“What’s mom going to say?” He knew I would know how his mother thinks.
“She is going to support your decision to work for Gentry. I discussed it with her before we met. You must tell her why you don’t want to play baseball. What do you want me to tell her between now and when you have that conversation?” He took a deep breath.
“I’ll talk to Mom about all this as soon as we finish here. I don’t want you to have to keep my secret.”
“Good. You must be enrolled in school within the next two weeks to start classes on time. Since I won’t be paying for your housing at school, I will help you with an apartment here in the city if you would like.”
“Thanks, Uncle Aaron. Talking to you was easier than I thought. I expected you to lecture me about missed opportunities and all that crap.”
“Let me be honest with you. I would make this offer even if you said you wanted to play baseball. It was going to be a choice on the table. The work you have done for me this summer has been great. I see that you will be an asset to me at Gentry. I want to work a little less, go a little wild, and only put in forty-two hours a week instead of sixty. I have something I enjoy more than work now. Honestly, I think I have paid my dues to my business. I’d even like to focus a little more on the winery.”
“I won’t let you down, I promise. I like working here. Can I ask one more thing?”
“I feel a topic change incoming.”
“Yeah. There is a guy I have been seeing. We played baseball together in high school. I genuinely like him. Do you think I could call River? I mentioned to Jeremy, that’s his name, that I know the owner of Hot Shots, and he freaked out. I wondered if maybe we could have lunch or something together. I also wanted to ask permission to give him a baseball cap he gave me that Sean Elroy signed.”
“His contact information is not mine to share, but I will give him yours and ask him to contact you. If that works.”
“That would be great. Thanks for everything. I am so excited about the future. I have been carrying this around for months. I should have talked to you about all this sooner.” I dropped the stack of the best online schools on the table.
“Matt did a bunch of research into online schools with business programs. Go through them and see if there is one you like. It also occurs to me that I have a building over on Front Street with nice apartments you can look at. They should be good for you. If you get a roommate, you can get a bigger unit.”
“What? You aren't putting me in the units across the street?” I laughed at him.
“I like you, kid, but not that much.” I stood up and tapped my chest. Daisy got on my shoulder.
“Can you send mom in? I must tell her my truth and that I will not be part of MLB.” He hung his head.
“She just wants you to be happy. I think she will be fine with all of it.” I left him sitting at the table. When I walked into the front part of the office, I told Sarah that she needed to talk to Rodney. She looked at me curiously and then walked to the back room.
I picked up my phone and realized I text way more than I used to—little notes to check in or make plans with River. I suddenly understood all those people that were attached to their phones. Maybe they were keeping in contact with their person, too.
I wanted to tell River why my nephew had taken baseball off the table. He knew better than anybody about being queer and in professional sports. I’ve seen articles online and in magazines where Hot Shots advocated and hired lawyers for clients when there had been harassment. It wasn’t my place to out him, though.
It frustrated me. I went back to the conference room, knocking softly. I poked my head in. “Hi. Do you mind if I tell River everything?”
“Nope. I’m not hiding.”
“Good man!” I closed the door.
I sent a text to Sarah. I could see her phone on her desk, but she would see it when she returned.
I’m having lunch with River, then going to both sites to resolve some issues.
I’m proud of your son. He is a good man. He is going to be highly successful in this business. Love you.
I called Daisy. “Let’s go have lunch with Charlie and River.” A food truck parked on the street in front of the lot every day. I went over and got some sandwiches and chips. I waved at Gary as I went up the elevator.
Chapter thirty-one
River
I heard the elevator ding and didn’t hear my phone notify me of a visitor, but I could have missed it. I had been working on contracts and sending emails. I get in the zone sometimes. I looked up at the clock, and it was 12:15 p.m. Where had the morning gone?
I walked out towards the front of the apartment. Coming off the elevator was a wonderful surprise. Aaron was holding a bag and raised it slightly. “I brought us lunch! I hope you haven’t eaten.”
I wanted to giggle. “You brought us lunch?”
