16. The Reality, Dash

The muted voices from the living room, quietly filtering through the closed bedroom door, had me paying more attention there, then gathering my gear for my next shift at the swimming pool.

Quietly, I opened the door to a small slit and surveyed the scene. Based on the loud conversation, I'd thought others were there with my father. But he was alone, sitting at the dining room table in full business attire. He always overdressed for such a warm, sultry climate. How did any deodorant stand up against all those clothes?

The waitstaff worked quietly, setting breakfast at the other end of the table. A telephone was placed to one side of him. Tom, one of my father's senior advisors, spoke from the speaker. A set of blueprints was sprawled out before him. I stared at them, trying to remember if I'd been told of any new architectural plans. My curiosity got the best of me, and pushed open the door. Whatever discovery I had to solve needed to be done in the next ten minutes, since I was due downstairs.

My father noticed my entrance, causing him to pause mid-sentence and push his seat backward from the table. He stood, joy evident as he gestured me over. "Tom, Dasham's here."

As I surveyed the blueprints, I interjected, "I won't bother you. I'm headed down for my shift."

The hearty clap on my back and wide grin made me forget everything else as I openly stared at him. My father was rarely happy. I needed some sort of explanation. "Son, you've fulfilled your duty. Your efforts are greatly valued. We appreciate your service, but there's no need to continue with the charade. We've done it."

"Okay," I said, then paused. The confusion sparked a whirlwind of possibility. "Can we rewind? What duty?"

Both Tom and my father chuckled at me, most definitely not with me. My dad threw out a hand to shake mine. With hesitancy, I reciprocated the pumping grasp. I wasn't sure I'd ever been in a situation like this.

"What's happened?"

"The local group opposing the resort has officially declared bankruptcy. They're done. The picket line's down by half today. We anticipate dissolution by end of day."

Regret tumbled through me. The stories Beau and Chae had told of the area's past vitality and vibrance must have deeply affected me. What would become of those small businesses? They were bound to fail.

"What's that for?" I asked, nodding toward the blueprints. A dawning understanding twisted my gut. There was no one more ruthless than Tom. He certainly wouldn't give the locals time to absorb their losses and recover. He'd strike swiftly, like a cobra, injecting venom into the wound.

"Tell him, Tom." My father wrapped an arm around my shoulders, clasping me in place. Somehow, I'd landed in his private inner circle of confidants, and I wasn't entirely sure how I ended up there.

"We have the plans for the next phase in the resort expansion," Tom explained. "It's massive and ambitious. We're building a four-hundred-acre amusement park and a two-hundred-room extension to the resort. We've signed national restaurant chains and large retailers who have waited for this day."

If my father succeeded, other large hotel chains were destined to follow.

"Son, you've been an instrumental part in changing the reputation of the resort." My father deftly flipped the bound pages of the blueprints back to the second page.

"Is his silence a sign he's waiting for a financial payday? If so, he'd be a true Richmond," Tom said.

My father burst into an uproarious laughter as if that was my angle and gave me a hearty pat on the back.

The plans outlined the significant expansion of the resort, tripling the current size. I bent in to examine the blueprints more closely. There appeared to be a Las Vegas vibe, dazzling displays of lights and attractions, which seemed excessive for the tranquil beauty of Sea Springs. The proposed amusement park had multiple roller coasters, a big water park, a multi-screen theater, and a large digital arcade. It was a lot to take in.

"Will the city approve?" I asked.

"The governor's in our pocket, young Richmond. You have a lot to learn," Tom declared proudly.

"Where's all this land coming from?" As I spoke the words aloud, I knew the answer. It wouldn't be good. The land surrounding the resort was all owned by those who fought the resort in the first place. The expansion was destined to destroy them.

"With the bankruptcy, we can acquire the surrounding properties for a fraction of their value," my father explained as if teaching me a valuable lesson. My heart plummeted. A strong sense of empathy washed over me.

"I'm needed on another call," Tom said. "Well done, Dasham. Jack, we'll talk more tonight." The call ended abruptly.

Oh no.

"Go change your clothes. You're finished with that absurd job. I've had breakfast brought in. Change and join me."

My aversion to pretense and privilege had only grown stronger since my time in Sea Springs. After all the attaboys I'd received, perhaps it wasn't a coincidence my photo was taken. Maybe my father intentionally exposed me to all the publicity. The thought of his cunning manipulation made my stomach twist. My actions had harmed Beau.

However, my father still had the ability to help Beau's family. I needed to be candid and ask for his help. Despite everything, my father wasn't a monster.

"They'll be shorthanded without me," I said absently, but also didn't argue for the integrity of working until they found someone to replace me.

"Your sister's removed you from the schedule," he said, while rolling the plans up. "Change quickly. They've prepared the leek and prosciutto quiche you enjoy. It's best served fresh."

All right. His clear joy had me taking a deep breath. I'd never seen him so happy.

I made quick work of changing out of my clothes, relieved to never have to wear my lifeguard's uniform again. Instead, I slipped back into my usual attire—polo shirt and plaid walking shorts. I searched out my deck shoes, sliding them on before having a quick check in the mirror.

The smells coming from the interior of the suite had me moving faster. The last few weeks had me suffering from acute insomnia, and an advanced eating disorder. I was never hungry and had a general lack of motivation for anything other than being with Beau. Yes, after yesterday's intimate encounter, I was now ravenous. My teenage guy appetite was back. I planned to eat the entire quiche by myself.

Besides, I needed fortification to be ready for the best birthday of my life. The sweetness of love overpowered everything. I was such a dork. Soon I'd be writing sonnets to Beau's inner beauty.

"What would you like to drink?" a server asked, drawing me from my mental rough draft of said sonnet. My father was on another call, phone to his ear, gesturing me to the seat at an angle to his.

"What're my choices?" I asked, glancing over the spread of food. My stomach growled a loud grumble.

"I believe we have everything available. If not, I can call down and have anything brought up," she explained.

"How about some pineapple, orange, carrot juice?" My favorite juice from my travels overseas. I took my seat, with the napkin barely in my lap, before reaching for the quiche trowel.

I ate a few bites of the quiche, staying silent until my father ended the call and I heard the door click close behind the waitstaff. We were alone. "Is Mom joining us?"

"No. She's planning our trip home. We're leaving after the Fourth of July festivities. We'll be home before nightfall." He mirrored the energy I had toward our meal, digging in as if he hadn't eaten in days.

"Can I keep the car?" I asked and went at my plate in the same way. With my mom not popping in at any moment, I didn't have anyone to correct my eating habits.

"You deserve it. You were a natural out there and handled the press like a pro. I'm proud of you." He reached for my hand, giving a soft squeeze.

The surprising caress caused me to accidentally swallow a bite the wrong way. I coughed and grabbed my glass of juice, my napkin in the other hand. Honestly, my father's ensuing chuckle seemed a bit out of place for such a potentially hazardous moment.

"I'm sure we'll have something for you to unwrap on your birthday. Don't think I've forgotten." He winked at me, reaching for his coffee.

I took a moment to compose myself and breathe properly again, then put forth my next request. "If everyone's going home, I'd like to stay until school starts."

"Why?" My father's brow wrinkled, his expression confused. "I heard Chandler's family's returning early too. Why stay here?"

With no time to contemplate the various scenarios I could use to answer, I placed my fork beside my plate while Beau's mesmerizing face occupied my thoughts. The time had come. Let the consequences fall as they may.

"Maybe Chandler can come visit me here, or not. But I have something I need to share with you. I've met someone special, who's become important to me."

Perhaps it was the seriousness of my tone or the way I relayed the information, but my father paused, placing his fork on the edge of the plate, watching me closely.

"I've noticed you've been preoccupied lately. Joy's mentioned you've been using her car." Curiosity set his brow as he reached for his coffee cup. "How did you two meet?"

"He's from here. His name's Beau, and I'm really into him." The truth of my words left me suddenly vulnerable. "I like him so much. He's different from anyone I've known. Intelligent, athletic, and very nice-looking. He captivates me. My world revolves around him. He's all I think about. He took me fishing. I told him you'd be shocked he got me out there." I kept my steady gaze on him as he nodded his understanding.

"You've lost weight. Eat before it gets cold."

"Dad, I'm all mixed up. I came out here starving and now I can't imagine putting another bite inside my mouth. He's so special to me. My stomach's in knots, but in a good way, I suppose. I know I'm not making any sense."

"I understand, son. Everyone goes through first love madness..." He sympathized in a trivial sort of way, causing me to interrupt him.

"I truly love him, and he loves me. I have our future mapped out..." My dad gave a condescending bark of laughter as he began to finish his breakfast with purpose.

"What's this Beau's story? Did he see you on the news?" My father raised a critical eyebrow. "Weren't you supposed to be encouraging the girls, not the guys?"

"We met organically," I assured him. "We've been seeing each other in secret. We both need to be discreet. His father's a football coach in his hometown in Mobile. He played football too but doesn't any longer. It sounds like his dad wouldn't accept him. Maybe he's abusive, I don't know. But he lives here now with his mom. His grandparents own a nearby B&B. He never believed in their fight. He's reasonable."

I glanced down at my plate, unable to hold my father's increasingly disappointed stare.

"I have a request. Please don't destroy them. I haven't met his grandparents. You're the first person I've told about our relationship. They've spent their whole lives here. They have nothing else."

"Who are they?" he asked.

"His last name is Brooks. I believe his grandparents last name is the Vibrock—"

He interrupted me with a loud burst of laughter. It didn't sound good. "You're asking too much. That old woman deserves everything that's coming for her. She spearheaded that group. She's responsible for this community's demise." My father pushed his plate away. "I've had to leave my business and spend a month here. Do you realize the cost of bringing our entire family here to live on this property? You're asking too much, Dahsam. These people here are different from who we are. We don't belong with them, and they don't fit with us." Aggravation grew as he shook his head in frustration. "I know you think you're in love, but it's not what you believe."

My hand extended in an effort to silence him. I refused to listen to a negative rant that belittled what Beau and I shared. I didn't have blinders on to the obstacles in our way, but I was fully committed to doing everything possible to ensure Beau and I stayed together.

"Please." My single word response was the counter I gave to his argument. "If I've in fact contributed to your win, I request my payment go to keeping Beau's family from losing everything. They're good, honest people who got caught up in trying to save their small business. You, above everyone, understand the passion that goes into keeping your business afloat. Please, for me."

Crazy tension filled the space around us. Silence reigned.

"I'll see what I can do," my father finally bit out. "I'm not promising you anything, but I'll look into it. I always believed Chandler would be your one. His family suits us better. Not some hillbilly from Sea Springs, Texas. Dasham, you test every boundary."

There was nothing left to say. I mimicked him, crossing my arms over my chest. Mine was more to hold me together. I hadn't anticipated him to go so low by bringing in class divisions.

His chair scraped against the tile when he abruptly stood, placing a hand on my shoulder. I resisted the urge to pull away from the touch. "Don't worry. I'll handle it. Today's a day of celebration. How was your experience as a working-class man?"

I decided to believe him. Regardless of the pain he caused, he hadn't let me down yet. Even then, it took a few seconds to clear my head. "How do people live off such a low wage?"

My dad gave a commiserating chuckle. "It's a fair wage. Industry standard."

"But aren't you the creator of industry?" I set the napkin beside my plate, done with my meal.

"Now you're catching on, son."

I didn't understand his response, but I didn't need to. I also stopped actively listening as he carried on.

How much did I tell Beau? I'd wait and get us past the holiday. Maybe allow all this to play out, while I kept guiding my father to save the day.