Page 144 of Renegade Rift
ETTA:
ETTA: Yes, oh wise love doctor. You were right. There was something there that wasn’t there before.
PAIGE: You get extra points because Belle is my spirit princess.
ETTA: More like Stitch, but I guess I can see it.
PAIGE: So what’s the problem then?
ETTA: I called my parents.
PAIGE: How did that go?
ETTA: Better than expected in some ways. Worse in others.
ETTA: My mother is every bit the overbearing helicopter parent I remember her being. And now that she knows I’m okay, she’s angry with me. But I can’t blame her. They thought I was dead.
PAIGE: Oof.
ETTA: Understatement of the year.
PAIGE: What did they say about the article?
ETTA: They aren’t thrilled about the idea of me and Ford. But once I told them about life with Tyler, they were a little more understanding.
PAIGE: I’m proud of you for telling them.
ETTA: They want me to move home so they can spend time with me and so I can take over the family restaurant.
PAIGE: Sounds a little selfish to me, but I might be an asshole about it because I too am selfish and want you to stay right where you are.
PAIGE: You are aware California is on the other side of the country?
ETTA: Thanks, captain obvious. I had no clue.
PAIGE: Do you want to go home?
ETTA: If you had asked me fifteen years ago, I’d tell you running the family restaurant was my dream.
PAIGE: And now?
ETTA: I don’t know.
ETTA: This is my home with a make shift family I didn’t know I needed. But they are my actual family, and I feel like I owe them at least a little after disappearing.
PAIGE: I agree. But that doesn’t mean they get to dictate your life.
ETTA: I think I need to go to California.
PAIGE: For good?
ETTA: I don’t think so. You’re right. They don’t get to decide my future. But I do need to see them. And maybe decide if California is also something I need.
PAIGE: Do you want me to go with you?
ETTA: No, but could you watch Lodhi while Ford is gone?
PAIGE: You got it.
