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“I have a great idea!” Mom exclaims, and I already know what’s coming from a mile away. “Elise, you should join us! We have a reservation at the Astoria, doesn’t that sound lovely?”
She blushes high on her cheeks. “Ah… no thank you. I still have some packing to do.”
“Don’t you have someone that can do it for you?” Dad interjects. “I’m sure Dan would love it if you came along—”
“Mom, Pops,” I grate out. “She said she’s busy, don’t be pushy.”
“Oh, fine.” My mother sighs. “I guess I was just hoping for some female company among all these men, but I’m sure we’ll see you soon, Elise.”
“Uh-huh,” she answers, already starting to slip out the door before she can get caught in another conversation. “Can’t wait.”
After she shuts the door behind her, leaving me with just my parents, I fix them both with a glare. “Don’t. Say. Anything.”
Mom titters, holding her hand to her mouth as she slides a look over to my dad. They exchange a knowing look with one another, and I scoff, turning on my heel and going back upstairs.
“I’m going to shower!” I call behind me. “If you two nosy people are still here when I’m done I guess I’ll join you for brunch.”
“Good call on the shower, son!” Pops responds behind me. “You’ve still got some red lipstick on your neck!”
At the Astoria, I ignore the desire to get hard liquor before eleven a.m. and order my usual blooming tea instead. The colors of it curl and dance in the water as the flowers inside open their delicate petals, and I’m too busy watching it, lost in thought, to hear my parents when they ask me a question.
I look up at my dad, who seems to be waiting for me to say something. “Could you repeat that?”
Pops sighs in annoyance. “I said it’s news to me that Elise is going to Capri too. I thought this was a bachelors’ trip?”
I’m not happy to be back on the subject of Elise, but maybe they just have one or two questions, and we can move on. “I invited her at the last minute. I’m already beginning to regret that decision.”
Mom blinks, looking bewildered. “But why? You seem very fond of her.”
I exhale slowly, pouring my tea into the glass mug with practiced ease. “It’s complicated… I’d rather just think about what Capri is going to be like instead of her. Elise has been interjecting herself into my life plenty as it is.”
“You’re going to love it,” Dad assures me. “The sailing there is second to none. The entire island seems like a perfect paradise. What kind of activities are you planning on doing while you’re there?”
Happy to be on any other subject but Elise Van den Bosch, I launch into my itinerary with Pops, going into minute detail to keep the conversation rolling. Mom’s eyes seem to glaze over, and soon enough she's swirling her mimosa in her glass and looking around the restaurant. She seems to spot someone she knows, and excuses herself, leaving Pops and me alone, chatting about the best dining options on the Amalfi coast.
As soon as Mom is gone, Dad lets the topic of restaurants die, and levels a serious look at me. “Now that we’re alone… what’s on your mind, son?”
I wave my hands in the air. “Nothing.”
He sighs, clearly already knowing what’s on my mind. “I’m going to cut straight to the point. I know you and Elise have some sort of thing going on. That was made abundantly clear when we ran into her leaving your house this morning in last night's clothes. I also know how worried you are about her brother finding out, but if you really like her, he’s just going to have to understand.”
Scoffing, I reply, “You have no idea what you’re talking about, Dad. I might have some sort of feelings for her, but I highly doubt she likes me in the way I like her. It isn’t worth ruining my friendship with Andries over.”
He takes a drink of his coffee, looking thoughtful. “Well, there’s only one way to find out…”
“Absolutely not.” I can’t help but laugh. “I’m not going to admit my feelings for her. No. Fucking. Way.”
It feels strange, having one of the most serious adult conversations I’ve ever had with my father while the world goes on around us; other people are talking, laughing, eating, and enjoying their lives while I live in turmoil over my feelings for the only woman in the world who is off limits to me.
I know Pops is just trying to help, but the more he pries, the less I want to say. Speaking out loud about how I’m in an unrequited romantic tangle just makes me feel stupid. I’m older than Elise… more worldly. I should know better than to fall for her, but apparently, she’s the blind spot in my logical intelligence.
Mom comes back eventually, and we finish brunch, the terse atmosphere never dissipating. All of a sudden, I’m actually dreading Capri, and I need to find a way to salvage this trip for Andries while also keeping myself sane around Elise.
I bid my parents farewell in the parking lot, and Dad hugs me, thumping me on the back and telling me quietly, “Call me if you need any advice at all, son. I’ll pick up any time, day or night.”
I promise him that it won’t come to that, but knowing he at least understands what I’m going through—because I’ll be damned if I share it with anyone else—eases my stress somewhat. If I need to vent, I can always call Dad. It’s not much, but it’s something.
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