“Matthias is my son by blood. You’re my daughter by love. And Max, Niko, and Silas are my sons by choice. I love them, I raised them, but they are not mine.”
I’m almost too stunned to speak. “Do they know that?”
“Matthias, Max, and Niko know.”
“Well, I think Silas will figure it out when you leave half your share of the company to me.”
“Maybe, maybe not. He never had an interest in the business, and he’ll still get his inheritance. I don’t expect him to be too upset about it.”
“I don’t think I can accept, Mr. Scala.”
“Please, call me Connie, darling.”
“Does anyone else know you’re planning to do this? I just, I can’t accept.”
“It’s been in my will for years, Britain. Matthias is the executor, so he knows. Other than that, I’m not sure, and it doesn’t matter because it’s what I want. I didn’t get to be there, raising you, day in and day out like I should’ve. You didn’t even let me pay for your college tuition, which, by the way, I’m still salty you didn’t go to Stanford.” He gives me a fake angry glare. “My other kids have had me and my financial support for decades, it’s the least I can do for you.” My cheeks turn pink. The sentiment of it all is overwhelming.Is this what it’s like to have a father?
“If you’re not interested in the day-to-day running of the business, we’ll keep everything as it is now. Matthias will manage and earn a salary, but my profit share will split between the two of you. And, of course, you’ll have voting rights.”
I shake my head. “But that’s not until you pass away. That could be 30, 40 years from now.”
He gives me a sad smile. “I don’t have that much time left, darling.” I look at him, and while he’s lost some muscle mass, he still looks like a vibrant, healthy man.
“I still think you should reconsider, Connie. I don’t deserve this. I know nothing about the business. I’m just a stay-at-home mom now.”
“Don’t say that, Britain.You’re talented. I know what kind of work you did for Scott Technologies. I feel that I’m leaving part of the business in very competent hands. And again, you don’t have to dive in, but maybe you save it for the girls some day? Caroline and Elodie, maybe they take an interest?” It’s funny to hear him say their names.
“I’m not going to stop trying to talk you out of this, you know that, right?” I point a finger at him.
“Stubborn, just like your mama,” he says, making me smile.Just like my mama, words I would have hated hearing previously start to take on new meaning. This wonderful man loved her. Maybe being a bit like her isn’t so bad after all.
We spend the next hour or so mostly talking about Georgia. I ask if I can have some of the photos and he lets me choose. We talk more about me and my childhood, and then eventually about the girls. “I’d love for you to meet them sometime,” I say to him, and he nods silently, unable to speak without choking up. “I’m glad I got to talk to you today, Connie, and I hope we’ll see you at Sunday dinner sometime soon?”
“You got it, peanut.” I laugh and cry at the same time.
“Did you used to call me peanut?” He nods yes. “I call this one peanut.” I place a hand on my abdomen and we both look at each other and smile.
It seems like a nice moment to end things on, so I smile and stand and he does, too. We walk over to his desk where he presses a buzzer for Gina. I look at the collection of mismatched frames scattered over the surface, and sure enough, there I am,and so is Georgia. There’s even one of Alex in his dress blues. I smile.
While we wait for Gina, I glance around at his office. His bookshelves are filled with awards and more family photos, and I do wish he could have been my father.I wish.
The ceramic urn above the fireplace catches my eye, though.
I point to it and ask, “Is that Georgia?” He looks slightly bashful.
“Alex gave it to me. He said you wouldn’t mind if I had a piece of her, too.” I don’t mind at all.
“I think you’ve always had the best of her, Connie.”
He gives me a smile and we embrace tightly until Gina clears her throat and breaks the moment.
“Alright, darling. Let’s chat soon, okay?” he asks and I nod.
“Goodbye, Connie.” My voice nearly breaks, but I hold it together for a few more moments.
THIRTY
Britain
