Maybe Dani was right about that, the first time they talked.
Emily had been offended, but maybe she’d taken the advice
the wrong way.
Both her parents looked up at the same time, their heads
cranking sharply to the left where she stood. Emily quickly
tucked both her hands behind her back. A storm of nerves
started brewing in her stomach.
“I was wondering if I could talk to you both about
something.”
Emily’s dad patted the spot on the couch beside him and
that made Emily feel bad. Her mom was in her usual high-
backed chair. She stared at Emily with more suspicion.
Emily took a seat, folding the skirt of the sundress she’d
been married in that morning underneath her legs, tucking it
down tightly. “I know that we’ve talked about this before.
About me and my art,” Emily stated. She knew it was a bad
start when her mom winced, and her dad looked like he
wanted to roll his eyes. She knew she had to go for it before
she lost them completely. They were going to be pissed, but
she’d better just get it done and over with. “I know you don’t
take me seriously and I want you to. I also know that you
don’t really see me. I’m tired of that. Of not standing up for
myself. I’m an adult now, and I made a decision this
morning.” Emily slowly produced her left hand.
Her parents gasped.
“You got married?” Sandra shrieked. “Are you kidding me?
To who? To who, Emily Radcliffe?”
“You don’t know her—
“Oh, dear lord,” Peter said. He slapped his hands on his
knees and smoothed his black pants down. Then up. Then