Melvin slowly sets his silverware down and wipes his mouth with his linen napkin. He then gives his daughter a gentle smile. “Sweetheart, home will always be here… you know that. If you decide you don’t like all the sun out there in Los Angeles, you can come back just like you did after Yale….” He reaches out and grabs Bette’s hand, squeezing it. “You are a young, brilliant black woman being offered a high-profile position at a prestigious university… you will not be turning this down on my watch, young lady….” He looks at his daughter with amusement. “Even if I’m going to miss you terribly….”

Bette smiles through her tears. “I’m gonna miss you too, daddy….”

Melvin picks up his Manhattan and holds it up. “To my baby…. Dr. Bette Porter, dean of the California University Art Department….”

Bette smiles as she picks up her wine glass and taps it against her father’s.

They both take a sip of their drinks. Bette then watches as her father tries to hide his emotions, quickly wiping away a tear. “I’m so proud of you, just wait until your aunts and uncles find out about this.”

Bette only smiles.

Melvin’s smile slowly fades. “When you do get to Los Angeles…” he continues, his tone shifting, “you need to continue keeping your sister at arm’s length.”

Bette immediately rolls her eyes, leaning back in her chair. “Daddy, stop it….”

“I’m serious.”

“I’m not consciously keeping Kit at arm’s length,” Bette shoots back. “Kit stays away. That’s her choice.”

Melvin’s jaw tightens. “Your sister has made a decision,” he says, his voice sharpening, “to live in debauchery. I won’t have her drag you down with her.”

Bette lets out a frustrated sigh, dropping her fork onto her plate with a soft clatter. “Daddy, seriously… stop it.”

Melvin holds up a hand, as if conceding the point, for now. “Fine.”

Silence settles between them. The only sounds are the faint clink of silverware and the low hum of the house.

Bette picks up her fork again and cuts into her food. “On the bright side,” she says after a moment, her tone lighter, “Amanda and I broke up a few months ago, so I won’t have to have an awkward conversation about the move.”