Chapter 11 - Dad Did Not Want the Wedding Canceled Because of Him
After Julian learned who Arthur had been, he changed:
instantly.
“General Bennett.”
My father’s face hardened.
Ten minutes earlier:
gardener.
Now:
General.
That was worse.
Julian stepped toward him.
“Sir, I didn’t realize—”
Dad held up one hand.
“No.”
“I was upset.”
“No.”
“I thought—”
“I know what you thought.”
Julian stopped.
Arthur looked at the crushed petals on the floor.
Then:
“You thought the work made me beneath you.”
Julian opened his mouth.
Dad continued.
“Finding out I once wore stars does not fix that.”
That sentence became the center of:
everything.
Then Dad turned toward me.
“Clara.”
“Yes?”
“You do not cancel a wedding because I’m angry.”
“I’m not.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“Because if you want to marry him, I’ll change clothes and walk you down that aisle.”
I stared.
Julian looked hopeful.
That nearly made me:
sick.
Dad continued.
“I mean it.”
“I will not make this decision for you.”
That was the most protective thing my father could have done.
He did not:
command.
Did not use his military history as:
authority.
Did not say:
I forbid it.
He gave:
the decision
back to me.
I looked at Julian.
Then imagined twenty years.
Service workers.
Employees.
Our future children.
My father entering through:
the back door
because my husband was embarrassed by his vest.
I said:
“There is no wedding.”
Julian’s face changed.
“Clara.”
“No.”
“You’re emotional.”
“No.”
“Your dad and this guy just humiliated me.”
“This guy?”
Reed raised an eyebrow.
Julian corrected:
“Colonel Reed.”
Too late.
I said:
“I’m not canceling because Dad is a general.”
May you like
“I’m canceling because ten minutes ago you believed he wasn’t.”
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