“I’ll put out feelers,” Preston told me. “We’re pretty slow due to the weather. A lot of our guys are looking for extra work.”
“Good. Keep me posted. If all goes according to plan, we should be able to start next week.”
“Does this mean you’re down there for the foreseeable future?”
I sank into the chair and kicked my feet up. Preston and I had met while we were both Marines stationed in Germany. There wasn’t much he didn’t know about me, and I knew I could trust him with my life. So, I told him everything.
“Damn, bruh,” Preston said. “I’d say you got a dilemma.”
“For real.”
“I know how much Granddad meant to you, so I can’t tell you to ignore his request. Icantell you that he’s right. You can do both easily.”
Rubbing my head, I said, “I’m not so sure about that. Do I really want to uproot my life and move back to Rosewood Heights? Run a company that I’d tried so hard to divest myself from?”
“You’re a board member. So you haven’t completed divested yourself from Prescott Holdings, man.”
“Still… I love what I do.”
“Listen, bruh, this isn’t something that has to feel like a death sentence. Your father isn’t retired yet, and his succession plan can give you as long as you need to handle your shit here. I’m pretty sure no one expects you to take over tomorrow. And I don’t think you have to leave Prescott-Hayes Construction completely to be an effective leader at Prescott Holdings.”
“I don’t know, man. My father…”
“…is going to be your father. He’s who he has always been. So are you. Y’all may never get along, but don’t let that keep you from honoring the man who supported you through everything you wanted to do. Trust me, it’s not easy living with that regret if you don’t.”
Preston had lost his father at a young age, and he’d struggled with the regret of their last conversation since then. The sudden death had changed his entire life and propelled his path forward in both good and dangerous ways.
“I hear you, bruh,” I acknowledged. “It’s a lot to think about.”
“Not really. You know what to do. And you know I got you. Prescott-Hayes will be ours no matter whereyoulive. I actually think an expansion might be good for our bottom line.”
Laughing, I said, “Now, you’re going too far.”
“You know we dream big and in color. Nothing istoofar.”
I glanced at my watch. “Whatever. I got shit to do. I’ll send you what you need tonight.”
Ending the call, I thought about Pres’ words. Nothing he’d said was outrageous. And for the first time, I considered finding a more permanent place in town. I told myself that it made sense to have a house in Rosewood Heights for visits. I knew there was more to it than that, though. But I didn’t know if it was Granddad’s voice or my own heart at this point.
