“When did you last talk to her?”
“Yesterday, as a matter of fact.”
“She has as much told me that she doesn’t care what I threaten, she’ll see who she wants to see,” Grant said, his thick dark eyebrows emphasizing his frown. It always surprised Tony that he was over four inches taller than his father. When he was a child, he thought his father was extremely tall.
Tony nodded. “I’m not surprised.”
“She’s talked to you, hasn’t she?”
“Yes. You know she usually does,” he said, knowing from past experience his father was growing more angry. His words became clipped.
“Six months ago I would have urged you to try to persuade her to drop that Dylan person. Now I suspect it might be useless to try to ask you to do anything you don’t want to do.”
“You’re right,” Tony remarked with a faint smile, surprised his dad was even hinting at defeat in his attempts to control.
“So, it comes to that. I was afraid it might because you’ve always been strong-willed.” His father sat in a chair and swirled his wine, looking at it for a long time before he sipped.
“Well, you’ve acquired sufficient wealth to ignore my influence in your life,” Grant continued. “I could threaten to disinherit you as I have Sydney, but I’m afraid at this point, you would pay no heed. You’ll do as you damn please because you don’t need my money.”
“That’s right, Dad. It’s worth every hour of work I put in,” Tony admitted, relishing the feeling of being free from his father’s attempts to dominate his life. He sat relaxed, enjoying the moment he had relished for years.
“You don’t need to look so smug,” Grant grumbled. He shook his head. “I’ve met my match in my son. If I have to meet it, I can’t think of anyone else I would prefer to best me.”
“I wasn’t trying to ‘best you.’ I just want to live the way I want to live.”
“So what do you think of this artist, this Dylan ‘someone’ your sister thinks she is in love with?”
“First, my sister probably knows whether or not she is really in love with Dylan. Next, my opinion of Dylan—he’s a nice guy. From all indications, he’s good at what he does. What’s more important, I trust Sydney’s judgment, Dad. Dylan hasn’t had the advantages I had or you had. Sydney is bright and sharp. Frankly, if I were you, I would trust Sydney’s judgment.”
“Love is blind, Tony. We don’t want Sydney to ruin her life.”
“Chances are, she won’t.”
“How do you know this fellow isn’t after Sydney’s money? Someday she will be immensely wealthy. That may be his reason for showering his attention and affection on her. Have either of you considered that possibility?”
“Again, I trust her judgment. Besides, Dylan has told her he doesn’t want to ruin her life, so he doesn’t think they should see each other anymore. He’s sticking by that and he wants to cut all ties. Sydney does not want him to. You’ll have to admit that’s someone who is putting Sydney first.”
“Damn smoke screen. I doubt if he means it. It sounds good, but wait and both of you will see. My guess is that he will let her talk him into coming back into her life.”
“Maybe,” Tony said. “Time will tell on that one.”
“I’m glad he’s done this for now, but I don’t expect it to last. She can’t put herself through medical school,” his father remarked dryly. “I do have leverage with her even if I don’t with you.”
“No, Sydney can’t put herself through school, but I can help her,” Tony said, savoring the moment. His father’s head whipped around and his eyes narrowed.
“Damnation. You’ve already told her you would, haven’t you?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “So you nullified one of my immediate threats.”
“Yes, I did, because I love my sister. And I’m not cutting her out of my life. You and Mom can spend your holidays together as you see fit. I’ll see Sydney.”
“I never thought I’d see this day. I knew it was possible. Especially these last few years when you’ve had success after success. Dammit, Tony.”
Tony smiled and sat in silence, still reveling in his triumph, recalling dreams as a boy of moments like this.
“So you’ll help Sydney. Therefore, my threats are losing their punch. No wonder she’s not taking my calls. Dammit, Tony,” he repeated.
“If you try to cause Sydney trouble when she graduates—and I imagine you will—all you’ll succeed in doing is driving her to move away. You’ll lose her completely—and any grandchildren she might give you. She is already looking into where she can live when she finishes school. The places she’s considering are far from here.”
“I have to hand it to you. I’m impressed. I never thought I would see the day you could successfully tell me what to do and I would have to think about doing it.”
“Learned how from you,” Tony remarked casually. Silence fell and Tony sat swirling the glass of wine he had barely touched. He let his father ponder the transfer of power.
“Well, it’s a new concept to think I might have to back off. You know it’s a notion I don’t like. Your mother may be another matter. She doesn’t want this young man in our family.”
“Does she want Sydney in our family?”
“Of course she does.”
“I’ll repeat—if you keep this up, you two will never know your grandchildren. You’ll cut Sydney out of your life. Dad, for years to come, I have no intention of getting tied up in the demands of marriage, so don’t think I’ll give you grandchildren. You better make that clear to Mom.”
A muscle worked in his father’s jaw. He clenched his fists and walked to the window to stare outside. As silence filled the room, Tony recalled Isabelle informing him that her goal was to marry by thirty and have children. Her goal would have nothing to do with him except make her reluctant to have an affair, but he expected to get beyond that easily. And soon.
Finally Grant turned around. “You present a good argument. I don’t like it one damn bit, but I have to be proud of you. You’ve outfoxed me, Tony. I suppose I’ll have to consider your suggestions. With your opposition, I assume I’ll lose a lot if I keep Sydney from marrying this fellow.”
“That’s good news, Dad. Frankly, I think in years to come, the whole family will be much happier if you accept Sydney’s choice.”
“If this young man doesn’t break Sydney’s heart.”
“If he does, she will have only herself to blame. Not you or Mom. I better go, but I’m glad you’re at least listening. Sydney’s your child. You two will really miss her if you go ahead with your threats.”
“Even if I capitulate, I don’t know that your mother will.”
“She will if you talk her into it.”
“Go celebrate your victory.”
“It isn’t a war, Dad,” Tony said. “Sydney and I just want to live our own lives now. We’re adults. It’s time you let go a little.”
“If you ever are a father, Tony, you’ll understand.”
“I hope to hell I learn to let go when any kids I might have reach adulthood, much less in their thirties,” Tony said quietly, feeling the clash of wills. He saw the flash of fire in his father’s eyes and red flooding his face. “Don’t let thoughts of losing control cause your blood pressure to rise,” Tony added. “Just