Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 22331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22331 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 89(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
“I’m putting down an offer on a house just outside of town,” Hank adds. “Cash. It’ll be finalized within the week by my guess, and Fig wants to join me in making it a proper home.”
My mother sighs. “What are you going to do instead of LA, Fig? Just become a housewife? There’s nothing wrong with that, mind you, I just thought you wanted more than that.”
“I do, Mom. Hank’s also helping me lease the old shoe store downtown. I’m going to open my own boutique and try to pursue my dream that way. Be my own boss, be in charge of my own destiny, free from the creeps that inhabit the world of high fashion.”
My dad laughs. “Becoming an entrepreneur is in the Rough bloodline, Fig. You’re following in the Rough footsteps whether you intended to or not.”
“I’m worried. There’s always a need for construction,” Mom says. “But fashion? Not necessarily.”
“I believe in you fully, my little Fig Newton,” Dad adds. “You got the smarts to catch the eyes of the right people and succeed beyond your wildest dreams, whether you do it in California or right here at Home.”
“I hope you’re right, Dad.”
“I am right. Always. Except the times I’m wrong, and we don’t talk about those times.”
Relief washes over me and I break into giggles. Dad always has had that way of breaking the tension and winning me over.
“Do what you want to do, Fig,” my mother says, a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Your father and I are behind you no matter what. And it seems like Hank will be behind you too, if he’s so willing to put his money where his mouth is.”
Hank smiles. “Don’t you worry, I’ve been in love with this girl since before I should have been. I’m going to do my damnedest to make sure she succeeds, and that each and every day is the best day of the rest of her life.”
I let out a sigh of relief. I should have never doubted my parents. I should have never doubted Hank. Maybe someday I’ll learn to always trust those who love me the most.
The front door opens again. Graham comes in, followed by Tallie who is carrying her child, Lucy.
“Ah, is Hank joining us again?” Graham says.
“He didn’t tell me he was coming, is he here?” Reuben says, coming in behind them.
Looking at the street behind him, I see a bunch of cars. “Uh… what’s going on?”
“Dad’s throwing a barbecue,” Rye says as he comes in. “Didn’t the smell of brisket clue you in?”
“I just thought he liked brisket.”
Dad laughs. “I do, but we all wanted to get in as much time with you as we could. So we’re going to do two family dinners this week.”
The entire Rough clan is piling in, wives and kids with them, all of them here to make me remember what family I’m a part of.
“Well, everybody, I think I have an announcement to make,” I say. “I told Mom and Dad just now, but everyone else should hear this too.”
So I tell them. About how I’m not going back to Los Angeles, about how I’m getting married to Hank and opening up my own boutique right here in Home.
“You’re getting married, bro?” Reuben says, bumping fists with Hank and doing a weird handshake thing. “Knew you wouldn’t stay on the market for too long around here, and my sister couldn’t have picked a better guy.”
“So this business,” Lemon announces. “You think you could use an interior designer? To make sure it says fashion boutique instead of old shoe store? It’s a message you want to clearly convey.”
“Are you offering your services, Lemon?” I ask.
“Pro bono. I want your little boutique to succeed as much as you do, little sister.”
“I know a few things about retail,” Bartlett adds. “Can give you plenty of tips to stay in the black.”
Rye nods. “And you know the family construction company will help with any renovations you need.”
“I….I guess I’ll try to keep you from getting robbed?” Graham shrugs. “You know. Same as I do for everyone. I shouldn’t be playing favorites.”
Mac rolls his eyes. “Like Home has enough crime that Fig even has to worry about that.”
“I do think that maybe we should still rent that cabin,” Reuben says. “I was kind of looking forward to Christmas on the beach.”
“I think we can make that happen,” my dad says, stroking his chin. “As long as we can drag Fig and Hank away from their exciting new life together long enough for a holiday.”
The conversation turns away from me, and I’m so happy no one judged me for stepping away from my dream of being a fashion mogul. Not only that, all of them were so eager to encourage me and offer whatever help they could.
Everyone wanders through the house, talking and laughing. The Roughs have powerful family values, ones I want to carry on. As I look at Hank, I’m certain that we’ll carry them into the future.