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“But when you see them, they are with the family. They feel awkward and don’t want any pressure put upon them.”
“And what? They get along when they are off on their own?”
His grandfather smiled and nodded. “Your father told me they’ve found a way to be happy together.”
“But without me.”
His grandfather walked over to him and briefly touched his hand to Roberto’s shoulder. “I am sorry about that. Not all people are meant to be parents. Your grandmother and I, we did the best we could, but we weren’t your mom and dad. And...and I worried that I’d make the same mistakes with you that I made with your father. So I overcompensated by being harder on you. Too hard. I... I’m sorry.”
His grandfather’s explanation and apology were like a balm on his scarred heart. Maybe there was a possibility for a new beginning for them. He could finally allow himself to admit that he missed his family.
As frustrated as Roberto had been with his grandfather, he loved him even more for always being there—even when Roberto didn’t make the choices his grandparents wanted him to make.
“Thank you for being the steady presence in my life.”
His grandfather was quiet for a moment. “Maybe this can be a new start for us.”
Roberto nodded. He liked the thought of being closer to his grandfather—of returning to the family business.
His grandfather gave his shoulder another squeeze. “I should be going. Your grandmother will be looking for me.” His grandfather started to walk away but then paused and turned back. “Don’t plan your future based on your parents’ choices. You are your own man and quite capable of anything you set your heart and mind on.”
And that was it. His grandfather moved toward the interior of the ship, leaving Roberto to grapple with the realization that his parents loved each other in their own way. Maybe he should have seen this—should have suspected this, but he’d been so angry with them most of his life that he was oblivious.
Even though they loved each other, he would never want a life like theirs. And he knew that Stasia wouldn’t want that lonely life either. Not that he was considering truly marrying her or anything.
There were still a few more days of the cruise. And he knew that when the ship made port in Athens this whole fantasy would come to a screeching halt.
He wasn’t ready to deal with that now. He had enough on his mind with his grandfather and his looming deadline.
Together, he and Stasia quietly made their way to his cabin. Once the door closed, Stasia asked, “What in the world happened back there?”
“My grandfather was just being himself.”
“But he was so kind and friendly before.”
“And he was trying to get me to do something for him. Now that I’m doing what he asked, he doesn’t have to play nice.” He didn’t want to discuss what he’d learned about his parents. He was still trying to make sense of it.
Stasia pursed her lips. “Is it possible it was something else?”
“Something like what?”
“Like he’s worried and anxious to find out what you’ve learned.”
Instead of quickly rejecting her speculation, Roberto paused. Did she have a point here? He rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know. I’ve been butting heads with him for so long now that there’s where my thoughts naturally go. But maybe you’re right. I do know that he looks more tired than I’ve ever seen him.”
“Is it possible there’s more to those reports than a few transposed numbers?”
“I know there is. My grandfather wouldn’t send me on a fool’s errand. There is something definitely wrong. I can feel it in my gut. But it might be more serious than I originally suspected.”
“Or maybe you want there to be something there for you to find so you can prove yourself to your grandfather.”
There she went again, seeing more of him than he wanted anyone to see. “I don’t have anything to prove.”
“Says the man working at another company instead of his family business.”
He stepped up to her. He needed to look her in the eyes when he set the record straight. “I work with your brother because he’s my friend and I like what I do. You don’t know me as well as you think.”
