Now, she stands in front of me, looking totally out of place here in her Chanel and gold jewelry. I know I should have apologized by now for everything, but the more I think about it, the more I’m not exactly thrilled over her behavior, either: the way she wielded that trust to try and keep me in line all these years.

I’m waiting for her critical comments as she casts her eye around the new bar. But instead, she summons the bartender.

“Well,” she says, giving me a look. “I think it’s about time the two of us had a drink.”

My jaw drops. “Uh, sure,” I manage.

The bartender saunters over, and I gratefully order a glass of whiskey. I’m tempted to order the entire bottle, but figure Zelda thinks poorly enough of me as it is, without adding to her list of my sins.

“And another for me,” Zelda announces, and my curiosity grows. She waits until the drinks are in front of us, before turning to me again. “I have to admit, I was expecting to hear from you before now. Charm, groveling, your usual pleading to reinstate your funds.”

I take a gulp of whiskey. “Well, as it turns out, I don’t need them.”

She blinks.

“I know, I was surprised, too,” I tell her dryly. “But it turns out, I am capable of supporting myself. The bars generate decent cash flow, and throwing all my extra money into investments and backing new businesses hasn’t worked out too badly.” I shrug. “So, if you want to try and force me into living life according to your rules, I’m afraid you’re going to have to pick a new weapon.”

Zelda pauses. “I suppose I deserve that.”

I sigh, putting my glass down. “Look, I don’t want to fight. I’m sorry for lying to you,” I tell her, “I really am, that’s the truth, but… You’re the one who couldn’t just accept me living on my own schedule. You pushed me, to settle down, to live the kind of life you wanted. Yes, putting on the act with Callie was wrong, I’ll admit that. But trying to use my trust to force me into wedded bliss? That was a shitty thing to do, too.” I tell her.

“Perhaps,” Zelda inclines her head about half an inch, which is about as much acknowledgment as I’m going to get. “But lying to me like that… To your sister, too. I knew you were… Creative, sometimes, when it came to the details of your life.” She adds. “No parent, or grandparent, expects to hear the whole unvarnished truth, but I never expected a betrayal of this magnitude. For you to spin such a story, and then keep adding to it, too…” she trails off.

I wince. “I know. I’m sorry. It was just supposed to be a little white lie for the weekend, but things got out of control. I was just trying to make you happy,” I add. “You’re so set on me being this stable, responsible guy. And I am, but in my own way. I have my friends, the bars, my companies… But that’s never been good enough for you,” I point out.