Page 32 of Reclaimed Dreams
Chapter10
2 years ago
Dom had always loved Halloween. Getting the kids all dressed up, taking them around for candy, claiming a handful of their stash for taxes once they got home… Jo would always wear something witchy that made him hustle the kids to bed. He missed those days.
Seeing Enzo with Natalie and Daisy brought those memories racing back. His children were starting to build families of their own, and he was excited to get to experience all of the childhood fun through the lens of grandpa. He could see where things were going between Enzo and Natalie, and it wouldn’t be long before Sofia and Adrian’s bump became a baby. Soon the house would be full of children’s voices again, and Dom couldn’t wait.
So many pieces of his plan were falling into place. Now, if he could just figure out the thing with Jo and with the business, he could retire a happy man.
His living room was full of neighbors and family members who had banded together this evening to find one missing little fairy who was now safely tucked into a bed upstairs. The search party turned impromptu Halloween party was well underway when Dom finally found Enzo and offered him a beer.
“Good work in there.” Dom tipped his own bottle to click against his son’s.
“We Valentis do good work, right Dad?”
“Nailed it in one.”
“Speaking of work, Dad, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”
“You’ve finally come to your senses and want to help run the business so I can retire.” Dom said it flippantly, but immediately Enzo tensed up.
“Uh, no, Dad.” Enzo sighed deeply and Dom could tell he wasn’t going to like what Enzo had to say. “Actually, I want to talk to you about a plan. I need you to buy out my branch of the business.”
“What kind of idiot plan is this?” Dom roared as the conversations around them fell silent. His reaction might’ve been over-the-top, but he’d already lost one son to a foolish decision. He was not about to lose another one.
“It’s not idiotic. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and the time is right.” Enzo yelled right back, which startled Dom. Enzo was more the “walk away and fume” type. Dom couldn’t remember the last time Enzo had stayed and fought.
Everything was changing, and Dom couldn’t keep up. “The time is not right. Why the hell do you need me to buy you out now?”
“Because starting up my own landscape design and maintenance firm is going to cost money.”
This was the first he’d heard of Enzo wanting to start his own business. What the hell was wrong with working for Valenti Brothers? Didn’t he know Dom was depending on him to stay and help? He’d already lost years trying to function after Gabe left. Dom could feel his entire plan for the business, the shows, and his retirement slipping through his fingers.
He doubled down hard. “Money you don’t have. So stay here and work for Valenti Brothers.” He injected as much finality as he could into his words, but Enzo wasn’t buying it. Dom panicked and racked his brain for counterarguments while Enzo pressed his case.
“I need to build my own, Dad. I need more than backyard gazebos and lawn care.”
“This is a big ask, and we’ve got a lot going on right now. The show, the new project…I don’t have the capital right now to indulge your whim.”
Enzo’s face flushed, and he snapped back. “Bullshit. You just don’t want to slow down on your ‘project.’ You don’t want to step back from the show. You, you, you. This is all about what you want to do. You are choosing those plans over my dreams.”
“And why shouldn’t I value concrete plans over speculative dreams? It’s my business. I built it with my blood, sweat, and tears. Nobody handed me anything.”
Who was this boy he’d raised to tell him he was being selfish? Didn’t he appreciate the sacrifices Dom had made his entire life? Hell, the sacrifices he was still making for Enzo’s welfare? He’d jeopardized his entire future with Jo because he’d been worried about the kids and the business.
Enzo’s head snapped back as if he’d been slapped. “So the last decade of my blood, sweat, and tears, poured into growing this side branch of the business, doesn’t count for shit? How much revenue did I bring in last year, that you are now pouring into this money pit in south county?”
“We are a family business. Everyone contributes—” Dom fumed when Enzo cut him off.
“But you are the only one who gets to make decisions and plans. I see. Someone just taught me the folly in that. You might want to rethink your strategy. Although this makes it even easier to walk away.”
Enzo turned to do just that, and ran into Natalie coming down the stairs.
“Hey, how’s she doing?”
“She’s fine, still sleeping. Are you okay?” Natalie brushed a hand down Enzo’s arm.
“I’ll be fine. I had just hoped that my dad would support my dreams and respect what I’ve brought to Valenti Brothers. It’s clear he doesn’t, so I’m done.”
