Page 74 of Until

“You were ten. There was nothing you could do. It wasn't your fault. Even back then I knew it wasn't your fault. No matter how many times Father blamed you."

"It's because I look like her.” Alex's voice was bitter. “He got drunk one night soon after she passed away and told me he couldn't stand to see my face because it reminded him too much of what he lost. I’ll never forget that. It was always about him. All he cared about was himself. He didn’t care that his sons lost their mother. That's even more of a reason why you need to make your own life," he said.

The food arrived, and as we ate, we talked about the things going on in each other’s lives. Nothing important, just the everyday minutia. But I couldn’t shake the thought about going to college. I had never considered it. I thought I would just follow in our father’s footsteps.

"So you really think I should go to college?" I asked.

"Absolutely. You need to have your own life. Even if all you do is turn around and come back here and work with Father, at least it'll be on your terms."

"Are you coming home for Christmas?" I asked.

"Yeah, I am. I've been talking to some people and they have some ideas about Father’s business. I looked into it, and I really think this is what we need to do for exponential growth.”

“What’s that?”

“Construction instead of just home repair. It could be a great opportunity for Father. For you, too, if you decide to stick with the family business.”

“And what about you?” I asked. "I thought you didn't care about Father’s business."

“I don’t, but he’s still my father, and I care about you. So if I can do something that'll make your lives better, I will. Even if he still wants nothing to do with me.”

THREE WEEKS UNTIL RYAN’S BIRTHDAY

John’s Bar and Grille looks no different from when Alex and I met many years ago. I ask the host for the table in the back corner, where we used to always sit.

The menu is similar, with one exception. The Monte Cristo is front and center. I smile when I see that, then hear the restaurant door open.

Alex enters and nods to me before beelining over. I stand, and we hug, neither of us saying a word.

We take our seats and Alex puts his menu at the edge of the table, then leans back and smiles.

“It’s great to see you,” he says. “But we need to address the elephant in the room and get that out of the way. Last week was messed up. I apologize for that. I have a lot to apologize for, and if it’s alright with you, I’d like to get that out of the way now.”

I nod, wanting to say some things to my older brother as well but letting him take the lead.

“I am very aware, as I’m sure you are too, that your birthday, the trust deadline, is about three weeks away. I also know that you care a lot for Carina.” He lowers his voice. “I can understand why.”

“Wow, I didn’t think this would be the first thing we talked about. I thought maybe we’d discuss everything with Father first.”

He puts his hand up. “Please, I can’t tell you how difficult this is to tell you, but I need to. Because right now, I know you and Carina aren’t together, but you really should be.”

My phone buzzes and I look down and see Carina’s name light up the screen. As much as I want to answer, I let the call go to voicemail.

“I’m guessing she hasn’t told you anything.”

“No, she hasn’t. I asked her why she was there, but she didn’t really answer.”

He takes in a deep breath.

“I have no excuse. If this ruins our chance at being a family again, then I know it’s all my fault.”

“Go on,” I say, anxious for him to explain. I lean forward in my seat to make sure I don’t miss a thing he says.

“Carina had been working here for years. I was aware of her because of her performance; she was an excellent wait person, but then one day, I came in, and something drew me to her. I didn’t say anything to her, but I started to ask around about her, and what I discovered is that she prizes her family above everything else and that she’s not one to care about the things that normally impress others.”

“Like money.”

“Correct,” he says. “I knew you were the one behind the monthly masquerade balls, and obviously, I knew why. I even went to one thinking I would speak to you, but I didn’t want to ruin things for you. I’m not sure what the consequences would have been if anyone discovered we had been in touch. I didn’t want you to lose anything. You deserve that inheritance.”

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