We all got quiet and stared down the table.
“Little Bean? You remember that old, abandoned property that’s been for sale forever near the vacation house?”
“The one with the fountain that looks like Bob Ross shaving his head?”
Greg snorted. “It’s a dandelion.”
“It’s an epic violation of artistic ability. Yeah, I remember.”
Seven’s parents glanced at each other, smiling, and Vernon held her hand before speaking again. “We’re gonna buy it. By next year we should be able to have restoration finished,you’ll have your own separate working space and Greg…you’ll have your own office. There’s even a spot on the grounds with a stone wall that can be fixed up into a memorial garden.”
“Are we going to the water?” Emmy asked, bouncing in her chair. Maggie shushed her and I was all smiles until I glanced at Seven. Truthfully, I thought she’d be happier about something like this. Malek looked like he was trying to read her too.
“What about Leviticus?”
Ruth tilted her head. “Still Leviticus. We’ll just have two locations instead of just this one. Since you and Malek still have the apartment…we were wondering if you’d want to make the vacation house your own. Run the new facility.”
“This is great. I’m down,” Greg smiled. “How long have you been planning all this?”
Seven was stoic next to Malek, who surprisingly matched her energy.
“Not long,” Ruth interjected, keeping a wary eye on Sev. “Neither of you have to go, but it’s an option. We’ve got enough budget now to hire staff if you wanna stay here.”
“How?I have to try to remember how to do math every time Greg needs to fornicate. I’m not a genius, but I do know that budget hasn’t been anywhere near enough for that in the past year. You’re not selling this place, are you?”
Vernon spoke up. “No, no, no. This is our family legacy, Beans. We’d never do that. We recently got a donation that was…well, it was very generous. We don’t know where it came from, but it’s a life-changing amount, and what we aren’t putting away for you guys and the grandchildren, we’d like to use to stretch the legacy out. One day Emmy will do what you do. She’s fit to walk in her auntie’s shoes. I want you all to have that opportunity when me and Mom aren’t here anymore.”
Oh, fuck…oh…shit.
A mosh pit started in my belly, and I cut eyes at Declan, who reached under the table and squeezed my knee. On the surface, he looked bored and impassive. But we both know exactly what Vernon is talking about. I completely forgot about the money. It was the last thing on my mind. I tried to keep my face schooled, but…then I felt my brother’s burning stare. I know that stare without having to see it. I refuse to look at him. Odds are…he already knows.
Don’t say a fucking word, Mal. Please, God…keep your mouth shut.
“Do we have time to think on it, Dad?”
I’m so grateful Seven broke this silence…andthe tension that could be sawed through between me and Malek right now. Now, his focus is on her. Sev’s focus is probably on trying to keep herself from thinking about blue or pink…and what this could change about their future.
“Of course you do. This is a big deal. If we do this, Malek…you and Seven will be co-owners of an established company with Greg and Mags. This will be an opportunity for growth and stability. Something to leave your children that there will always be a need for, no matter how dark people think it is. Whether they like it or not, the world still needs us to pick up all their broken pieces at the darkest time in their lives. You guys are my dream team. Bridget, Declan…there’s plenty of the pie for you too.”
That got my attention.
“Us?But…but we’re not—”
“Family? You absolutely are. And we take care of our family. Grey rule number one.”
Don’tcryDon’tcryDon’tcry…
This is so weird. I feel a physical ache in my fucking chest. I’m gonna crack. I feel it. It’s happening.
“Um…can I be excused for just a sec?” I politely stood and scooted my chair back, and Ruth caught my eyes before she nodded. I couldn’t get out of the dining room fast enough. The heels of my boots clacked the whole way through the house and onto the front porch. It’s freezing out and I left my jacket inside. My hands shook at my sides and hot tears started rolling down both my cheeks. I couldn’t even stop them. “Eww,” I wept, sniffling and trying to get rid of them without destroying my makeup. I heard rustling at the end of the porch and darted my head that way…nothing. Then, I heard the soft click of the front door.
“You alright, Bridget?”
Ruth. Sweet Miss Ruth that’s so absolutely not what society sees.
I hid my face and nodded, trying to hide behind my hair. She put a gentle hand on my shoulder. “Malek has never told me much about your parents…but I do know that they’re gone. I hope I didn’t offend you, that wasn’t my intention.”
“No,”I half-whispered, turning to face her as I wiped under my eye. “No, that’s not it, Ruth…I—I just…I’ve never…”
