We both fall quiet to our respective thoughts, our own missing loved ones before he seems to shrug off the memories. “I’m nearly through it now. Lavender is out of her teens as of this month, so maybe she’ll grow up a bit. Or pigs might fly. Anyway, she’ll be finished with university soon and out in the big, wide world. In theory,” he adds under his breath. “Which just leaves the baby of the family, Primrose. And then I’m all done.”
He sounds more like a dad and less like a daddy.
“Do you want some water?” Heat spreads across my cheeks as I reach for the fancy ice cap filtered water, which is sitting in a pool of its own condensation. But it’s not my table, so I shouldn’t complain. I guess someone doesn’t like their water room temperature, judging by the ice dancing in my water glass as I fill it up.
“Juice, please.” I pass over the OJ as he murmurs his thanks, taking the fancy glass carafe from my hands. I think for a moment he doesn’t want me to pour when he leans back, setting the bottle to the credenza. I watch as he tops up his champagne and places that out of reach, too.
Okay, a little weird.
“Is Dan the baby?”
“No. He’s next to Heather. Older than Lavender and Primrose. He’s had a bit of a rough time.”
“Don’t they ever go to your mom when they need advice?”
“When it suits them,” he says a little darkly.
“Death really does change the family dynamic. It must be hard on you.” The weight of the family balanced on your shoulders, siblings squawking like baby birds.
“I think the harder thing has been the change in our lifestyles.”
“How do you mean?”
“VirTu,” he answers simply. He runs his finger down his glass, pressing a line through the condensation. “Money changes everything, attitudes first and foremost.”
“But it’s your money.”
“And I’ve spoiled them with it,” he adds with an unhappy laugh. “Brin, El, and Heather are okay. They’d already made their own way in the world before I… well, before I had all this.” He makes a gesture with his hand to indicate the space, a testament to his success. His money, yeah, but by the sound of things, he thinks the way his younger siblings behave is down to him.His responsibility.
“You worry about them.”
“It’s hard not to,” he admits softly, “especially when you know Dan is off trying to find himself after a stint in rehab.”
“Oh, Whit. I’m sorry.” I don’t say anymore as his body language refutes my sympathy.
“The girls.” He sighs. “What happened the other night with Lavender is the least of it. Primrose is all right so far, just a bit overindulged.”
“But they’re not kids.” Reaching out, I press my hand over his. “They’re old enough to make their own decisions.”
“It would be easier if they didn’t.” Though he smiles, I know he means it. I guess I can see why control is his thing.
“I don’t want to overstep, but your mom is so lovely. Can’t she step in?”
“That’s probably my fault, too.” As he leans back in his chair, his hand slides out from under mine. “She was a mess when Dad died. You know what it’s like,” he says as his gaze slides to mine.
“Yeah, I do.”
“There’s just this void where that person used to be. But when Dad went, the void was two people wide because Polly just… disappeared. She retreated into herself. She couldn’t cope. That’s such a stupid phrase,” he mutters. “To cope is to survive and we’re all here. We got through it.”
“But nothing is the same.”
“Yeah.” He rakes both hands through his hair leaving furrows where his fingers were. “I mean, Polly is better now. More present. But, let’s face it, when you get picked up drunk in the street and the police shove you in a cell to sober you up, are you going to ring your hardheaded brother to come and pick you up, knowing the only price you’ll pay is listening to him rant and rave as he drives you home? Or will you call your tenderhearted mother, the woman you don’t want to hurt but that you know will weep and see your failings as her own. The woman who might, if you’re unlucky enough, book you both a place at a weekend retreat where there is nothing to do but talk about yourfeelings.That’s not a rhetorical question, by the way. If you want to know the answer, ask Daniel.”
“He went to Thailand to get over the bonding session?”
“So he says.”
“If you don’t mind me asking, why does Daniel… why does he…”
