Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88225 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88225 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
But are they right? You married a guy you barely know.
I don’t know what’s right anymore. Maybe this space is what I need to get my head right, some time to get my thoughts together.
Time without my husband.
CHAPTER 29
We Raised You
Saga
I sit in my parents’ home on the sofa, feeling like a small child. My head hangs low, my eyes downcast as I try to fight back the tears. It’s like my time with Bishop never happened and I feel defeated.
I’m disappointing them. I lost my job and said nothing. I got married and again said nothing.
This isn’t like me. This isn’t us. I’ve always done my best to make my parents proud of me.
“I don’t understand,” my father says while pacing. “We raised you better than this.”
“Better than what?”
“Better than running off and marrying someone you don’t know,” he barks.
And just like that, I’m snapped back to the present. The grown woman who’s learned to take care of herself. I’m more than capable of making decisions and this one was mine to make.
I ball my fists at my sides and bite my tongue. I won’t disrespect my parents. I’ll let him have his say.
“Saga, how much do you know about him? You told us yourself you two just started seeing each other. How can you possibly be married?” my mother says.
“We—”
“He couldn’t even come to me like a man,” my father cuts me off. “Where’s the ring? You ran off and married some bum who can’t even provide for you?”
“Hold on,” I bite out. “I didn’t marry a bum. We were waiting to get to LA to go ring shopping. Bishop can provide for me just fine. You haven’t even met him—”
“Exactly. He’s married to my baby girl and I’ve never met him.” Daddy seethes.
“I’m not a baby. Heck, I’m not even the youngest. Come on, Daddy,” I say.
“He’s not good enough,” my father clips out.
I jerk my head back. “Why not? Because he’s a musician? Or is it because he’s white?”
“What did she just say to me?”
“Andre.” My mother tries to calm him.
“No, don’t Andre me. Girl, you have no idea the things we sacrificed to give you the opportunities you have. They say money talks, but there are days that our skin speaks louder.
“I’ve invested time and wisdom into each one of you. Opened doors that were closed in your mother’s face and mine when we were coming up no matter how wealthy we were.
“You come in here with an attitude because you decided to jump on a tour bus and married some entitled singer. I want what’s best for my child, white, brown, or purple. You went about this wrong.
“Those are the facts, Saga Marie. You did this wrong,” he fumes.
“Wrong for you,” I say, calling on my courage to stand up for myself. “But it felt right for me. I can’t tell you how I know, but I know my husband is the one. I know I’m right for him and he’s right for me.”
“You’ve turned your nose up at every young man your father and I have ever introduced you to, and suddenly this one is the one after a few weeks?” My mother says.
“Yes. Just like I knew they weren’t the one, I know Bishop is,” I reply.
“But what do you know about him?” my mother says while wringing her hands.
“That he loves me. That he’s willing to protect me. He makes me laugh and smile. He has written the most beautiful songs for me—”
“His music is trash. It’s raunchy filth,” my father barks.
“His old music is racy, but this is different,” I plead.
“Filth,” my father repeats. “My lawyers are going to work to get you out of this mess. I want to know what happened at your job. That’s where this all went off the rails.”
“I was fired for not sleeping with my boss and then he had me blackballed,” I say tightly. “And I couldn’t be happier for it. I’ve met the love of my life and I’m married to him.”
Even as the words fall out of my mouth, I don’t know where they come from. I hadn’t planned to come here and stick up for my husband or my marriage like this, but the more I sit and listen the more I know it’s what I need to do.
“I’ll own that company by the time I’m done,” my father bellows.
“Daddy, it was time for me to make some changes in my life. Screw Carmichael, Pike, and Jeffreys. I’m moving on with my life,” I say.
“You’re making light of all this? I don’t understand you,” my father says and shakes his head. “I told you naming the girl Saga was going to be trouble down the road. Look at this.”
“I’m not a girl. That’s the problem. You guys still see me as the girl who left your home thirteen years ago,” I say.