“What lesson is that exactly? That you don’t care about her or what she’s done for your winery? She’s amazing, you know. The blends she creates and the passion she has for the science behind it. She’s so fucking incredible, and you don’t even see it. You take her for granted, and that’s something I’d never do if I was lucky enough to have her,” I promised as adrenaline took over my entire body, fueling the words to spill out without refrain. I would fight for her. Even if it meant going up against the man who had helped make her.

I was so wound up that I didn’t notice that both of my parents had joined us outside until my dad said my name in an effort to get me to stop or attempt to regain some sense of composure.

Was I shouting? I wondered.

Ignoring his pleas, I continued addressing Mr. La Bella solely, “I’m just wondering what lesson she’s supposed to be learning right now while she’s crying at her best friend’s apartment because she thinks her dad hates her. Maybe you were trying to show her that family is replaceable and that your only daughter means so little to you that you’d take everything from her the second she disobeyed you. Or that all that really matters is following decades-old rules that make no sense and don’t even apply anymore. You’re punishing her, and I don’t think you even know why.” I was definitely shouting now.

“James! That’s enough.” My dad’s voice met my ears, and I turned to face him.

It was the first time I’d seen my parents and Julia’s this close to one another without verbal taunts and assaults being launched back and forth.

“He’s right,” a soft voice spoke.

All eyes turned toward Mrs. La Bella. She placed her hands on her hips, her body still a good length away from her husband’s.

“James is right. This feud was bound to eventually blow up in all of our faces. I’ve seen the way your son looks at my daughter. He’s been doing it his whole life. It was only a matter of time before it all came crashing down around us.”

“I agree,” my mom spoke up.

And the two women turned toward one another without another word in some sort of womanly solidarity gesture that I swore only they could understand. We three men watched as they embraced in a hug like they had been lifelong friends instead of forced enemies, wondering what the hell had just happened and how in the world women could speak volumes to each other without using any words.