“And so you’re stepping in for your father in relation to…”
“Everything. The trust, the foundation, the charitable endeavors.” The role I’ve been training for my entire life is mine. The sword of Damocles has not passed from above my father’s head to mine. It feels like it has fallen.
The responsibility sits heavy inside me. Not because I’m not capable. I am. The apprenticeship has been long and thorough. But I’m not sure I want it. I wasn’t ever sure I wanted it, and now that I have it, it feels like it weighs me down in every sense.
“How’s Iris?” Leo asks.
“Where are all your lovely wives and girlfriends?” I ask, suddenly aware that it’s just the six of us. It hasn’t been the sixof us for a while. Monday-night drinks have been replaced with a Sunday brunch with partners invited. Even though I’ve enjoyed the change in dynamic, I have to admit, the six of us are what I needed tonight.
“Out together,” Worth says. “Sophia’s idea.”
“Does anyone mind if I sell The Alden Hotel?” I ask. I can’t keep my mind going in one direction tonight. It’s thinking about my father, then Iris, then my friends, back to my mother, then Iris. Then Iris again. Iris, Iris. Iris.
My five friends exchange looks, and it feels like silence is being passed around between them.
“Did the cat get your tongues? A simple yes or no would do. Or maybe a thumbs up or thumbs down.”
“Did you get an offer for the hotel?” Worth asks.
“I did. Are you thinking of making me another?”
“I wasn’t, but maybe I am now. If you’re serious, I’ll talk to Avril.”
“None of you care? Or have I said the unspeakable?”
“Everyone cares,” Fisher says. “But not about the hotel. Everyone cares aboutyou.”
I glance around at the circle of friends before me. “What?”
“We asked you about Iris. And you started talking about everything but,” Fisher says. “How are things between you two? Every time I see you in Colorado, you look like…”
“A fruit farmer?” I suggest, trying to bring some levity to the conversation.
“Like you had the stick removed from your ass,” he replies.
I huff out a laugh. “Yeah. I like it in Colorado.”
“It’s like you’re more the real Jack,” Fisher says. “The one we get to see behind closed doors, rather than the one who attends the ballet with your mom or is on the board of every charity run out of New York City.”
I nod, agreeing with my friend. I have nothing to add. Everyone knows me well in this room, but Fisher probably knows me the best.
“And now you’re back,” Byron says.
“As are you,” I say.
“But Rosey’s with me.”
“So?”
“Are you and Iris still together?” he asks.
I shift in my seat and then take a sip of the wine. It gives me a beat to think. Even after some time, I don’t know how to answer the question. “I haven’t ended things.” The word “yet” echoes in my brain. It’s inevitable though. Isn’t it? I’m the head of the Alden family with duties and responsibilities. This is where I have to be…
And the last thing I want to do is be selfish. I want to put Iris first.
“You’re planning to?” Fisher asks. “You two are…”
“From different worlds,” I say, finishing his sentence for him.
