When I pulled away, I could see that there were tears in his eyes. He sniffed and said, “If these past couple of months have taught me anything, it’s that families have to stick together.”
“Wait.” I looked at Jack and then back at John. “Are you saying that we’re your family?”
We laughed. I didn’t have any grand expectations for my brother and our relationship. I didn’t expect him to suddenly become the brother I had known growing up. But it touched me deeply that he was making the effort. I loved him, and I would take as much of him in my life as I could get, now and always. I had put my expectations to the side long ago. Now I could savor the moments for what they were.
Three hours later, the crowd had finally started to thin, the band was packing up, the champagne had nearly been drunk, and I was ready to get to work. Jack and I had moved to the immaculate storeroom, and I was trying to help a bit with inventory. This place might look like a million bucks, but there were still a lot of ins and outs that Caroline needed help with. With my clipboard in my hand, I was totally in my element.
Jack came up behind me and kissed my neck, wrapping his arms around my waist. I was still writing.
“You’re right,” Jack said.
I laughed, noting that my favorite L’Objet candles had completely sold out. “I so often am,” I said. “What am I right about now?”
“You’re right that we should tell the girls,” Jack said. “You’re their mother. You know best.”
I laughed again, feeling sleepy and giddy and so happy I never wanted the night to end. “OK,” I said. “If you think we should tell the girls, then let’s tell the girls.”
“Tell the girls what?”
I turned to see the three of them crowded in the doorway. My mouth suddenly felt very dry.
“Tell the girls what?” Caroline repeated.
“Because we have something to tell you, too,” Emerson said.
My heart was racing in my chest, because this was a perfect moment. They were all here, we were all happy. I could tell them all at once, rip the Band-Aid off. I would never again have to stay up nights worried about how they would react once I told them the truth. I would never again have to debate whether it was the perfect moment or not. No matter their reaction, it would finally be done.
“You first,” I said.
“No,” Sloane said warily. “You first.”
I looked at Jack, my stomach muscles gripping. “Girls, there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time.” I sighed. “But I haven’t because I wasn’t sure how you’d react.”
I could tell by the looks on their faces that I had killed their buzzes. Great. Now the night was ruined, no matter what. “You see, your father and I... Well, you already know that...” I trailed off. It felt like the words were stuck in my chest. I cleared my throat.
“Just spit it out, Mom,” Caroline said. “Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s fine.” I could tell by her face that she knew. She logically knew. But that didn’t mean it wasn’t going to rock her world, rock all of their worlds, when I said it out loud, when I put it out there and we had to deal with it.
I nodded. Then, without even thinking about it, I blurted out, “The money. The money your father was going to leave for you is gone. He lost it in the market before he died, and we were left in the most horrible financial shape. That’s why we had to move to Peachtree. I couldn’t afford to stay in New York, but I didn’t want any of you to know that was the real reason we left.” I was sure I sounded manic.
Caroline gasped and put her hand up to her mouth. I, for one, felt somewhat cleansed. There was one major secret off my chest. I mean, it was the wrong secret, a far lesser secret. But one off my chest all the same.
“Oh, Mom,” she said. “I’m so sorry I acted so horribly.”
Emerson hugged me. “That is awful, Mom. You’re amazing for getting us through like you did all on your own. I had no idea.”
Sloane nodded. “You’re our hero, Mom.”
So this was a pleasant turn of events. Now I was the hero instead of the villain, which easily could have gone the other way if the other truth had been revealed. I couldn’t bring myself to look at Jack.
“The good news is, I’ve been putting a little something away for all of you for when I’m gone.”
Emerson waved her hand. “Clearly, Caroline doesn’t need it, Sloane is going to be a gazillionaire by next year, and I...” She trailed off with a dramatic hand gesture. “I have decided to open Sloane Emerson LA!”
Sloane, Emerson, and Caroline squealed. I was shocked.
“But Emerson, your acting.”
“Oh, I’ll still act,” she said. “But I want something to fall back on.” She shrugged. “You know, I get on board and then let Caroline do everything. That’s kind of my MO.”
