33. Archie
Archie
P iper, Stella, and Frankie are all talking about Piper’s designs and what’s next for launching her brand when Britta slides me the credit card I left at the counter to pay for our order.
“It was declined,” she whispers.
“I’ll get you another one.” I reach for my wallet in my back pocket but with a concerned expression, she shakes her head.
“This one’s on me. They’re all on me for as long as you want. Dex and I owe you everything.” Her low but earnest words say everything we both know without actually saying it.
The only reason my card would be declined is if Dad has cut off access to it.
And if that one doesn’t work, neither will the others in my wallet.
I’d still make her try every one of them—just to make sure—if I didn’t think my insistence would draw Frankie’s attention.
I’m happy to keep this situation between Britta and me.
“Thanks,” I tell her.
“Dex is home if you want to drop in.” She pats my shoulder, then goes back behind the counter.
The subtext to her suggestion is that I could get advice from Dex. At the very least, I could tell him what Dad’s done. But I’m not ready to talk about it with anyone except Dad.
“Excuse me a minute, ladies.” I stand and push in my chair. “I need to make a call. Keep planning. I’ll be right back.”
I’ve been waiting until Monday to ring Dad and dispel any thoughts he still has about me coming back to Brisbane, but I guess he actually got the message. If I were like him, I’d take this as a sign we’re done and walk away without looking back.
But I’m not Dad, and if there’s a chance I can maintain a relationship with him while following my own path, I’ve gotta try. Like Piper said, his choices are his own. I want to make sure, though, that he knows my door is always open.
Piper gives me a questioning look that I return with enough of a smile to soothe her.
She goes back to taking notes on her iPad while Stella lays out the tactics she’ll use on social media to gain traction before the launch.
I pause long enough to marvel how two girls in their early twenties have figured out how to start a company in a matter of days.
It’s impressive is what it is and only makes me want to work with Piper more.
I’ve gotta have funds in place. I don’t want to hold her back while I make that happen. It’s not going to be as easy as simply selling the house.
I walk half a block up the street, away from the line of people outside Frothed and the other foot traffic, before ringing Dad. I pace twenty steps then turn and pace back, waiting for the inevitable voice message greeting.
When Dad answers, I stop short, shocked that I’m not ordered to leave a message.
“Archie?” Dad says when I fail to return his hello.
“Hi Dad.”
“Are you calling about your credit cards?” he asks. Dad’s not big on chit chat, but how are you would have been nice. Even a how’s the weather?
“Yeah. The Amex got declined.”
“I warned you about your allowance, Son,” he says firmly but with a hint of regret, as though he’s sorry he has to teach me a lesson.
“I didn’t want to cut it off, but if you’re determined to push back on coming home to Brisbane, I didn’t have another option.
You need to know what to expect if you stay in LA. ”
“Did you see my proposal?”
“Sybil will look over it.” He’s not unkind. Just dismissive—which, I guess, is a type of unkindness.
“I’d like you to review it. You’re the expert.” I force a smile and wave at Mitzi’s boyfriend, Harry, who lives across the street, then go back to walking up and down the sloped footpath.
“I haven’t got time right now, but I will. You come home, and we’ll go through it together.”
For a second, I’m tempted to believe him. Old habits are hard to break. But I can’t ignore what’s become clear. Our relationship is the only one that’s still intact for him because I haven’t pushed back when Dad gives orders. He has control.
Life is easier with someone else in the driver’s seat, but less satisfying.
“I’m not coming back, Dad. I’m staying here.” I answer with a firmness that will leave no question whether I mean it.
When the words leave my mouth, something else goes with it: the weight of wanting Dad’s approval. The weight of wanting his love. I’ve been carrying it so long I’d forgotten how heavy it is.
“How do you plan to support yourself?” Dad asks in his blustering way.
“Dunno yet.” I smile to myself, feeling a hundred times lighter. “Bye, Dad.”
I start back toward Frothed, knowing I have all the people—including Piper—who love me as I am, waiting for me there.