“I don’t know if I’m flattered because you care so much, or I’m insulted by how badly you want me out of the office,” I mumble as I gather my things and rise to follow Sacha outside.
“The first one,” Fel cries with a waggle of her fingers.
I climb into the passenger of the aquamarine beast with Sacha and lean back in the seat. With the window down, and the wind blowing through my multi-colored sunset red, orange, and blonde hair, I feel free. I’ve gotten stagnate. I let the weight of the tasks coming down the pipeline toward me pin me in place. I massage my scalp as I inhale the sweet Bayou air.
“Feeling better already, aren’t you?” Sacha asks.
“I didn’t realize how long I’d been cooped up in the office, or some other stuffy room learning this or that. I’ve missed the sun more than I can express.” The rays beam down on my face, and I soak them up like a flower.
“Glad I can be of service.”
“How are you, Sach? I know I’ve been a horrible friend recently. These coronations have me wrapped up tighter than a mummy.”
“You haven’t missed much.” She pauses. “Though, there’s been a recent development on the family front.”
“Good things?” I ask carefully.
“You know, I’m not sure yet. My mom came to the house the other day, totally unannounced, which is very bizarre for her. You know how she is about punctuality and politeness. I think maybe she was afraid I’d tell her not to come if she called and asked me.”
I turn my body toward her. “I bet you’re right. What did your mom say?”
“That
she missed me, and she’d spoken with my father. Do you believe that? For once in her life, she stood up for me.” I can hear the amazement in her voice. That was a huge step for her mother.
My heart swells with happiness for my friend. About damn time, too. The Morels are a patriarchal family. Her father calls the shots, and her mother never goes against his final rulings.
“He didn’t admit to any wrong doing on his part, but he agreed that perhaps he’d been hasty and heavy-handed with his response to my refusal of the engagement. Because, of course, disowning me is just a little over the top.” She scowls. “He went so far as to say an unhappy match would hinder the magic of both husband and wife.”
“Coming from your father, that’s practically a heartfelt apology,” I say drolly. The proud, arrogant man was a throwback to a time when men ruled the world and their family without question.
“I know, right? He even asked me to join them for the family holiday. Well, technically Mom did, but you know he had to okay it.”
She’s trying to downplay her excitement, but it’s seeping through every word she speaks. I understand her reason for walking away from her family when they throw down the ultimatum. Arranged marriages are archaic and cruel, and Sacha isn’t built to settle down and be solely a homemaker. Which is exactly what her ex-future husband had been looking for. The whole thing was a mistake. This girl finds adventure wherever she goes. I can’t see her ever fully giving that up. Despite the bad call on her father’s part. Her family had always been close-knit. The separation, while necessary, was hard on her.
“I think you’ve earned your father’s respect.”
Her hands clutch the wheel tighter. “After all this time, do you even think it’s possible? I feel like my entire life has been a contest where I vied desperately for his attention and approval. Him giving either is such a foreign concept at this point, I can’t imagine it.”
“What you did, walking away from your home and inheritance, took guts, Sach. More than most people have. Even if he never says it to your face, trust me he knows, and admires it.”
She flashes a crooked smile. “Thanks, Lou.”
“Anytime.”
“Do you think it’s a trap?”
“The holiday? No. I mean, it’s not as if he can ambush you into a surprise wedding. I think they missed you as much as you missed them, and everyone raised hell until your father figured out a way to relent without losing face.”
She chuckles. “Now there’s an image. All of them giving Dad shit over me. I wish I’d been there to see it.”
“What did you tell your mom about the holiday?”
“That’d I’d think about it, but I needed to check in with my boss.”
I smirk. “I think you should do it, Sach. Family is important. We fight and disagree, but it doesn’t change the connection between us.”
“You’re right. I’m just nervous. After being on my own for a year, I’m not the same woman, and I don’t know how they’re going to react to this version of me.”