We all pick up our flutes. He raises his and says, “To Pascal and her bright future.”
Seriously? Would he kill him to say something about my new job?
Court is giving Dad a level, expressionless stare, and I place a hand on his arm. I don’t want to get into a huge fight in front of everyone over what Dad said and did. Maybe later I’ll confront him and get it out of the way.
The dinner starts once we’re seated. Mom serves, although…is she giving Dad the smallest portion of pot roast? She certainly gives Court a plate piled with food.
Thankfully, the rest of the dinner proceeds normally. By that, I mean Court, Mom, Curie, Joe and I chat, while Dad eats silently with an intense focus. Maybe he needs some time to come to grips with the reality that his daughter has a mind and life of her own. But does it take this long?
Mom asks me about the interview, and I tell everyone all about it. I’m proud of how I never faltered throughout it all.
“How nice,” Dad says finally. “Although it is surprising that Gavin interviewed you himself. And only the one round, rather than two or three.”
I shoot him a sharp look. “Does that really matter?”
“I’m just saying that’s generally how interviews go. If I didn’t know better, I’d say somebody pulled some strings on your behalf.” The smile he gives me is as sharp as a lance, and well aimed.
“Well, I don’t know him at all,” I say, furious he’s trying to diminish my new job. “And I don’t know anyone who’d stick his neck out for me like that.”
Dad’s gaze flicks to Court.
Court raises both hands, palms out. “I had nothing to do with Gavin’s decision. If she didn’t impress him, he wouldn’t have hired her.”
Dad lets out a grunt, and heat suffuses my cheeks. I grip my fork so tightly that my fist is shaking. This insult is really just too much. If he couldn’t say anything nice, he shouldn’t have said anything at all.
Court puts a soothing hand on my arm, his gaze back on Dad. “I know it’s hard to admit when you’re wrong, but you could at least be happy for your daughter’s sake.”
Dad puts down his utensils with a snap of his wrists. “Stay out of this, Court. I only want what’s best for her.”
“And that’s what? Embarrassing me in front of everyone?” I say. “I’m not a child anymore, Dad. I know what’s best for me, and I can make my own decisions.”
“To waste your life doing something you aren’t going to enjoy doing anyway? What are you going to do when you want to have children? Do you know that’s the biggest reason women in our profession quit? They can’t work the hours and still raise kids. It simply isn’t possible. Better for you to go into something that won’t get in the way of a family.”
What the hell? Does h
e think this is what I need to hear right now?
I put my fork down, too pissed to continue eating. “Really? That’s how it is? Well, maybe, just maybe, if you were more supportive of the women at SFG, they wouldn’t feel like they had to quit their job to have children! Instead of playing into the stereotype, you could create initiatives to make SFG a great place for women. Be a pioneer. But no. Congratulations, Dad, for being part of the problem, not the solution.”
“Show some respect, young lady,” he says, his eyebrows pinching together ominously. “Especially when you’re in my home.”
“It’s my home too!” I snap. “I shouldn’t have to put up with your negativity when something good happens to me just because it isn’t what you would’ve preferred.”
He stares like I’m not making any sense. “This isn’t about me!”
“It’s all about you!” I stand. “My God. I can’t even have a nice dinner.” My voice is brittle, and tears prickle my eyes. I blink them away. I’ll be damned if Dad is going to see me cry. I won’t give him the satisfaction, no matter how angry and hurt I am.
Court stands. “You know what, Steve? Maybe we should go if you aren’t happy to see us.” His voice is cold and aloof.
“That’s not what I meant. Don’t get so worked up—”
“Then what did you mean?” Mom says, cutting Dad off before I can. “You made it clear you didn’t care about her success. I told you to at least text her, but did you? No, you did not. You couldn’t have been a little gracious? Do you have to make it sound like she only got the job because of her connection to Court, rather than on her own merit? I’ve never been more ashamed.”
Curie is glaring at Dad balefully, and Joe looks let down by Dad’s attitude.
Dad presses his lips tightly together. “I’m just looking out for my girl. And Court, I’m disappointed in you for fanning the flames rather than trying to calm Pascal down.”
Rage coils in my muscles. Cutting words push up, up, up my chest and into my mouth, and I’m sure steam’s coming out my ears right now.