Page 61 of Daring Destiny
I’m shocked to hear her talk about our project this way. Are they really only learning about it now? It’s been nearly two years since we had lunch at the Met. Why wouldn’t they know?
Brigitte rolls her eyes. “Billionaire tech people are the reason this country is going to hell, and AI? It’s ruining everything. What a waste.”
Ah, that’s why.
It’s funny, I have pretty thick skin when it comes to what I do. I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks, but when I glance at Astrid, who’s trying so hard to stay composed, she’s a shell of the woman I know. My girlfriend, who has more drive than anyone I’ve ever met, is quietly listening to her mother dismiss our work like it’s nothing.
And Jens stares out the window like a zombie.
“Well, it’s actually the opposite.” Astrid swallows. “We wanted to do something to help people reconnect with people who matter to them.”
“Unnecessary. More hiding behind computers. Sounds like another way to flaunt your money and buy big houses. For what?” She sniffs dismissively and takes a bite of her forty-dollar omelet.
Astrid looks down at her napkin and I can see her mentally withdraw from the conversation. I want to jump in, defend her, but I know it’s not my place—not here. Not yet.
I glance between Astrid and her parents, feeling like I’ve stepped into a conversation I wasn’t prepared for. I decide to change topics. To hopefully smooth things over.
Leaning forward in my chair, I gaze at my girlfriend lovingly before focusing on her parents. “Brigitte. Jens. It’s so great to meet you.Finally. My family adores Astrid. She’s a fixture at our Sunday night dinners when I’m in town—it’s like she’s known them forever.”
Astrid shifts slightly next to me, her smile tight, and I notice she avoids eye contact. Huh.
“She’s great with my nephews too. My oldest brother Connor has four-year-old twins,” I press on. “Torin and Tristan won’t leave her alone. They might both be in love with her.”
I expect her parents to respond, maybe smile or laugh, but instead, Brigitte sets her napkin down and shakes her head. Jens snorts, covering his mouth with a fist. I glance over at Astrid, trying to figure out what I said wrong, but she’s hunched over like she’s shrinking.
“Really, it’s no big deal.” She stares at her plate, her tone almost dismissive. “Brennan’s family’s great, I’m not there often.”
Wait, what? My heart sinks a little. She’s there a lot. And, no big deal? My family’s a big deal to me.
Brigitte looks at me directly and narrows her eyes. Her lips are pressed together in a thin line. “Every Sunday, huh?”
“Well, it’s interesting you’re spending time with someone’s family.” Jens clears his throat and gets a faraway look in his eyes.
Whoops. Way to read the room wrong. Whatever I said has added to the tension. The air is thick and uncomfortable. Astrid shrinks even further into herself, she’s closing off in a way that breaks my heart.
I’m missing something important and I’m not sure what it is.
As we leave Salty’s after brunch, her parents can’t get away from us fast enough. They don’t even give their daughter a hug on their way to the car.
I can’t help feeling unsettled. The awkwardness between Astrid and her parents gnaws at me. Their family dynamic is so different from my family—where even if we’re mad or disagreeing, there’s no question of the love between us. Astrid’s family, though… It’s like there’s this invisible wall, and I feel helpless trying to understand it.
“Let’s take a walk.” I motion for Astrid to join me as I head toward the waterfront path.
We stroll past the Seattle skyline bathed in the early afternoon light. The air is a bit cool, but the sun is warm. I glance over at Astrid, her hands are buried in the pockets of her jacket and her brow is furrowed in thought.
I hate it when she isn’t comfortable with herself and feel an overwhelming urge to ease the tension. “That was…uh, something. I don’t think I made a great impression. I’m getting an idea of why you’re always stressed after you spend time with them.”
“They don’t get me. I don’t get them either, to be honest.” With a heavy sigh, she stops to stare out at the water.
“Why ?” I’m genuinely curious. “Have you ever thought about looking into your family’s history? Seeing if there’s something to explain it?”
Astrid’s expression is hard to read. “What would I be looking for?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug. “I guess if you’ve always felt this disconnect, maybe there’s something else going on. Could you have a heart-to-heart with your folks and tell them you’ve always felt like the odd one out?”
“Oh, jeez. That would go over like a lead balloon.” She narrows her eyes and her lips tighten. “And, no. I don’t need to dig up my family’s past to understand we’re different.”
“I get it, but what if there’s something they’re keeping from you?” I find myself unwilling to drop it because I want her to have some peace.