Chapter 13
Summer
“I can try,” he smiles. “It is about legacy and preserving tradition. The wealthy want to stay wealthy. Like-minded people prefer to associate with each other. Long family lineages are a source of pride.”
“Okay,” I nod, as I cut some flower heads.
“Old money is old because it has grown over centuries. It is a small community. It is generally agreed that only someone with a similar background can understand what is necessary to preserve and grow a legacy.”
“What about new money?”
“There is a place for it in society, but many are wary of new money. If new money appears stable and likely to endure, society generally accepts that family and often absorbs it into an older, established family through marriage or business partnerships.”
“I see.”
“You remain unimpressed.”
“No. I guess I get the concept. It’s like the top 1% want to remain the top 1% and don’t want to share. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the idea, but spread the love around.”
“Many of the wealthy are very generous with their money. They financed a large portion of our new high school and are responsible for many of the upgrades at the Charleston hospital. Then there are the many scholarships and charitable organizations they lead, to name a few things.”
“True. Money doesn’t equate to character.”
“No, it does not. There are good and bad in all walks of life.”
“I don’t approve of arranged marriages or of making outrageous conditions on inheritances, though.
If someone has a record of poor behavior, including failing school, drug use, or abuse, I think it’s reasonable to make them meet certain conditions before they can access their money.
Even attending college seems sensible. Hiding your sexuality and working a job you hate are both fundamentally wrong. ”
“I agree, Summer. But being forced into a specific career path is not just a problem with old southern money. There are even teen movies about that particular issue.”
“That’s true. I just don’t agree with it. Did your parents ever try to push you into a specific career?”
“No. I knew early on I wanted to study medicine, and they were happy with that.”
“Well, that’s good. What about your grandparents?”
“I believe they were more in line with the Seagraves, but perhaps not quite so harsh.”
“Maybe every generation is getting a little more reasonable?”
“Perhaps. I have never considered that.”
We finish the harvest and head back inside, and I show Alex how to prepare the flower heads for infusion. “So how are you really doing, Alex?”
“A little better than I was during our last talk, Summer.”
“Good to hear. We’re happy to have you back,” I smile. “Have you made any decisions?”
“Yes. My father will be home at the end of the month. I am going to talk to him then. I believe a face-to-face conversation is in order.”
Thank goodness he’s going to do something! “That’s a good plan, Alex. After life settles down a bit, I’d like your help with investing some of my money. No rush.”
“Of course. I have a gentleman I use for everything. I can set up an appointment for you if you wish.”
“Thank you. Like I said, no rush. It’s just something I’ve been thinking about lately.” We continue our preparations as I explain the properties of the infusions to Alex.
By 10am there is still no sign of E, so I send him a text. I was expecting him an hour ago. “Alex, have you talked to E this morning?”
“No, I have not. Is he not responding?”
“No, I’ll try Seb.” Dialing Hurry, I lean on the counter.
“Sunshine,” Seb mumbles.
“Morning sleepyhead. I take it you haven’t talked to E today since you’re still in bed?”
“Nope. He’s supposed to be at your house.”
“Yeah. He hasn’t shown up yet and isn’t answering my texts. Maybe the grandparents did something?”
“Maybe. I’d go check, but you know… Have Alex call the house.”
“Good idea. Thanks Hurry.” I hang up and ask Alex to call them. They still have a house phone, so he calls that number and gets E on the phone. They talk briefly before he hangs up.
“He is on his way now and will explain when he gets here.”
“Okay, thanks.” I quickly text Seb, and then we bundle the flowers that need to dry.
The far wall behind the dining table has been full of drying plants since early summer.
I really need a better solution next year.
We swap fresh for dried, then Alex helps me process the dried herbs into labeled jars for storage.
E shows up 35 minutes later with an apology on his lips. “It’s fine. I was just worried about you.” I smile. “What happened?”
“My grandparents. They insisted I eat breakfast with them, then my grandmother handed me a schedule,” he says, handing me a folded piece of paper.
Opening it, I scan the page. It’s a list of calendar dates with fundraisers and social events marked, and names of various girls attached to each event. I’m listed on a few of them. “What the hell?” I question, looking up at E.
“I’m being groomed to be the next Seagrave heir. My grandparents decided my father isn’t suitable, so it'll be me instead. I’m supposed to attend all those functions with the accompanying dates. The girls have all been approved by them.”
“This looks even fuller than my calendar E,” Alex comments, scanning the list over my shoulder.
“What did you say?” I ask.
“Not much.” Shaking his head, he continues, “I was shocked. They're moving fast.”
“I expected they would,” Alex replies.
“I went into the kitchen to make coffee this morning because I didn’t sleep well, and it horrified my grandmother. She kicked me out to wait at the table for it.”
“I see. So what are your thoughts, E?” Please say you’ve changed your mind.
“The calendar's doable. I mentioned school and basketball, and they will stick to our earlier agreement about those, thanks to you,” E says, smiling at me.
Why is he not mentioning all the girls? Seb might be okay with hiding their relationship, but I’m not okay with him dating other girls.
Shit. We’re technically not in a relationship though, are we?
I guess I shouldn’t blurt out anything with Alex here.
We’ll have to talk later. “And the kitchen situation?”
“I’ll work on that. I’ve only been there one night. So, what are you up to?”
I show E what we’re doing, and he jumps in to help us. A few hours later we finish, and E and I make lunch. Zander calls around noon to check in, as he’s working at a wedding today.
Next, we harvest from the garden and spend the rest of the afternoon washing and prepping veggies for storage.
We have fun together, although my mind keeps coming back to all those dates E is supposed to go on.
Alex excuses himself before dinner, having a fundraiser to attend.
I thank him for his help as E and I finish the last of the veggies.
“So, E, are you planning on dating all those girls?”
“I have no interest in those other girls, Summer, you know that,” he replies, sincerity shining in his eyes.
That’s a sneaky answer, though. “I do, but you didn’t answer my question.”
“It’s something we should all discuss,” he concedes.
Grabbing my phone from the counter, I call Seb on video. “Sunshine,” he smiles.
“Hey Hurry. I’m here with E. Do you want to tell Seb about your calendar?”
“Sure,” E replies. I hand him my phone as he fills Seb in on his morning and the piece of paper. Once he’s done, I sit at the table and place the phone on its stand in front of me. E joins me in the next seat so Seb can see us both. “So, what are your thoughts?” E asks.
“What do you want to do, E?” Seb asks.
“I mentioned to Summer that the schedule isn’t really an issue and they know academics and basketball come first.”
“What about the girls?” I ask.
“What about them?” E asks in return.
Uh…I look at Seb on the screen and he’s staring at E like he’s trying to solve a puzzle. Glad it’s not just me. “Is this because we’re not official?” I ask.
Now E seems confused.
“We've kept this thing between us quiet so far. Do I need to declare I’m your girlfriend so you don’t date anyone else? Is that how this works?”
“No, Sunshine, you don’t,” Seb replies, shaking his head. “We're already exclusive. Well, with Nick too, but that’s it. There will be no one outside our group, right, E?”
“Yes, of course. You two are it for me. You know that,” E declares, still confused why Seb is asking the question.
“Then why are we sitting here discussing you going on dates with other girls?” I ask angrily. I’m getting frustrated here. Does he really not realize the problem?
“They’re not proper dates, Summer,” E replies, speaking to me like he’s explaining a simple concept that I should understand.
“Oh? Cause your grandparents think they are,” I reply, tapping my finger on the table. “Those girls think they are,” tap, “and anyone in attendance will think they are,” another tap. “So explain to me how they aren’t dates, E,” I say, feeling tears gathering in my eyes.
“Sunshine is right. They are dates, E. I agreed to keep us a secret, but not for you to date anyone else.”
“Okay. I wasn’t thinking of them like that, but you’re right. I’ll tell grandmother to cancel all those.”
“What if she refuses?”
“I won’t hurt you guys like that. I promise. Besides, she approved of you, remember?”
“E, the chances of me being able to go to every single one of these aren’t great. What happens then?”
“Then I'll go solo or I won’t go,” he shrugs.
“What if they threaten to withhold your inheritance if you don’t escort these girls or don’t go to a function?”
“I have an advantage. They need me now. They want me as heir, not my father. That should give me some say.”
Shaking my head at his optimism, my hand turns into a fist on the table. “I don’t share your faith, E.”
“It'll work out, Summer. You’ll see.” E gives me a side hug. “What time are you and Nick going to see Beth?”
“In a few minutes, actually. I’ll call you guys after,” Seb waves before hanging up.
We say goodbye, and then E helps me clean up the kitchen, but I still feel uneasy about everything. E is underestimating his grandparents, and I think he was going to escort those girls. That hurts, even if it means nothing to him.
I tell E I don’t feel like cooking tonight, so we just have sandwiches and homemade pickles. We settle on the couch and find a movie to watch until Zander gets home around 7pm.
Once E leaves and I catch up with Zander, Seb calls, so I walk to my room for some privacy. “How did it go?”
Seb exhales, “not good, Sunshine. According to her boyfriend, she’s using again.
She’s been in and out of the apartment all week.
He’s not exactly supportive and told her to get cleaned up or find another place to live.
He has no idea where she is or who’s giving her the drugs.
I left a note for her with him, but I don’t know what else to do. ”
Not another friend with family issues. “I’m so sorry. I know you were enjoying getting to know her again.”
“Yeah, I was. It’s sad, ya know? Maybe she’ll go into rehab again.”
“Hopefully, she will.”
“How are you doing? E hurt you earlier.”
There is no denying that. “He did.”
“E surprised me too, but I genuinely don’t think he thought of that as dating. He wouldn’t date other people. You know he needs a connection to someone first.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ll get over it. It just stung, and Alex was here, so I didn’t want to say anything since we’ve kept quiet about all this, but then I realized he’s the only one of our friends who doesn’t know, and that’s not right either.
It wasn’t intentional that he’s the only one that doesn’t know, and I don’t want him hurt because of that, but I’m not sure the best way to tell him. ”
“Damn, girl, take a breath,” Seb chuckles. “But yes, Alex should know. I’ll tell him we're exploring our feelings and keeping it quiet for now. What are you feeling though, Sunshine? Are you happy with us? Still overwhelmed? Are we still testing the waters?”
“I'm happy about the four of us. Not declaring anything makes it less overwhelming somehow in my brain. We just are, and it works. I think we’re past the testing phase.”
“Good. All good. I’m happy too.”
“Alex told me he’s going to have a face-to-face talk with his dad when he comes home at the end of the month.”
“About damn time.” We chat for a while longer before hanging up. I rejoin Zander on the couch to watch an action movie before bed.