Page 54 of Wish You Faith

Every time Connor mentioned “intervention,” it was about their parents. If they quarreled so much, why would they still remain married to each other?

Evan

Mom and Dad at it again?

Connor

Unfortunately. This time Dad wants to take the company public. Mom wants to keep it in the family. You and I have been named as their arbitrators.

Evan

Why don’t they just call Joe? He’ll send an arbitrator.

Joe D’Amato was the Cavanaugh family attorney who charged them a higher price than all his other clients because Mom wanted to be his top priority. Joe couldn’t exclusively work for the Cavanaughs because the drama in the family would drive him insane.

Evan

IDK if we should be arbitrators. We’re not independent of the family. Isn’t this a conflict of interest?

Connor

I think not. We’re minority shareholders so we have a say in this. It’s like a shareholder meeting. I shouldn’t have said “arbitrators.” But you know what I mean. We have to settle this dispute between our grown adult parents.

Evan

I’ll sell my shares to you. You deal with them.

Connor

Ha. Thought you’d say that. Mom says you must come. Just for the weekend. She’ll pay for your plane tickets.

Evan

I’ll think about it.

Connor

Today. You have to decide today.

Evan

I have work to do.

Evan waited for Connor to reply. He didn’t. Instead, he called.

“Marsha is on bedrest,” Connor said over the phone. “We’re too far along for us to lose this baby. She’s had two miscarriages before this one.”

“I’ll be praying for you until the baby is born healthy.”

“Thanks, bro. Thing is, Dad probably should retire but he isn’t. Mom’s fighting with him a lot over trivial matters. She seems to think she’s losing control over our family.”

“She needs Jesus.” It was all Evan thought to say. He felt bad that he had quit the family business and left Connor all alone to handle it.

“Some days I feel like Atlas with the world on my shoulders,” Connor said. “If not for the grace and mercy of God, I’d burn out.”

“I’m sorry. I know it’s a lot of pressure on you, but you seem to manage it better than I can.”

“You say that but you left me alone.” Connor didn’t sound like he was accusing Evan of dereliction of duty. “I’m happy for you that you get to make your career choices. I’m stuck, and I don’t think I can get out of this. It’s best for me to work here to provide for my family.”

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