"You mean that?!" Dean asked in disbelief.
"Yes I mean it. Okay listen. I have to go home to get stuff and to tell my parents I am not going to that college. I have some money that they cant take from me, I got my trust fund over the summer and I put it somewhere where they cant get it. So let me go home and when I am ready I will call you and come to you. Okay?"
"Okay, but what if they talk you into staying. ?"
"They won't. It will be okay. Just trust me."
********
"Ok, dad, don't freak out."
"Freak out about what honey?" Her dad said not looking up from his work.
"I am not going to College here, I am going in to Minnesota State University." She said and counted from 3. That is how long it would take for him to get what she just said.
"Okay honey" he said.
3…
2…
1…
"You're what?!"
She snickered to herself on her accuracy. She straightened her spine and got ready for the battle.
"I am not going to the school you wanted me to."
"Like hell you're not! Rebecca could you get in here please." His voice echoed on the PA system to have my mother join us in his study.
"Okay Julie, would you mind repeating to your mother what you just told me."
"I am going to Minnesota State instead. And I will be getting married."
Rebecca just stood with her arms to her side and waited for the explosion.
James was an amazing man, instead of getting loud, which he did do sometimes, he got really quiet. (That is how you knew things were really bad.) "You are getting what?"
"Married."
He looked at his daughter and remained quiet. He knew better than to make Julie feel threatened, then she would just be pleased to go off and do what she wanted. He had to be cunning.
He finally spoke.
"Married…to whom may I ask. Oh that gentleman that comes to visit you during the summer…Dean is it?"
"Yes, to Dean."
"Well, may I ask what is brining on this sudden change in the plan?"
"I didn't plan on falling in love."
"Love? You are in love you say?"
"Yes we are in love."
He rose from his desk and slowly approached his daughter.
She held her head high to meet his gaze.
As he approached he looked deeply into her eyes, at the moment he saw not love, but the look of a challenge in her eyes. This was good, a challenge he could work with, if it was Love, than he would have a problem.
He smiled a half smile, more of a wicked smile, then turned into a full smile.
"Congratulations darling!" He said and hugged her tight.
"I am so happy you are in love, and at such a tender age. That is wonderful. I am so very happy for you."
"You said that already" Julie said suspiciously.
"I am happy for you. Where will you be getting married and when had you planned on it?"
"Well we haven't. Yet."
"Where will you live?"
"Not sure yet." She said still with her obvious suspicion in her voice.
"I am sure you have some savings, will it be enough?"
…
"Besides the trust fund?"
She raised one eyebrow. "Why?"
"Oh because that is tied up in an…investment right now."
Color rose to Julies cheeks.
"Oh honey, I didn't think you would be needing it right away, so I invested it for you. Didn't you receive my letter?"
She immediately thought back to the note she received from him but never opened.
He hid his smile of triumph.
"So Julie, you are in love…"
"Yes."
"Are you certain it is love?"
"Yes I am certain."
"Would you care to put a little wager on that?"
She frowned, she never liked these games her father would play.
"NO."
"Well let me put it this way. If you are certain it is love, I would love to give you the wedding of your dreams. And put you and your new husband up in a classy place as a wedding present and of course the honeymoon would be on me as well."
"And the Catch is?"
"You have to wait until your 22nd birthday to get married…and you have to spend those years going to college here."
"No way!"
"Now listen number one, I already paid for your first 2 years of college at this school, and sorry, they don't give cash refunds, and number 2, if it is really love, it should be able to withstand the test of time. I will allow you to see him on your breaks he can come here or you can go there, whatever you like. You can even do some courses by correspondence, but you have to go to this college. If you two remain 'in love' and you get past this time, you will have everything I promised, if your love doesn't last, then you wouldn't have thrown away all the time and your future for the sake of defying me. And you will have a career waiting for you. So you see it is a win, win situation for you."
"And if I don't accept?"
"Then you are free to go to college wherever you like, but know that you will not get a cent from me, you will be completely cut off, and you will not be able to come back or utilize any resources. Not even a cab to the airport, 100% on your own. All your funds will be frozen and you will just have to deal."
"James!" Rebecca opened her mouth for the first time.
"I see that you give me no choice and you challenge my love for Dean. Very clever. Very well Mister Gaffney. I accept your little challenge and your terms. You've got a Deal."
Rebecca just closed her eyes.
Julie spit in her palm and shook her father's hand.
Both of their eyes glinted with the challenge.