to the mechanical side of things. He could put together a boat with his eyes closed. He knows what will work and what won’t. He’s my sounding board. My ideas can be a little wild at times.”
“I’m glad you have a friend like that.”
“He’s demanding a percentage of the profits,” I told her.
“Are you going to concede to his demands?”
“Of course. I really couldn’t have done it without him. I’m not going to tell him that. Not yet. I still have a long ways to go before I can get this on an actual ship and in the water.”
“How long did it take you to get your first design sold?” she asked.
I blew out a breath. “Years. Probably about five years. Even after I got the design sold, it took another two years before it hit the water. None of this is fast. People think the government has red tape. They should see what it takes to build a ship.”
“I can only imagine,” she said. The waitress came by to take our orders.
“How are you and your dad?” I asked, broaching the subject that was still very sensitive.
She shrugged. “We aren’t exactly talking.”
“I am so fucking sorry,” I said. “I hate that I am the cause of strife between the two of you.”
“Don’t be sorry. This is on him. I know it will take some time, but I think he will come around eventually. It’s all a little raw for him right now, but he will have to learn to deal with it.”
“Has he shown any signs of dealing with it?”
She grimaced. “No.”
“I cannot begin to tell you how guilty I feel. I hate the way things have turned out.”
“It’s okay,” she assured me. “I am okay with it. At first, yes, I was hurt and angry. I think I’ve reached the point of acceptance. I can’t change him and I’m not going to try. I accept he can’t accept my decisions. Does that make any sense?”
I smiled and sipped my soda. “It does, coming from you. What about the awards banquet? Have you decided if you are going to go?”
“I am going. He can’t stop me. I’m not going to miss it.”
“Good for you. Stand strong.”
She blew out a breath. “It isn’t easy. I think it’s a very good thing I’ve been so busy. I don’t have a lot of time to think about it. I just keep moving forward.”
“That’s all you can do.”
“Do you want to go with me to the banquet?” she asked. “I know I’ve asked you before but I’m throwing it out there again.”
I slowly shook my head. “This is a big night for him. I don’t want to ruin it. He doesn’t like me, and I get it. I have enough respect for him to let him have his night without any drama.”
“You’re right. I’ve thought that as well. I want to be there, but if he is truly that mad at me, I don’t want to make it difficult for him. He should celebrate without worrying about me.”
“He will want you there,” I insisted. “Whatever he’s going through right now is not going to be permanent. When he does calm down and you two do put your relationship back together, you’ll both be glad you went.”
“You’re right. I just hope that realization comes sooner rather than later. I really hate not talking to him. I worry about him. I just know he is probably eating nothing but junk food.”
She was a good daughter. It was too bad her dad couldn’t see that. “I’m sure he’s fine. It’s going to take a lot more than a month or two of shitty eating to take him out.”
“You’re probably right. Eventually, he is going to have to cave in. He is going to have to realize I’m not changing my mind.”
“About me?” I asked.
“Yes, about you. It isn’t just you. It’s me making decisions for myself without him butting in.”
“Good for you,” I told her. “You make a lot of decisions every single day for other people and you seem to have some pretty satisfied customers.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I appreciate your confidence.”
“How could I not be confident? You are choosing me. That’s a damn good bet.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh lord. Now you are proving my father right.”
“How?” I asked innocently.
“By being arrogant.”
“Only because I know this is right.”
She slowly shook her head. “You are dangerous.”
“Want to make a run for the bathrooms? As hard as I am right now, it will take less than