“Ignoring that old habits die hard, I should point out that I’m still dealing with politicians, CEOs, and lawyers frequently,” I said with a snort. “It’s not like that changes just because I’ve gone from running a business to running a wellness resort.”
“Sure,” he said, and again I could sense him shrugging.
“And don’t think I didn’t notice that we’ve conveniently moved away from the topic you were unsuccessfully trying to lie about.”
“Hey, you were the one who went off-topic. You can’t blame me for going along with it because it worked in my favor.”
I snorted; maybe there was some hope for him yet. Although I wanted him to stay earnest and heartfelt for the rest of his life,I had to admit that knowing how to play people was important…if only because it meant you knew how and when you were being played. “Fair enough, but I’ll be nice and let it drop.”
“Aren’t you the nicest dad ever?” he said with a snort. “Also, I was thinking?—”
“About?” I asked, raising a brow.
“Well, you know my birthday is in a few weeks.”
“You mean the event I’ve been asking about for a couple of months? The event I have yet to hear anything significant about? The event I’ve repeatedly asked about, because I’d be more than happy to take time off to do whatever you wanted, because you don’t turn eighteen every day? That birthday?”
“I’m not sure you’re being sarcastic enough,” Jude said dryly. “I’m not drowning in it yet. Only up to my neck.”
I grinned. “I figured I’d leave you a little breathing room. But yes, I’m aware your birthday is coming up. I should also point out that I’ve also asked about your summer plans. I was hoping to squeeze in some time with you before Fall rolls around and you’ll be busy with school.”
“That’s what I wanted to ask about,” he said cautiously, enough that I frowned at the phone.
“It’s not often you sound nervous asking me for something,” I noted warily.
“Well, I was kind of hoping I could come stay with you for a few weeks…there?—”
I raised an eyebrow. “At the resort?”
“Yeah.”
“And, uh, what does your mother think about that idea?”
He groaned. “I’m going to be eighteen! I’m legally allowed to do whatever I want, and that includes being old enough to go to that resort.”
“I…yes, that is technically true,” though it would make him the youngest person to have come to the resort. Arete was opento all male adults who wished to come here, but the youngest guest we’d had so far had been twenty-three. “Though I can’t imagine, or at least I wouldhopeyou don’t actually need the services of Arete.”
“I mean, no, well, yes, you’re right, and no, I don’t need the services,” he said, sounding nervous still. “But you know I’m going to college for social work?—”
“I do,” I said, sensing where he was going. “But…this place isn’t some internship, or a place for you to ‘study’ people or anything like that.”
“I mean, I’m not saying I want to stick them in rooms and study them,” he said, sounding grumpy. “But since I’m also eyeballing a psych degree as a potential option, being there and I don’t know…experiencing it, seeing what happens there, all that, could be a great way to have some real world…well, not experience, but at least real world knowledge.”
“These men aren’t here to be gawked at,” I said with a frown.
“No, Dad, I’m not…I’m not saying I want to stare at them like animals in a zoo,” Jude said, frustration tightening his voice.
“Then take a breath and make your case,” I said. “Because whether or not you realize it, you don’t have to just convince me, but your mother as well. And before you start, she’s still your mother, even if you’re technically an adult, she’s going to have something to say on the matter. She’s also going to be someone you need to live with if you piss her off enough, and we both know how difficult she can be.”
He let out a huff. “It’s…a perfect opportunity for me to see what it’s like to live and work in an environment focused on mental health. Not to mention, ever since you and Reggie got that place up and running, you’ve focused on making sure I take care of myself, to approach life as a man in a way that encourages me to be confident, self-aware, compassionate to myself and others, and capable of taking care of myselfcompletely. Staying, even under controlled circumstances, at the resort, the place that kick-started a lot of those lessons, would be a good way for me to see it in action, because the guys there are still trying to learn those same lessons. I’m not saying I should roam around wherever I please, pester the guys, or treat them like experiments. It’s an opportunity for me to learn, grow, and prepare for the world, but I don’t want to do it at the expense of others.”
I jumped when a familiar, if unexpected, chuckle interrupted before I could reply. “You’ve been learning from your dad; that was actually pretty convincing.”
“Hello, Reggie,” I said dryly. “I see you’ve taken to lurking outside my office…again.”
“I don’t lurk,” he said, sounding mildly offended.
“You do,” I said, leaning back in my seat. “So, you were convinced?”
