xp_logs | No way back: a difficult discussion (backdated)

Hope discusses an important subject with her parents and tries to assert a bit of her own path.

"Dinner was wonderful, mother." Hope stated as she took a seat on the small settee in the living room and accepted a cup of coffee. "Ms. Dane is an excellent cook, but it is not like 'home'." Her parents were taking seats of their own, sipping their own beverages. "You had something you wished to discuss?"

"Yes, honey," Catherine said, taking a seat and folding her hands on her lap. Was this really her daughter? It didn't seem possible, a year was such a short amount of time. It might have seemed otherwise to children, but children were just that. To her the year was barely any time at all and the young girl in front of her was making choices Catherine was worried would put her future in jeopardy.

"I was wondering where you thought you were going... academically speaking."

"You mother and I, well. We just want to make sure you're making the right choices, sweetheart." Jason explained. "Your education is so important, and the choices you make now will determine what you'll be doing for the rest of your life. It's important that you make the right ones."

"Of course, father." Hope nodded. "Making the right choices is quite important, especially if I wish to attend a suitable college." She tilted her head innocently. "Was there something in particular you were concerned about? I was quite happy with my report card this year..."

"Some of the subjects you've...selected, really don't befit a young woman, honey," Catherine said, as gently as possible.

"I have chosen each subject with the goal to become a proper lady and a good future wife." Hope tilted her head, putting a confused expression on her face. "Which subject have you concerned?"

"Your grades are fine, dear, but it's just..." He stole a glance at his wife once more. "Well, what we're saying is that you should allow your mother and I to pick out your course load from here on out."

"Psychology? Genetics? Men do like women who can talk about these things with them, it's just.. not the best for actually making you a match," Catherine said.

"It is not just so I would be able to converse with them I choose to study genetics, mother. I need to know what I am." Hope was quiet for a few moments, lining up her thoughts. "While I am learning enough control so I might be able to pass as fully human one day, we cannot take that for granted. My abilities might be revealed one day by circumstances outside my control. And in that case I rather be prepared, able to counter the concerns that will be raised. Studying genetics will aid me in this."

"No," Catherine said, firmly, standing up, "Absolutely Not."

Jason pre-emptively held up his hand, anticipating Hope's protests. "You heard your mother, Hope. There's no need to prepare for revealing your secret unless you're actually planning to do so. And we've raised you better than that, young lady.

"I am not planning on revealing my secret, but accidents do happen, father. And it's not just that..." Hope shifted, sitting up straight as she continued. "I have had the opportunity to experience a lot last year and to observe even more. And one of the things I learned was this: a worthy husband nowadays does not wish for a wife who smiles sweetly, strokes his ego with honeyed words and looks pretty on his arm. I have seen too many men who desire something different. They wish for a companion who can stand beside them on their own, who challenges them as well as soothes them. They wish for a partner, not an accessory, a decoration..."

Pausing for a moment, she poured a small glass of water and sipped it before continuing: "To be a partner like that, I need more then cultural sophistication. I need the tools to be that partner. You have told me once, father, that the wife of a CEO is is the CEO of the home front, because of the demands placed upon her husband. Accounting would help me in overseeing the household. Public speaking would be essential if my husband chose to be a politician, but you haven given a number of speeches for your charities, mother. And you have taught me to understand social politics... how much better would I be at that if I understood people better?"

Hope let out a deep breath as she finished, relieved to have gotten out the speech she had practiced dozens of times in her head. She took another sip from her water and waited for the reaction to come.

"There is a difference between giving a speech to a charity and accounting for a house than what these courses cover. I have read the descriptions, Hope. I don't know why you thought I wouldn't," Catherine said firmly, "And there won't be any accidents. As far as everyone's concerned you've been at finishing school, so you can act like it."

"Excellent mother. Then next year I can focus on personal presentation, which by chance covers quite a bit of public speaking skills and deepening my understanding of what it takes to run multiple households, which happens to include a substantial amount of accounting." Hope let the silence speak for itself for a few moments. "I have done my research as well, mother, and I attempted to duplicate their curriculum as closely as possible with the resources available to me at Xavier's. Which subjects do you believe I should be taking?"

"Language Arts and perhaps another foreign language. Your Spanish? German is considered essential these days for business. Any good course in any of those would cover acceptable public speaking. You honestly don't need much math unless you're planning to apply it to your music..." Catherine was thinking out loud now, "Home Economics, cooking and at least being able to make a pretense of sewing are important. Some people still appreciate needlework, after all. And if you can't at least plan a decent meal you're of little use to anyone and will end up starving."

"Your mother's right, dear." Jason chimed in. "We've talked about your future at great length, because we want what's best for you. Surely you can see that's the case, can't you?"

"Yes, I see that. I think we both have the same goal, father. We just have different view of how I could get there, father. What if I meet someone promising in college, but who still has to make his name? Like the future Steve Jobs or Bill Gates. I think I could offer them far more if I knew more then just to run a household and be his social companion." Hope turned pleading eyes towards her father. "I really wish to be more to him."

"We do have different views, it's true, but your mother and I have more experience in the matter." He nodded to Catherine. "Hope, it's our duty to use our experiences and knowledge to help you find your way. You do trust your parents, don't you?"

"We only want what's best for you, Hope," Catherine said, gently.

"I know you want what is the best for me, to prepare me for my future." Hope lowered her eyes to the floor demurely. "I wish I could just study some of the subjects you mentioned in the city itself, mother. There are so many workshops and I would able to master the skills at a far higher level there during the weekend under the guidance of a true master. I have some brochures and links if you would like to see them... And during the week I could then strengthen my academic skills at Xavier's."

Jason sighed and shook his head a little. "Perhaps we can take a look at them later, Hope. Your mother and I, I mean, and we may talk to you about it further at that point." He looked to his wife and then back to his daughter. "We will see."