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“Granddad, what is it? I’ve got work to do.”
He sighs, “I know, but I heard about Paul and decided that things are getting out of hand.”
I shake my head, “No, he was too old and besides he should have retired when you did. You’re the same age right?”
It’s as if we’re stuck in the quick mud as we look at each other. I know what I’m thinking, that I’ll ask him straight-up to bail the company out. He has the money to do it. Part of me’s pissed, he should just sign the damn thing to me. Just because my dad was incompetent when he took over doesn’t mean that I follow in his shoes.
“Yes, but we know what the real issue is. I wanted us to come in and talk about it. Like men. Man-to-man.”
I nearly choke on his words, “You’ve got to be kidding me. You treat me like a fucking kid. Just because dad fucked up the company when he ran it. Doesn’t mean that I’ll do the same.”
I want to go inside because the sun’s beating down on me like daggers. I start to loosen my tie, and can’t believe that I drove four hours, because most of that was spent in traffic. There was some fucking accident on the highway and it doubled the time that it should have taken to make this journey. I never made it to have the third degree.
“Come inside, let’s talk. You’re getting upset over nothing,” Granddad says as he puts his hand on me, no doubt we’re causing a scene. He likes his privacy which is why I’m surprised that he let’s Olivia stay here. Maybe there’s something going on, fuck I just hope that she’s not some gold digger that’s after his money. Then again, she seems to innocent for that, or she could be a good actress.
I walk up, to the house in front of him, not because I want to go in to talk, but I just need a fucking drink. Anything to calm down the nerves. I’ve stopped driving to work because a drink in the morning helps keep me going, but seeing as he demanded that I came here this morning and the driver’s out of town. I had no choice but to drive here.
As soon as I open the front door the painful memories of my childhood flash into my mind like a tidal wave. Maybe Granddad’s right and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
“This way,” granddad instructs me as he starts to walk to his study. I look up and see that he’s still got the family pictures up of when I was young and when this house used to mean something. We were respected by then; people used to look up to us until dad got into one scandal after another and it ended up with him retiring and me taking over the company.
He shuts the door behind me and I stand to wait for him to lay it on me and then I’ll tell him the truth. The real reason I was debating about coming here today, so I can get it off my chest as we both sit down facing each other.
I’m not a man to beat around the bush, so I just say what’s on my mind, “I need your help. The business isn’t doing well, and with Paul leaving, the bank’s on my back about the bank loan.”
“What loan?”
“Remember last year, when I told you that the business was in trouble and I needed your input you refused,” I sigh because either the old man’s playing games, or he’s going senile?
I was sitting in the same chair telling him that things need to change at the company and he flat out refused to help. He must know that he can’t do that again.
Fuck I need a drink!
I stand up and start to head to the bar. The one at the corner of his study. There’s nothing new about this room. It’s as if it’s stuck in a time warp. The same antique chairs in the corner, the same mahogany desk that should have been replaced a long time ago and the photo of him and grandma on top of his desk.
“Do you want one?” I say as I lift up a tumbler and realize that something has changed. This bar used to be stocked with different types of whiskeys, brandies and all kinds of liquor. Now, there’s just one bottle of bourbon.
He shakes his head, “No.”
I shrug and take off my tie and jacket which feel as if they’re ropes hanging around my neck and suffocating me.
Then as I pour a bourbon he sighs, “I didn’t want to do this. I can’t have you running the company down to the ground like your dad did.”
I knock back the bourbon and as it burns my throat and I think twice about pouring another one, but he’s still going on about what’s on his mind.
“I need you to stop ruining not only your life but mine too. It’s my fault.”
I turn to face him; he has his hands on his desk. He’s rubbing it as if he’s reliving a memory. One that I told him to lock away and turn away the key.
“Your dad was a good man. Don’t get me wrong; I loved Ben just like I love you. I pushed him when his mother told me that he’s not a ruthless business man. I pushed him over the edge.”
I agree, “You fucking did that alright.”
He ignores me as he says, “I saw that you had the steam, the one that was ready to run the company. You took after me in many ways.”
I choke, “Going to the office with you was the most excitement that I’d had as a kid. All I used to dream about was being you. Making people run around and jump to my command. You had that way about you that everyone did that as soon as you walked in the door.”
“Yes, but it consumed me. So much so that I pushed your dad and looked what happened to him.”
