“Garret already told his dad he’s not taking over the company and his dad’s okay with it. Well, I’m sure his dad isn’t happy about it, but he’s accepted it.”
Frank’s quiet and I look up and see him watching me.
“What is it, Frank?” It comes out sounding angry because I already feel like he’s lecturing me and I’m sure he’s not done yet.
“Garret has grown up with wealth and privilege. People taking care of his every need. Is he planning on continuing to live that way when he’s on his own? Because that doesn’t seem like the type of lifestyle you’d want to be around. That’s not how you grew up.”
“Garret’s not going to live that way. He doesn’t want maids and cooks and he doesn’t want to live in a mansion.” I’m really getting pissed off now. It doesn’t matter how Garret grew up or how I grew up. I’ve finally accepted that and I don’t want to start worrying about it again. “Do you want me to break up with Garret? Is that what this is about?”
Frank leans over and rubs my arm. “No, of course not, honey. I just want you to think about these things. Although I like Garret, I do have concerns about his family. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but I find it a little strange that his father would give you such an expensive car. I suppose to him it’s not that expensive, but that’s just another thing for you to consider when you think about being with Garret. Being around that type of wealth will take some adjustment.”
“What are you saying, Frank? That I have to be poor the rest of my life because I grew up that way or because my mom was?” I yank my arm from him and move over on the couch. “I’m half Sinclair. That means half of me is rich. And I really wish I could tell people that because I’m sick of people at school acting like I’m not one of them. Acting like I’m just some poor kid from Iowa. I deserve to live in a nice house and drive a fancy car just as much as anyone else at Moorhurst.”
He nods slowly. “If that’s what you want, then okay.”
The way he says it infuriates me. Like it’s wrong for me to want material things. “It’s not what I want! I mean, I guess it is, but who wouldn’t want that stuff?”
I’m such an idiot. I shouldn’t have said that to him. Frank doesn’t have much when it comes to material things. His house is sparsely decorated and he wears worn-out clothes, yet he’s still happy. He’s always told me that he’d rather have his health and his family than material possessions, and I used to agree with him. I still do, but can’t I also have a few nice things?
“I’m sorry, Frank. I don’t know what I’m saying.”
“You’re right. You’re part Sinclair, but look what that lifestyle did to Royce. It turned him into a monster.”
“I know, but the whole family isn’t like that. His dad came to visit me a couple weeks ago and he—”
Shit! Why did I just say that?
Frank shoves the footrest of his recliner down and grips the edge of the couch. “What did he want? Did he threaten you? Try to hurt you?”
“No. He just wanted to talk.”
“This happened weeks ago? Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?” Frank’s really mad.
“I thought I’d wait until I got here.” Actually I wasn’t planning to tell Frank at all because I knew he’d overreact like this.
“Does he know what happened to your mother?” Frank huffs. “Of course he does. He helped Royce cover it up.”
“No. It’s not like that. Just let me explain.”
I tell Frank the story about Arlin, leaving out the part about the secret organization. Instead, I say how Arlin never knew the truth about my mom and didn’t know I existed until he found the file Royce had locked away.
When I’m done, Frank is quiet for a moment and then asks, “Did you believe him when he said he didn’t know about you or what happened to your mother? Did he seem sincere?”
“Yes. So he’s either a really good liar or he was telling the truth. He apologized repeatedly for his son and admitted that Royce had problems. Do you think he was lying? I don’t know enough about the guy to know if I should believe him.”
Frank leans back in his chair. “I did some research on Arlin and the whole Sinclair family back when your mother told me about Royce. I’ve continued to follow the family over the years and I haven’t come across anything that would cause me to think Arlin is dangerous. But that’s not saying much given that he could’ve just covered up whatever he’s done.”
“I don’t think Arlin’s like his son. After we talked, I got this gut feeling that he’s not.”
“And after he told you this, he asked if he could see you again?”
“Yes. He said he wants to get to know me and he asked if I’d meet his wife.” I shrug. “The whole thing’s really weird. I’ve never had grandparents before and then this guy just shows up saying he wants a relationship.”
“Jade, do you want to see Arlin again? Because you don’t need my approval to do so. Heisyour grandfather and it’s okay if you want to talk to him or have him introduce you to your grandmother.”
“I don’t know yet. I have to think about it.” I focus on the lines in the couch, not looking at Frank. “But what if I let him pay for some stuff? He offered to pay for the rest of my college and I was thinking that might be a good thing. It’s kind of weird to have Garret’s dad paying for my school. Arlin also said he wanted to help me with other expenses, not that I would ask him to, but . . . I don’t know. What do you think?”
“If you need money for something important, like school, and he’s offering, then I think it’s okay to consider that. I understand how you might feel a little awkward having Garret’s father pay for school, so maybe letting Arlin pay for it is a better option. As for other expenses, that’s up to you. Just make sure that Arlin’s doing this for the right reasons. If his offer includes any kind of conditions, then I think you should refuse his money. But it sounds like you didn’t get that feeling from him.”
