Page 118 of Where We Fall

“There's a lot we have to work through. The three of us didn’t like how everything was left between us,” Gabe says. “But first, I wanted to apologize for everything. I’ve thought long and hard about what you said to me, and you’re right.”

I’m caught off guard. This isn’t how I saw this conversation going.

He continues. “I’ve been insensitive to you. I’ve spent so long looking at you as someone I need to protect that I was blinded to the fact that you grew up and don’t need my protection anymore. You need my support. I’m so sorry I carried that older brother role over to our business. It had no place for it, and it doesn’t reflect at all how talented I believe you are.”

I have to adjust myself in my seat. Everything he has said hits me straight in the gut. It’s everything I’ve wanted to hear him say, and I’m trying my best not to get emotional.

“I second that,” Luke says. “I guess I always look up to Gabe, and instead of breaking away from the pattern, I followed it. It doesn’t make it right, but I hope you know how much I love you. I support whatever decisions you make, and I’m so proud of the man you’ve become.”

A lone tear falls down my cheek. I turn my head and try to wipe it inconspicuously before anybody notices.

“And I always knew these two were fools and always believed in you,” Mia says. It lightens the mood a bit. “But I’m sorry I never stood up or said anything.”

“Way to be humble about it all,” Luke replies.

Mia shrugs. “I’m not going down with you.”

“I appreciate what you guys just said. It really means a lot,” I say. “And you guys didn’t have to fly here to make your apology. A phone call really would have been enough.”

“Well, that’s not the main reason we’re here,” Gabe states.

“It’s not?” I ask. I wonder if they have some business meeting I don’t know about and decided to kill two birds.

It hurts a little. Thinking they flew all the way out here for me seemed like an incredible grand gesture to show how much they love me.

“No, we also had some news for both of you,” Luke replies.

“What’s that?” Lexi asks.

“We’ve been thinking about your decision to leave the company, Marcus, and it just doesn’t feel right.” Gabe seems nervous, which is unlike him. "The truth is, you’re a huge reason for the success of our company. We love that you came here to be with Lexi, and we’re completely supportive of it. Instead of losing both of you, since Lexi has been so valuable to us, we thought you two should open up a Chicago office.”

I thought his apology was surprising. This is another level of shock.

“You know we need to expand. Chicago would open up a whole new level of talent that we could hire to train and expand our sales staff. You would be the perfect person to take that on.”

“You would trust me to run an office entirely on my own?” I ask.

“Of course. We would also love it if Lexi could continue her role as IT Director. Lexi, you could hire someone underneath you to be our staff member in Cleveland. It may take some trips back to our office to get them trained, but after that, I’d think it would be easily managed from here.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Lexi whispers.

I look over at her, and there are tears in her eyes.

“What do you think?” she asks me.

“You guys aren’t doing this out of sympathy or anything?” I ask.

“Marcus!” Lexi hits me. “You know that’s not true.”

My siblings laugh.

I raise my hands. “I’m sorry. I just don’t even know what to say. Of course, I would love to open a Chicago branch. That sounds like a dream.”

“Good,” Luke smiles. “Just one thing.”

“What’s that?” I ask.

“You still have to come home and visit… a lot,” he says. “I have a baby on the way, and he or she better know it’s Uncle Marcus.”

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