Charlie Talks to Tony
“What do you mean you’re ‘moving to New York for a new job’?” Tony questioned his daughter, using air quotes for dramatics.
Charlie had come down to her father’s workshop in the basement almost an hour ago with the news of her ‘new IT job’. While Pepper had wholeheartedly congratulated the younger woman, Tony refused to believe his daughter was even interviewing for positions outside of Stark Industries.
Charlie rolled her eyes, “Like I told you before, I’m moving to New York to work as a computer analyst Tony,” she repeated to her father for what felt like the thousandth time in the last hour. She threw her hands up in frustration when Tony did nothing but sit in his chair, staring blankly at her.
“But why move to New York, when you can do exactly that for Stark Industries right here in Malibu?” Tony asked.
Charlie gritted her teeth, “I’m trying to make a name for myself. I can’t drag my feet around here forever, Tony,” she said, “I’m an adult, I can make my own choices.”
Tony shot up from his chair, pointing a stern finger at Charlie, “I am your father. You are not going to New York, and that’s final!”
“Tony!” Pepper exclaimed.
“No,” Charlie held up a hand to stop Pepper. She glared at Tony, “where were you when I scraped my knees? Or when I was sick? Where were you when Grayson died and I was left in a coma for six months?!” Tears threatened to spill from Charlie’s eyes, “You couldn’t even be there for me when my son died, your grandson, Tony. You may have contributed to my birth, but are not now and will never be my father.”
Both Tony and Pepper were stunned into silence.
“I am going to New York, whether you like it or not. Until then, I’ll find somewhere else to stay.”