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It’s the first he’s ever ot the i down made him uncomfortable for so onfor the sole purpose of reproduction”

When I was younger, I iined irl But once I started getting serious about pursuing a stage career andeast, I placed that little daydreaht because it seemed to be off the table anyway

I couldn’t marry a man ouldn’t talk to me

“I think I’e the subject

“Have youwest?”

I loop h so, you know? Maybe I’ else”

He bristles “I can’t i else … but what’d you have in mind?”

“I don’t know … maybe I’m better suited for community theater? I’d love to run a playhouse in a medium-sized city so and casting than coe”

“Nonsense,” he says “You were born to perform Just like your mother”

And there it is …

The narrative he’s been pushing on me my entire life

Half the reason I left for New York was because I didn’t want to disappoint him The other half was because I wanted to make Wyatt proud

I maintain ”

“A hundred grand on an acting degree begs to differ, Blaire,” he says with a chuckle, though he’s not joking

“It’s hard to knohat you want to do with your life when you’re eighteen Not everyone nails it on the first try”

We round the last corner, and our house grows closer with each step

The last leg of our walk is hardened with stilted silence Once we get inside,the door like a sulking et his way—and I say that with love My father can be difficult to reason with at times, especially when he means well

A fra into the hardwood floor and leaving a pool of shattered glass

Odette peeks her head out fro room

“What’s all the fuss?” she asks before spotting the dae

I head for the stairs “Certain people around here are afraid of change”