“So . . . ?” He grinned, crossing back to me. “What do you say?”
“I was at dinner two weekends ago. Remember the one when Mom and Jessica invited any single adult women they could find?”
Mom decided that one of her recent charity cases was me and roped my older sister into the scheme. Mom wanted me to relax, get a girlfriend, and change my priorities.
I know she means well.
My father laughed. “She just wants to see you happy. You could always volunteer to bring your own date . . .”
I gestured to my swollen eye. “This is where one date got me. For now, I’m going to pass.”
Dad tipped his head to the side. “Sounds like there’s a story there.”
I didn’t want to give him false hope to send to my mom. “Not much of one, just a blind date. Besides, Michael dates enough for the both of us.”
My dad shook his head. “Michael doesn’t date. He runsthrough a different date each night, no commitment, and no strings.” The corner of Dad’s mouth pulled down in a frown.
I didn’t want to get into a dating conversation.
“I’ll come to Sunday dinner alone and please tell Mom I’ll leave alone.” I smiled. I hated to see either of my parents unhappy. They were as inseparable as peanut butter and jelly. Some kids grew up in houses where they never saw their parents kiss. I used to be envious. I was glad my parents loved each other, but I didn’t always want to have a front row seat to it. I realize now how lucky my parents were to have someone that complimented the other so much.
“Good man.” Dad patted me on the back. “We’re happy you’ll be there.” His grin fell once more, and his shoulders sagged with an invisible weight. “Wondering if I could bend your ear a bit while I’m here?” He nodded at the cracked black leather couch. “Mind if we sit?”
Oh no. What happened?
Dad rarely asked for anything from anyone. The only reason he let me help with the firm was because I convinced him it was a trade, because he helped pay for my schooling. Holding my breath and questions, I followed him to the leather sofa in the corner and sat.
Dad let out a sigh as he sank into the cushions and ran a hand down his face. “I appreciate all you have done for this firm. It wouldn’t have survived without you.” His eyes looked around the room with what looked like pride.
“Of course, Dad. I was happy to do it.” We had a deal. I never even told Dad about the very lucrative offer I’d once received from Raymond & Johnson Law.
Dad leaned forward, placed his hands on his knees. “Happy enough that you wouldn’t mind taking on another project?”
Great. What charity case had he gotten involved in now?
I leaned away from him, waiting.
“I have this friend, Harry, back from law school.” Dad rubbedhis hands together. “He has fallen on hard times the last few years. His wife Sal’s been sick with cancer. They have all sorts of medical bills.” He pushed his silver hair away from his blue eyes.
My stomach sank, trying to connect the inevitable dots.
“We talked about merging off and on through the years, but time can be a tricky thing.” Dad’s shoulders dropped forward, and he nodded. “Your mom and I talked . . . we merged with his firm to let him retire early. He won’t have time to train a replacement, but he isn’t sure how much time Sal has. I thought maybe you . . .”
Wait.
I placed my hands in front of me, trying to stop the momentum of the conversation. “You’re merging with another firm?” My eyebrows flew up.
Please, say I connected the wrong dots.
“Well, the more correct term is merged.” He watched me cautiously from the side.
“Merged. Like it already happened?” I stood, the seat no longer able to ground me and the anxiety pulsing through me. “How did you even get it all approved?” There wasn’t very much extra cash flow. The business could not possibly cover it.
My dad shrugged. “We took out a loan on the house.”
“You guys mortgaged your house to fund someone else’s business?” I paced the five feet of space in front of me.
No. No. No. Maybe it’s not too late. I can still fix this.
