Chapter 31
LUCY
We hosted my father’s sixty-fifth birthday at where else, The Archibald.
He and my mother had owned the place for thirty-plus years, and it would have felt weird to host it anywhere else. It was like my wedding. Tahoe just felt right.
Sure, my parents also owned The Palantino, but that had always felt like an overlooked child. Their genuine love was The Archibald.
We spared no expense in throwing the birthday bash.
I invited local celebrities, dignitaries, and other well-known people from Los Angeles.
I didn’t care about that stuff, but I wanted to make my father’s celebration a memorable one, and he wasn’t above a bit of star worship.
We had four famous basketball players, three well-known actors, and two nationally known political figures—one from each side of the aisle. They often threw barbs at each other in public, but they seemed to get along famously at the birthday.
I was happy to see that despite our division, people could still get along when they met in person.
That’s the idealist in me.
The one my parents thought would go away.
Sorry, Mom and Dad, it’s still here.
When it came time to make a speech, my father thanked everyone for coming.
His sentences were more drawn out than usual. I think maybe he’d had one too many glasses of wine. Okay, probably two.
Not that anyone was going to begrudge him that.
To close the speech, he turned toward my brother Reid and me, who were gathered on stage. Reid had his family next to him, and Eddie flanked me.
“And finally, I’d like to thank my kids for setting up this event.
My wife is the love of my life, but it was Lucy and Reid who put this thing together.
I’d like to tell you a little bit about them.
Reid is an accomplished musician and has a beautiful young family.
His wife, Josie, is a fantastic mother, and I’m not breaking any news when I say that she is due to have their second child in less than five weeks.
Thanks so much for flying out here, Josie.
I know the last several weeks of pregnancy can be hard as hell, so it means a great deal that you flew out for this. ”
She noticeably blushed and thanked my father.
He then turned toward me. Uh oh.
“And then there’s my daughter, Lucy. When our beloved daughter was about twelve years old, she asked me how much it cost to send her to Brentwood School.
When I told her the number, she insisted that Iris and I donate that same amount to a hospital every year. If not, she’d enroll in public school.”
There were some “Ooohs” and “Ahhhs” from the crowd. And I knew what he was going to say next.
“She’s always been my little idealist, and we love her for it.
Did you know, she’s never taken a dollar of my money outside of her schooling?
She’s a little stubborn that way, but we wouldn’t have her any other way.
Your mother and I love you, Lucy. And don’t worry, when I do leave this world, you will have no choice but to accept my money.
Reid and Josie as well. You will all be very well taken care of. ”
I felt Eddie shuffle his feet next to me. I briefly looked in his direction, and I saw a look of pure hatred. I’d been so wrapped up in the speech that I didn’t realize that my father had said nothing about Eddie, and in fact, had only mentioned that myself, Reid, and Josie would be taken care of.
I knew my father well enough to know that, despite a little too much wine, this had been intentional. It made me think back to his comment, “If that’s good enough for Eddie.”
Shit. What had happened between those two?
“I think it’s time I wrap this speech up,” my father said. “Once again, thanks to everyone who made it here tonight. I’m truly blessed to have the best wife and family a guy could ask for.”
The room erupted in applause.
Everyone seemed to be clapping.
Except for the man to my immediate left.