I stood, carefully folding the blankets on the couch before sitting on one of his kitchen stools.
Colin grabbed a pitcher of water from the fridge. Then he poured it into the machine while scrolling his phone. “Are you ready for tonight?”
I knew what he meant. There would be talk about Layton’s failed marriage proposal.
“Can I expect another public proposal?” Colin winked at me as he turned on the coffee machine, the noise of the beans grinding filled the room.
I waited until the machine quieted before I spoke. “No. I don’t think he’ll try that again.”
“What’s the plan then?”
“I scheduled a meeting with Dad this morning at his house. I want to make an announcement tonight about going forward without Dad’s backing, but I’m not sure how to do that. I think I’ll discuss my plan for expansion, my progress in Annapolis, and the need for funding.”
Colin leaned his elbows on the counter. “Maybe say you intend to be the sole director going forward, anyone who wishes to contribute can. It’s probably not a good idea to mention you lost your biggest investor.”
I had worried about the implications of Dad backing out, but if it weren’t known, then hopefully it wouldn’t affect me too much. “How did you get so good at diplomacy?”
“Years of attending these events. Some of it filtered through, unfortunately.”
“One day, when you’re a baseball player, you can lead your own charity.”
His eyes sparked with interest. “If I do that, I’ll hire you as my director. You’ll be a seasoned pro by then.” He paused before adding, “Or maybe I could partner with you. I don’t have money to back you, but I can help out. I could offer baseball or sports lessons to the kids when they stay after school. Make it part of the program. Then if I ever make it big, we could start a program in every city. Don’t forget, you started Kids Speak because of me and I feel just as strongly about making it a success.”
The coffee machine beeped, signaling it was ready.
He was right. He was the perfect spokesman. He could talk to the kids about his experience with stuttering as a child. “Colin, I just got chills. That’s an amazing idea.”
He winked. “I’m full of amazing ideas. Coffee?”
“Yes, please. I need something to get through this day.”
He pulled two mugs from the cupboard.
“Are you serious about what you said?” The idea of partnering with athletes to encourage kids was genius. The kids would love it. When local athletes were involved, money flowed.
“I’ve thought about it. I think it could work.”
“I do too. I’ll talk to the acting director here and get the ball rolling. I assume you want to be the first athlete to work with them.”
“I’d love to.”
I nodded, my brain already projecting possible scenarios and events we could do. Take the kids to a ballgame day and meet the players. Athletes could visit the school during lessons as a motivational tool for the students.
Colin poured both coffees. “I’m coming with you to Dad’s.”
My attention was so focused on his suggestions, it took a second to process the change in conversation. “No. You’re not. I want to do this myself.”
“I’m coming with you. This is a family matter and I won’t have him threatening you. Plus, I’m a part of Kids Speak too, right co-director?” His tone was teasing, but his expression was serious.
I sighed. He was right. It affected him too. “Fine, but you stand with me tonight when we announce this new development. We’ll say we’re in the planning stages.”
He slid my steaming mug over to me and covered my hand with his. “I’ll stand beside you tonight if you let me go with you to confront Dad. Got it?”
“Yes. Can I drink my coffee now?” I smirked.
“Yes.”
I blew on the coffee. I loved spending time with my brother. I hated not living in the same city as him. “Any chance you’ll move to Maryland after graduation?”
“If I play baseball, who knows where I’ll end up. I could be traveling around for years before I ever make it. If I make it at all.”
“If someone had a chance, it’s you. You’re more determined than I ever gave you credit for.”
He winked. “I’m glad you think so. I just have to convince the scouts.”
“Keep working hard and you will.”
Colin pulled into the elaborate circle driveway of Dad’s estate in the lower garden estate where we’d grown up. The tinkling of the fountain greeted us through Colin’s open window. It was beautiful, but when I lived here, I hadn’t seen it that way. It felt more like a luxurious prison.
With six bedrooms and seven baths, it was enormous, especially since Dad lived here alone. He needed a team to care for it. The grand white siding home had two large porches on each story, a pool and gardens in the back. Would he need to move if the business went under or had he saved some money over the years to sustain his lifestyle?
I couldn’t feel bad about the situation he was in. He wasn’t my responsibility. I needed to remember that during our meeting.
“What does he think we’re here to talk about?” Colin’s tone was tight.
“He probably thinks I’m going to accept his job offer.” Dad was usually too busy to schedule meetings with us. He called and demanded things but never took enough time to discuss anything with us.
“So, this isn’t going to go well.”
“I’ve been telling him I don’t want to come back here and work for him, so if he’s expecting anything else to come out of my mouth, he’s going to be disappointed. But you know how he is, he assumes we’ll go along with him eventually. He just has to find the right motivator.”
Colin rubbed his chin. “That’s what I’m worried about.”
“What can he take from us at this point?
