Chapter 8

Chapter 8

 

Liza jumped at the sound of her father’s voice at her back. She had been so deep in thought that she hadn’t heard his office door open.

“A little jumpy, sweetheart?”

“I was startled; I didn’t hear you come out of your office.”

“I can be sneaky sometimes. Back to that book, why would you pick that book out of all the others on these shelves? You’ve never been a vampire lover.”

“Actually, daddy, I caught my eye because of one of the classes I’ve decided to take.”

“Oh, and what would that be?”

“Occult myths and their historical beginnings.”

“Seems a bit out of the ordinary for you, why would you choose a class like that?”

“You led me to it.”

“And how did I do that? I have never believed nor pushed for you to believe in stuff like that.”

“Last time I was here you told me that I needed to find a few classes that would broaden my studies, that classes like this would look good on my resume.”

“I meant Women in Power, or World Cultural Studies, not some occult class.”

“When I looked into the cultural studies program it was full but this one was next on the list. It gives me a little of both, current and historical cultural studies, as well as a look into the ideologies of a variety of cultures. This will be great on my resume since I have decided to major in Political Science and Treatise.

It will give me a unique view and better understanding of other cultures when it comes time to work in the field. I will be able not only understand the current values of a said country, but why such values were established, and how to work around those values in an effort to help both sides come to a peaceful agreement.”

“I see you have thought this out. I was set on pushing you tonight into a business major, but you have beat to the punch, and with a worthy major. The fact that you have gone as far as to find minors that relate in a very real way tells me that this is not just some random pick to get us off your backs. I’m proud of Liza, I really am.”

Liza could hardly pull a breath. Had her father just admitted that a line of work was as good as his? Had he complimented her on it? Had he actually just said he was proud of her? What the hell? Where was her overwhelmingly obstinate father, who insisted that she follow in his footsteps? Her head was reeling; it was like her parents had switched places; her mom angry and unbending, and her father calm and understanding?

“Sweetheart, are you ok?”

Finally pulling in a breath Liza stammered “Ya dad, fine. Just was expecting a fight with you about this, that’s all. It caught me off guard.”

“Me, too, I was all set for a fight this evening. This is who you are though. You have always worked for the peaceful way to everything. Just like when you used to give your money to those who left here. It is something that I think you’ll do well in, so I have no arguments against it. I am proud that you have found a way to apply your intelligence and drive to something you feel so strongly about.”

“Thanks, daddy, it means more than you know to hear you say that!”

“I may not be the best at showing it, sweetheart, but I love and respect your intelligence. I know that when push comes to shove you will always stand for what you believe in, and that is the most important lesson anyone can learn.

“I don’t want to ruin the people from these companies I work with. If only they would stand for what they believe is right for their company, I would give it to them. Most of them cave for the deal that works best for them not the people who work for them and that is when I take them for everything.

“What you probably didn’t know is that I make sure most of the employees for these companies either have a position still or are given a large enough severance package to last them until they find something else.

“While on the surface it may seem as though I’m a self-absorbed a*s, in the end you and I have the same heart in different fields. I have let you believe as you have until now to strengthen your resolve, to build your character so you would find your own path in life. I wanted you to be strong so when you ran into opposition, someone like me, you would stand firm on your convictions. That you would trust in your heart and in your mind to find the answers and not let someone else tell you how to live or believe.”