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“We both know that’s not true,” she chided.
It was a little true. I had been in a meeting earlier in the day. “What’s up?” I asked.
“I just wanted to let you know the chef is preparing brisket for Sunday dinner,” she said. “He’ll be making it just the way you like it.”
“Mom, I can’t,” I said. “I have plans.”
I had just had a huge argument with my father over my career choices and the decision not to go into the family business. It had been brutal. I didn’t think I could handle another confrontation so soon.
“You know that is not true,” she said firmly.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can make it to dinner,” I said. “I’m just not there yet.”
“Why not, Emilia?” Mom asked, frustration in her voice. She was using my full name, which was a definite indicator she was mad.
“Because I just had a really big argument with Dad and I don’t want to be around him right now,” I explained, my voice shaking slightly. Standing up to my parents was not something I ever did. It felt a little weird for me to be doing it now. But if not now, when? I was too old to ask permission to follow the path I wanted.
There was a long pause on the other end of the line. “Emmy, I understand that you and your father don’t always see eye to eye, but you can’t just avoid him forever,” she said softly.
“I know, Mom, but I need some time to cool off,” I replied, feeling guilty for letting my mother down.
“Fine,” she said, her voice tinged with disappointment. “You do what you need to do. But I hope you can work things out with your father soon. I don’t like this. You have to forgive him eventually.”
“I hope so, too,” I said, feeling a lump form in my throat. “But not right now.”
“I’ll talk to you later,” she said.
“Bye, Mom.”
After hanging up with my mother, I sat back down, feeling defeated. I knew I couldn’t avoid my father forever, but I didn’t know how to face him after our argument. I wished I could just disappear for a while until things blew over.
“Are you okay?” Izzy asked.
I laughed. “No. Aren’t we a pair?”
“Do you think it would be easier if you could just talk to your dad and explain your side?” she asked.
I knew I needed to face my father and work things out, but I just didn’t know how. “I have tried,” I said. “He won’t listen. He knows best. When I told him I just wanted to focus on writing, he lost his temper. He was so offended I might actually know my own mind. It pissed me off that he thinks he can tell me what to do and I’m just supposed to do it. He acts like I’m still a child.”
“Your father has always been very protective of you,” she nodded.
“Yes,” I said. “Too much. He needs to worry about handling his own business. I don’t need him meddling. He acts like I’m going to be a criminal. Oh, wait, he’s the criminal and I’m trying to be on the straight and narrow.”
She laughed. “That’s definitely a plot twist.”
“He said I’ll never be able to make it in the real world without his help,” I said. “I have to prove to him I can. Which means I live in poverty for a while.”
“You’re going to make it,” she said. “I know you. You’re not going to give up. I bet once you prove to him you’re serious, he’s going to see it. He’s going to accept it and support you.”
“I hope so, but if he doesn’t, that’s on him,” I said. “I’m done trying to make him happy. This is my life.”
“Yes, it is.” She smiled. “I should go. I’m supposed to be meeting the moving truck. I’m just hoping I actually have furniture on the truck. If that asshole tried to keep any of my things, I will be calling Uncle Joey to handle it.”
I laughed. “My father loves handling things. Just say the word and your ex will no longer be an issue.”
She laughed again. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
As we said our goodbyes, Izzy hugged me tightly. “Thanks for being here for me, Emmy. You’re the best cousin a girl could ask for.”
