big and cheesy, feeling a lot happier than I had in a while. “You raised me right. I like to think I’ve managed to keep a pretty level head regardless of what Hollywood has thrown at me.”
He snorted and settled back into the recliner. “Then why are you still so pissed about what happened ten years ago? Why can’t you look past that and focus on the script that you obviously really love and want to work on?”
I balked a little bit, not only because he seemed to be taking Salinger’s side, but also because this was the first time he’d ever really shown any real interest in what I was or wasn’t working on. He’d told me once he’d only watched a couple of the movies I’d been in, and that he couldn’t handle watching me on TV because of the sexy scenes and all the kissing. He said it made him uncomfortable, which I claimed to understand, even though I was hurt deeply.
“Dad.” It was my turn to lean forward where I was sitting. I cocked my head to the side and regarded him seriously. “Why are you so invested in whether or not I work on this movie? You’ve never cared one way or the other before. It’s a little weird. I know you’re ready to get me out of your hair, but I already told you I’m leaving. There’s no need to push me at a script just to get your house back.”
I gasped as the ice tea went flying when he suddenly leapt to his feet. He was a big guy recovering from heart surgery, but he could still move fast when he wanted to. But apparently not without consequences, because he had to put a hand to his chest as he loomed over me, looking irritated beyond belief.
“I’m not telling you to consider the project to get rid of you. I’m telling you to think it over because it’s the first time you’ve seemed like your old self since everything that happened with the baby and that jackass of an ex-husband. You’ve been like a hollow shell for so long; I keep waiting for you to crack into a million pieces. I can’t remember the last time you smiled or laughed. You’ve been going through the motions of living. I’m worried that you forgot what being alive actually feels like. I don’t want my daughter to be so numb that she can’t feel anything ever. Trust me. I’m someone who has made that mistake. You deserve more out of life than that. I want more for you, and since the only time I’ve heard even a spark of excitement in your voice in over two years was when you talked about that script, well, that’s why I think you need to let bygones be bygones. People can change, Maren. Look at me. I’m going to eat salad all the time now. It won’t kill me.”
A startled laugh ripped out of my mouth as I tried to process all the information he’d just mercilessly launched at me, and his clear shade about his new, healthy diet. My dad wasn’t a big talker, so when he had something to say, it was ingrained in me to listen closely.
“I didn’t realize you were so attuned to me, Dad. I have to say I’m just a little bit surprised at all of this. I honestly thought everything I said to you about work went in one ear and out the other. I honestly believed you were still angry that I never became a CPA.”
“Your life would have been a lot easier if you’d become a CPA. The only two things in life that are certain are death and taxes. I would’ve been happy if you decided to become a funeral director. All I want for you is to be safe, healthy, happy, and always have a career where you can provide for yourself if something happens to me. You know how hard it was for me to take care of us when your mom suddenly passed away. I just wanted to make sure you never had to go through that again.”
I got to my feet and walked over to him so I could throw my arms around his neck and hug him like I was never going to let him go. When he awkwardly patted my back with a large, work-roughened hand, I immediately felt like I was five-years-old again. “I really love you, Dad.”