Chapter 27
Twenty-Seven
Whitney got out of Matthew’s car and texted William and Carina:
WHITNEY: I survived.
Since the show was local, there was no way they could catch it from where they were. It would re-air later, but by then, hopefully, she would have already explained everything to her parents.
Thank goodness this was behind them now. She got in her car and drove over to her parents’ house to wait for them to get home. This would be the hardest part. Facing her father, and praying he understood why she had to do what she did.
She owed him an explanation and a promise, but she also wanted to know where she stood in her role and her future at the firm running the divorce and family law business. Would she ever truly have free rein to adjust the business model? The law was simple, but the way they ran their business could change for the better.
My life is changing.
She’d been sitting on the couch, staring out the window for over an hour.
She had the link to this morning’s television program up on her laptop, waiting to play it for them. She’d recited her commentary over and over.
“I have to be the first to tell them about it.”
The little voice in her head reminded her she couldn’t control anything but her own actions.
If he’d heard about it from someone, and she knew that was a possibility, she’d defend herself. She felt confident about why and what she did. Dad didn’t have to accept it, but she hoped he would.
She’d made sure Carina was not involved, to protect her if things didn’t go as planned.
The sound of a car coming down the road got her attention. She jumped up on her knees, and this time it was the limousine.
“Finally.”
William and Carina got out of the back seat and walked to his car, with an overnight rolling suitcase rattling behind them. She’d half hoped he’d come inside, but he wasn’t that great of an actor, so it was probably smart that he didn’t.
Dad got out and put his arm around Mom’s waist. They were still so in love after all these years. Things had been so touchy she hadn’t even really said much about Matthew to Mom yet. Surely, she’d take credit for the match if it lasted.
She stood, waiting for them to come into the house.
Her dad entered first, Mom right behind him.
“Hey, Dad.” She walked over and gave him a hug. “Congratulations.”
She hugged her mom too.
She held her hand to her stomach, almost feeling like she might throw up.
Mom said, “It wasn’t the same without you there.”
“Dad, I have something to show you.” She held her breath, ready for whatever came her way.
“If this is about the local morning show, I’ve already seen it, Whitney.”
“You did?” Whitney paled, unable to read if it was an disapproving look on his face or not.
“The minute your name went out across the airwaves, my team received an alert.”
She was surprised he had something so technically savvy in place, but it was smart.
“I’m proud of you, Whitney. I wasn’t too pleased when I first heard the news, but the segment was good. You represented yourself, your work, and us in a positive light. I let some comments from Grant steer my opinion, and I’m not proud of that. I should have trusted your ability to handle the contemporary issues that might rise in your area of responsibility. You’ve worked so hard to build the divorce and family law practice. It was practically nonexistent until you came in.”
Her mother smacked her lips. “Practically? The only divorces handled before Whitney and Carina came onboard were for stodgy, selfish, rich business clients who didn’t want their future ex-wives to benefit from their inappropriate behavior.I know. I was the one who had to deal with it back then. Frankly, that isn’t something to be proud of.” She looked lovingly at Whitney. “Why do you think I never went back? And I bet we didn’t handle twenty divorces the whole time after I stepped down.”
“I never knew that, Mom.”
“There’s history running this firm that can’t be ignored, however,” her father said. “That’s not going to change. At least probably not in my lifetime.”
“Well, I’ve watched quietly, and I know that Whitney and Carina are doing it right. Like you, Whitney, family law was everything to me. It’s not sexy like all the high-dollar business stuff, but it’s important. It’s life, and that deserves attention too. Life is not always easy or pretty, but it can be handled in a decent way.”
Her father’s voice softened. “I love you, Whitney. I’m very proud of everything you’ve accomplished.”
“Thanks, Daddy.”
“And Bill, I think you have something else to say too.” Mom stared at him.
Dad’s lids drooped for a nanosecond. “I do. There was no scandal or buzz, or even a negative pause about the social media shenanigans?—”
Mom butted in. “But the firm did get some snide comments at the event.”
Whitney wasn’t sure what happened. “Oh no, I’m so sorry.”
“Not about you,” Mom said. “About your father’s billboard. It’ll be coming down this week, and there will never be another one. That is all the discussion there will be on that subject, right, dear?”
Her father nodded. “Happily.”
Whitney slapped her hand on her pants. “William’s going to be so happy. Sorry, Dad, but you know how we feel about those billboards.”
“Done for good this time.” Mom clapped her hands. “No more discussion about that. Ever.”
“Yes, ma’am.” But Whitney was dying to tell William their dreams had come true.
Mom moved in closer. “On a lighter, but just as important, subject related to family, I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about Matthew McMahon. So you really had met before I brought him into your office that night? You acted like you’d never seen him.”
“I didn’t recognize him that night. We later figured it out, but the first time I ever laid eyes on him was in the middle of a storm. I actually thought he was a homeless person.”
“What?”
“The long story short, is, yes, he actually played the hero that night in the pouring rain.”
“He caught the umbrella midair… in the wind?” Mom didn’t look convinced.
“Y’all did see the segment.” Whitney raised her hand. “I swear it’s true. That is exactly what happened.”
“He’s a very talented artist,” her father said. “But an artist? Aren’t they usually temperamental, and I don’t know, sort of have wanderlust?”
“Matthew is talented, kind, giving, and successful. He makes me feel like a million bucks.”
“And that is the vibe that you can’t make up,” her mother said with pride. “I like him. And I think I like him for you. You are simply glowing just talking about him. You must invite him to the next family gathering.”
“Chloe’s birthday,” Dad clarified. “We’re all going to the lake house the weekend of July 26th to celebrate together. There are plenty of bedrooms for everyone. Invite him. I’d like to get to know him. I wasn’t paying attention the night I bought all those paintings for your mother. He’s in for scrutiny this time.”
“You better be nice to him.”
“He better be nice to you,” Dad said.
“He is. I’ll invite him.” She picked up her laptop. “This segment will air again on their weekend show. I wanted to be sure you knew that.”
“It’s fine. Water under the bridge.”
It was almost a little anticlimactic. She’d expected to have to plead her case, stand up for herself, take her punishment even, but none of that had happened. It was easy, and she was so thankful to put all the worry behind her.
“We’re exhausted. Your father and I danced all night. Like all of it,” Mom said.
“We’re getting too old for those all-nighters,” her dad said. “But it sure was fun.”
“It was,” her mom cooed. “He’s still got it.”
Even now that she was grown, that was a weird thing to picture.
“We need a nap. You’re welcome to stay.”
“No thanks, I’m going to go on home. I have some work I can do.”
Mom kissed her on the cheek. “Good night, dear. Well done, today.”
“Thanks, Mom.” She pulled her purse up on her shoulder and walked to the door.
“You know, Whitney,” Dad said. “No matter what you decide you want to do, or how you want to do it, if it doesn’t fit into the mold and mission of the firm, you can step away if that’s what you desire. Truly, your happiness, yours and your brother and his family’s—that’s what means the most to both me and your mother.”
Dad pressed his hand against the back of her neck and kissed her forehead. “I’m very proud of you.”
Her breath caught. She’d longed for those words. Years of hard work and hopes. “Thank you, Daddy. You have no idea how much that means to me. All I’ve ever wanted was to make you proud.”
“You do. Every day. You and Carina have what it takes to set a higher standard for the entire discipline. Of course, that’s just this old man’s opinion. I’m happy to sit and discuss that with you. Please don’t ever be afraid to talk to me. It doesn’t have to be my way, to be the right way for you.”
Whitney’s head was swimming. Those words replayed in her mind as she pulled the door closed behind her.
Her father’s support, his approval, had been something she’d wanted desperately for so long, but he’d never vocalized it. “I had it all along,” she whispered in wonder.