Page 20 of Lost Little Boy
To say I was surprised was an understatement. “Really? Thanks for backing me up, Dad.”
“I knew you’d fire him when I retired anyway, so why mess around.”
I cleared my throat. “Dad, I know you expect me to take over when you retire, but I truly think Nancy would be better at it than me.”
Dad smirked. “So do I, but Nance doesn’t want it. I asked her this morning, and she said with the kids getting older, she wants to have more flexibility to take off forsports and all the other stuff they’re going to do. If you don’t want to take over as the president, then I’m going to consider selling. I hate to do it, but I want to spend time with your mother because for so many years, I was gone all the time.
“We’re thinking about becoming snowbirds and living in Sedona or Flagstaff during the winter. We’ll hang onto the Hamptons house because you and your sister enjoy spending time there, and we’ll find a smaller single-family house somewhere around here or maybe in Leesburg. Your mother loves it out there. If you want to buy the townhouse, I’ll make you a deal.”
He’d been threatening to retire for the last five years. He’d just turned seventy at the beginning of the year, and it was nice to hear he wanted to spend more time with Mom. I knew they’d always loved each other, but sometimes, with Junior, it was hard to tell.
“So you’re finally pulling the trigger, huh? What if I don’t take it on? Who would take over my side of the business?” I had mixed emotions, which were clouding my mind.
“You have five account reps who could do the traveling for you. Honestly, you could still run the export side from here, just don’t travel all the time. If you don’t want totake over, I’ll sell. Maybe you and Nance can still work for whoever buys me out.”
He glanced at the crystal clock on the credenza behind his desk. “Oh, I have to get going. Mom and I are having a few people over for bridge. You ever want to join us, you’re more than welcome.”
And there it was. Living the life my parents had was staring me in the face—with a few modifications. Was I ready for that?
I had to put that sour mood behind me because Perry and I were going on a date. After I talked to Peter Kato, my account rep who was meeting with our vendors in his birth country of Uganda, I was glad things were going well. He’d also taken over the meetings in Botswana and Liberia, so things were progressing nicely without me there. As a matter of fact, all the reps I’d sent to our various suppliers had been doing well.
I got out of the car to glance around the neighborhood. I was too snooty to live there, but I could see if the rent was reasonable that it wasn’t too bad aplace. I wouldn’t criticize it in front of Perry. I got the feeling he was sensitive about many things in his life and who was I to carp at him about anything?
He rushed out of the house and stopped in front of me. “Can I ask a favor? Will you kiss me?”
I couldn’t believe he was asking such a silly question. I’d wanted nothing more than to kiss his lips since we’d met.
I pulled him close and kissed the man in my arms with all the passion inside me. Perry had me tied up in knots, and there was no way I’d ever turn down his invitation.
When we separated, I caught my breath as I stared into those beautiful brown eyes. “I’ve been waiting for that since the day I met you, sweet boy.”
“My roommates didn’t believe I had a date. Oh, and now I owe them another fifty dollars a month for the rent. I was being a bitch, making them bite their tongues that I had a date with such a beautiful man. I’m sorry if I put you on the spot.”
Perry was absolutely adorable, and I wanted to get to the matter at hand—him beingmyboy. I just had to figure out if he understood what I was hoping we’d have together.
“I’m happy to prove your point with anyone. Hell, I don’t think you were being a bitch, and you didn’t put me on the spot. I enjoy spending time with you, Perry. We just need to figure out what that means.”
I led him to the passenger side of the car and opened the door. Once he was inside, I closed the door, looked up at the window, and waved at the assholes he called roommates. We could discuss the rent after I did some research. The complex didn’t warrant the amount of rent I guessed he was paying. I’d handle it for my sweet boy—and I’d make sure hewasmy sweet boy.
We made a quick drive-by of my corporate apartment with Perry asking to stay in the car, and then I drove us to Southwest Washington, DC, finding parking in a private garage near the field.
“Wow! These are great seats. I feel like they’re lost on me.” Perry sat next to me in the corporate box Grassley rented.
A server came into the box with a big smile. “Good evening, gentlemen. May I bring you something to drink? Here’s the menu for tonight.”
Perry stared my way, and I took his hand, twining our fingers together. “We’ll have two sparkling watersfor now. Thank you.” I had to drive us home, but if Perry wanted an alcoholic drink, I’d get him one.
The server nodded and left us. I turned to Perry, seeing his sweet smile. “If you want something to drink, you’re more than welcome to have it. I’ll be fine with water so I can drive us home. I’m just happy you’re here with me.”
“I’m glad to be here, too, but what if someone sees us together?” His voice was shaky, so I wrapped my arm around his shoulders and we stood as the fanfare began.
“I don’t care. Look,” I lifted my arm to point to the tunnel where the players ran through onto the field. “The teams are coming out. Let’s take a minute to watch them.” We stood and clapped as the rest of the fans did, and after the teams were introduced, our server brought our waters, so we returned to our seats.
There were preliminary announcements to honor servicemembers before the national anthem was sung by a soprano from the Washington Opera Company. I caught Perry’s face out of the corner of my eye, and I smiled.
Perry had an expression of wonder during the entire spectacle. It hadn’t occurred to me he’d be so surprised by the beginning of a soccer game, but I had to remember he didn’t grow up the way many other people had. Especially me.
The buzzer blared over the speakers for the game to begin. and we clapped before looking at the menu. “See anything that looks interesting?”
