Chapter Eleven
Lance adjusted his black and white striped tie for the fiftieth time that evening and swallowed down the lump of nerves that had gathered in his throat. Gemma had agreed to meet him at the party. She was coming with her office mates and they were already ten minutes late.
He glanced again at the clock on the wall and leaned back against the gymnasium wall. It wouldn’t be cool to freak out before she got there. He had to chill out.
Not a moment later, they appeared under the arched doorway draped in gossamer and icicle lights. Chloe stood on the left in a bright purple dress that fell to her knees and complimented her dark skin. Laurie was on the other side in a brilliant coral dress, her hair twisted up into a curly mass. Lance barely noticed the two of them.
His eyes went straight for the woman in the middle, wrapped in a silver tube top dress with matching high heels. Her hair fell to her bare shoulders in loose curls. A painted on silver decoration swirled up her cheek and around her temple. She took his breath away, so much that he could barely muster out a hello.
“Gemma,” he croaked, pulling at his tie. “You look so beautiful.”
She blushed, taking his arm. “You wouldn’t believe how long Chloe had me strapped in a chair, working on this makeup. I was sure you were going to have to send out a rescue party.”
He laughed at the idea, glad she’d finally escaped. “Oh, that reminds me. I have something for each of you.” Pulling a pile of envelopes out of his jacket pockets, he passed them out.
Uncle Matthias usually had the bonuses delivered by carrier on Christmas Eve, but Lance had asked if he could pass them out this year. He could do this one last nice thing before shutting them down. They didn’t have to know it was more of a severance package than a bonus.
“This is it,” Gemma said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “I can finally buy our tickets to Europe. Mom’s going to freak.”
He felt his mouth tighten and he tried to smile, but he couldn’t fake it. It was doubtful Gemma was going to be buying tickets to anywhere. Without a job, she’d have to worry about rent and bills and all the other stuff that came with being an adult. He felt pain for her and a desperate desire to make it all better. His first thought was to buy the tickets for her; but Gemma would never accept that kind of charity. He was stuck.
The band started up, playing a swinging tune that brought couples swarming onto the dance floor. Gemma grabbed his hand and pulled him away, toward the tables. “Come on, I want you to meet my mom.”
“Wait, Gemma…” With the guilty feeling eating away at his stomach, he didn’t think he’d have the nerve to meet her mom.
“She’s excited to meet you.” Gemma ignored him and pulled him harder. She waved to Ricardo, who was standing by the bar, wearing a blue and pink pinstriped suit and holding a toy dog in his arms. He blew a kiss at them and then grinned.
A Santa dressed in a rich velvet suit sat on a golden chair in the corner. Dozens of kids were lined up to see him. Lance spotted Brandon standing in the line, dressed up in a tiny little black suit. Brandon waved his arm at him and nearly knocked over the kids next to him in his excitement. He waved back at his little buddy as his throat tightened.
What was going to happen to Brandon and the other kids after tonight? His uncle would say it’s not his problem, but his uncle didn’t know the kids like he did. He hadn’t spent an entire day with them, draping a tree with popcorn garlands and old fashioned lights. The light in their eyes told him that these kids hadn’t given up hope yet; that they still believed in a future with families of their own. Would closing the home kill that hope?
“This is my mom, Katherine.” Gemma said, pulling him back to the present. She had grabbed the arm of an attractive older woman who shared her daughter’s brown eyes and bright smile. Katherine shook his hand and then pulled him into a tight hug.
“You be good to my baby,” she whispered in his ear.
He pulled back and smiled nervously. “Sure thing.”
“And are you spending any time with your mom this Christmas season?” Katherine asked. She patted his arm and squeezed it. “I hope so. The holidays don’t mean much without family.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He swallowed and dipped his head. “Mom usually hosts a Christmas Eve party. I’m expected to be back in Minneapolis by then.”
Gemma smiled at him, although the light had left her eyes. “So soon?”
He grabbed her hand and squeezed. She wouldn’t be worried about his leaving in a few hours. In fact, she’d probably welcome it. “I’m sorry, I can’t help it. But can I at least have this dance?”
The band had switched pace to a slow tune. Gemma nodded and let him lead her to the floor, where he pulled her into his arms. He relished the sweet scent of her hair as they rocked, her hand in his. She leaned her head on his shoulder and stepped in closer. Her body lit his with a warmth he couldn’t describe. He wanted her - all of her. It was a completely foreign feeling to him. Even the ex-girlfriend who’d shattered his world hadn’t meant this much to him.
He thought of Gemma, with her dreams of a trip to Europe. He thought of Ricardo and his shelter of homeless animals. And he thought of Brandon putting his little hand in his. It was all too much. The room was beginning to close in on him, sucking out all the oxygen. He needed to breathe.
“I’ll be right back.” He tore away from Gemma, leaving her on the dance floor with a confused expression on her face.
Dodging the crowds of people, he barged through an exit, sucking in the freezing night. The cold air made his head feel light. He stood staring at the parking lot full of cars, waiting for the panic to subside. He couldn’t do this. It was all too much.
He wasn’t going to shut down the foundation. The decision came to him in a flash. Technically, he owned half of the Barkley & Barkley company. Uncle Matthias could go jump off a bridge. He wasn’t shutting down the foundation and that was the end of it. No one was losing their job today.
Relief washed over him. He wasn’t sure why he hadn’t made that decision earlier. It felt good to be free of the guilt. Gemma wouldn’t have to hate him. He would save the foundation and she’d never have to know.
He was still staring at the parking lot when a silver BMW pulled up. Two men got out of it, one wearing an orange beanie. Squinting into the dark night, Lance gripped the stair rail in front. Surely, that couldn’t be who he thought it was. He’d never make the trip all the way up here. It was crazy.
“Good evening, nephew.” Uncle Matthias climbed the concrete steps to the hall. He wore a gray suit and cloak and walked with a cane. Frankie followed closely behind, a sheepish smile on his face.
“What are you doing here?” Lance reeled back, his heart racing. “You’re supposed to be in Minneapolis.”
Uncle Matthias paused and tipped his head. “If only that were true. But when I cornered young Franklin, here, at the office, he seemed to think that you weren’t going to be able to accomplish the task I set out before you.”
Frankie bared his teeth in a grimace and shrugged helplessly at him. Lance had the sudden desire to punch him in his freckled face, but he kept his fist curled tightly next to his side.
“You can’t do it,” he growled at his uncle. “It isn’t right.”
“I can and I will.” Uncle Matthias pulled off his cloak and dropped it into Frankie’s arms. “And I’ll do it tonight. No use putting things off. Tomorrow, I want you in Minneapolis with me. We’re going to need to talk about the future of the company. If you can’t even accomplish this small task, you’re never going to be able to walk in your father’s shoes.”
Lance felt his jaw drop as his uncle strolled past him and through the double doors into the community hall. His feet had turned to blocks of ice, frozen to the cement.
“I’m so sorry, dude,” Frankie said, coming up beside him. He leaned back slightly, as if afraid Lance was going to start swinging. “He totally cornered me and began yelling. I’m not good under pressure. I’ve got an ulcer that could burst.” He rubbed his stomach and frowned.
“He can’t…” Lance’s mind was working at a slower pace than usual. He rubbed his chin, willing the words to come. “He can’t do it. I won’t let him.”
Finally, his feet unfroze and he hurdled after his uncle. Bursting into the hall, he skidded to a halt. The lights had been brightened so all the room was illuminated. A handful of people stood on the small stage next to the band, his uncle among them. Lance raced to the stage as they handed Matthias the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for your hospitality,” his uncle began.
He smiled warmly at the crowd, the deep wrinkles growing in his cheeks and jowls. It wasn’t an expression Lance saw much from his uncle; smiles were saved for only times of deepest sympathy. He’d seen one of those when his uncle had broken the news to him about his father’s death.
“My mother loved this town,” he went on to say. “She grew up here, eventually married my father, and moved to the cities. But she never forgot New Hope. Which was why she created the New Hope foundation and supported it well pass her death, God rest her soul.”
A splattering of applause followed his words. Lance looked at the crowd to see Gemma, Chloe, and Laurie standing at the front. Gemma was looking at him, concern flickering in her eyes. It hit him that he hadn’t had the chance to tell her how he really felt about her. And now, his uncle was going to take it away forever.
Uncle Matthias passed the microphone to his other hand and cleared his throat. “Barkley & Barkley was proud to fund the foundation for a handful of years after mother’s trust ran out. And I’m also proud to say that I am happy your town has thrived. Driving here tonight, I saw what love has been poured out into every stone of this community. Love is what keeps you running. You will be around for many more decades because of that love.”
This was the moment. Lance could feel it.
“But it is with deepest regrets that I must announce the closing of the New Hope Foundation.” A gasp went through the crowd, followed by harsh whispers scattered throughout. “My nephew has been running the numbers here for the past few weeks and I am confident that New Hope will remain the bright and warm town it has always been.”
Lance could feel a hundred eyes land on him all at once. He hazarded a glance in Gemma’s direction. What he saw was neither hatred nor shock. Her face wore a blank mask as she stared at him, void of any emotion. A jolt went through his stomach, piercing his insides.
“Thank you, lovely ladies and gentlemen.” Uncle Matthias, seemingly oblivious of the trauma he’d just inflicted, waved with a big smile. “The Barkley family will always be grateful for the role you have played in our legacy.”
He left the mic in the hands of the speechless band leader and limped off the stage, cane in hand. As he passed Lance, he patted him on the shoulder with a growl that told him he had failed. Despite all his plans, he’d lost everything in one day. There was no going back.
He turned to Gemma, hoping to at least apologize before he slunk out the back. Their eyes met and he opened his mouth to call her name, but she turned before he could get the words out. Chloe and Laurie surrounded her with their loving embrace and they walked into the grieving crowd, leaving him to choke on his apology.