Page 9 of All the Promises We Break

“I know your family and my husband are not at war per se, but this will be a tough sell.”

I grip Eli’s hand so tight, he has to lay his other hand over the top to subtly remove my fingers from his skin. “Mom, I have a plan for my life. Now that plan includes Eli. It includes his family. They’ve been nothing but kind and supportive in every way. I care about them and they care about me.”

My mother begins to gently roll the stem of her glass between her fingers as she settles back farther in her chair. I didn’t mean what I said to be a slap in her face, but I can tell she took it just that way. “So, they know about you? You’ve spent a great deal of time with them it seems.”

In that moment, the door from the garage opens then the double beep echoes in the house once more. I can hear the soles of my father’s shoes step closer and closer. “Maggie? Whose car is that out front? Did Dylan catch a ride with a friend?”

“You could say that. We’re in here, Paul.”

Eli turns his head and stares deep into my eyes. We have an entire conversation in less than two seconds.

I’m scared.

I know.

I want to run.

We’re going to stay, and it will be fine. I promise.

My father tosses his keys on the foyer table as he makes his way to my mother’s voice, with Jester trotting along at his side. His looming shadow turns the corner in the room just as Elijah rises, his body partially shielding mine but allowing me to see the smile fade to shock on my father’s face.

“Hello, Paul.”

“Well. This is a surprise. I’d like to say what are you doing here, but the math seems simple. How deep are you in, Dylan?”

I rise to Eli’s side as I slide my hand down into his. “Don’t be rude, Daddy.”

It’s Eli’s turn to squeeze my hand. When I did it, it was to draw strength to talk at all. His is all about maintaining control. “Paul, Dylan and I came here out of respect for you and your wife. We wanted to have a conversation about a few things so you wouldn’t hear it another way.”

My mother also rises to my father’s side. She threads her arm around his. I’m not sure if that move is to mirror us or to hold him back from doing something potentially stupid. “Do you want to tell him or should I?” she asks.

“Tell me what?” I can nearly hear his jaw click from the six feet we’re standing apart.

“Paul, I’ve asked Dylan to marry me. She’s made me the happiest man alive by saying yes.”

My father ignores Eli completely and addresses me. “You don’t come home for nine months, then you show up here today saying you’re getting married to the son of my biggest business rival? Did you really think this would go well?”

“Actually, Daddy, I hoped that for once you’d listen to me when I’d say something makes me happy. I wish all the time that you’ll tell me how proud I make you and you trust my judgment.”

“Paul, I want to have an honest discussion about how we got here and how we move forward. If that’s not something you’re interested in, I’ll take Dylan home and we’ll plan our future without you. I love her and because I love her, we’re here to bring us together. If you can’t, I won’t let you hurt her anymore.

“She is thriving in all aspects of her life. Graduating with highest honors. A job that will work with her to find the right balance between it and her desire to dance in a company, the company of her dreams. That audition is on the horizon. Wehaven’t set a wedding date yet, but I don’t intend on waiting long.

“So, with great respect, I ask you for your blessing. Just know whether you give it or not, as long as Dylan will have me, I will be her partner in business, in life, and in love.”

He’s said all these things to me before but when he looks at my parents, especially my father, and says them again, it hits my soul differently. My father is used to owning every room he enters. Today, right now, Eli fills the space, and I couldn’t be prouder to be by his side.

Eli inspires me to say things to my parents I’ve never had the courage to articulate. “Mom, Dad…I know you’ve never been a fan of my dancing the way I do. Mom, I know you wanted me to be a prima ballerina. Daddy, you didn’t understand it at all. Just because I want something different doesn’t make it any less.

“I found Eli because of dance. He’s supported me every step of every routine. He understands my passion and drive. Those were the key things that led him to offer me an internship at AnSa this year. I got to lead a project for a friend of his, an NHL player. I helped shape how his entire Foundation will be rebranded. They’re even letting me run a portion of it.

“Me. I did that. I earned that. Just like I earned, by my bloodied feet and broken-down body, a chance to be accepted into the dance company I’ve wanted to be in since I was fourteen. I’m stronger now than I ever have been. How I got here sucked but I wouldn’t want to give it back. I’m right where I should be. Please, Daddy. Please accept me, accept us.”

The silence in the room when I finish is not only deafening but I feel like it lingers forever. My mom stands very still, with her fingers resting lightly on her lips. Her eyes gloss over ever so slightly as she angles herself, waiting on my father’s reaction.

He looks down at the floor where Jester is sitting at his feet. My father slides his hands into his pants pockets, taking threesteps forward toward us. My instinct draws me close into Eli’s side. My father settles into his stance before us and looks up to meet Eli’s eyes.

“So, is she that direct and convincing in the boardroom?”

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