“He does,” my mother insisted, “But what’s with you doubting him all of a sudden? It’s like you think you know better than we do. That’s the problem with the younger generation. Y’all think you know better than your parents. No one puts any worth in wisdom anymore.”
“It’s not that I’m questioning him, I’m trying to help you guys make a decision,” I replied, “You want me to be a part of the family business but any time I speak my mind, you accuse me of being against you.”
“Maybe because it seems like you are always against us.”
“Well, I’m not. I just want to speak my mind. I might actually have something useful to contribute.”
“If only,” my mother hissed, rolling her eyes at me.
This angered me, but I refrained from saying anything, just in case I got ahead of myself and said something I would ultimately regret.
That morning, we finished our housework in silence and I decided that until Anthony Shields was out of our life and I could justify going to back to trying to please my family, that silence would continue. There was nothing more I had to say to my parents anyway.
If they wanted to dig their own financial grave, I was going to let them.
So, in keeping with my vow of silence, for the next few days, I went about my business without speaking to anyone of merit. I didn’t speak to my parents and I didn’t hear anything from Anthony. If anyone spoke to me while I was in town I would smile and wave, pretending to be friendly long enough to escape.
I didn’t like the thoughts that tossed around inside my head but that was a small price to pay to avoid letting my secret out and having my parents hate me forever.
I didn’t regret what happened between Anthony and I but since I was stuck with my parents after he left, I didn’t want my life to become overly miserable. I knew I couldn’t let my rebellion get out until I could figure out how to get out of this damn town.
Yet, when I returned one evening after visiting a friend, I found my father waiting for me. I knew from the look on his face that he is wasn’t going to be good.
“Hi Dad,” I offered in a strained manner, “You’re up late.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ve been waiting for you. I have a question for you.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah…I finally met with that northerner. I still don’t like him, but we talked, and he asked me something strange.”
My heart started to pound heavily in my chest and my hands started to shake. I pressed them firmly against my sides in an attempt to hide their instantaneous reaction, but I couldn’t tell exactly how obvious my nervousness was.
“What?”
“He asked about you,” my father insisted. “You didn’t have any contact with him, did you?”
“After the other night? At dinner? No,” I replied, suppressing the urge to tell my father exactly how much contact I have had with Anthony, simply to see his dumbfounded expression. To my merit, the comment came out sounding halfway decent.
“Then, why would he want to ask me how you are?”
“Maybe he was trying to be friendly,” I offered, surprised at how nonchalant my comment sounded. “I mean, you do seem to think that he is out to get you. Maybe you’re misjudging the situation.”
“No, I don’t think so,” my father ruffed, “But I guess it’s possible he fancied you.”
“That’s possible,” I replied, again trying to stifle another more damning comment. “Maybe he’s just bold and thought he would get somewhere.”
“Well, he’s definitely bold but fairly stupid, if he thinks you’re going to fall for a man like that. Disrespectful carpetbagger,” my father chuckled and shook his head, “I guess he doesn’t understand that there are far more fish in your sea than he could ever compete with. Gentleman who know their place.”
I gave my father a strained grin, nodded my head and turned around.
“Goodnight, Dad,” I offered, suddenly realizing that if I stayed too long I might once again say something I regretted.
By the time, I made it up to my room, I was fuming. Mostly, I was angry at my father and his blatant insolence, but I was also mad at Anthony.
He had no right or claim to me whatsoever!
So, I decided that as soon as I got up in the morning, when I could think a little clearer, I would go to his hotel and demand to know what the hell was going on.