“By doing what?”
“Entering Truck Wars.”
“Truck who?”
“It’s a contest. Five local crews are competing for a shot at winning their own truck in a month-long competition that Q109 is putting on. I’m really excited about it. I have a website and social media pages ready to go, along with a menu and a marketing plan.”
“Why are you doing this, Xia?” he whispers. The hurt and shock on his face would move me if it didn’t prove how long he hasn’t been listening to me.
“I already told you.”
“No. I refuse to believe that. Do you feel so slighted that you have to act out? Is this an attempt to get my attention? Because trust me, you have it now.”
“No. Does that even sound like something I would do?”
“Before today, I would’ve said no. But you, this,” he gestures to my outfit, “and this workplace relationship have me wondering what happened to my little girl.”
“She grew up and decided to stop trying so hard to please you because it only made her miserable.” I stand my ground.
“You were never treated badly!”
“I was treated differently,” I counter, refusing to give an inch.
“You are all very different people. Why would I treat you all the same?”
“This is not about personality. This is about archaic ideals and gender.”
“I didn’t want this for you. The ups and downs of trying to create a successful business. The instability and back breaking work. You’re my princess. Why do you want to crucify me for that?” he rants, bewildered.
“Because your princess grew up and decided to take care of herself. I am the dragon slayer, not the woman in the tower.”
Jaw set and chest heaving, he draws himself up to his full height. “I’m not pleased about this. I want you to know I don’t approve. I could talk until I’m blue in the face but I won’t. Instead, I’m going to leave before I blow up and say things I can’t take back. I know you’re looking for my blessing, but I can’t give it right now. You’re leaving a steady job for an up and coming truck to chase a pipe dream.”
“What’s life for if not to live?”
I beg him to understand with my eyes. This is why he set off on his own and left Texas. How can he not understand me? We should be bonding over this.
“I get you have to do what you feel is best, I do. I don’t agree.”
“I wasn’t asking you to.”
He grimaces as if in pain before he turns on his heels and walks away.
“Well, I guess the mighty king has spoken.” My lower lip trembles and my vision blurs. It went exactly how I suspected it might, but it doesn’t make it any easier. Shayne wraps his arms around me, and I let go as I sob into his chest.
***
“You’re both so damn stubborn,” my mother says exasperatedly.
The outburst would b
e funny coming from the woman who so rarely swears or says an unkind word if the situation wasn’t so bleak.
“Are you actually going to place blame on me for this?”
“No, honey, I’m just stating a fact. My only wish was that you had done this earlier. I could sense you weren’t truly happy. I contributed to that with my silence. I regret that.”
I shake my head. “No, Mom. That’s on me, not you. I needed a wake-up call. Smoke II did that. I saw my years ticking down without any progression. Dad giving the boys a second truck was the last straw.”