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Dad and Mom shared a look again. I couldn’t read what was happening there, but my mother’s gaze looked almost haunted. I wondered if there’d ever be a time when talking about my brother wasn’t so heavy.
“Let’s see how he does with his new job and take it from there.” Mom sighed. “How about we talk about the white party? The date is on the calendar for the last weekend in May.”
“Oh, it’s my favorite time of year,” Grammie said.
The Magnolia Falls White Party was an event in town hosted by my family, and it had been going on for as long as I could remember. My grandmother and my mother planned the epic spring celebration and charity event, and everyone in town attended. It was something that locals looked forward to all year, and it took place out on our ranch.
My mom spent months preparing, and each year, it grew even larger and grander.
“I’m going to have a few local bands perform this year, which will be fun for all the young people in town.” She chuckled.
“I’m happy I’m living here this year so I can help out wherever you need me,” I said.
“Absolutely. I’m so glad I’ll have you here to help.”
“It sure is nice having our girl back in town,” Gramps said.
It was great to be back home. Now, I just had to find a way to repair my family.
We spent the next hour talking about the white party, and my dad and my grandfather talked about an investment that Patrick Waterstone had brought to them.
Even the mention of the Waterstones made me cringe.
Patrick was my father’s business partner, and his father was a senator for the state of California. He and my grandfather had been political allies for the two terms my grandfather served as governor.
The connection ran deep. Two political families who’d known one another for many years and invested in several businesses together.
The Waterstones had a summer home here, and I hoped like hell that Ronny wouldn’t be visiting. He hadn’t come here often once we started college, and if he was smart, he’d keep it that way.
I hugged everyone goodbye and let my parents know that I would be coming by early in the morning to ride Teacup before I opened the shop. I made my way outside in the cool, crisp air and glanced down to see a text from my brother.
Slade
Did you talk to them?
Yes. It’s going to take time, but they miss you. Just work hard and prove you can stay clean for a few weeks, and then we’ll see if we can set up a dinner when you come visit next.
Slade
Love you, D. I can do that. It’s just hard because I’m making shit money right now, and I’m working hard to get back on my feet.
I chewed my thumbnail as I settled into the driver’s seat of my car and buckled my seat belt.
Do you need money?
Slade
If you could slip me some cash, just so I can buy some clothes and not feel like a complete loser, that would help. A couple thousand bucks would be amazing.
This was not out of character for Slade. He’d always had rich taste, and we’d joked about his outrageous spending habits for as long as I could remember. But then prescription drugs became his first love. I guess I should be grateful that he wasinterested in clothes and worrying about how he looked again. But after all he’d gone through, I’d expected him to be a bit humbled. But that wasn’t really Slade’s style.
Money is a little tight for me as I’ve put everything into the business. But I could send you a couple hundred dollars to help you get on your feet. I’m sure Gramps would help you out, too.
Slade
Gramps said he isn’t giving me a dime until I’m clean for six months. Fuck, D. It’s hard to fight for something when no one believes in you. You’re the only one left in my corner now.
You know I always will be. What happened the last time you saw Mom and Dad? They seem different now.
