Page 149 of Rush
"Your mom would be proud."
The words make my chest tight. My mom died when I was ten and my dad rarely talks about her.
"You think so?" I ask.
"I know so. She always wanted you to be strong and independent. You're both."
"I learned from the best."
He almost smiles. "I don't know about that."
"I do. You taught me to stand my ground and fight for what I want. That's what I'm doing with Rush."
"I know, and I respect that even if I don't like it."
I sit back down at the table. "Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah."
"When did you know Mom was it for you?"
He thinks about it. "The first time she called me on my bullshit and didn't back down. I realized she wasn't afraid of me, and that made me want to be better for her."
"That's how I feel about Rush."
"He makes you want to be better?"
"No, he makes me want to be braver. To choose what I want instead of what's safe."
Dad reaches across the table and takes my hand. "You were always brave, sweetheart. Even when you were little you never backed down from a fight."
"Wonder where I got that from."
"Your mother. Definitely your mother."
We both laugh and the tension eases.
"I'm glad you came," I say.
"Even though I ambushed you?"
"Even though you ambushed me. It's good to see you."
"It's good to see you too."
We sit there for a while just being together. No pressure, no expectations, just a father and daughter figuring out how to navigate this new dynamic.
"I should go," Dad says finally. "Got an early flight."
"Okay."
He stands up and I do too. He pulls me into a hug.
"I love you," he says quietly. "And I'm proud of you, even when you're being stubborn."
"I love you too, Dad."
He pulls back and looks at me. "Be careful with Rush, okay? I know you love him, but don't lose yourself in it."
