Page 36 of Take This Heart
“That’s a beautiful area. Bruce mentioned you’d been working with Everett Whitman.”
“Yeah, I have,” I say slowly.
Silence.
“Hello?” I look at the phone to make sure the call hasn’t dropped.
“We’re here,” Dad says.
Another pause.
Then Mom says, “Are you sure that’s a good idea? It’s not something we talk about often. It’s old. Silly, really. But the feud between our family and the Whitmans goes back decades. I’ve always tried to stay out of all of it, but I’d also be careful of getting too close to them.”
“I never knew anything about it until Bruce mentioned it. And then I assumed, since you hadn’t ever said anything about the Whitmans, that you wouldn’t care if I continued a working relationship with Everett. Honestly, he’s become a friend. I’ve wanted to ask—what’s the story there?”
“Your grandfather and Everett’s father—Augustus—were friends once. Best friends, actually.”
“What happened?”
She sighs. “I haven’t talked about it because Ihatedwhat all of this brought out in my dad and brother. Everett’s father and mine went into business together,” Mom says more gently. “They were starting a business together in St. Paul, but there was a falling out. Your grandfather believed Augustus went behind his back and tried to steal his idea. Augustus claimed it had always been his baby and that he was just bringing Dad along for the ride. It got ugly fast.”
“Ugly how?”
“Court battles. Public accusations. Families dragged through the mud. And Bruce was always a little too eager to carry the torch. He’s the one who escalated everything after Dad passed. He’s been trying to outmaneuver the Whitmans ever since. Bruce and Everett went to school together and never got along.”
“And now you’re getting closer and closer to him,” Dad says, whistling under his breath.
I run a hand down my face. “I didn’t know you’d be against this too. And since we rarely talk about business relationships—even the people I get close to—I’ve never talked about Everett with you.” I sigh. “So you’re saying I’m deeper in a long-standing war than I realized.”
“Yes,” Mom says. “And Bruce isn’t taking it lightly.”
“Well, I don’t like being on his bad side, but I like Everett…I respect him. And it didn’t feel right, what Bruce was trying to do.”
“It’s okay, honey. We don’t always agree with my brother either.”
“But you’re not thrilled I’m working with Everett.”
“Not especially,” Mom says.
“Everett’s not his father,” I say.
“Maybe not,” Dad admits. “Just be careful, Milo. These things have a way of repeating themselves.”
I sigh and stare out at the water, the sky exploding into shades of pink above it.
“We love you,” they say together, because they’re weirdly in sync like that.
“I love you too. I’ll call again soon.”
“Soon better meanthis week,” Mom warns. “And dinner next week, don’t forget.”
“All right.” I laugh. “Promise.”
I hang up and sit there, letting the sound of waves roll over me.
I know that it’s critical that I have a conversation about all of this with Everett, but he’s got more important things to be worried about right now.
I work in Minneapolis for a few days and when I drive back to Windy Harbor, I realize how much I’ve missed it. I’ve especially missed arguing with Goldie.
