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Dad throws up his arms and stands. “See, this is why I can’t turn the company over to him. He’s a half-wit.”
“You’re wrong,” Heather says.
“Oh shut up. What do you know, you freaking…hippie?”
The words roll off his tongue and anger flashes hot inside me. I toss my napkin on the floor. Heather’s hand is on my arm, fingernails digging in, holding me in place.
“I’m not going to shut up.” Heather’s voice is even, her shoulders square.
I’d never admired a woman as much as I admire her at this moment. She isn’t just some flower child, hippie. She has a spine of steel.
“You may think you can say whatever you want to me, but you can’t. I won’t put up with your disrespect or your attitude.”
Dad waves his arms at her and rolls his eyes. “What do you know? You’re nothing more than a-a…a girl.”
Heather laughs and shakes her head. “I know the value of people and I don’t treat them like dirt.”
Dad scoffs. "That won't get you far. You've got to be powerful, and my son is weak."
Again, Heather laughs. “From my vantage point, you’re one of the poorest and weakest people I’ve ever seen. You may have cash in a bank somewhere, but you don’t have peace in your heart. One day, you’ll regret treating people like trash. But I won’t be one of those people.”
I had no idea what Heather was going to say next. Maybe she would reveal our lie and tell my father we weren’t a couple. The air had cooled off considerably and my mom looked horrified. No one had ever talked to my father like Heather was speaking to him. Stunned didn’t even begin to cover how he looked.
Heather turns to Alisha and begins speaking. “Thank you for being such a wonderful host. It’s been a pleasure to meet you. William, you have a lovely house. Thank you for inviting us.” Heather stands and I hop up too. My mom’s frown deepens. Heather flashes a stiff smile at my mom. “It was nice to meet you.” She doesn’t offer those words to my dad. I didn’t blame her.
My dad throws up his hands. “Are you going to follow that twat?”
I nod and my lips curve into a smile I can’t suppress. “Yep, and she’s right. You’re going to eventually regret a lot of stuff.” I follow her up to our room and find her bent at the waist, sucking in air. “Are you okay?”
Her eyes are wide, and her face is ashen. “I can’t believe I stood up to him.”
"Thank you." Her gaze catches mine and at that moment, I know she is the better person. She always has been the better person. Her quirky ways aren't just endearing, she is a good person, better than me or my family will ever be.
“Are you ready to leave?” I can’t stay another minute. I’ll probably lose my job, but I don’t care. Knowing my dad, he has already sent a note to the board.
“Yes, let’s go.” Her voice shakes, tugging at my heart, revealing her emotions.
I carry our bags downstairs where William and Alisha meet us. “You don’t have to leave.”
“I’m sorry, Alisha, William,” Heather says. “I need to head back into town. It was very nice of you opening your home.”
William pulls Heather into a hug. “Someone needed to say that to him for a long time. Thank you.”
Heather’s laughter fills the entryway. “It was very rude of me.”
“He’ll get over it,” William says as he steps away. “Come back, just the two of you. I think we could have a wonderful weekend together.”
Heather nods but I know she doesn’t mean it. She’s not going to give me the time of day. I’ve been acting like my dad and he’s a dick. It’s time for a new balance in my life, but I’m not sure how to get there.
