She wasn’t the only one to bring ideas to the table, however. I proposed that, in the off seasons, the venue could be used for other things. It doesn’t have to sit dormant. Work retreats, weddings, and perhaps even winter family sessions. I think that her ideas, along withthe improvements to the facilities I’ve made, could make Camp Healing Waters competitive in the market again.
“Evan,” Dad sighs, “you’ve made it loud and clear that you have little interest in carrying on the family business, and while I’m struggling to make my peace with that, I ultimately know that I want you to be happy. When you were together, Walt told me Miranda struggled to get you to see that you weren’t fulfilled, so I know this has been an ongoing thing with you. I just figured you’d come around eventually. That’s why Roger let you go. I asked him to, so that you’d be forced to join me back on the boat. Little did I know, you’d be swept away by Brooks here.” He chuckles. “I guess that makes me a bit of a matchmaker, now don’t it?”
I smirk, nodding. “I don’t mind the work itself, but it’s not my entire identity, like it is for you and Gan,” I agree.
Dad slides a check to me from across the table. “So, I sold the boat. No use hangin’ on to her. I hope this helps ya make your decision about whatdoesfulfill ya, son.”
I hold it up, studying the amount in awe. Surely The Sea Hag wasn’t worththismuch…
“Plus, we added a little too,” Mom beams. “We had some money just sitting around that was set aside for you and Gannett, in case you ever wanted to go to college…”
“And I know I’m already too fuckin’ smart for my own good, so you can have my half of the college fund,” Gannett adds snarkily, sliding in from the living room suddenly, heading to the counter and assembling a sandwich of his own.
Mom tsks. “Hush you, you got your half when your dad and I saw you were serious about wanting your own boat, to expand the family business. Youchoseto contribute to this.”
Stunned, I ask my brother, “You’ve been here this whole fucking time?” That certainly would explain Dad's sudden ability to text.
“Sorry, I’ve been here listening, I promise. It’s just that the Sox are on, and you all decided to have this friggin’ heart-to-heart, you know? Friggin’ a, I swear the older I get the more fascinating baseball is…”
I roll my eyes. “What the hell, man? You always said it was too boring.”
“Yeah, but that’s just becauseyouwere playing it, dumbass. At the time, making out with cute chicks behind the dugout was more interesting…” He shrugs. “Anyway,bro, maybe just accept the gift and put it towards something, I dunno, you think might be worthwhile. Like, for instance, a summer camp for grieving kids or something.”
The profound gesture causes my eyes to sting and my throat to clog up. I stand and give my brother and parents a hug, taking them by complete surprise. Then I turn and crouch in front of Brooks, who has just been sitting here in stunned silence. I slide the check in front of him, then take his hands in mine.
“Babe,” I rasp, my voice thick with emotion, “business partners? You want to run Camp Healing Waterstogether?”
Brooks bites his lip, tears welling in his eyes. He nods emphatically. “Thank you,” he whispers to me first, then turns to my family. “Thank you, all. This is seriouslyunbelievable. You just met me, but already you’re giving me such a huge gift. Not just financially, but a partner who is actively invested in helping me run the place. You’ve raised exceptional men,” he tells my parents.
Mom gushes, and Gan suddenly seems to find something interesting on the ceiling. Dad sniffs, then sucks his teeth, before scrubbing a hand through his white beard. “Then I guess there’s just one problem left…”
“And what’s that, Dad?” I ask.
“Just how much I’m going to miss you…”
My brows furrow.Miss me?It’s not like I’m not going to be a few hours drive from here. Does he think I’ll never come back? Hell, Ihaveto come back. Colton still has a year left of school. What the heck has gotten into him?
Gannett starts cackling. “Fuckin’ A, Wagner, you did not justKing TritonEvan,” he heaves between jags of laughter. “He’s not friggin’ Ariel, for Christ’s sake. Youdid notjust wave your magic trident and give him legs!”
Dad chuckles. “I fuckin’ did. Look at those saps, almost had me shedding a little tear there for a minute.”
“Seriously?” I grumble, seeing even Mom shuddering with silent laughter.
“Oh, Evan,” she coos, “you know your father doesn’t do well with these things. His humor is what attracted me to him in the first place.” She pats his chest. “We do just want to see you happy, though. I’m just tickled you’re finally finding yourself. I suppose we have you to thank for that, Brooks.”
“Oh, I didn’t really—I mean, he’s the one that’s put in all the work…” Brooks protests.
“That’s horseshit,” my mother balks. “My sons are both stubborn as goats—which they get from their father, by the way. I know my Evan, and he never would have dared to do any of this if it weren’t for you. Whatever spell you’ve cast on him, Brooks, it’s a good one.”
Brooks cheeks get adorably pink. I squeeze his hands and give him a reassuring smile. He was so worried that today was going to be bad news. It ended up being the best fucking news imaginable. I know Brooks and I still have a lot to work out, logistically, but we’ll figure it out.
We’ve been crossing bridges as we get there all damn summer.
“Some call it a spell, most others would call it a wiener,” Gannett snorts.
Dad shakes his head muttering, “Still not ready to hear those details yet…”
“Gannett!” Mom barks. “You are not too old to send to your room!”
