Page 471 of Seasons of Love
“He’s a man of few words. His actions speak louder.”
“Then he definitely loves me.” I laughed.
My uncle finished his coffee and sat back on the couch.
“This is all new to me. I’ve read Griff’s books, so let’s say my mind has been truly opened when it comes to relationships between men. I wanted to be there for you and Gabriel as you grew up, but you’re both so different from me and from each other. But one thing is universal, we all need someone to love, and there are no rules that say there’s a limit on how many people you can love.”
“I want to love them, Uncle Frank. So much. What you had with Aunt Annie? I want it with them, but I’m not sure this island is ready for it. And from John’s actions yesterday, I’m afraid of what might happen if this comes out.”
“Once upon a time, people looked down on your mother because she was pregnant out of wedlock. But they always still came when she sang at The Dive. When you give people something they love, they tend to forget the details. It may take some people longer to accept it, but they’ll come around eventually.”
I couldn’t believe everything I was hearing from my uncle. Did he really accept my relationship with Griff and Mal? Was he really ready to stand up for us?
“Thank you, Uncle Frank. You have no idea how much this means to me. I feel like I’ve been in this fog of lies, and it’s clearing up finally. But there’s still the issue with the resort and the lack of contractors willing to do the work.”
“I don’t know how we solve it, son. But I know what the first two steps are.”
“What are they?”
“Brian will no longer be welcome at the resort. If he had any concerns, he had plenty of opportunities to do the right thing and speak to me. Spying and taking photos of his colleagues and then helping John with his ridiculous blackmail is not the culture I want to breed in my business.”
I nodded. He was right. Firing someone who had a family to feed was always difficult, but Brian hadn’t thought of his family when he decided to spy for his stepdad. He thought he’d find an easy way up the career ladder.
There was a big difference between being driven and stabbing someone in the back, and Brian was firmly in the second camp.
“I also accept your resignation,” he said.
What?
He laughed. “Don’t look at me like that. It’s not appropriate for you to work for Mal if you’re in a relationship.”
“Of course. I understand. I mean, I have plenty of experience and my MBA. I’m sure I’ll find something on the mainland.”
“That’s not necessary. I want you to work for me as a consultant. The work you did for Mal with the skills matrix, the cross-training, and efficiency? I want you to do it for the whole business. John was right. Silver Resorts is all about family, and it’s time we invest our time and money in our family. Of course this would require you to be away at times when you need to visit other resorts, but never for long, I imagine.”
I stared at my uncle. My mouth opened, but no sounds came out.
“Of course you don’t have to accept it—”
“I do. I really do. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but I was going to wait until Mal didn’t need me at the resort anymore. I always thought I wanted to run this resort, but now I know what I wanted was to be part of it, part of your business. That job would give me a lot more satisfaction, and I hope it gives me enough scope to support Gabe when he takes over the business from you one day.”
Uncle Frank stood up from the couch. “That’s settled, then. Come on, Jessie, let’s see what we have left in the fridge to feed the troops. Do you know that your friend Sam stayed over last night?”
“Um, no, I crashed out here.”
My uncle looked up at the sky and sighed. “Ah, to be young and able to sleep anywhere. I remember those days.”
I laughed. “Trust me, my back isn’t particularly happy right now.”
“I think you should go see your men. I’m sure they’ll have a cure for that.” He chuckled.
I groaned. “Ugh, you need to stop reading Griff’s books.”
Our eyes met, and I finally saw what I’d been searching for all my life.
“Uncle Frank…may I call you Dad?”
He covered his mouth with his hand and nodded.
