“Don’t blame Bernard for this,” my dad says. “My phone has rung off the hook for the past half hour. He’s dealing with it the same as we are, trying to do damage control.”
“How does it involve Bernard when we aren’t even together? I’m with Rhodes now, so Bernard doesn’t belong here. My business certainly doesn’t involve him. And what part of me having this career requires damage control for you?”
My dad gives me an exasperated look. “You’ve lived in this house, honey. You knew before you did this that it would affect us. It doesn’t look good for the pastor of a church to have a daughter writing—such explicit filth. I don't even know what to say…”
“Well, you don't really have to say anything except maybe, ‘That’s my daughter and what she does doesn’t reflect what I believe,’” I say after a long pause. “I’m making a living as an author. It's been even better than my wildest imagination. It’s my fault that it’s such a shock to you now because I’ve sheltered you from knowing how I really felt about…a lot of things. From dance to clothes to writing openly about sex, and the list could go on. I respect you and how you raised me, and yet, I don’t choose to live the exact same way. I understand if you can't be happy or excited about it, but we don't have to talk about it at all, really. I can keep my work life private?—”
He snorts when I sayprivateand I grit my teeth, knowing what's coming.
“This isn't private at all. Your life is about to be on display. Apparently, from the passages I saw, there are no holds barred. I didn’t even know you knew how to curse so well…and the sex scenes. Well…” He shakes his head. “Do you know what they're going to say about this at church?”
“I have a pretty good idea, but according to Calista, a lot of the people from church also can't wait to know when Zoey Archer's next book is coming out. So maybe you're gonna be all right.”
“I really wish you guys would just be proud of her,” Rhodes says, gripping my hand. “Elle is the best person there is. She’s loving, giving…kind. Even when she does things that you don't agree with, you can still be proud of the person she is. You do things she doesn't agree with, but she's proud ofyou. Love each other, you're all you've got. And if you can't do that, Elle knows she's got me and my family. We'll take care of her and we'll love her the way she deserves.”
My dad scowls. “We love our daughter.”
“Okay, then, love her.Trulylove her. Unconditionally. Unconditionally means there is nothing she could do that would keep you from loving her. End of.”
Dad’s jaw is clenched. “She knows I love her!” He looks at me then. “Of course I love you—I always will and itisunconditional. But, that doesn’t mean I can’t say my piece when you do something I don’t approve of!”
I grin. “I think it’s safe to say I know what you think about something without you saying it. As you said, I’ve lived in this house. I’ve heard your sermons.”
“So what you’re saying is shut up?”
“No, I’m hoping we can get to a place where we have healthy boundaries. Where we feel safe being who we are with one another and know that it won’t be a constant battle when we’re together.” I take a deep breath. “And a good way to start would be by ensuring that Bernard isn’t here when I am.”
“Why are you so hostile toward me? We were together for a long time. You must still feel something to have all this anger,” Bernard says.
I turn my attention on Bernard only long enough to say, “I assure you I feel absolutely nothing romantically toward you, Bernard. I’m not your business, so stay out of mine.”
I look at Rhodes and nod slightly. He stands and holds out his hand for me. “Should we go home?”
“I would love to,” I say.
I go over and hug my dad and then my mom. I don't acknowledge Bernard. He doesn’t belong in this conversation, so I don't want to give him the satisfaction of even looking at him.
“I love you,” I tell my parents.
And we walk out.
I message the group thread.
Thank you for celebrating with me. It didn’t go so well with my parents and I think I need to get home and do some damage control with my agent. I love you all SO MUCH.
Carrie is in the driveway when we pull up.
“Are you kidding me?” I say before we get out. “I guess I may as well get it all over with in one night. Word travels fast in a small town, but seriously, this is crazy. I thought I had at least a few days for this to spread.”
We get out of the truck and Carrie gets out, leaning against her car.
“What are you doing here, Carrie?” Rhodes says.
“I came to see what's going on here,” she says, tilting her head toward me. “It's time you tell me the truth. You guys are together now.”
“Yes, we are,” he says. “It hasn't been long, and I would have talked to you when we were able to.”
“I’ve known,” she says. “And it is so wrong of you to keep this from me when our child is going to be with her all the time. You should have given me the consideration. You made that statement the other day that you would expect me to, and you are so full of shit.”
