“What’s this?”
“This is the truth.” I pause, giving him a chance to make heads and tails of it. “This is the LLC which the business was registered under. And the paper behind that is the LLC which owned that company, which was paid for by your credit card and has you listed as the primary beneficiary and owner.”
“This is fake.”
“No, it’s not dad. I confirmed it with a quick internet search on both the Nevada and Wyoming corporate registry sites. The Internet knows everything, and I know the truth.”
Dad rips it to shreds and tosses it behind the couch, taking another swig straight from his bottle of whiskey, trying to put this uncomfortable situation in the rearview instead of facing it head on.
“You think that’s the original? You don’t think that’s the only copy I made?”
“Don’t you dare use this against me.”
“Just like you used me to put Elijah away? Used me as an excuse not to serve time yourself.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, I most certainly do,” I fume. “See, after I got done getting my corporate registry snoop on I decided why stop there, so I looked at some case files and although I may be about as far from a legal expert as humanly possible it’s clear to see that Elijah took the rap for your crime while you sat here on the couch and drowned your sorrows with your best friends Jack Daniels, Johnny Walker, and Jim Beam.”
“Young lady, you are out of line. I’m your father and you will talk to me accordingly.”
“You may be my father in title, but you’re not half the man Elijah is. Just having a set of balls doesn’t make you a man any more than having a driver’s license means you’re a good driver.”
My dad scratches his head. “I don’t have a driver’s license.”
“Because you can’t lay off the bottle.” Okay, my analogy didn’t really make sense but at least I got my point across.
“I saved you from that freak, don’t you ever forget it.”
“And don’t you forget you’re the reason I’m leaving. Dad, I’ve tried,” I say, trying not to break down. “But you’ve been hell-bent on drinking yourself to death since mom left. You’re not going to find her, or any other woman, at the bottom of one of
the many bottles you drink each week. Do some pushups, quit feeling sorry for yourself, and quit fucking over the few people you have in your life.”
My dad gives me a stern look.
“Yeah, I said it. It’s just unfortunate that I’m the one who’s always been here trying to parent you when you were the one who was supposed to be my parent all along.”
The door comes flying down and I spin on a heel, expecting a S.W.A.T. team, but once again it’s Elijah.
“I outta f’ing kill you, Mike. You basically S.W.A.T.’ed me with that b.s. charge.” He shakes his head at my dad. “You’re just lucky this princess is both your daughter and here right now standing in-between me and you, or else you’d be breathing your final breath.”
“I’ll have your money tomorrow,” dad trembles, but no one in the room believes it, and most certainly not the guy who said it.
“Keep your money and whatever baggage you have in your life. I’m here for one thing and one thing only.”
Elijah drops to a knee, still standing over the door he just broke off the hinges…again. Reaching in his pocket he twists his wrist revealing a small, black, velvet box. Using a sleight of hand he deftly pops open the top to display the most beautiful diamond ring I’ve ever seen, in a princess cut of course.
“Baby girl, you’re mine. I know it. You know it. It’s time to show the whole world so they know it. I don’t want anyone getting in my way ever again…no one coming between us even for a second. When I sat at the police station answering their questions all I could think about was what would happen if they took me away from you. How could I live another day without you by my side? The answer…I can’t. And that’s where you belong, with me always. You’re already my everything now I just need one more thing from you. Be my wife. Forever.”
My hands come up to my face and all the crazy emotions of the last couple of days reach a climax. How did this happen so fast? Then again, this has been nineteen years in the making. I was always his, and he was always mine. It was just a matter of two crazy souls finding each other so we could unlock the things that were holding each of us back, so we could be ourselves, naturally, together.
And together is exactly how we need to be to get what we need most out of life. He’s right, we both know it, and now it’s time for the world to know it.
“No stopping us anymore,” I mouth as waterworks begin.
“No stopping us. I’ve got your back, little one. And Daddy’s always putting you first. Your happiness is paramount.”
“Thank you, Daddy. Yes, I’m yours. I can’t wait to be your bride.”