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“Then I really think maybe you should consider selling the business when you retire. You can use the money to live on.”And I won’t be tied down to it.
“Why would I do that when you’re here?” he asked.
“Because maybe I’d like to relocate too.” I couldn’t believe we were having this conversation right now, because he wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. But at least he’d understand that I didn’t want to run it forever.
He stopped looking at the receipts on his desk, leaned back in his chair, and stared at me. I couldn’t tell if he was angry or puzzled. If he’d say something, maybe I’d be able to gauge what I should say next.
“Dad, we’ve talked about this before.”
“You’ve mentioned it. I thought over time you might change your mind. I should’ve known better. You’re stubborn,” he said.
“I get it from my Dad,” I teased.
“Unfortunately, that’s true. But this is serious. You really don’t want the limo business?” he asked.
“It’s not the business that I don’t enjoy, but the only thing keeping me here right now is you and Mom. If you’re not here, why should I stay?” I asked.
“You want to come with us to North Carolina?” he questioned.
I never allowed myself to dream too much about the future because it seemed like it would never get here. Dad was speaking like he might close up and move away any day.
“Dad, I am not planning on making a major change right now. And if you give me a little notice when you’re making your plans, I’ll be able to decide and tell you where I want to live. Until then, we should keep focused on reconciliation of payables and receivables.”
My phone vibrated and I checked the message. It was from Colton.
MY MOM’S FUNERAL IS ON THURSDAY.
Was he telling me this because he wanted me to go? Maybe he needed me there for moral support. I had told him that if he needed me, I was just a phone call away.How do I ask him what that meant? God, I hate texting.
It was only Tuesday, so I had time to catch a flight to South Dakota. I looked up and asked, “Dad, a friend of mine lost their mother yesterday. The funeral is Thursday. I’d like to go and offer my condolences.”
“Of course. I can have someone fill in. And with the cancelation Saturday, I can move Rick around too if needed.”
“Dad, I need to travel if I go. The funeral is out of state.”Please don’t ask me where.
“Just tell me when you’re going to be gone and I’ll cover everything here.”
This was too easy. Maybe he was trying to be so accommodating so I’d decide to keep the business. That was never going to happen, but I appreciated his offer anyway.
“I’d like to fly out late Wednesday and come back Friday.”
“Whatever time you need. I know I’d like to think your friends will be here for you when it’s my turn.”
“Dad, don’t talk like that. You’re not dying or retiring for a very long time. Understood?” I said firmly.
“I can’t make any promises on that,” he said before picking up his stack of papers again.
I didn’t text Colton back right away. I needed to confirm my flight first. It might be crazy to go when Colton and I hardly knew each other. But it felt like the right thing to do.
Please let this be what he wants and needs.
While Dad worked on his paperwork, I ordered flowers to be delivered to Colton in South Dakota and then also some to his sister Rhonda. After all, her mother had died, too.
