Page 150 of Contentious

“He’s a good one.”

“Yes, he is, but between us, he expressed some reservations about joining the family business when he was home for the holidays.”

“Really?”

Julian nodded. “He seems to be struggling with the expected path.”

“Did you tell him he can do whatever the fuck he wants?”

“I did, and he’s aware.”

“Wow, I didn’t see that coming.”

“Dad’s mail room philosophy seems to have backfired with him.”

“It nearly did with me, too. Three of the worst months ever.”

“We all hated it, but I’m glad I did that and the other scut work he assigns at the beginning so no one can say I was handed any success I might’ve earned.”

“Well, we were handed a legacy that gave us a huge leg up. Dad thinks that’s the only reason any of us talk to him. Because of the firm. Mom thinks the same thing about the girls.”

“What?” Julian asked. “When did they say that?”

“I overheard him telling someone that at a meeting once. Kay’s heard Mom say it, too.”

“Wow. I never knew they felt that way.”

“Is it true?” Carson asked. “Would any of us speak to them if we didn’t work for them?”

“I want to think we would, but I’m not sure.”

“I’d talk to them,” Carson said. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them—and the rest of you—but mostly them and Gramps. They never gave up on me and spent a fortune to get me clean. Without that, I’m not sure where I’d be today. It wasn’t all bad. We had good times with both of them after the dust settled.”

“We did, but the dust hung over everything,” Julian said. “At least it did for me.”

“You were much more present for the worst of it than I was. I checked myself out.”

“You ever think that was because of them and what they did?” Julian asked.

“Nah, that was no one’s fault but mine.”

“Still… They created a situation that made you look for a way out.”

“I guess we’ll never know if it would’ve happened either way.”

Julian merged onto the 405, headed north toward the Westside. A few minutes later, they took the Wilshire Boulevard exit toward Beverly Hills.

“Are they still behind us?” Carson asked.

“Right behind.”

“Good.”

“You must be beat,” Carson said. “You certainly didn’t have a five-hour round-tripper to San Diego on your bingo card for today.”

“Neither did you, and if you’re okay, so am I.”

“Thank you for coming.”