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All eyes are on me, and I resist the urge to tug on my earring. “Doing splendidly, Grandfather Peterson,” I say loudly. “And delightful to see you, Grandmother Peterson.”

My grandmother nods once.

Holden chuckles under his breath next to me. “Splendidly?”

I turn my fake smile to my brother, but I can’t resist a little dig. “How’s life as a management consultant?” I ask.

“I’m a management consultant, Elliot,” Jasper corrects from the other side of me. Both of my older brothers are in blue suits, and they both have neatly trimmed brown beards.

I look between them. “Right sorry. Holden, you’re doing something with computers now, right?”

He gives Jasper a look like I’m unbelievable. Of course I know what he does for a living. He’s an entrepreneur in digital trade. He throws around money and claims credit for other people’s ideas.

But as long as they refuse to acknowledge my career, I’ll keep this act up, my own secret defiance.

“Quite a beard you’ve grown there, Elliot,” Jasper says. “Haven’t had time to trim it?”

I stroke my beard. “I like it this way. Handsome, don’t you think?”

“As long as you’re staying out of trouble,” Lucinda says, leaning across the table as the first courses are delivered and drinks filled. “Dad’s giving himself heart problems, he’s so stressed by this mess at the firm and the negative publicity.”

I accept a big glass of red wine, fortifying myself.

Jasper turns to scold my nephew, and Holden leans in closer.

“Tell me, though. What was the scariest part of the island? You must have been shitless, man.”

“Totally shitless,” I say and gulp from the wine.

“You have to fight any animals?”

“Only a few times,” I say, lying for my own entertainment. “For food.”

“That’s hardcore, Elliot. I didn’t know you had it in you. Like a snake?”

“Snake, sure. I fought a snake for food one time. And a fish. And a raccoon.”

“You had to do what you had to do to survive, man. I’m sure I would have fought even more animals if I were there.”

“He didn’t fight a snake,” Lucinda says, bored. “You still can’t tell when he’s joking?”

Jasper leans back in, the rest of the family chatting around us. “Elliot fought animals?”

“For food,” Holden says, ignoring Lucinda.

Jasper gives me a serious nod. “Good job, Elliot.” He considers me for a minute. “You should have kids one day.”

I take another big gulp from the wine, and luckily, I’m saved from the conversation by the formal procession of the meal. As standard, the eldest members of the family comment on the quality of each dish and the vintage of wine, and the rest of us nod along.

When the meal is finished, Dad says a few concluding words, pontificating. He finally mentions my safe return, and concludes by raising a glass. Quickly, my siblings disperse, but I catch Mom on the side and ask her for five minutes with Dad in private.

She looks skeptical, but guides us into the sitting room.

“If you need money,” Dad says immediately, “just ask. But if there are any further stories in the news, Elliot, we’ll reconsider our generosity.”

“That’s why I’m here,” I tell them, gathering my courage. “We’ve had a strained relationship for years, but I want to change that. I want to figure out something that works for all of us.”

My father frowns. “And what does that mean, Elliot?”

I take a deep breath. “I understand that you don’t like my career, my art, or the way I live my life. But if we’re going to have a relationship, I need you to respect my choices, even the ones you don’t approve.”

Dad sniffs, irritated. “Like your choice to appear at a rally protesting my client’s drilling project?”

“Like my choice to stand up for what I believe in,” I say. “Yes.”

My parents each looks surprised, and Mom tries to explain. “There are consequences for your actions, Elliot, and that protest is no exception. There have always been consequences for your actions.”

“I understand that. And I’m taking on those consequences myself. From now on, I won’t be accepting financial help, and I’ll ask you to keep those opinions to yourself. We can spend our time together talking about things that don’t lead to endless arguments.”

“And what of the fact that we simply don’t respect those choices, Elliot?” Dad asks.

Internally, I wince, stung by his quick rejection.

“Then I’ll be on my way,” I say, trembling with the words but refusing to back down, “and we won’t have to pretend any longer. But if I can look beyond the ways you rejected me when I was growing up, you can look beyond my career now.”

Dad’s phone rings. He looks at it, frustrated, and back to me. He hesitates for a moment before silencing it.

“I hardly think you’re serious,” my mother says.

“I am,” I answer.

Dad shakes his head. “How are you even going to pay your bills, son? You’re simply not capable.”

“Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think.”

The phone in his hand rings again, and he answers it. “We’ll have to talk another time,” he says to me before stalking away.

I look to Mom. She considers me cautiously.

“You have always been headstrong, Elliot. You and your father have that in common.”

“I know.”

Her eyes glance toward my father. “We’ll discuss.”

It feels like another rejection.

When my mother and I stand, though, I’m surprised that we actually hug, the first full embrace I remember in years. I let myself appreciate it for what it is, feeling safer because of the boundaries and expectations I’ve set.

After stilted conversation with Jasper in the foyer, I take off, my emotions tumbling. It’s hardly a success when my father takes a business call while we’re talking, but I’ve done what I set out to do, and there’s a better road ahead.

In the car home, I text Hank to tell him how it went, but realize I want to hear his voice. I call instead, and after he tells me he’s proud of me, he invites me over, and I direct the ride to his condo.

The future ahead of me is taking shape, and I want to spend the night with the man I love.