Chapter 11
brINKER
“Grandma…” I walk in the room and find her awake.
It’s been twenty-four hours since I left Charlotte. On the drive here I realized I don’t have Iclyn’s number and when I texted Jenna to get it she said simply “No.” That was weird and I figured she meant she didn’t have it and was just busy.
I’ll try again after I talk to Grandma.
“Brinker,” she says with a gravelly voice. “My grandson, how are you?”
I chuckle. “I think we should be asking you that question.”
She waves the insinuation away. “It was just a little cold. Your father just likes to pretend I’m on my death bed at least once a year. I think it’s so he can see you.”
“And tell me what a disappointment I am.”
Grandma raises the head of the bed a little and I take a seat next to her. “He’s built something. Something important to him.”
“All the businesses…”
“Yes, and a legacy. When he’s gone, he believes it will all be for nothing.”
“It’ll still be there.”
“But the hope he had for you to assume the position as CEO and run everything is part of his dream.”
I slump in the chair. The woman can make me feel like a grumpy teenager again. “But it’s not my—”
“I know, it’s not your dream. I’ve talked to him and he’s going to start divesting the businesses. He’s ready to retire and he’s going to take the collection of businesses down to just a few.”
I sit up straight. “And what is my part in this?”
“Nothing. He’s decided that you’re happy… but are you happy, Brinker?”
I lean over the metal bed railing. “I wasn’t, but I am now.”
“Tell me about it.”
I relive what’s happened the last week. The magic of the office, the holiday sprite that came into my life and helped me to see what’s important and what isn’t, and the hope I have for our future.
“I’ll be giving up more control to others in the business so that I can have more of a life.”
Her eyes gloss over. “Oh, Brinker, that’s everything I’ve ever wanted for you.”
“And Grandma, I think you should donate my portion of inheritance to two charities, if you’re amicable to doing that.”
She smiles. “You’re sure?”
“I have more than enough. I want others to have some, too.”
“That’s all I need to hear. So… do you love her?”
I sit back and smile.
She motions away the answer with her red finger tips. “You know, you don’t have to say it, I can see it. I don’t think I’ve seen you smile like that since before…”
“She was sunshine, right?”
“Your mother?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“She was and seems you’ve found some sunshine in your life, too.”
“And I’m not letting her get away.”
I’m on the way back to Charlotte. Grandma’s been released. Dad and I had lunch and talked about everything she told me. He’s found someone, too. I didn’t ask who it was, but there was a familiar face in the waiting room and I had to chuckle. A woman who used to work for one of his businesses.
Like father, like son.
I pull up my hands-free phone and hit the number for Jenna.
“Hello.” The way she answers is almost sharp, like a tac.
“Hi Jenna,” I say and there’s silence. “Hey, I was wondering if you might have—”
“Brinker, what the hell are you thinking? Do you know how much trouble you could get the company in?”
Ah, so that’s it.
I know they’re close, but I feel momma bear coming out.
She continues to bombard me with why and how this wasn’t smart and wasn’t in the company’s best interest and how much it could cost us and—
“Jenna… Jenna! Stop! I love her. I really love her.”
I check the signal when there’s no return. “Jenna? You still there?”
“You do?”
“I think I’ve always loved her. I used to come in before her because I wanted to run into her in the breakroom. Last year I was her Secret Santa…”
She gasps. “You gave her the necklace.”
“I gave her the snowflake necklace.”
The one she wears every day now.
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because I’ve been… stupid. I’ve been scared. I’ve been hiding behind spreadsheets and acting like numbers could make me happy.”
“Does Iclyn make you happy?”
I remember back to everything. The dinners. The smiles. The words. The heat. It felt right. It felt special. And it definitely made me want more of it.
“She’s my sunshine.”
Jenna chuckles. “Well, I’ll be damned, she thawed the Grinch’s heart.”
I cringe. “Was I really that bad?”
“Yes. But… I have an idea on how you can make it up to all of us.”
This is going to be painful, but I deserve it.
“Okay, let me hear it.”