
Noises of doors closing fill the long pause before she speaks, “You’re giving an exclusive interview to the Seattle Daily. The day after, we will hold a press conference in your new offices where you will deliver the speech I helped you write. The concept was great, but I added a few punches to make sure we let everyone know what Cooperson Corporation is all about.”
We’re about bringing more jobs to the city, equality, support, and family.
“I’ll need you in my office tomorrow morning. We need to set up your personal account. You’re hiring me as your PR person, right?”
“Of course, I am,” I say, as the attendant waves at me, signaling that my plane is about to board. “Look, my plane is leaving. We’ll touch base as soon as I check in at my hotel.”
“It’s gonna come down to how much you are willing to give, to sacrifice. To really hand your heart over and go the distance. We’re betting on you.”
Her words evoke a mountain of fear inside me, but I’m done being afraid. I’ve done the risk-reward assessment, and for once, I’m choosing the risk. “Thank you, Pria,” I mumble, still overwhelmed by her words.We.Jacob and Pria have been that supportive family I never had over these last few weeks.
“Sure. And Tristan?”
“Yes?”
“Don’t fuck it up,” she warns me.
I end the call by solidifying what is probably one of the best decisions of my life and my career. There’s a spring in my step as I head to the lounge’s en suite before I board the plane that’ll bring me closer to them. I take a long, hard look at myself in the mirror.
For once in my life, I am proud of the reflection staring back at me. For the first time in months, I feel lighter. Hopeful.
Free.
Like I’ve made the right choice.Mychoice. I reach into my pocket and give a reassuring squeeze to the crystal and our napkin. The one that reminds me that I’m not alone.
ChapterFifty-Seven
