Page 68 of Family Bonds- Kelsey & Van

When he shut his computer off at ten, he saw the envelope staring at him.

He picked it up again, this time ran his finger under the sealed part and ripped it open before he lost his nerve.

He opened it wide and dumped the contents on his desk.

There were more sealed envelopes in there of all sizes. He moved them around and saw they were numbered.

What the fuck!?

Was this some kind of mind game or something?

But there was one piece of paper by itself so he picked it up and read it.

If you’re reading this, then I know you are ready to hear my side of the story, Donovan. I’m sorry I never got to meet the man you turned out to be. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for your mother when she needed me the most. Just know she and I are together again and she is being taken care of the way she deserves. The way you would have wanted for her.

I ask that you give me a chance. That you open your eyes and your heart. Use that brain of yours and follow the information provided and you’ll get your answers to the truth.

I’m at fault and will take the blame where it’s deserved, but it wasn’t always me or even all me. I tried more than once to come into your life. When you’re ready, start opening things in order. There is a reason I’ve done it the way I have. If you’re anything like me, you need to warm up to it all.

Just know one thing—everything I’ve done in my life was to leave for Lauren. Once that wasn’t possible, it was all for you. You’re all I’ve got left of her and I know you’ll do her proud. Love, Barry, your grandfather.

He pushed the envelopes around until he found the first one. Maybe it was better to start this way. He wouldn’t feel as if he was being swallowed whole with a shit ton of information he had to keep trying to process.

He ripped the side of the envelope open and dumped out some pictures into his hand. Five of them. Pictures of him through the years.

From birth to the day he graduated from the academy.

Was his grandfather there and his mother didn’t know? Or did he get this picture from his mother?

Would his mother have kept this from him and his father?

Again, questions that had no answers, but it did make his mind race.

Yeah, the guy had to be telling the truth that he at least tried. Why else would he have these in his possession?

19

GOOD SENSE OF TIMING

Two days later, Van walked into Kyle’s office ready to meet the man that his grandfather had hand-selected to oversee the hotels.

He wasn’t sure why he was more nervous over this than meeting his grandfather’s business partner.

Maybe because he was trying to open his mind a bit more, though there was a war in there over what he’d known to what he was finding out.

What was the truth?

He was almost positive he’d never find out all of it.

“Good morning,” Kyle said. “Christian should be here shortly.”

“Does he live on the island?” he asked. He wasn’t sure why that just occurred to him.

“No,” Kyle said. “He lives in Providence between the hotels distance-wise. Makes it easier for him to keep an eye on things. He would come here a few times a month to meet with us or we’d go there. The rest is mainly phone conversations.”

“You’re okay with that?” he asked. Van figured a man like Kyle would want to know more about the running of his businesses.

“I was once I got to know Christian more. What you’ve got to understand is that I was the silent partner in these hotels for years. Barry and I met, but he ran everything. I trusted him and he never failed me in any aspect. The businesses have thrived over the years.”

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