The next morning,I got up early and went straight to my office to get started on the day’s paperwork so Charlie and I could go to Ellicottville for dinner and to return the expensive clothes she’d bought. Last night over a pizza we picked up in town, we discussed keeping the outfit and replacing the money in her savings account over the next month, but she declined. That money was for an overnight trip to a spa resort with her friends and the cost of the outfit was almost the amount of the hotel room. She decided she’d rather continue to save for spa treatments, and she didn’t need the clothes, anyway.
It didn’t take long for my father to show up, letting himself in the office and taking the seat across from me.
“How’d things go with Charlie last night?” he asked, not even attempting to dance around the subject.
I set aside my laptop and focused on the conversation. I wouldn’t be discussing details, but I knew he was concerned about mine and Charlie’s relationship.
“It went well, I think. I told her I loved her, and she said it back, so that’s good news.”
He grinned and shook his head. “That is good news, but not exactly what I was asking. Your mother told me that Charlie bought some things that she didn’t really have the money for because your mother and Janie ganged up on her.”
“Yeah. Charlie said she tried to decline, but they kept pushing and she was embarrassed and didn’t want to disappoint Mom.” Now I shook my head. “I could picture it as she told me. Why does Mom get so pushy about things?”
“I don’t know, Toby. She gets caught up in the moment and ignores the signs. It’s frustrating, but I dealt with it. She feels terrible, though.” He paused. “She’s afraid Charlie doesn’t like her anymore, and that she ruined her relationship with her future daughter-in-law. Now I told her she was getting ahead of herself, but it seems maybe I was wrong about that.”
“I would say you’re probably very wrong about that,” I confirmed.
“How long have you two been dating?” he asked, though I was sure he knew the answer and was just trying to make a point.
“Officially, about three months. But we spent a month as just friends. Remember? Or is your memory fading in your old age?” I couldn’t resist poking at him.
“It seems like things are moving pretty fast, son,” he replied, ignoring my dig at him. “And are you sure you’re on the same page about what this relationship will look like?”
“Dad, yes, we’ve discussed it extensively. In fact, we have a meeting every week to talk about her business and our relationship.” I sighed and decided to address his concerns even if it was slightly more information than I wanted to share. “I realized it was more important to me that I had Charlie than demand we have the strict relationship I had in my head. So, I compromised, and she compromised, and we met in the middle, and I’m perfectly happy and content with what we have.”
He stroked his chin as he considered my words. “I’m glad you’re finally realizing that life doesn’t always give you what you want, but it can give you what you need if you open yourself up to the possibility of something different.”
“Me too, Dad,” I said and then changed the subject. “If Mom wants to apologize this morning, Charlie’s leaving at nine and expecting me to stop by before that to say goodbye. As long as she tells Charlie I didn’t forget about her and I’ll see her later, then I’ll skip my visit and Mom can go see her.”
“That’s a great idea, Toby. I’ll let her know.”
And with his message delivered and concerns alleviated, he left me to my invoices and orders. But his words left me with a sense of pride in my chest, and it was all thanks to Charlie. If she hadn’t turned me down and pushed back on my cocky, domineering attitude, we wouldn’t be where are now.